Best Pets for Seniors - Part 4 - Best Cats for Seniors

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1 - Benefits & Drawbacks
Part 2 - Tips, Alternatives, & Helpful Programs
Part 3 - Best Dogs for Seniors
Part 4 - Best Cats for Seniors
Part 5 - Best Birds for Seniors
Part 6 - Best Rodents for Seniors
Part 7 - Aquariums & Aquarium Plants
Part 8 - Best Aquarium Fish for Seniors

Introduction

Benefits of Cats

• Cats are good pets for those with more limited mobility who can't take dogs out for exercise or are otherwise lacking in fenced in yards. They require less grooming, are otherwise lower maintenance, and many breeds & individuals are content to live entirely indoors permanently.
• They are suitable for many different living arrangements including smaller quarters & other situations which are not suitable for dogs & other types of pets such as very small apartments, condos, assisted living & nursing homes.
• Cats are clean by nature compared to other pets, including grooming & bathing themselves.
• Cats require less play time per day (~30 minutes total) than their canine counterparts and interactions don't require much mobility. Playing can be done using cat toys such as dangles, wands, laser pointers, and self propelled electronic toys.
• Unlike dogs that only have a subset of lapdogs of a suitable size, most cats are small enough to easily stay within an owner's lap or be picked up in someone's arms for easy transport.
• The petting or grooming of a cat's fur can be a healthy source of hand exercise that can  improve hand dexterity, strength, fine motor skills, or help with the stiffness of arthritis.
• Cats are less expensive to maintain versus dogs with yearly bills for food, toys, litter, vet expenses, and other necessities being an average of $300 - $800 less than their canine counterparts.

Drawbacks of Cats

• Cats will require a basic level of mobility or access to a caregiver than can regularly stoop down to clean their litter boxes, provide food & water, and provide grooming when necessary.
• Cats as pets should be avoided if a senior has overly fragile skin that can be easily damaged by the scratching of claws or a compromised immune system which makes the introduction of bacteria through scratches and nips/bites overly dangerous (such as through the case of contracting cat scratch fever). Certain infections such as toxoplasmosis, campylobacter, and salmonella can also be contracted by improperly handling cat feces. Cats that are allowed to roam outside are especially prone to bringing back illnesses.
• While less expensive to maintain than dogs, cats still accrue a hefty yearly bill compared to other pets such as fish & rodents with of an average of $500 - $1000 for the first year (that establishes their main supplies such as beds, kitty litter box, grooming supplies etc) with an average of $300-$500 per year afterwards.
• Diseases can be more difficult to detect in cats who are more likely to hide their symptoms than other pets such as dogs. This can be particularly dangerous for seniors or those with compromised immune systems who may be unaware of their cats spreading undetected bacteria (such as found in cats urinating all over the house due to an undiagnosed urinary tract infection)
• Cats overall can be more shy, distant, or aloof as compared to dogs. Thus is may take more effort at searching to find a particular individual or breed that is more affectionate & enjoys being handled.
• Cats can sleep for up to 16 hours a day which makes many of them low maintenance when it comes to playing, stimulation, activity & attention requirements, but such may not be suitable for those owners wanting more hands-on interaction with their pets.
• Cats can live up to 15 - 20 years and thus will require a succession plan if something happens to incapacitate their senior owner. This is particularly necessary for younger cats that are more prone to outlive their owners.

Tips & Advice

Things to Keep in Mind when Choosing a Specific Cat Breed or Individual

• Keep in mind the minimum medical & mobility requirements for those seniors who lack outside resources for helping them maintain their pets.
• Generally for seniors, the best traits in a cat breed or individual  include being easy-going, mellow & calm, quiet (especially for those who live in group arrangements), as well as finding a cat that doesn't mind being handled, and enjoys the presence of people or lying in someone's lap.
• Some cat breeds are known for being more independent and finding their own ways of amusing themselves without requiring the attention of their owner. These types are suitable for seniors that have more limited time & attention or don't want their pet constantly following them around.
• Older cats are generally preferred for seniors over kittens & younger cats which can still be overly energetic, somewhat destructive to their environment with playful nipping, chewing, and clawing, as well as requiring some training. More mature cats tend to have more level temperaments, are already housebroken to their kitty litter box, have already been spayed/neutered and have a longer health history to fall back on, and should already have manifested their full personality quirks.
• A shorter haired cat should be sought for those seniors who may have trouble with daily or multiple weekly grooming requirements or who may have some allergy to can dander. Short haired cats also tend to be cleaner when it comes to using their litter with less chance of any mess attaching to their fur. However, short haired cats also tend to have more all year long shedding compared to their longer haired counterparts.
• Long haired cats tend to be higher maintenance due to their extra grooming requirements such as brushing several times a week and a monthly bath to help prevent fur matting. In addition to more matted fur, long haired cats are also more prone to hairballs and may require a "vanity cut" on their hindquarters to help prevent litter box accidents. There is also a marked increase in shedding for long hairs cats during the warmer months. Longer fur is also more prone to trigger pet dander allergies.
• While some individual cats will maintain their claws by themselves (by biting them short), many cats will require monthly clipping of claws to help prevent destructive scratching as well as the dragging of kitty litter & dirt through the household.

Best Cats for Seniors

American Shorthair

• 6 - 15 lbs
• As stated in their name, the American Shorthair is shorthaired cat that requires minimal grooming. This is one of the more popular cat breeds in the USA and thus should be easy to find at a nearby shelter or breeder. They are known for being healthy & long lived as well as being independent minded & not requiring much attention or maintenance. American Shorthairs are quiet, easy-going & gentle, and affectionate with people. They are a good breed for both kids & seniors and easily adapt to many different living situations.

 Snow Shoe

• 7 - 12 lbs
• The Shoe Shoe is a shorthaired cross between the Siamese & American Shorthair that is easy to groom, loyal & sweet tempered,  as well as highly affectionate with people & good with other pets. They are known for having robust health & being intelligent enough to perform tricks, play fetch, or walk on a leash. Due to the difficulty of breeding for their distinctive pointed markings, the Show Snow is a more uncommon breed. They are also somewhat vocal compared to other cats recommended for seniors and thus may not be appropriate for group living situations such as nursing homes.

British Shorthair

• 7 - 17 lbs
• These shorthaired cats are easy to groom & maintain, being independent minded and undemanding, they do not require overly much attention from their owners. They are good natured with mellow & easy-going personalities that are quiet & reserved. Not known for being lap cats, the British Shorthair generally does not enjoy being carried around. However, their short puffy coats give them the appearance and teddy bears & provide good therapeutic exercise for the hands when it comes to petting, stroking, or grooming them.

Russian Blue

• 8 - 15 lbs
• This distinctive colored shorthaired cat is known for being gentle, quiet, patient and somewhat shy or reserved. However, they are affectionate & playful around their owners and remaining loyal & sensitive to their human's moods, generally enjoy being around people, and are good with kids & other pets. These cats are known for their intelligence and can play "fetch" with their toys. Russian Blues are low activity pets that require minimal weekly grooming with little shedding. They are best for indoor living in stable environments.

Burmilla (Shorthair)

• 7 - 15 lbs
• The Burmilla is originally a cross between a Burmese & a Chinchilla Persian and their shorthaired version of requires minimal grooming with weekly brushing & rare baths. More friendly, extroverted, and sociable than Persians, these cats are playful but not overly active. The affectionate, gentle & sweet Burmilla enjoys being around people and are good with both kids & other pets. Burmillas are uncommon in the USA and so may require a bit more searching around to find the perfect one for a senior loved one.

Pixie-Bob (Shorthair)

• 8 - 25 lbs
• These cats are large, sturdy, and known for their good health (including having "lucky" extra toes). They are mellow, patient, & easy-going with an affectionate temperament that is often described as "doglike", which includes enjoying walks on leashes and rides in cars.  Pixie-Bobs bond strongly with their owners, enjoy being around people, and are generally good with kids. The short haired version of the breed requires a medium level of weekly grooming to keep their wooly double coats from matting or excessively shedding.