I adopted an older cat yestersday...need some advice too

[Dax]

My hubby and I had to go see the Dr. yesterday. We went to Celebration Hosp as that is where the office is. When we got out of there, we decided to go to the computer store near Mall of Millenia. We also notice the Orlando SPCA is right there, so we stopped. We looked at all the sad doggies and kitties. We kept going back to a cage. Boots. 10yrs old. Star Pet. Adoption fee special of $35.

We took the card to the front. He had a story....

He was brought in with his brother Socks, on the 13 of Jan. He was brought in because the previous owners divorced. The SPCA tried to adopt them out together, but no one would take them both. Socks was adopted last week. Poor Boots, was not. He was due to be put down at the end of this week.

Enter my wonderfully loving husband....He said we would take him. We adopted him on the spot. They were thrilled. Told us he is loving...you know....

Well we get him out of the box....he is skinny. He had a clean bill of health, just is VERY skinny. I have bathed him, but I feel he is depressed. He only realy licked himself a little.

I believe he will be a big beautiful cat at with proper, healthy diet. Its just a matter of time. Any suggestion on what to feed him? I have MaxCat Senior formula for my other cats, and I got some Friskies wet food to get him to eat. I am not sure if he has eaten it yet though. We shall see.

So any good advice on how to get him back up to normal weight?

Oh, and we changed his name to Lucius..like in Harry Potter..LOL..

 

[MickeysMommy]

I'm not an expert but I might feed him smaller portions throughtout the day since he is so skinny. I just wanted to say that I thought it was wonderful that you adopted this cat. Pixie Dust to all of you and lots of luck

 

[Lisa F]

How wonderful that you adopted that kitty! So sad that a divorce led to the dumping of that pair of kitties, but glad to hear they found good homes for them (even if they are separate).

I'm not surprised that Lucius is moping, but he will get over the "loss" of his brother, especially if he socializes well with your other cats. I'm not sure what to give him to gain weight, though. Mine are all on light food since they like to overindulge. Kitten food will put weight on because it's higher in fat but it's also higher in protein and can put a strain on older cats' kidneys so they don't recommend letting an older cat have it.

Do we get to see a pic?

 

[Dax]

Yes pics will be coming soon...

Anyone else had advice...

 

[Virgo10]

Oh, how wonderful that you gave this older kitty a second chance!

Cats don't like their diets changed too quickly. Could you find out what the shelter was feeding him and then gradually switch him over to a good senior cat food?

Most of my cats were older when we got them. When I was volunteering at our local MSPCA, I wrote a poem. The Staff posted it for the people who came in to look at the kitties.

The Older Cat

I'm not so young or fair of face.
And there'll be times I want my space.
I might sleep more then be awake
But give me time... your heart I'll take.


I'm an older cat, my ways are set.
And you may wonder what you'll get.
But I'm calm and wise and you might find
That I can give you peace of mind.


I might be passive - not want to play
But before you know they'll come a day
When you're sad or down, I'll take my nap
And you'll find love sleeping on your lap.


I watch the youngsters leave their cage.
Their lives are new... an empty page.
But an older cat can teach you much.
And all I ask is a gentle touch.

Roberta

 

[catsrule]

yay for Lucius! Let me know if he likes belly rubs! Fatten him up good, nothing like a nice, rubbable belly!

 

[chager]

From what I have read you should feed him small portions 2-3x a day. I'm not sure what senior food is good to use becuase i'm just using Purina Indoor Formula for all my cats. My 12yr old is on an unrestricted diet due to her illness. You may even want to try mixing dry and wet food. I do that for Trixie because her teeth have declined with her health It is wonderful you decided to give this kitty a home

 

[Robinrs]

I just wanted to APPLAUD you for adopting an older cat, too! I adopted an "older" cat at the grand old age of 2! It's amazing how grateful they are!

Check with the vet about his size. It may be normal for his breed. My Max is very tiny also but they told me that was his normal size, and he eats like a maniac! He also runs it off.

 

[KristaTX]

Just wanted to thank you for adopting Boots. Poor little guy. My 2 cats are brothers, and I know they would be so sad without each other. It sounds like you were just the right person to come along for him . I hope Socks found a nice person, too.

Krista

 

[Lanshark]

I don't have a lot of advise except to ask your vet. I know senior foods are usually lower in calories. I would think a regular adult food with some occasional wet food would start to plump him up. My first kitty, who lived to 15, started loosing weight the last year or so. The dry food was too hard for her and believe it or not she didn't like the wet food. The one thing she wolfed down was Tender Vittles. I don't believe it is that great a food for a cat if it's their main diet but she always ate it. It helped keep her weight up.

Good Luck. He's a very lucky cat!

 

[Dax]

well we made some progress....I got him to eat some turkey...deli style....HE LOVED IT!!!..

Like I said to hubby, whatever he wants....I am going to try the Tender Vittles...Maybe he will like that

 

[Laura]

Yay for Lucius! And yay for you for adopting him!

I think the others gave great advice. He may be a picky eater and it might just take time to see what he's into. I hope he fattens up soon!

 

[katerkat]

Aww, congrats on your new arrival! I, too, adopted an older cat who's brother was adopted before him. He had no time to mope, though, since he met his new brother at the door! I started him on adult wet food, twice a day, with free-feeding of dry food. Nearly two years later, he's still a skinny little boy! (Though fatter after two months at his Grandma's...) He's even eating the food that made his brother fat. He's just a skinny boy - 8lbs. So I wouldn't worry too much, as long as he's eating and pooping normally. He'll gain it slowly but surely! Oh, and as for cleaning himself (what, the other cats don't help him??) you can wipe him down with a damp washcloth.

 

[Gary M]

You and your DH did a real good thing adopting Lucius. You are caring people.

 

[Val]

He probably misses his old buddy and his old family and is a bit down, which might explain some of the weight loss. Being in a new house with other cats may stress him a bit at first, but once he settles in I bet he will fatten right up! Bless you for taking him. He will be eternally grateful and warm your lap for years to come!

 

[Stimpy]

Thank you for adopting an older cat!!!!! I volunteer for a cat rescue organization and it breaks my heart to see the older cats sitting in the cages so long. If I didn't have 2 cats already, I'd adopt them all! I think it takes a very special and caring perons to adopt older animals!

Some older cats take a long time to adjust to a new home, especially if they are seperated from other animals they lived with. When we had to put one of our cats to sleep a few years ago, the other one was literally depressed for weeks. Animals need time to mourn their losses too. I'm sure he'll come around and live a long and happy life! Good Luck!!