If most people who want to welcome a small feline into their home opt for a kitten, many individuals make the choice each year to adopt an adult cat. Adopting an adult cat sometimes means offering an animal the chance to live in a loving home for many years or to end its old age. It is also, for elderly people, the solution to welcome a cat and enjoy the presence of this little companion a few years without having to commit for at least 15 years. Nevertheless, adopting an adult cat can present certain constraints or difficulties. Let's find out together.
The adult cat has a certain experience
Adopting an adult cat is a noble act, but not always easy. Indeed, like us humans, cats are shaped by their experience. The behavior and character of an adult cat are the result of his experience and the trials he has gone through. Learning about the past of an adult cat that you want to adopt can be a good idea to get to know it better and anticipate possible peculiarities in its behavior.
A cat that has suffered trauma or physical violence, abuse or punishment and humiliation will certainly have a hard time trusting the man again. These animals, if they do not have behavioral disorders, are stressed cats, sometimes aggressive, on their guard, fearful, suspicious and generally distant. It will take time, for the most part, before they accept the caresses. Some even refuse to be touched for a very long time.
It also happens that cats form extremely strong, even fusional relationships with their owner. As a result, if the latter dies, the cat may remain traumatized by this separation for a long time and have difficulty opening up to others.
If you have the opportunity to learn about the past of the cat you want to adopt, you can either avoid welcoming a traumatized feline or, on the contrary, better prepare its arrival in your home.
An ever more difficult uprooting
The cat is a territorial and routine animal. He needs stability to reassure himself and remain serene. As a result, if a kitten can more easily acclimatize, an adult cat has greater difficulties in integrating into a new environment. Leaving their previous home or shelter where they may have spent several months or years is experienced as a terrible uprooting by some cats.
Overnight, these animals must learn to live in a new environment, with new smells, new voices, new people, new rhythms. They must rebuild their landmarks and habits in a new space. This can take a long time, which is why patience, gentleness and kindness with the animal is required. Always give him time to take the first step and never force things. You might scare him.
Specific health examinations
If you are adopting an adult cat, it is imperative to take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible for a full examination. Ideally, this visit should be done before the adoption to allow you to retract if necessary.
This visit must make it possible to check whether the animal is up to date in its vaccinations and to carry out the necessary reminders. This is also the time to deworm it to protect it from internal parasites. In addition, this consultation may be an opportunity to identify the cat, if it is not yet done, by means of a tattoo or an electronic chip.
But this visit also makes it possible to verify that the animal is not a carrier of a disease and that its overall state of health is satisfactory. Indeed, it is important to be aware of any serious diseases or contagious pathologies that can be transmitted to humans or other animals in the household. In addition, it is an opportunity to detect possible signs of abuse. If this is the case and the animal shows certain behavioral signs (fear, abnormal stress, aggressiveness, etc.), consulting a feline behaviorist may be a good solution.
Be available to welcome the animal
Of course, before your cat crosses the threshold of his new home, everything will have to be ready, at his disposal. Sleeping, bowls, food, litter, toys... everything must be operational and in place so that he feels as little upset as possible.
Nevertheless, you will have to be patient and be available for the animal. Do not imagine dropping him off at home and leaving immediately for work or on vacation. It is imperative to welcome your adult cat by being at home, that is to say if possible at the beginning of the holiday period, or at least at the very beginning of the weekend.
It is not a question of being invasive, but of preparing your cat's necessities so that everything is at his disposal in a single room at the beginning and helping him acclimatize smoothly. Let him discover his new environment step by step, piece by piece, at his own pace. Wait until he agrees to be caressed or approached to do so, but your presence, even from afar if he does not yet let himself be touched, is important to help him take his ease. Encourage him in a soft voice and always let him feel you before touching him.
Patience! You will soon become good friends, even the best in the world!
Helping the adult cat adapt
Before the cat arrives in your home, prepare your children by teaching them well to respect the animal. It is important for them to understand that their new little companion may need time and calm to adjust to their new home.
If other animals already live in your home, it is essential to isolate each in separate spaces during the first few days. They will get used to the presence of others little by little by smells and noises. Avoid direct confrontations, which are difficult for such territorial animals to live with.
Respect everyone's expectations and needs and proceed step by step. To avoid conflicts, it is important that all animals are ready and already accustomed to the indirect presence of the other.
Finally, do not forget that everyone must have their bowl, litter, bed and toys. Avoid forcing them to share them so as not to aggravate an already difficult adaptation.
Take the right action in the event of an accident
The uprooting is profound for an adult cat upset in its landmarks and its daily life. Small accidents are therefore possible. It is imperative to react with kindness to help the animal acclimatize and not aggravate its blockage.
If you find that your cat has done his business outside his litter box, a possible act in case of upheaval, it is important to adopt the right gestures. If you didn't take it on the fact, don't say anything. This is the principle of "not seen, not taken". Indeed, your pet is unable to associate your reaction with a past act. He would therefore not understand the object of your anger against him and would perceive it as an unjust act; your relationship would only suffer. So clean up the accident in its absence and do not react.
If you catch it in the act, wear it as much as possible to put it in its litter box, to show it where it should do its business. If it's too late, clean up once he's gone, never in front of him. On the other hand, do not put his nose in it, he would feel that you are showing him what to do and he would start again. That would be counterproductive. Give him time to get used to it, these small accidents should not last. And help him by attracting him to the litter, especially by cleaning it with bleach, a smell they appreciate.
In any case, always show kindness and patience towards him. You will soon find that your adult cat is a perfect life companion.
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