So Another Cat Joined My Clowder

fatcat · **Joined:** Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:11 pm **Posts:** 1378

An elderly lady surrendered her 23-year-old cat at the shelter and staff didn't think anyone would adopt him at that age. Plus, they worried that he would get sick more easily in a shelter environment. So as of today, Chewbacca lives with me. Hopefully he'll be around for quite a while longer. I'll probably call him Mr. Burns behind his back. For now, he's hanging out in my guest room. Any advice on caring for a cat that advanced would be greatly appreciated.

fezza · **Joined:** Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:17 pm **Posts:** 5324

Twenty three?!!!

That is a mightily impressive tail Mr Burns.. ahem... Chewbacca. Congratulations on your new home <3

happyfaced · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 7:57 pm

i don't have any advice, but i wanted to say you're too awesome to take him home, he's such a regal look'n guy! awwww!

veganna · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:00 pm

He's precious! I'm so glad he has a wonderful home with you. How many are living with you now?

celyn · **Joined:** Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:40 pm **Posts:** 2078

What a sweetie-pie. You are awesome, fatcat.

Tofulish · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:32 pm

You are amazing! Hugs to you and Mr. Burns <3

Mars · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:30 pm

I'm in love with you.

primesaut · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:39 pm

Excellent!

(Sorry, couldn't resist...)

raspberrycomplaint · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:03 pm

Floofy tail!!! You are so nice to take him home!

The only advice I have is to go for regular vet visits with bloodwork, feed a good diet, and give a glucosamine supplement for his joints. Make sure he is drinking enough, and watch his urine output, since kidney problems are so common in older cats. And just be aware that he might have trouble getting around, so food, water, litter box, and comfy bed should be easily accessible (You may want to add an extra litter box or two). I hope he will enjoy your home for a nice long time! The oldest cat we ever had at the shelter was also 23, and she was healthy as a horse.

fatcat · **Joined:** Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:11 pm **Posts:** 1378

Thanks everyone! I set him up with all of his own stuff at floor level. Except the recliner that was already in there and he seems to like it. The staff tracked his eating/bathroom habits at the shelter and had bloodwork done on him during the week he was there, so I have all of that to bring with me on Monday for his vet appointment. I also bought some food marked "easily digestible" until I can see what the vet recommends (mixing it with the stuff he was eating at the shelter so he doesn't get an upset stomach). Thanks for the tips!

pannkakan · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:21 am

Such a beauty!

I don't have any advice, but I do feel with you about feeling for the special cats at the shelter. Where I volunteer, the young and "common" cats is so much easily adopted out, but all my favs are the ones that are somewhat special, eg this awesomely cuddly cat with just one eye.

golden delicious · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:51 am

You're excellent for taking him! He definitely has the posture of Mr. Burns in that photo

bekki · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:10 am

He is beautiful. And it makes me all warm and fuzzy that you took him home.

paprikapapaya · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:35 am

23! What a sweet baby. Congratulations on the new addition!

Kinney · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:18 pm

You are my hero!

So may hugs to you and your new furbaby!

Invictus · **Joined:** Wed Oct 20, 2010 2:23 pm **Posts:** 2490

What a floofy tail!

anna bee · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:41 pm

what a sweet-looking old man. i'm glad he has a good home to live out the rest of his days.

von m · **Joined:** Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:39 pm **Posts:** 656

Oh he's so adorable! I'm so glad he found a wonderful home with you. You are awesome!

coldandsleepy · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:07 pm

Awww, he's adorable. 23! Dude!

fatcat · **Joined:** Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:11 pm **Posts:** 1378

I just ordered a heated cat bed for him on Amazon. I also picked him up for the first time and noticed that he has a lot of matted fur on his underside. I'm going to ask the vet to shave them off if it won't be too stressful for him. I can't imagine that it's very comfortable for him.

fezza · **Joined:** Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:17 pm **Posts:** 5324

fatcat wrote:

I just ordered a heated cat bed for him on Amazon. I also picked him up for the first time and noticed that he has a lot of matted fur on his underside. I'm going to ask the vet to shave them off if it won't be too stressful for him. I can't imagine that it's very comfortable for him.

Aaaww, poor puss! He's lucky to have found such a wonderful mum for his retirement years <3

tanis · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:09 pm

He totally looks like Mr. Burns! I'm glad you took him in, it's so hard for elderly cats to find homes.

eatsbabies · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:36 pm

I love this! I'm so happy for you and your new/old kitty.

dakini · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:19 pm

Congrats fatcat and new kitty! What a sweet boy. Hope he lives another 23 years with you!

fatcat · **Joined:** Wed Oct 20, 2010 6:11 pm **Posts:** 1378

Back from the vet, who looked at the labs and examined Chewie. The vet thinks the lady's brain wasn't working when she wrote down his age, because vet doesn't think Chewie is any older than 13. The matted hair is gone and he seems happier. I hope he's only 13 because that means I'll get more years with him.

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