 Everybody loves kittens. Who wouldn’t? They’re soft, playful, and sweet. But if you’re thinking of adopting a feline companion, it’s worth considering that the needs of a kitten may not be an ideal fit for your lifestyle. Providing a loving home to an older cat brings its unique rewards, as many happy owners can attest. Older Cats are Tidier and Better Behaved “Older kitties are usually quieter, less destructive and neater than kittens,” says Debby F. of Napa Valley, California. “As much fun as kittens certainly are, they are so much work to protect, entertain, and help adapt. If you’ve ever seen a kitten go wild in a litter box, scramble up drapes or play soccer with kibble, you know what I mean!” Nicolas D. in Brooklyn, New York, had an especially rewarding experience with an older cat, but not until after he first understood the demands of raising a kitten. “Back in 2000, I rescued a terrified, flea-ridden kitten from under a car outside my apartment. He was a lot of work! He was ping-ponging all over the house. He got his claws on everything he could. I had to ‘child-proof’ my apartment because he had so much energy and curiosity. He was just being a normal kitten. I wasn’t prepared for the effort and supervision.” Luckily, Nicolas was able to find his kitten a more suitable home. It turned out that a senior cat was just right for Nicolas. “I adopted a cat from the KittyKind shelter. She was abandoned at a pet store in her crate when no one was looking. There was a note attached that said, ‘My name is Spirit. I’m 15 years old. Please take care of me.’ That just broke my heart.” Nicolas took Spirit home. “Spirit changed my life,” he says. “She was very mellow. Her scratching days were long behind her. She knew her litter box right away. I’d even take her to my local bar and she’d sit next to me in the booth, not a care in the world.” To a kitten, the world is brand new. Everything is something to be explored, and that means they have to be watched non-stop. Their curiosity often leads to clawing at surfaces, chewing objects, and romping around in ways that can be unintentionally destructive, like when they topple a lamp or sweep the entire contents of your desk onto the floor. Older cats are past that. Kittens also go through a teething process. Like humans, they have “baby teeth” that the Tooth Fairy collects before their permanent choppers grow in. Kittens will chew on objects as a way of shedding their baby teeth. Allison E. in Chicago, Illinois says, “I adopted an eight-year-old cat a couple of months ago, and she is absolutely perfect. She’s so well- behaved. She never scratches the furniture, keeps herself clean, doesn’t chew or bite anything.” When it comes to staying clean, kittens sometimes need help until they’ve learned how to self-groom. Until then, you may need to brush or wipe your kitten to keep them neat. They’re More Predictable “I really enjoy knowing what you’re getting with an older cat,” says Sheerah M. of Eureka, California. “With a kitten, you don’t know if they’re going to be a super mellow cat, or a little psycho.” An older cat will be more settled into who they are. A shelter can fill you in on a particular cat’s temperament, and if the cat is older, you can expect its personality to generally stay the same. An adult cat is also fully grown physically, which means you’re unlikely to experience any surprise changes in its appearance, whether in size or the length and texture of its hair. They’re Utterly Fascinating A cat that’s lived long enough to establish a personality can bring delightful, day-to-day surprises as you get to know it. Its history may be a mystery to you, but you’ll see hints of its backstory in its behavior. “As the months and years unfold with an older cat, it’s fun to discover all their little quirks and preferences,” says Nicolas D. “Like you discover that your cat goes crazy when she smells bread! Where did she get that from? You discover clues to their past. They can’t tell you, but they will absolutely show you. ‘I used to get belly rubs all the time!’” They’re More Chill “For me, the advantage of adopting an older cat is that they have an energy level similar to mine,” says Ann S. in Madison, Wisconsin. “At 55, I wouldn’t have the energy to constantly play with a kitten. I like a calmer, older cat.” While older cats should still be exercised through play, they don’t need as much stimulation as kittens do. If you’re pooped out after a day’s work, have physical limitations, or are older yourself, an older cat may be just your speed. Says Debby, “An older kitty will have routines and sleep more. They are often happy in a pool of sunshine or on an old down pillow.” They’re Great for Kids The youthful energy of a kitten may seem like a natural match for a child, but an older cat may actually be a better option for a household with kids. If you’re raising children, you may not have the extra time and energy necessary to raise a kitten, too. And because they’re full of vim and vigor, kittens are less likely to stay still and tolerate being petted, and that can be disappointing for kids. Kittens are also fragile and more likely to be hurt unintentionally. They’re a More Manageable Commitment Nicolas D. makes an excellent point when he says, “People need to remember that when they adopt a kitten, they’re potentially committed for twenty years. Are you going to be able to provide a safe and stable place for your friend for the next twenty years? What happens if you move? What happens if there are children, or partners, or roommates who can’t co-exist with a cat? It can be a big responsibility.” They’re More Loving “Older cats in general are more affectionate and cuddly,” says Debby F. “They’re done with being bouncy, chewy kittens, and finished with busy cat teenage-hood. They’re ready to sleep with you or next to you.” Debby also discovered how deeply loving and loyal and older cat can be. “We adopted a kitty whose owner went to assisted living. No one who visited the shelter wanted an old cat. He waited seven months there. When I heard this, I took him sight unseen. He’s been with us since 2015. He was my mother’s companion. Never left her side. When she died in 2018, he would not leave her bed for days. We’ve loved having older kitties. They give so much love.” They’re Waiting for Someone Like You Kittens get adopted quickly. All they have to do is look up with those big, pleading eyes from that teeny-tiny face and someone is bound to fall in love and take them home. But older cats face a bigger challenge. An older cat’s sweetness is often overlooked and they can spend months, even years in a shelter, yearning for a home and a human of their own. Some never get that chance. They’re deemed “unadoptable” and are euthanized. It’s a crying shame when mature cats have so much to offer. “Age discrimination is real in cats and people,” says Ann S. “I say equity for all!” Grieve and Adopt Again Some may shrink from adopting a senior cat because the thought of having a limited amount of time with a pet they’ve fallen in love with is heartbreaking. But what’s more heartbreaking is knowing that a loving animal is despairing in a shelter. Nicolas D. says adopting an older cat is worth it. “I’m not going to lie. Losing Spirit was awful. But then I remembered that there was another old cat in a cage somewhere, waiting for a home. That cat would much rather be in my home, while I grieve and heal, than spend another day sleeping on newspaper in a shelter.” Go to Google and search “animal shelters near me” or visit Petfinder to browse animals in your area that are available for adoption. You might also search their directory of animal welfare groups to find an organization near you that can introduce you to your next feline friend. There are so many reasons to adopt an older cat, and so few reasons not to. Heal a heart and fill your life with love today!  CONTENT WRITER, BARKTIQUE + MEOW
Kim BrittinghamKim Brittingham is a content writer for Barktique + Meow, animal lover, and history buff residing at the Jersey Shore. She is the author of Read My Hips (Three Rivers Press/Random House, 2011) and Write That Memoir Right Now (Blackstone, 2013). She's a willing servant to a rescued miniature poodle named Clarice.
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 What Makes Great Danes Great: From the Great Dane Rescue & Sanctuary of Minnesota and Wisconsin Karla Greb is well-qualified to tell you what’s so great about Great Danes. “Great Danes are one-of-a-kind,” she says. “I’m sure everyone says that about their dog or breed of choice, but having a 100-plus-pound dog that never leaves your side is something special.” Karla is the owner of a Great Dane named Cash, and she serves as President of the Great Dane Rescue & Sanctuary of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Her journey with the organization began in 2015 when she joined as a volunteer. The rescue is devoted to rehoming Great Danes in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with an on-site sanctuary where unadoptable Danes can live out their lives with comfort, loving attention, and dignity. Great Danes don’t have a tendency to be more aggressive than other breeds. However, their considerable size can be intimidating. In the minds of many people, the Great Dane’s size magnifies the commonplace challenges faced by owners of all types of dogs. “What smaller dogs get away with, a Great Dane just won't,” says Karla. “The little chihuahua down the road can act ferocious and even bite at ankles and it will be brushed off as annoying, whereas a barking Dane is perceived as aggressive without a lunge or an attempted bite.” Adult male Great Danes are typically 30-34 inches tall and weigh 120-200 pounds. Adult females grow to about 28-32 inches tall and weigh in around 100-130 pounds. The Great Dane’s unfair reputation often means that they’re passed up by dog lovers who might actually be a great match for the breed, and vice-versa. “They are total lap dogs that need nothing but your love. They are sensitive as all get out, and really long for human connection,” says Karla. “They aren’t called ‘Velcro dogs’ for nothing. They stick by your side, follow you around, and just want to be with their people. Once they make that connection with you, they are truly the sweetest and biggest babies.” Karla also says that Great Danes are “typically calm, cool and collected” and are capable of providing comfort. “I remember the first time my Great Dane heard me cry,” Karla says. “I was sobbing and he came over and sat on top of me. He started howling and crying out my bedroom window, as if he was trying to call for help.” When asked what kind of person would make the best pet parent for a Dane, Karla said, “Someone who is patient, gentle, kind, and loving, with a calm lifestyle. These giants need so much patience as they may work through different behavioral challenges.” Karla also points out that despite those long, strong legs, Danes don’t require an athletic owner. “I always joke that they don't need room to run, they need laps to sit on and couches to sleep on. They enjoy a calm walk through a park, and often don't need more activity than that.” Danes are often the victims of clumsy and even cruel handling by humans, including breeders. This can be the source of behavioral problems that contribute to an unwarranted bad reputation. “The rescue was started specifically for helping Great Danes, because they are often misunderstood,” Karla explained. “New owners of Danes often need education and mentorship on the breed. So many dogs are surrendered to our rescue with bite histories, but the biting is often provoked by a kiddo or a family member pushing boundaries. That’s not the dog’s fault, and they deserve a second chance, and not to be put down because of human error.” When Danes are surrendered to the Great Dane Rescue & Sanctuary, the organization matches them with experienced foster homes that work diligently on overcoming the stress and anxieties that come with being abandoned. “The type of people we like to see as fosters for our rescue dogs are patient, calm, kind, and willing to take advice. We have a lot of knowledgeable people within our rescue, and taking their feedback and instruction is important.” In some cases, the dogs may stay with the rescue for many months before the right home is found. The rescue’s goal is for their Great Danes to succeed in their forever homes, so they’re placed with families that are willing to continue working on the challenges that may come with each Dane. In speaking about a Dane’s introduction into a new home, Karla says, “There will always be a decompression period that is needed. Muzzle training is important to ensure everyone is safe throughout the transition.” She advises new Dane parents that, “Patience is key. Listen to the advice of the previous foster and the rescue. Ask questions ahead of time so that you are fully prepared for what might come. Our rescue is transparent with issues the dogs might have.” One common challenge Karla sees is a Dane’s trepidation around strangers, due to abuse or a lack of socialization. “While it’s hard to work through, the reward of is one-of-a-kind. Nothing compares to the connection you make with a Dane, and their love is something else,” Karla says. “I have the conversation with so many people that Danes are just ‘different’. You can have dogs all your life, but something about a Dane is just unexplainable. My Dane and I are so connected, we can be miles apart, and if I’m stressed out, he gets sick every single time.” The Great Dane Rescue & Sanctuary of Minnesota and Wisconsin accepts purebred Great Danes from all of Minnesota and Wisconsin, from individuals, shelters and animal control facilities. They occasionally accept Great Danes from other states on a case-by-case basis. They educate the public about the temperament, nutritional recommendations, and health concerns of Great Danes, and provide the best veterinary care available. If you’d like to support the noble efforts of the Great Dane Rescue & Sanctuary of Minnesota and Wisconsin, you can make a donation, sponsor a Dane, or contribute much-needed supplies from their wish list.  CONTENT WRITER, BARKTIQUE + MEOW
Kim BrittinghamKim Brittingham is a content writer for Barktique + Meow, animal lover, and history buff residing at the Jersey Shore. She is the author of Read My Hips (Three Rivers Press/Random House, 2011) and Write That Memoir Right Now (Blackstone, 2013). She's a willing servant to a rescued miniature poodle named Clarice. |
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