Senior News Line: Kittens versus senior cats

One of my easy-to-accomplish resolutions for 2024 was to adopt a kitten, maybe 2 to 3 months in age. After consulting the local humane society’s website and seeing dozens of tiny cats listed, I paid a visit to the shelter’s group kitten room.

Of course, they were cute, swinging from the chandeliers, racing, climbing and tumbling. And, of course, they were completely uninterested in the humans in the room who were smiling and enjoying the chaos.

Giving the kittens time to wind down for naps, I made my way to one of the adult cat group rooms — wherein I was approached by not one, but two beautiful adult cats.

I sat on the floor petting them as they milled around me, bumping me with their foreheads, purring, one of them reaching out with a soft paw to get my attention — and did I mention the purring?

The intention of both was clear: You will get me out of this place and you will take me home.

I consulted the list of cat information posted on the wall. One was a boy, one was a girl. Both had been found on the streets, both unclaimed. And they were both 12 years old.

That was not at all what I had in mind. I came home catless, and a week later I’m still undecided.

Can I handle the potential expensive vet care for two older cats? And the possible need for pricey specialty cat food as they age even more?

While living on Social Security when our annual increase for 2024 is a mere 3.2% and vet care has increased nearly 15%?

Owning a pet brings down our blood pressure, reduces stress and keeps us active. It would seem that a senior human owning a senior pet would be a perfect match — except when it isn’t because of the cost.