Owning a cat can provide many benefits for seniors, including companionship, mental and physical stimulation, and more. Ultimately, it’s important to select a cat that will make you feel comfortable and happy. Many different cat breeds make great companions for seniors. Some cat breeds are more active and playful, while others are more laid-back and cuddly. This article will explore the best cat breeds for seniors and discuss why they make great pets for older people.
Contents
Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair is a shorthaired cat with a sweet, loving personality. It has been called the “velveteen rabbit” of the cat world because it loves to cuddle and snuggle close to its owner. Exotic Shorthairs make excellent pets for seniors because they tend to be gentle on your belongings, and their need for affection isn’t overwhelming. The breed is very playful, making them great companions for seniors who enjoy playing games every once in a while. This breed is also extremely intelligent and wary, which means they are great at adjusting to new situations and knowing when someone is a stranger.
Balinese
This cat breed is known for its long silky hair, which tends to be extremely soft because the fur has no coarse guard hairs. Their fur is medium-length, which means you won’t have to worry about matting. Balinese cats are very active and playful, although they also like to cuddle at times. They are intelligent, wily, self-assured, curious cats that enjoy playing games with their owners. They adjust well to new environments and love company (although not too much). Balinese cats can live indoors or outdoors, provided they have access to water.
Himalayan
Himalayan cats are known for their squished-looking faces and long fur. They have a sweet expression with large round eyes, making them very popular among cat lovers. Himalayans are intelligent, independent, and social cats that adjust well to new environments. They also tend to be affectionate with their owners but know when enough is enough. Himalayans are also very gentle on your belongings and typically do not scratch up the furniture.
Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is a very popular cat breed with silky double coats that are medium-length. They are known for their mischievous personalities and playful demeanor, which makes them ideal pets for senior citizens who want a feline companion to keep them company. Russian Blues adjust well to new environments and love to play games with their owners, although they tend to be shy when it comes to strangers. They also get along great with other cats and dogs in most cases.
Snowshoe
The Snowshoe cat is similar to the Russian Blue, with its mischievous personality and playful demeanor. However, this breed has more of a Siamese-like look (with point coloration) instead of the short gray coat that the Russian Blue has. Snowshoes are very intelligent cats that adjust well to new environments, making them great pets for seniors. They are also very gentle on your belongings, which means they won’t scratch up furniture or knock over breakable items. This breed tends to seek the company of humans when it wants something like food or attention.
Australian Mist
The Australian Mist is a medium-sized cat with naturally occurring polydactylism (extra toes), making them look like miniature Maine Coons. This breed has a charming, loving personality and loves to cuddle with its owners. They get along great with children and other house pets, making them excellent family pets for seniors. The Australian Mist is extremely intelligent and adapts well to new environments. They are also very gentle with your belongings.
Ragdoll
This cat breed is known for its large size (20-30 pounds) and sweet personality. Ragdolls get along great with other cats, children, and dogs. The Ragdoll has a very gentle disposition, making them great pets for seniors who don’t want aggressive feline animals. They are extremely intelligent cats that adjust well to new environments, making them perfect pets for senior citizens who have moved into assisted living facilities or nursing homes. These cats are also very playful but not overly demanding of attention.
Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold is a medium-sized cat with a round shape and an almost flat face. The breed’s prominent feature is its folded ears. They are very affectionate, docile, and social. This breed seeks human attention when they need something like food or attention. Scottish Folds are very gentle and friendly, which makes them suitable for senior citizens who want a low-maintenance pet to snuggle with in their old age. They also get along great with other cats and dogs if introduced early in life.
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair is a shorthaired cat that is muscular and large. This breed can adjust to new situations easily if they are introduced early on in life. They are very affectionate, intelligent, and calm. American Shorthairs are also quite independent but still enjoy hanging out with their owners. Like Scottish Folds, this breed tends to seek the attention of its owner when it needs something like food or attention. The American Shorthair is also non-destructive, which means they are gentle on your belongings.
Conclusion
There are many different cat breeds to choose from, but seniors should consider the above information when selecting a breed that will make them happy. Some breeds are better suited for older people than others (with gentle personalities and low maintenance needs), while other breeds are more active and playful. Owning any of these cats can provide many benefits for seniors, including companionship, mental and physical stimulation, and more. Overall, any of the above breeds (and especially those with laid-back personalities) can make great companions for seniors.