I would definitely get an older cat. My older cat died last fall and I got a new male cat that was very loving. But he is extremely frisky and at times will get into a 'mood'. He scratched me 4 times last week, I have not and will not declaw him. He doesn't sit on my lap and rest like the older cat did, he is totally different. An older cat is just that: older and less likely to drive your dad nuts.