Want Ideas on getting a pet for a disabled Parent
 

My Mom Passed away suddenly a week ago and I know my Dad would do well with a cat, he is disabled she was his care giver, do you think it is a good idea to surprise him with one? He had mentioned in the past he would like one but Mom had her hands full taking care of him and said no. I am willing to do the litter box and feeding. Your opinions please.

If your father is mobile, I would take him to your local humane society and let him find one he would like. Yes, he will greatly improve with a companion. I believe my mother lived longer to take care of her little dog.

Dad is not moblile and our nearest Humane society's are both 50 miles away he can not do that, My brother is here for a couple weeks and He is good at picking out good pets I would give him that job.

I believe a cat would be wonderful. Consideration should be made about the cats disposition and your fathers tolerance of younger vs older, lap cat vs playful, etc...be sure to post a picture of the new addition when you find the right one!!!

Hmm. A cat and someone who is not mobile. I own two cats, both females, with very diffrent temperments and personalities. My Absynian/Cornish Rex mix would not make a good pet for a disabled person. She is not affectionate, very spunky, very mischevious, and has been known to get herself into some precarious situations...like when she climbed my curtains and got on top of my top kitchen cabinets. She figured out how to get up there, but she couldn't figure out how to get down so she just paced and meowed until we came to her rescue. My 7 month old long hair would be a disabled person's best friend. She's lazy, very lazy. And as long as she has food, water, and litter she is fairly maintance free. She loves to snuggle, nuzzle, and sleep with me. She also likes to lick me. She doesn't claw my furniture like the other cat does, and she doesn't climb to places where she can't get down. However, she will hang out in the windows during the day.

My advice would be to look for a cat that is possibly older and more mellow as kittens are too mischevious and playful. One that is loving but not demanding.

I also believe you should look for an older cat. Sometimes our paper will have an ad looking for a home for a pet as they have to move. I was lucky....I got two cats from the humane soc....I wanted "lap cats" and they had to get along.
I brought them home over night for a try. After they checked out the area, they both jumped in my lap! Somehow they knew the needs I had! We had many good years. One was 1 yr old, the other 7... Good luck in finding that special cat. They can be very special!

I agree I want an older cat for him One that will be a lap kitty and bed partner. A kitten is more than he could handle. So a mellow older cat is what we need.

Try to get a cat that doesn't shed too much and/or has lots of dander. We have two cats. One is a small short-hair, very dainty, who barely sheds and has no dander. The other is a stockier cat with a double-thick short-hair coat that sheds year-round and has lots of dander. The latter is a lap cat, but her dander gives everyone problems, and petting her can mean a cloud of loose hairs in the air (even with daily brushing).

I will have to find a declawed cat for him too. He is on blood thinners and bleeds easily but we can take care of that part.

If you can't find a declawed cat, you can get a Peddi Paws and file the tips of their nails. Neither of my cats are declawed, and they do not scratch people without provocation (and a warning). I have a step-nephew who had a bad habit of choking things, my oldest cat did claw him when he grabbed her around the throat. Now she hisses at him and if he gets too close she scratches. My younger cat just goes and hides when she's annoyed or agitated. However, the cats do require a scratching post. Now you can find ones that file the cats nails for you!

remember kitty litter boxes need to be cleaned daily if possible. no more than two days apart though. you don't want kitty going elsewhere. good luck

ASK him first if he would like a cat, don't spring one on him. That very often backfires, even if done in love.

I would beware of declawed cats. The declawing is very painful and debilitating for them and they often times have physical and mental issues with it. Neither of my cats scratch where they are not supposed to because I have scratching posts (ones with large, sturdy bases) throughout the house. After the kitten stage, most cats will not scratch a person unless you are playing with them that way.

I would also ask him first and involve him in the process. Ask his opinion, find out his preferences in a cat and include him in all discussions.

Oh for sure......it will really help him and also the cat. How wonderful that you thought of that for your Dad. Hugs and blessings.

I agree that declawing is not a good idea. If you simply keep the cat's claws trimmed, that should be adequate. It's more important to choose the right cat. Sometimes the cat's history is known. If this is the case, a cat who has been the only pet of an elderly person is a good candidate, as he/she is used to a quiet household and keeping an older person company.

Ask if he wants a cat. A cat that he doesn't want is a pest.

I know this doesn't help you much, but I have a friend who works at a vet's office. They are looking for a home for a declawed neutered male. He is 100% litter trained, etc, etc, etc, and they cannot find a home for him. I guess my point is, look around for a declawed cat before you have that procedure done to a cat with claws. We have 4 indoor cats and I understand why someone would want a declawed cat!

I would not willingly have a cat declawed but I know they are out there already done. And it would be a rescue cat for sure.

A pretty bird (parakeet or budgie) would sing and give lots of company and they are fairly low maintenance. Some bird seed, some water and acage and you are good to go.

How is your Dad disabled? Does he use a walker? Young kittys have a tendency to wind around your legs. Maybe an older cat that wil just like to sit and be pette and just keep him company. Will the cat be an inside/outside cat. Maybe a kitty door in place of a litter box. Can your Dad open a can of food or would a box of dry food be easier? Some things to consider. It would be nice if he can do something for the pet. Maybe an older cat that still likes to play with toys ( so your Dad can watch and enjoy) but one that will sit and listen to stories of days gone by.
Wish you luck in finding the right pet. Please keep us posted.

My BEST pets (both cat & dog), have been PRE-OWNED. I have found that these are the animals that NEED the most, but also GIVE the most. I've also found that for the MOST of the MOST in cats a fixed male is by far the MOST loving ALL of the time. Every cat that I have had was great, but the fixed males are just mush in you arms. Good luck.

My dad is wheelchair bound he can not walk so I want to find an older cat for him but first I will give him some time to adjust to all these new changes then I will ask him.

Pets add sooo much to our lives! I agree an older kitty would like a furever home. Are you sure Dad still would like a furry companion? I would make sure some how. Personally I think it's a great idea ! Good luck!! Post a pic of Dad when he receives his surprise........ :0)

Sorry for your loss!!

Better find out if he wants a cat pet now as people change their minds and may no longer want to take care of a pet.

get a run of the mill ordinary, but pretty cat. The more mutt mixed the easier the temperment. I'd look for a cat that was in a home and house broken. Likely someone has a cat the needs a home with someone who has time to be a companion.
Talk with your Dad and find out what he is looking for in a cat. Try to get one like he would want. Orange tiger, long hair , short hair, tuxedo etc.

I was just looking at the humane society website and they have several older cats that ate declawed and spayed or neutered I am going to talk to him about this in the next few days.

the Humaane socity is a great idea. Make sure that the cat has been declaued. This will be better.

What I would do is purchase the automatic food and water dispenser. Simply fill the dispenser with dry cat food on one side and water on the other side. It will then refill the bowls itself and they only have to be refilled every few days to a week depending on the size you buy and the amount the cat consumes. It has also been my experience that it's less pleasant to clean the litter box of a cat that eats canned food. I've given my cats canned in the past, and trust me, nothing but dry stuff now.

If you get your dad a cat get something for the cat to do that your dad can watch. I suggest putting bird feeders outside a window so that the cat can watch the birds and your dad can watch the cat.

My suggestion would be to call your local vet or Humane Society & see what they suggest (or look online at the various vet/pet sites that give advice). I know my dad benefited greatly with his dog after my Mother passed away. It gave him something to think about besides being lonely.

Does your Dad have any allergies to cats?

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.

While getting him a cat sounds like a very kind gesture, I would first make sure that he really would like to have one. His feelings may have changed or he may not want or feel able to have the daily responsibility of a pet. If he expresses the desire to have a cat then you will make him happy by getting him one.

You would love our "Tigre" he is the consummate couch potato...he weighs 8 kilos and is the most placid blob on the planet..(he is a long-haired tabby cat). Our Miss Alice on the other hand is a total monster....small, lethal and very, very lively.(Scottish Shorthair)...we love both of them to bits. Be sure and check temperament before making a commitment.

I asked my dad about a cat and he said no he no longer wants one. So will wait a while to see if he changes his mind.

Don't forget daily cage cleaning. I bird sat a parakeet for 6 week. What a pain in the arse! Never would I have a bird! My elderly mom had a bird and she loved it at first but eventually she grew weary of the care of a bird. Fortunately life intervened and the bird passed away. Problem solved. Birds have a long lifespan by the way.

Never would I give a pet to anyone without their full input. Someone has to take responsibility of that pet ESP if the recipient starts to fail in their health.
Sandy