Supports energy level and beautiful coat in mature dogs
This weight management and mobility support dog food was created with Hill’s unique understanding of the biology of overweight dogs.
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome for dogs age 7+
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Learn what a pet's microbiome is, how it contributes to your pet's gut & overall health, and why nutrition is important in maintaining healthy microbiomes.
Discover why water is the most important nutrient for your dog or cat to live a healthy life. Find out how much water your pet should consume each day.
Discover how and where to store your dry, as well as canned, dog and cat food. Learn how to find the "best before" dates on all Hill's pet food packaging.
So you're bringing home a shelter cat? What an exciting time! Adopting an adult cat is a rewarding experience, one that will bring joy to both you and your furry friend.
Cats are considered adults from around one-years old, when they enter the "prime" stage of life that lasts until they are about seven.
One of the many advantages of adopting an older cat is that you won't have to spend much time training her. Litter-training, for example, can be daunting for new pet parents, but adult cats already know what to do; you'll just have to show them where.
Another benefit, notes the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), is that "adult animals require less supervision than puppies or kittens who sometimes can't distinguish between safe situations and dangerous ones and may not know — or care — what 'no' means." Less time training your cat what not to do means more time spent doing the fun stuff, like snuggling and chilling out on the couch.
Grown-up cats also have established personalities, which facilitates the adoption process. "Adult cats show you their genuine personalities," explains PAWS Chicago, "making it easier to choose one who fits your lifestyle and family." Unlike kittens that are still developing their traits, adult cats know what they want, when they want it and how.
Shelters are a great place to find older cats because you get to talk to volunteers that spend time with each of these cats every day and they can give you a good sense of their tempermant. You can talk to them and tell them about your lifestyle and what you're looking for and they can help you narrow it down to cats that meet your family's personality.
Additionally, shelters often have a room that they can let the cat out and interact with you. This will give you a good indication if it is a match made in heaven. At this session it is important to have all members of the family with you, this is particularly important if you have children, because it is important that your new cat gets along with all family members to avoid needing to return her to the shelter.
While it can be tempting to fall in love with the cute little kittens, they grow up very quickly into adult cats. Starting with an adult cat whose temperment you already get along with can set you both up for a long life of happiness together. Plus, let's be honest, adult cats are super adorable too!
One way to ease your new adult cat's transition into your home is to have the necessary items on hand, including litter and a litter box, grooming supplies, fresh drinking water and the right cat food for her stage in life, such as Hill's® Science Diet® Adult Indoor. And don't forget the toys! While not as feisty as kittens, adult cats love to play and benefit greatly from the activity. Good toys include wands and a few small stuffed animals she can bat around. This is also good exercise for her to help keep her trim and at a healthy weight.
Although she'll probably stake out your bed as her favorite sleeping spot, your new cat buddy will appreciate having choices. "Cats like to seek out warm places to rest. Make sure your older cat's favorite soft bed or resting place is not in a drafty area of your home," says the Cornell Feline Health Center. "Too much heat, though, can potentially burn a cat who can't move quickly, so be sure to think warm, not hot." A pile of blankets in the corner of a couch is perfect, as is a soft pet bed under an end table, and always choose a spot that's a good distance from heat sources such as fireplaces, furnaces or wood stove.
As with any new roommate, your new cat will have to adjust to your home, and she may be shy at first as she gets used to all the new sights and smells. Depending on her previous living situation, it may take a while to win her trust, so be sure not to rush this important bonding period. All cats are different, so there is no exact timeline for her to acclimate completely to her new home — but she'll be at ease before you know it.
Adopting an adult cat is beneficial for you and her: she gains a loving forever home, and you gain a loving forever friend.
Christine O'Brien is a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent whose two Russian Blues rule the house. Her work also appears in Care.com, What to Expect, and Fit Pregnancy, where she writes about pets, pregnancy, and family life. Find and follow her on Instagram and Twitter @brovelliobrien.
Feline Adult Perfect Weight Variety Pack
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
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Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.