Family’s 16 Year Old Cat.

So I’m in a little bit of a pickle of what I should do with my family’s 16 year old cat Tom he currently stays with my mom and dad since my sister and I moved to different homes. I moved to a different state about 4 hours away from home. So to my predicament my dad and cat do not really get along in his old age he likes to meow a lot and being an inside cat for most of his life my father gets annoyed at the constant meowing and puts him outside with the dogs only to bring him in at night and locks him in the bathroom only to let him back outside in the morning and repeats that cycle. No matter the weather rain, snow, heat. Also in his old age he has trouble with loose bowels and won’t use the litter box. He’ll pee in the litter box but poo where he currently is at. I feel like he just gets neglected my sister feels the same and thinks I should take him in. But he doesn’t do well with car rides and will meow nonstop and throw up when he is in one. So I’m not sure if a 4 hour drive to my small 1 bedroom apartment will be good for him. I need some advice if I should take him in and give him the love he deserves for however long he remains.

Hi. I think it is worth it to take him home with you. First of all, before thinking of traveling with him, he should be given a full senior check-up by a vet - to identify any potential health issues. The vet can also prescribe a safe sedative for a senior cat that you could give him before the 4 hour drive.

You will need to gather up all of his belongings, including towels/blankets that have his scent on them to keep near him while in the car, and to use to make him feel more comfortable in your home when he gets there. Of course, not to mention his toys, bed, litter box, food/water dishes - and anything else that might help to ease his transition to a new place.

He's older, so if possible, take a day or two of from work once you get him to your home to help him feel more secure before he is left alone.

I hope you can make this happen. Based on what you've told us, it shouldn't take too long for him to appreciate his new home and being with someone who will love and take care of him.

The car ride will not be a picnic, but it will definitely be worth it for his quality of life, and living with you will probably extend his life as well. A small 1 bedroom is completely fine for a cat. I agree that taking him to a vet before the trip is a good idea.

I recently took in a 16 year old with health issues and she adjusted very quickly. As long as she has her heated bed, she's a happy camper. She has trouble using the litter box because she cannot squat due to her arthritis, so she's on a joint supplement and I use lots of puppy pads.

I agree that he needs to get into a home with someone who loves and appreciates him. What about your sister? Does she live nearer your parents? Living with either one of you would surely be better than what he is enduring now.

And I also agree that he needs to be checked by a Vet. There may very well be a rason for his constant meowing, AND the pooping outside the box. If your folks won't pony-up for the Vet visit, I would do it first thing once he gets relocated. If that's to your place, Once you get going, try playing some music specifically for cats. They actually make CD's for cats, and shelters have used them with great success. They are calming sprays you can use inside your car, and in his carrier (before you put him in it), alons with calming chews. I use Rescue Remedy for Pets, which seemed to help my guys during a remodeling session right here at home.

Here's an article on driving with cats that may have some helpful tips: 36 Awesome Tips For Road Tripping With Your Cat

I definitely think you should take the poor old guy. That is no life for an old man and he deserves better. If you can make the drive and take the cat to the vet for a full work up (urinalysis, bloodwork, etc) and mention to the vet how horrible he is with car rides and you are going to have to take him on a long one. There are some drugs that work well to lightly sedate the cat for travel. You can also try benedryl too. 1mg of benedryl per 1lb of body weight so you would have to figure that out or ask your vet. I travelled with 2 cats (4 day car ride!) who HATE being in carriers and riding in the car and my vet gave Gabapentin. Those 2 cats sat quietly purring, not a meow, not a scared pee or poo, no problems whatsoever. I was shocked lol.

mrsgreenjeens said:

I agree that he needs to get into a home with someone who loves and appreciates him. What about your sister? Does she live nearer your parents? Living with either one of you would surely be better than what he is enduring now.

And I also agree that he needs to be checked by a Vet. There may very well be a rason for his constant meowing, AND the pooping outside the box. If your folks won't pony-up for the Vet visit, I would do it first thing once he gets relocated. If that's to your place, Once you get going, try playing some music specifically for cats. They actually make CD's for cats, and shelters have used them with great success. They are calming sprays you can use inside your car, and in his carrier (before you put him in it), alons with calming chews. I use Rescue Remedy for Pets, which seemed to help my guys during a remodeling session right here at home.

Here's an article on driving with cats that may have some helpful tips: 36 Awesome Tips For Road Tripping With Your Cat

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My sister lives right up the street but she has 5 dogs that are sometime a little rough so she doesn’t want to take him. But thanks for the advice I really needed some more opinions from others before now I did. Thanks