Pets For the Elderly | Why Cat Color is Important

Thinking about hooking your elderly loved one up with a new pet? That is a great idea! Having a pet can be very beneficial.

Cats are often a first choice for seniors, because, unlike dogs, they don't have to be walked outside. If your loved one is at risk for falling, walking a dog could be dangerous. Cats are not without dangers too, though. Before you adopt a cat, make sure:

• Your loved one actually wants a cat
• Your loved one and anyone else who will visit often is not allergic to cats
• Someone will be able to feed and care for the cat's hygiene needs
• Someone will be able to make vet trips
• Your loved one will be able to afford necessary care items for a cat. 
• That you choose the right color of cat

Wait! Now, why is color that important? A cat is a cat, right? Well, no...

Why Cat Color Is Important

Cats come in a beautiful selection of colors and patterns. Some people have a preference for cat colors. I love orange cats, for example. 

Color preference is certainly something to take into consideration, since it is easier for humans to bond with animals they personally feel to be attractive. But a preferred color might not always be practical, and here is why: 

Your loved one might have impaired vision: 

If vision problems exist, then darker colored cats (black, grey, tabby, and tortoiseshell) might be hard to see. Cats are notorious for rubbing around a person's ankles or sleeping in unusual places. Tripping over a cat can lead to a bad fall and serious injuries for both your loved one and the pet. 

However, it is a matter of contrast. If your loved one has a home with all light colored furnishings and flooring, a light colored cat could easily blend in and be just as hazardous. I know for a fact that a white Persian cat sleeping on a light colored rug becomes almost invisible. Cats like to hide and be invisible, so they seek out places where they might not be noticed, so they feel more secure. 

In that case, a darker cat, an orange cat, or a cat with a pattern might be a better choice. 

Your loved one may not be able to keep a clean house: 

Maybe your elderly loved one can only do a few odd household tasks. Unless someone comes in to help with the more laborious jobs, the cat hair is going to be visible on clothes and furniture. 

If someone comes in and helps clean say, once a week, a cat whose hair didn't show up so badly would help keep the home from looking too unsightly between cleanings. For a senior who worries about appearances, and who might be embarrassed by their inability to keep things tidy, obvious cat hair patches would most likely not be appreciated. 

On the other hand, if the person can clean, but has problems seeing, then hair that is obvious can be seen and cleaned up easily. This saves your loved one from the embarrassment of not knowing that their guests are sitting in hidden cat hair.

Your loved will become deeply attached to their cat: 

Losing a pet can be very sad for anyone. For a senior who depends on their pet for company, it can be devastating. 

Sadly, black cats are still targeted by malicious people who think they are "evil". If the cat ever roams outside, it could become a target for some ignorant jerk. 

Grey tabby cats are also abused often. I'm not sure why, I can only guess that it is a very common color among homeless cats. 

Pretty cats are also not safe from humans. A cat with unusual markings is likely to be stolen by a stranger. So are solid white cats, and any cat that looks like an expensive breed. 

Unfortunately, there really is no "safe" color for a cat. The best option is to make sure the cat does not go outdoors if possible. If the neighborhood is saturated with alley cats, though, it would be wiser to avoid black or tabby cats, since they draw the most negative attention. And expensive breeds should be kept indoors. 

Cat Color and Personality

There have been a few studies trying to link a cat's coloring to certain personality traits. Of course, these are inconclusive, since so many other factors (such as environment) come into play. However, there does seem to be some similarities between like-colored cats: 

• Black cats may be more suited to rooming in with other cats
• White cats may be less active
• Cats with orange may be more aggressive
• Calicoes and tortoiseshell cats might be more impatient or aggressive

Cats are also attributed traits based on their coloration, with many people saying they believe: 

• White cats to be aloof
• Black cats to be less friendly
• Orange cats to be less shy
• Calicoes to be less lovable
• Tabbies to be boring

So, What Color is Best? 

Provided that color isn't important for the three main reasons listed above (safety of your loved one, cleanliness, safety of the cat) then any color is fine! But don't take my word for it, Take your mother or father or grandparent with you to pick out their new companion!