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So many cats are out there waiting to find their fur-ever home, yet so many end up not being adopted. One group most often left waiting to get adopted is those cats that are disabled. Because caring for a disabled kitty takes a bit more time and patience, these cats are often considered less adoptable.

But there’s really no need for disabled felines to be more likely to be passed over for adoption. Though caring for one of these cats requires a little more effort, it’s also a highly rewarding experience. What exactly makes caring for a disabled kitty so rewarding?

The Rewards of Caring for a Disabled Kitty

There are so many rewards for caring for a disabled cat! First and foremost, a cat being disabled doesn’t make it any less capable of being sweet and loving. So, by adopting a feline considered unadoptable, you’ll be getting a lifetime of love. You also get the bonus of loving the cat right back.

You’ll also enjoy the reward of saving a life. There is an abundance of cats in shelters, and so many of these felines will end up being euthanized to make way for more animals to enter the shelter. Sadly, disabled kitties will be some of the first to be euthanized because they are considered unadoptable.

Many people see a disabled kitty and feel bad for it because they think it can’t live life to the fullest. It’s a big reason disabled cats tend to get left behind. But that’s untrue. Cats are highly adaptable creatures that are plenty capable of overcoming the challenges of disability. That means you also are rewarded by being inspired by your pet; after all, if your kitty can deal with a missing ear or something similar, what can’t you deal with in your own life?

Another reward for caring for a disabled kitty? Gaining new knowledge. Taking care of a cat with a disability means learning about all aspects of the disability. Not only will this make you a more rounded person, but it also means you’ll be able to help spread this knowledge (and use it to encourage others to adopt disabled cats, thus saving more lives!).

Finally, caring for a disabled kitty means forging a profound connection with your new pet. Yes, you’ll forge a connection with any pet you get, but bonds tend to go deeper when it comes to cats with disabilities. You’ll end up spending more time with a disabled kitty than you would with other pets, which leads to serious bonding time! And that bond with your cat will go both ways, increasing happiness for both of you.

Tips for Caring for Disabled Kitties

How a disabled kitty will be cared for will depend on the type of disability it has. But there are a few tips that can help you care for a cat with any disability.

• Keep the kitty indoors. Cats with disabilities can have a more difficult time outdoors (particularly if they’re blind or deaf), so you can keep them safer by having them indoors at all times.
• Be careful not to startle them. This applies more to cats that are blind or deaf; you’ll want to be cautious in how you approach them so you don’t frighten them.
• Keep your pet’s essentials nearby. For many disabled cats, the closer the essentials (food, water, litter box) are, the better off the cat will be.
• Be prepared to adapt your home. You may need to rearrange furniture to help your pet navigate or install a few small ramps if your kitty uses wheels to get around. You’ll also likely need to keep your home free of clutter so it doesn’t impede your disabled kitty’s ability to run and play.
• Be patient. Patience is needed when it comes to caring for disabled kitties. Your cat might have more difficulty doing certain things or may even be wary of trying new stuff. Being patient is key to helping your pet live its best life and creating a strong bond between the two of you.

Final Thoughts

Caring for a disabled kitty can seem overwhelming, but it truly offers many rewards! From saving an animal’s life to being inspired by it each day and more, adopting a cat with disabilities is truly life-changing. And taking care of such a pet isn’t as difficult as you might imagine. Yes, you’ll need to adapt and remember to stay patient, but overall, the experience is more rewarding than anything.

Featured Image Credit: Anna Krivitskaya, Shutterstock

About the author

Cat mom to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that is her one and only child. For now! Throughout her life, she has been introduced to the special love that can be found in the bond with a cat. Having owned multiple felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion to educate the public about everything, there is to know about felines, their behavior, and their unique personalities, Crystal is devoted to making sure that all cats and their owners know the importance of conscious living – and loving!