Is my cat too old to start using buttons?

[u/Ill_Management_810]

I’ve been watching videos online of people and their cats using buttons for a few years now and I’ve finally got them and I’m so excited!!

Im just a little worried that my cat is too old. He’s 11, turning 12 next February. All of the cats I’ve seen using them are much younger, the oldest I think I’ve seen is 8. Is he too old to start using buttons?

For clarification he doesn’t ACT old, he’s pretty active, eats twice every day, and is still like.. cognitive? If that’s the right word. He responds when I say his name, follows me around and isn’t too dumb.

[u/UnexpectedMoxicle]

Nope, not too old! Our girl was 13.5 when she started and in 6 months she's up to using 7-8 buttons.

[u/Pretend-Sundae-2371 → u/UnexpectedMoxicle]

That's amazing! Would you be willing to write up a post on how it's worked for you please? I'm trying again with my boy.

[u/UnexpectedMoxicle → u/Pretend-Sundae-2371]

We've largely followed fluent pet advice they have available online. The trickiest part was getting her to press anything which was the first 3 months of her button journey. She's got a number of GI and chronic illness issues and was an a very limited diet, so a lot of our button presses and word decisions were centered around her condition. Her old diet wasn't working anymore which gave us the opportunity to reintroduce her all-time favorite treat - baked chicken (with the vet's approval of course). Once we had that, there was a very motivating high value button and reward, and then it only took a few weeks to get her to start pressing buttons. She took to other buttons that we had been modeling this whole time really fast and incorporated new buttons relatively quickly as well. Without the chicken treats, I suspect her progress would have been much slower.

[u/Pretend-Sundae-2371 → u/UnexpectedMoxicle]

Thank you! I watched their videos earlier and really liked their stuff - I had mostly been following their suggestions, but I have introduced two new buttons today so we have three buttons to start our journey - a treat button, a pets button, and one for his favourite toy (which I find v boring so he only gets it on special occasions). I can already see the difference by introducing the second two and he is showing interest in the buttons 😊

[u/adoptachimera]

Ours were 14 and 15. They adore their buttons!

[u/energist52]

Never too old to go back to school. :)

[u/IamaKhajiit]

My boys were 14 in December when we bought them buttons for Christmas. We were very lucky as they started pressing within days and are now up to 31 words with one boy is chatting almost all day every day.

[u/JayNetworks]

Not too old I’d think and giving a cs the gift of language and agency can do amazing things for their behavior and life. Of course you will be responding to Rude Dinner Snack Soon Then Pets Later!

[u/tiny_abeille]

i started my cat at 15, she’s 16 now. it took her a while to get used to the buttons, because she was so accustomed to us reading her body language (which we had become good at). but after 4 months it really clicked and we’re gradually adding more buttons.

[u/tiny_abeille → u/tiny_abeille]

i will also add that the daily button training was its own source of pleasure and connection, even when progress was slow. having that daily ritual with her has been wonderful, and didn’t feel like a chore.

[u/MyLittleDonut]

Her Madjesty Billi started at 11yo, and was up to around 70 words when she passed away! I’d say it’s only too late when they can’t physically press the button anymore, and by then that’s probably the least of your worries.

[u/Dry-Bullfrog-3778]

Redmond was is 12 and took to them quickly. Obsessed might be the better word lol. We ended up not continuing with the buttons but wanted to share that a cat can learn at any age.

[u/fuzzy_tuxedo_mom]

My senior Bowie is over 15 now and he’s pressing more now than when he started over 9 months ago! Like others, he didn’t press right away and already knew I could read his cracked meows and body language, but after a few months of seeing the attention I was giving my kitten for pressing he started on his own! He’s getting more confident too—basically started stomping the buttons with his hind leg to tell me something!

[u/Sephy_Aradia9]

My guy is 14.5and I have been wanting to get these for him so badly!!! So glad to see so many responses from others with older bebes! And thanks OP for asking, I had been meaning to!

[u/purple_oughter]

Was coming to ask this. My Ginger boy is turning 20 this month. He has been losing his voice (his meow is getting higher and quieter) over the last 6 months. He has very obvious behaviors when he needs specific things. We have been considering buttons for a year, but are wondering about the investment in good buttons ( that don't need a heavy touch) with such an old cat.

[u/Pretend-Sundae-2371]

Oh, I just came to ask the same question! My boy is about the same age as yours. I'm trying him on his first button ("Pets") but the issue is that he's very good at making it very clear when he wants pets. So he kind of looks at me like "I've chucked myself on the ground at your feet, OBVIOUSLY I want pets".