So tell me about cats?

**Ozziehoffy** · August 7th, 2011, 10:45 PM

I've had a variety of cats... and my most affectionate ones were 2 I got from the RSPCA and one from a pet shop who was just divine. We've had a purebred Ragdoll who we had to rehome cos OMG he hated ... and I MEAN HATED that there was a baby coming into our home... he pee'd on EVERY bed in the house and started biting.

The cat we have now... he's so adorable (mostly lol)... Oskar named him Buzzby hehe... he came from the RSPCA and was 10 months old. The boys just LOVE him and Elijah even pulls his head (just about off) to try to kiss him (blurgh!).. but he NEVER growls at them and they're not the most gentle with him at times. We tried to keep him inside but Elijah kept letting him out .. this was after we'd had him about a month, so now he's allowed outside if we're outside... if we go out, he's inside. He has a collar with his council rego tag and also a "lost" animal tag for the RSPCA with a number on it which they can cross reference to us if he gets lost and also a bell... and yup it warns the birds he tries to stalk every now and then. He's also desexed and micro-chipped. Never had an issue with him toileting anywhere other than the kitty litter and he isn't a heavy shedder... well hasn't been yet.

With scratching, he's got an AWESOME scratching post (we got from the RSPCA also as they get the profits from the volunteer who makes them)... but he was still scratching the lounge, so we put packing tape on the legs and along the top where he was scratching to discourage him. If he does start to scratch it, if he hears me walking towards him he bolts lol.

Water spray works well for him trying to steal Elijah's food off the kiddy sized table but he will usually push him off ... although, and this is gross... I have caught Elijah doing a "spoon for me and a spoon for you" with the cat *shudders*.

With calling our cat back inside.... years ago when I had 3 cats I would whistle (like you do for a dog) cos it was easier than calling out 3 names... and they'd all coming running home... this cat, I do the same and so far, he comes running. The first few times I shook the dry food as well and he got some... so now he probably associates it with food... and we just top his dry food up if it's low when he comes in... (humour him a little lol).

**StrawberryFields** · August 8th, 2011, 11:04 AM

We're considering a kitty cat too but neither of us have ever owned cats so don't know what to expect.

My main concern is that I've heard cats and babies can be a bad combination - horror stories about cats smothering bub's and things like that, or cat hair being so fine it gets in baby's airways etc.

What have been people experiences with cats and babies? I'm sure I've just heard a few random horror stories and that these things are not the norm but still!

We also have 2 dogs that are inside/outside dogs, and the little Pug X can get jealous if she's not the one getting all the attention - she's never viscous about it but she just tries to get in the way and stuff like that as if to say 'Look at me mummy!'

I'm just a bit worried because I think DH is going to get me one for my birthday in November, but he doesn't tend to think these things through - Harriette was the result of a very elaborate April fools day surprise! I would love a cat, I've always wanted one but because my mum is deathly allergic to them I could never have one. But can we really afford to feed 2 babies, 2 dogs, a cat, and ourselves? And do we have enough time to dish out enough affection for everyone? I just don't know

**Jellybean29** · August 8th, 2011, 11:18 AM

We're considering a kitty cat too but neither of us have ever owned cats so don't know what to expect.

My main concern is that I've heard cats and babies can be a bad combination - horror stories about cats smothering bub's and things like that, or cat hair being so fine it gets in baby's airways etc.

What have been people experiences with cats and babies? I'm sure I've just heard a few random horror stories and that these things are not the norm but still!

We also have 2 dogs that are inside/outside dogs, and the little Pug X can get jealous if she's not the one getting all the attention - she's never viscous about it but she just tries to get in the way and stuff like that as if to say 'Look at me mummy!'

I'm just a bit worried because I think DH is going to get me one for my birthday in November, but he doesn't tend to think these things through - Harriette was the result of a very elaborate April fools day surprise! I would love a cat, I've always wanted one but because my mum is deathly allergic to them I could never have one. But can we really afford to feed 2 babies, 2 dogs, a cat, and ourselves? And do we have enough time to dish out enough affection for everyone? I just don't know

I have a newborn, 2 dogs, a cat, a goldfish and a snail. We are doing fine

The cat is an older cat, he is very chilled out. Doesn't get too close to the baby. He is long haired, but you can get this device called a furminator which eliminate a lot of shedding. My mother always warns me about the smothering thing, but my cat is very aware of the baby and wouldn't even try sleeping anywhere near it. Plus he has been trained to stay out of the nursery and our bed.

They are a lot easier to look after than dogs, they entertain themselves pretty much, and food is a lot cheaper.

**StrawberryFields** · August 8th, 2011, 11:38 AM

Good to know BBB! I guess I'm worried because we'll have two newborns and I don't know how busy I'll be! I would hate to get another furbaby and not be able to give it enough love! I find dogs super easy to care for so I'm sure I would have no trouble with a cat, but I've never looked after babies for longer than a night and certainly not all of them together!

Maybe by November when the babies are a couple of months old we'll have a better idea - hopefully it will work out because I would love a kitty so much!

**Jellybean29** · August 8th, 2011, 12:26 PM

Good to know BBB! I guess I'm worried because we'll have two newborns and I don't know how busy I'll be! I would hate to get another furbaby and not be able to give it enough love! I find dogs super easy to care for so I'm sure I would have no trouble with a cat, but I've never looked after babies for longer than a night and certainly not all of them together!

Maybe by November when the babies are a couple of months old we'll have a better idea - hopefully it will work out because I would love a kitty so much!

I would suggest contacting the RSPCA and asking them to look out for a cat that has a good, relaxed temperament, that will be good with kids/babies. They will be able to advise as they spend a lot of time with the cats and get to know their personalities.

**Freya** · August 8th, 2011, 12:55 PM

Well, last night Daddy said NO to a kitten and Ds1 cried himself to sleep. But then Dh and I have a long talk and Dh said "Have a look around at some kittens."

So I went to the RSPCA today (even though Dh wanted a purebred cat) to have a look at some cats.

And came home with a gorgeous little boy

I just couldnt leave him, he was the last of his litter and he just stuck like glue to Ds3 and I, like he was meant for us! He's a domestic short hair (kind of black/white but the black is almost like tortoise shell pattern?) and he is 10wks old.

I think we'll be calling him Loki (Lo-key).

**Cranky Kitten** · August 8th, 2011, 01:01 PM

Awww, how cute

Though calling him Loki will likely result in a mischievous little rascal...

**Freya** · August 8th, 2011, 01:04 PM

Awww, how cute

Though calling him Loki will likely result in a mischievous little rascal...

I think thats a given no matter what the name is lol especially with 3 partners in crime to help him along

**Cranky Kitten** · August 8th, 2011, 01:06 PM

Heheheheheheh, well yes there is that.

I want another kitten. But while we're renting still, it's a no go - so I studiously avoid pet-shops and the like, because I know if I come across a little black ball of fluff it'll wind up coming home with me. Mmmm, love black cats

**Ozziehoffy** · August 8th, 2011, 01:55 PM

heheh Freya!!! Cute huh! With ours... Oskar just wanted him and he made the perfect choice

I think RSPCA cats seem to "know" that you are "saving" them

I've had purebred and moggy cats and the moggies for me have been the best of them

**Jellybean29** · August 8th, 2011, 02:19 PM

WOW!!!! Can you link a pic?

**Elocin** · August 8th, 2011, 02:34 PM

We adopted our kittens from the local vet - the mother was abandoned on the doorstep and had 4 kittens a week later.

We originally picked our little tortoiseshell boy, named him and organised a collection day. Very exciting. DH had to work that day and walking through the doors to collect the new addition, I was suddenly overcome with guilt about him spending his days alone.................... so I bought one of his brothers too

Both moggies like their mum and from what the vet's have said, the father must have been Oriental because my ginger boy is very Oriental in apperance and personality.

It was a great deal through the 'Kitten Adoption Program'... pay a standard fee which includes desexing, microchipping, all vaccinations and vet visits for 12 months.

They are awesome though. Low maintenence (except at 4am in the morning when they decide it's time to be fed and sit on our pillows meowing), very easy to look after and very loving. They do shed, but I've found if I give them a good brush, the amount of hair loss is considerably less over the next few days.

I open the back door about 6am and bring them in at dark. They come and go as they please throughout the day and often bring themselves inside when they are ready of an afternoon.

They are very similar to dogs actually. They run to meet me at the car when I pull up of an afternoon and chase you around the backyard. The girls love them to bits... sometimes too much, but they've never bitten or scratched the girls, they just get up and walk away if they're annoyed by what's going on.

**Phteven** · August 8th, 2011, 02:42 PM

Where did you get your cat from? Was it a kitty or an older cat? We got our car from the RSPCA when she was about 4 years old. I have also got younger cats. A cat should be with its mother until it is about 12 weeks old. She will kitty litter train it for you and also box its ears if it is too rough so it won't bite you (unless your husband enjoys training it to be an evil attack cat

)
What kind of cat do you have? A burmese. I only like the Oriental breeds.
Do they shed really bad? No outfit is complete without cat fur.
What about litter training (because cleaning up poo from a cat and kids would kill me!)? Their mums teach them but most cats vomit in inappropriate places.
Do your kids like your cat (if you have them)? Yes. The cat does not really reciprocate unless they are asleep when she jumps up and sleeps on them.
Do they go outside at all or are they stricly inside? (my pet peeve is random cats using my yard as a litter box so I would not want to have our cat wandering the city). She pops out to the garden sometimes for a nap in the sun but mostly she prefers the comforts of the indoors especially during winter.

**NaeNae** · August 8th, 2011, 03:34 PM

Where did you get your cat from? Was it a kitty or an older cat?
I got Moe from a pet shop in town as a kitten

What kind of cat do you have?
He is a mixed breed I spose ... just a moggy with no specific bloodlines

Do they shed really bad?
He is a long haired cat so he does shed a bit but nothing like the dogs. I do not brush him but occasionally he will loose large amounts of fur just as you pat him. ALso I find his fur does not smell whereas doggy fur tends to be smelly

What about litter training (because cleaning up poo from a cat and kids would kill me!)?
you still need to clean out litter trays and they can be on the nose, Moe was partially toilet trained by the shop owner so there were no real accidents. I did try training him to use the toilet (like on that Meet the Fockers movie) but that failed miserably

Initially I let him sniff the litter tray and i scratched his paws int he litter so he knew. I also used the recycled paper litter which was really good as I could bury it rather that throwing out int he rubbish

Do your kids like your cat (if you have them)?
DD ADORES Moe and the other farm cats he is pretty tolerant of her pulling at him and has only scratched her a handful of times but she just LOVES him

Do they go outside at all or are they stricly inside?
I originally was training Moe to be a strictly inside cat but he ended up a part outside and part inside cat. I have a cat door that he is free to use throughout the day and he gets locked in at night time. I hate the idea of cats roaming at night.

An other for you - it is VERY important to have your cat desexed. It will prevent roaming in the boys and prevent other "tom" cats from getting your girl knocked up. Microchipping and registration is very important too in case your cat gets lost.

Nae x x

**NaeNae** · August 8th, 2011, 03:41 PM

We're considering a kitty cat too but neither of us have ever owned cats so don't know what to expect.

My main concern is that I've heard cats and babies can be a bad combination - horror stories about cats smothering bub's and things like that, or cat hair being so fine it gets in baby's airways etc.

What have been people experiences with cats and babies?

We've not had a problem with Moe getting into the cot as we have a net over it for mosquito's and we use it ALL the time. We had the cat first then the baby came a few years after that so when I set the nursery up I would let him into the nursery but shoo him away from the baby stuff. He goes in to have a look and likes to sleep under the cot but I have never found him IN the cot nor have I ever found cat fur int he cot either. Change table YES but NEVER in the cot.

In fact he took a few sniffs of DD when we first bought her home and he was never interested int he crying wriggling thing that was foreign to him