So tell me about cats?

[NaeNae]

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

[Freya]

Hope this is ok, link to pic of boys and cat.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...om/jrsloki.jpg

[toomanyshoes]

Hope this is ok, link to pic of boys and cat.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...om/jrsloki.jpg

oh my...I want a kitty now.

Very very cute the boys looked chuffed

[NaeNae]

Oh he is BEAUTIFUL ........ reminds me of my first childhood pet, a cat named Rastus

[Starfish]

Aww, he's gorgeous.

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.

Also - FYI - this is a myth and an old wives tale. I don't know where it started but there has never been a documented case of anything like this happening. I find that cats have zero interest in babies and usually stay away.

[StrawberryFields]

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]

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]

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]

Awww, how cute

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

[Freya]

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]

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

[Mel_B1981]

As a cat breeder I thought I might be able to help with a couple of these questions

Where did you get your cat from? Was it a kitty or an older cat?

Breeder....and definately a kitten. Kittens are much easier to take on and teach them YOUR rules.

What kind of cat do you have?

Siamese & Orientals

Do they shed really bad?

Depends on the breed, there are some breeds that not only shed lots, but also need lots of maitenance just to keep the cat in good condition and knot free.

What about litter training (because cleaning up poo from a cat and kids would kill me!)?

A cat that has been with it's mother until AT LEAST 8 weeks will not have an issue with litter training as their mother would have already taught them this.
The main thing is to show the kitten where the litter tray is REGULARLY after you bring it home and make sure you buy the same litter as the breeder/shelter.
If you decide to change litter type, do it gradually, cats can be very fussy and if you buy something completely different and just swap it straight over you may find their protest in the middle of the loungeroom floor.

Do your kids like your cat (if you have them)?

My kids don't cause I don't have any - but my step kids and nephews won't leave them alone.....which is lucky for me as it means kittens I sell are bomb proof! LOL

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)....

Strictly inside. I even have it written in my contract of sale I ask kitten buyers to sign that they MUST keep their cat inside 24/7 or have a suitable outdoor enclosure for their cat. There are far too many risks with freeroaming - the main one: FIV, the feline equivalent to HIV

[AngelPants]

i would recomend a shelter or rescue organisation to get your cat from as they are finishing kitten season and are overrun with cats ATM. they health check all kittens and cats before rehoming.
for the kids i would recomend a kitten because they find it easier to adjust to your home situation and arent set in their ways already. moggies are the best! but thats my rather biased opinion!
i find my cat sheds mainly going into hot weather from winter. but other than that not any worse than the dog.
most kittens are litter trained by 8weeks but like little kids might have accidents.
DS LOVES our cat and bugs her to death lol
our cat goes has free access to outside during the day but is always within calling distance of the laudry door (and is more often found alseep in DS wardrobe), but tom cats will roam even when desexed. she comes inside for dinner and the laundry door gets shut, she also has an avairy type cage in the corner of the kitchen where she can escape DS and any visitors and she sleeps at night in there in a hammock.
with kittens you need to keep them inside until they are bigger but i cant remember the age, until they can fend for themselves anyway. you can also buy things so they cant eat the wildlife it is a triangle of wetsuit fabric attached to their collar with velcro that interferes with their pouncing, we doubled our kitty's food intake after we bought it :/

[Ginger]

Angelpants can you please tell me more about the thing you put on their collar to stop them eating wildlife? sorry to be OT, but i am really interested in this.

[AngelPants]

Ginger I PMd you

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[Caz_88]

GL Netix!

Just as a little tip, and to lull the kitten cluckyness, start having a look at the ragdoll colours and patterns, you will no doubt have a favourite when you start looking Also, when you are doing this make sure you are looking at Adult cats, they dont look anything like they do as kittens! (especially seal colour)
As a starter
Colours; Seal, Blue, Lilac, Chocolate, Red & Cream
Patterns; Point, Mitted, Bi-colour
Sub-patterns; Lynx (tabby), and Tortie

Any colour and any pattern can combine, and any of those combinations can be tabby and tortie. (The longest combo Ive seen in a "Blue/Cream tabby tortie point)

My boys are a Blue Bicolour and a Red tabby point. I actually prefer the bi-colour pattern, and the only colour im not a fan of is the seal.

If you really like a certain pattern/colour it would be quite a good idea to join a waiting list so when the one you want comes along, you are at the top of the list. Im not sure where you are from, but if you want the name of some good/ reputable breeders in your area, let me know!


Hopefully I will see you in the happy state of Ragdoll addiction soon! all the best x