I have been thinking of getting a cat. Now I have never had a cat and never really though of myself as a cat person, but I saw a beautiful stray cat that lives in the school next door and s/he was gorgeous! And it got me thinking how much I miss owning pets. Our house was always a menagery of animals when I was little, we always had a dog, ****ys, parrots, fish, chooks, sometimes rabbits & guinea pigs, we even had a sheep once!....And the list could go on. But now DH and I live in a unit so I wouldn't want to bring a dog here, even a little one. For one thing I don't really like little dogs, but also I don't know that we'd have the time to walk it, take it out to pee/poo all the time etc and we both work so I dont want to leave it on its own much.
But cats are different, right? They like to be alone sometimes don't they? They can be litter trained, and stuff right?? LOL, I have no idea! But what considerations would I have to make if we got a cat? Are they expensive to buy and keep? Are they good for young kids? I wouldn't want a pure breed or anything, probably just one from the pound or something. What other thing sshould I be thinking about?
TIA
Cats are very easy and most tend not to mind being alone (although some are social). If I were you I would look at getting an older cat though (maybe from the RSPCA), rather then a kitten. Because although cats are easy, kittens tend to be very social, like lots of attention, pull things (like curtains and carpet) to bits, and don't like to be left alone for long periods (like work hours). generally they are much more maintainence if they are under a year old - although if you have a couple they will entertain each other.
(I say this after chasing my kitten away from the washing we have hanging inside, for the 12th time in the last 5 mins)
I am very much a cat person. I currently have a 7mth old kitten and a 7yr old cat. (plus a labrador out the back). The older cat will basically look after himself - we just need to ensure he has access to food and water - oh and kitty litter (the one time he couldn't get into that was not a pleasant experience).
I would say cats are very easy, we have two, both very social types and the only hard part about owning our two is having to harden my heart and lock them out of the bedroom in the middle of the night so I can sleep without being harassed for cuddles!!
If you want one more okay on it's own, when you go to the shelter to look maybe find one that doesn't come running right up to you, but also doesn't run away/attack you if you go up to it... That way you'll have an independent cat that should still be okay with kids... And if you want low maintenance shorthair is the way to go, no matter how gorgeous that longhair cuddly kitty looks! Ours are mediumhair and we have a house overrun with catfur dust-bunny tumbleweeds
The only problem I see with owning a cat is the hair. I had never owned one but we took an abandonded kitty in, she is the gentlest thing and I love her,
but the cat hair
I can't do craft anymore, it gets on our clothes, once she goes, no more!
I wouldn't exactly say cats are easy as such, but they are a lot less maintainence then dogs, for example.
I own three cats, all indoor only (it's safest for everyone that way). Two are Ragdolls, and one is a Bengal. The raggies (as i like to call them) are brothers from the same litter/breeder. They are such tolerant cats and are a GREAT breed for kids. My friends who bring little ones over put them through hell and they just lay there and take it all, being carried (by the bigger kids) and dragged and wrapped up in blankets and fed bottles - honestly they take it all in their stride. Our bengal is another story, she' a hybrid breed and is not so tolerant, but when we get kids around she just goes and hides until it's "safe". But she is such a fun and playful cat I just love her to pieces.
They do require a lot of attention, if you get a long haired cat they will need brushing to avoid shedding everywhere.
A rescue kitten is a great idea too, there are so many cats and kittens in shelters around Aus that are just dying for a new home. We had a rescue cat for years until she passed with old age, she was the most beautiful natured cat ever. We miss her dearly, and she was the reason we invested in our two raggies after she passed.
I'm such a cat person, and cannot rave about them enough. They are my furchildren and I can't even imagine life without them.
Don't get a boy cat, there is always the possibility that they could grow into being a problem territorial sprayer. There are also aggression problems in males that you don't tend to encounter in females (ie picking fights with other cats).
I have a little female tortoiseshelle domestic short hair, got her at the RSPCA 15 years ago and have never regretted it. Such a lovely little companion, likes to follow me around and sit with me when I'm reading, studying etc. But be prepared for hair, best defence is a good vaccuum cleaner.
I love our two cats - we got a brother and sister from the same litter and they play together all the time - so it takes the responsibility of playing with them all the time away from us!!!
Mine are sooo gentle with the kids, they are amazing - but yes - the cat hair! arghhh its on everything!!!!
Mine came already litter trained (I think they were 8 weeks when I got them?) and its only the male that has ever missed the tray (its a male thing - that "aiming" thing - they just have NFI)
But yup, I love mine!!! Definitely recommend it over a dog (although I love our dog - and hated giving the boxer away - but they are so much less hassle than dogs, cheaper to fix, cheaper to worm, cheaper to feed!!!)
Good luck
Oh and after reading MD's post - if you get them fixed, most likely won't come across spraying issues Ours never sprays on anything - just misses his poop in the tray!
Just a note, I have a Raggie and I wouldn't advise getting one if you're out and about for long periods, unless you're prepared to get two... Ours is VERY social and gets quite upset if left alone for long periods (he wakes me up at hourly intervals during the night for reassurance and cuddles) and that's even thoug we DO have another cat to keep him company!
I never had a cat until about 10 years ago, and bought one from the Lost Dogs Home, she is a Burmese, I got her on special for $42.50 ... cute
She snuggles next to me in bed, on the couch, wakes up and greets me at the door when I get home, can open a door, if I leave her in the laundry accidently, and knows to only get stuck into the couches, scratching them to peices, in the middle of the night. Cat's can be so clever.
Things to think about and why my cat's owners gave her up for adoption
She will not get off the bed, she finds her way into the middle of the bed every night, If I lock her out she meows at the door all night
She hates it outside, so I am quite happy to have an indoor gal
She has ruined my lovely couches and doona covers that have silky stuff on em,
Cats are like humans, every one of them has a different personality, you need to pick one that will fit in, personality wise, to your home
Good luck you wont regret it (your couches or curtains might) ... prrrrrrr
I miss my ginger cat He was largely "easy" but he was expensive. He was free to start off with. I had him de-sexed and he was very placid. The expense came with feeding non-supermarket food (most which is rubbish) and the cattery fees when we went away (we wanted him to go to a nice one so that cost more) and when he eventually felt ill he was very expensive. He had to have surgery to remove a tooth during which he almost died... that cost us $400 all up. Then when he developed a skin condition he had to go on elimination diets $$$$ and have pathology tests $$$$ and sadly when we had to have him put down (he was never going to recover and was in pain) that also cost $$$. But he was adorable... he was almost dog-like in his personality... very social... loved it when we had BBQ... would be the centre of attention.
I look forward to getting another cat when my DD's school fees are over (in about 3 years)... we can't have both ATM.
Are cats easy??
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He was largely "easy" but he was expensive. He was free to start off with. I had him de-sexed and he was very placid. The expense came with feeding non-supermarket food (most which is rubbish) and the cattery fees when we went away (we wanted him to go to a nice one so that cost more) and when he eventually felt ill he was very expensive. He had to have surgery to remove a tooth during which he almost died... that cost us $400 all up. Then when he developed a skin condition he had to go on elimination diets $$$$ and have pathology tests $$$$ and sadly when we had to have him put down (he was never going to recover and was in pain) that also cost $$$. But he was adorable... he was almost dog-like in his personality... very social... loved it when we had BBQ... would be the centre of attention.
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