So you think you want a cat?

[Wiztherewoz]

Never had a cat before? Thinking of making one part of your family?

Then I'm aiming these notes your way. Please have a quick read. If you're still sure you'd like a cat in your life afterwards, then I'm sure you're in for a wonderful time with your new addition.

My name's Heather, I've worked with feral cats and rescue cats and have shared a home with cats all my life. I’m one of those people who adopts animals that others have discarded and I'm here to tell you the honest truth of the less appealing side of cats so that you are aware of what is expected from you, and what to expect from your cat, so that you can make an informed decision before bringing one into your life only to want rid of it later.

Number 1: Cats pee and poop!

Obvious point, yes, but some people don’t think of the mess that animals are going to create when they adopt them, and are so repulsed when they are confronted with the waste products that they realise they prefer an animal-free home.

Cats in general are clean and tidy animals, and they are normally very easily litter trained. However, there are some that take longer to get it right than others. Some may refuse to use certain types of litter, so you may need to test a few brands before finding one that the particularly finicky feline is happy to use. Some are messy and have a bad aim, and may accidentally poop outside the box/scatter litter everywhere. Some will refuse to use a litter tray that has already been soiled. Some will not use a box if it is in an open area, or near its feeding area, or near a strong odour such as a plug-in air freshener, etc.

Therefore you may find yourself having to go through a period of trial and error before you get it right for them. It’s important you learn your cat’s preferences and adjust your own actions to fit. Eg) If the cat is a messy litter tray user, there are different boxes on the market you can buy, such as a tall-sided one or one with a cover that can help keep it tidy etc. If the cat won’t use a soiled litter tray, make sure you clean it asap every time the cat uses it. If the cat doesn’t like to go near where it eats, make sure you put the litter tray well away from the feeding area, etc.

If the cat poops or pees in areas of the house that are inappropriate, reprimanding the cat will not be the solution. Hitting a cat is never okay, and it is not fair to banish the cat to outdoors, or to get rid of the cat. If you are a good cat owner, you will grit your teeth, clean it up with a suitable enzymatic cleaner to avoid reoccurrences, have your cat checked out by a vet to rule out any physical problems that could be causing it to avoid the litter box, and continue trying until the cat is happy to use the box.

As cats get older, they can become forgetful/senile or lose control of their functions.
If you do not think that you could put up with any messes in your house, even from a cat that has been clean all of its life and was loved until it got old/sick, then it would be fairer to decide against adopting a cat at all than it would be to re-home one at the time of its life it would need you the most.

If you allow your cat access to outdoors, be aware that they may make enemies of neighbours by defecating in their flower beds/vegetable plots.

If you’re perfectly prepared to work through any potential problems with poop - please read on!

Number 2: Cats eat!

Cats are carnivores. They require a specific high protein diet. They also need it to include taurine, (which is why they must not be fed food specifically formulated for dogs, animals that do not have the same dietary requirements as cats.) If you are going to feed your cat a commercial diet, buy food specifically formulated for cats, to ensure it has the vitamins and minerals that cats need. And do some research on which brands are the better quality before you buy. If you choose to feed your cat a raw diet, you will need to thoroughly research which foods are suitable, which are not, how to prepare the food, and how much of it to feed.

Diet is an important factor in a cat’s general health. A bad diet can affect their temperament as well as their physical health, weight, skin, fur, claws and teeth etc.

Grass provides folic acid. If your cat is going to be an indoor cat, you’ll need to provide it with some indoor grass.
Many cats can’t tolerate cow’s milk and it will cause diarrhoea.

Fresh, clean water must always be available. It’s especially important to ensure your cat is drinking enough if you decide to feed it on dry food.

If you choose to adopt a kitten/s, you will need to make yourself available to feed it throughout the day. They need up to five feeds a day. Adults usually do best on two feeds a day. Do your research to be sure you're feeding your cat the correct amount of the correct food.

Bowls must be cleaned daily. It is especially important to keep them clean in hot weather, as flies will lay eggs in leftover meat. Never feed your cat from a filthy bowl.

If you’re happy with the responsibility of keeping your cat well nourished, please read on.

Number 3: Cats hunt!

If you own small animals or birds, you’ll need be extra careful introducing a cat, and be ever vigilant not to leave your pets together unattended.

If your cat will be allowed outdoors, you’ll probably get some dead animals on your porch from time to time. Sometimes your cat may even bring live animals into your house. (They think they’re teaching you how to hunt.)

Be aware that if you get a particularly predatory cat, you may anger local wildlife lovers, or bird-feeding neighbours. It’s your responsibility to keep your cat from becoming a public menace. (And to keep it safe from any cat-haters in your area.)

If you’re prepared to prevent any potential carnage, please read on.

Number 4: Cats play!

Some cats are more playful than others. You’ll need to provide your cat some toys and activities to keep them entertained, especially if they are restricted to indoors. Cats that go outdoors tend to find their own amusement, but still need attention when they come home.

If your cat turns out to be a fun-loving, wall-climbing, ankle-grabbing play addict, will you soon tire of its antics? Enough to want to get rid? If so, you’d be better off getting an older cat. One that’s known to have a more laid-back approach to life.

Try to get a cat that’s personality will suit your own. It’s difficult to know how a young kitten will turn out to be. If you’re going to be particular about what you want your cat’s temperament to be, the only way of knowing for sure what you’re getting would be to adopt an adult cat from a home/rescue shelter where you can meet the cat and get an idea of what the cat is like before you bring it home.

But, no matter what the age/temperament of the cat, even the grumpiest of cats, and even elderly cats who seem to spend all their time sleeping, can have their playful moments.

If you’re ready for a bit of exuberant kitty behaviour, please read on.

[Wiztherewoz]

Number 5: Cats scratch!

First off, here is my opinion on de-clawing: http://forums.petlovers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=42981

Basically, it is wrong. Cats have claws for a reason and they need their claws.

Never allow your cat to play rough with your hands, otherwise you will teach the cat that this behaviour is okay, when later you’ll be scratched and hurt and blame the cat. You can’t blame the cat for something you've encouraged it to do. Cats that don't know any better will try to play with us like they do with each other, not realising how pathetically breakable our skin is.

Some cats will scratch intentionally because they’ve had enough fussing. It’s their way of telling you to back off. If you’re shaking your head saying you couldn’t be doing with that menacing behaviour, remember that it’s easy enough to avoid this kind of scratch by learning how to read your cat, and knowing what its tolerance levels are. If you’re prepared to give your cat space instead of demanding cuddles when they don’t want cuddling, you’re likely to never have a problem.
But if you really don’t want this kind of cat, your best option would be to visit a shelter and meet the cats there to avoid getting a sneaky batter.

Some cats will scratch you when you touch a certain area of their bodies. Either because they don’t like that particular area to be touched, or because they’re in pain. If you suspect they’re in pain, you’ll need to see a vet. If it is because they don’t like that area touching, don’t touch it.

Cats can also scratch you accidentally. Whether jumping off your lap, jumping on your lap and finding their balance, falling down your back when they’ve been using you as a climbing frame, or when you’ve picked them up when they aren’t ready for you… Occasionally there will be a scratch.

Cats need to stretch their claws and scratch things. They have scent glands on their feet and they’ll scratch things to say they belong to them. Cats can be trained to leave your items alone, furniture, carpets, wallpaper, etc. But you have to provide them with a place of their own to scratch. This could be a large piece of wood, or better still a scratching post/climbing frame. These can be expensive to buy, and they take up room in your house, but they are worth the cost for the cat’s happiness.

If you’re okay with the odd little scratch once in a while, and you’re prepared to provide your cat with a place to flex their talons, please read on.

Number 6: Cats can get sick!

Cats will need to see a vet at some point. Be it for vaccinations, illness, injury, teeth problems, etc. Often when cats show symptoms of illness, or if they show physical pain, then it is an emergency. The cat will likely need immediate attention.

You cannot foresee what problems your cat may develop. - BUT - You do know that there is always the possibility that a problem could develop. Therefore, by taking the cat on in the first place, you are making the conscious decision to take on the responsibility of ensuring it gets health care when and if it should ever need it.

It will cost you money.

If you aren’t prepared to pay money out in the event of a downhill turn in your cat’s health, then please don’t get one in the first place.

If, however, you understand the importance of good veterinary care for your beloved pet, please read on.

Number 7: Cats can get parasites!

Cats, especially when allowed to roam outdoors, can pick up parasites. They will need regular preventative treatments. Speak to your vet about which brands are best for your cat. *For the safety of your pet, always buy from a vet*

It will cost you money.

If you are the kind of person who will panic at seeing a flea on your cat, and ban your cat from your house, please bear in mind that fleas are easily treated and it is completely unfair to shut your cat out for something that is making the cat just as unhappy as you are, and I daresay even more uncomfortable.

If parasites aren’t enough to make you stop loving your moggy, please read on.

Number 8: Cats can be noisy!

Late night litter box visits can seem louder than they really are to a light sleeper. (Place the litter box away from the bedroom, problem solved.)

Some cats have loud voices and loud purrs.

Some cats run around the house at top speed, crash into things and cause a racket while the family’s trying to get some shut-eye.

In general, cats are clean and quiet and stealthy animals that you’ll barely know are living with you. But there are exceptions. And bad care/lack of attention/bad feeding can cause behaviour problems that needn’t arise in the first place.

If that doesn’t put you off and you’re happy to find a way to keep your cat happy no matter what, please read on.

Number 9: Cats shed!

There will be hair in your house. If you leave a clean sweater on your bed, chances are your cat will find it, sleep on it and leave its lovely hairy signature behind.

If that will upset you enough to ban the cat from your house, punish the cat or get rid of the cat, please save yourself and the cat the trouble, and do not get one.

A good vacuum cleaner and regular grooming will prevent excessive hair and it really shouldn’t be a problem.

If a bit of fluff isn’t enough to put you off, please read on to my final point.

Number 10: Cats are laws unto themselves!

You can get two kittens from the same litter and have two completely different personalities on your hands. Never assume that one cat will behave the same way as any other you may have met in passing. They all tend to have their own quirks and their own reasoning behind everything they do.

You may be lucky and end up with the cat of your dreams, already exactly the way you expected it to be. Or you may get one that doesn’t live up to your expectations. Either way, with enough love and patience, you should grow to be wonderful companions.

Best of luck finding your new feline friend.

[Irish_Lass]

Great thread Heather! For someone that has tossed around the idea of getting a cat at some point, it was perfect to read.

[Wiztherewoz]

You've never had a cat, Lisa? Gotta say, I'm surprised, you having lived on a farm and that.

Thanks.

[nanamouse]

Very complete and well said, as usual. These should all be mandatory reading before adopting or purchasing an animal. In fact, I learned something from the cat thread, even after all these years of living with cats!

[Irish_Lass]

Its down to the fact that we're a big sheep farm and the risk of toxoplasmosis isn't worth it. Because we have lambing season too there is the risk that toxo' can kill the fetuses and make the ewes barren. Later on in pregnancy it can cause the ewes to abort.
There is an effective vaccination out there to prevent toxo' but because we have so many dogs we've just never thrown a cat into the mix.
Sorry, that was a bit of a mindless ramble!

[e1beth1]

Great thread Heather! I just want to add two things.

No one can tell you what kind of an adult your kitten will be. I've seen sweet, lovey, lap kittens become anti-social and anti-social kittens grow into big time lap kitties. If you don't want to guess at what kind of a kitty you might end up with in adulthood, adopt an adult instead. After about 2 years of age a kitty is generally pretty set in their ways.

Also, kittens are generally destructive, some on purpose, some by accident. If your kitten has big feet and a little body, it's not going to be the least bit graceful until it grows back into proportion. If you you have a hyper kitten, it's going to be into everything. I personally think they're like toddlers x10 and you need to make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them occupied or simple things like the cords to your computer can become a death trap for a kitten. If you don't want to deal with kittenhood, again, please adopt an adult instead, you will be much happier in the end.

[tiffers]

Stuck this one for you, too.

[Llamalady]

I also want to add that cats are social creatures, not as independent as the myths make them out to be. They need attention. They may not leap on you like some dogs do, but they still need attention. They need to be petted and loved...

[Wiztherewoz]

I also missed out the importance of keeping the litter tray clean and hygienic at all times.
And the joy of hairballs!

[Llamalady]

OMG could you imagine never having had a cat before and then all of a sudden the cat is becoming violently ill? Someone not knowing about hairballs.. well that would be horrific!

[livertrans]

When I was a child my parents had a cottage that we spent the summer at. Some of the people renting cottages when get a kitten, for their children, and then when they went home, after the summer, would leave the poor things on their own. The couple who had owned the land when they farmed were good hearted and tried to take in and find homes for as many as they could. Even at the age of 9 or 10 I thought people should not be allowed to have pets if they would not look after them. I have always been a softee.
Also, the comment about cat claws brought something back to me. The first cat I had, after getting married, was a big white one with siamese in it. Her name was Whiskers. If you have ever encountered a siamese claws you know how sharp they are, and long. I'm don't remember how we managed it but she was very good about keeping her claws in when she played with us. Years later when we brought a kitten into the mix she was not impressed at first. After a couple of days of the kitten jumping on her and play fighting she gave in and adopted her. We still have that "kitten". She is 18 years old now and Whiskers taught her not to use her claws either. When she was tired of playing ( poor old Whiskers was 16 when we brought the kitten in) she would put her paw on the kittens chest and hold it there. If the kitten kept pushing and swinging Whiskers would put out just a bit of her claws. This was usually enough to warn her to stop. I can't remeber why all my friends were afraid of Whiskers. She was great with us. When our son was born she adopted him and was very concerned about him. When we first let our son get up on the weekend, on his own, she had a fit. We lived in a small town house at that time and you could hear what he was up to so we kept an ear open.l The first few times we did this Whiskers sat at the top of the stairs and watched him go down. She would call hoping to get us up. When that didn't work she would run to my side of the bed. She would stand up to the bed and meow and tap my hand until I opened my eyes. She would then run to the top of the stairs and look at me and meow again. Fortunately she calmed down after a few days of this. When she died I felt like I had lost a family member. I always joked that she was my oldest child. She loved to travel in the car with us and was usuallly a good house guest. With the Siamese in her she also could "talk" a lot. Our neighbours when we lived in an apartment asked me one day if I talked to my cat. I said," Yes,and she answers me". They were relieved because they would see my hubby leave for work and then hear me talking and thought I was having affair. The walls in these apartements were thin but the price was right when my hubby was going to College.
With the present pets included we have had 4 cats, 1 dog( minature schnauzwer), a hamster- that had babies after we bought it and various fish.. Heck I even cryed when my sons hamster died., Hard to believe I was an X-ray tech and was still so soft. I had a niece that thought Xray techs were the meanest people. Sometimes we had to inflict pain to get the pictures we needed for the doctors to fix the patients up. Children always brought out my soft side especially if they were in pain.
Oh well, I meant to go back to bed this morning since I am fighting a cold. It is now 10:30 so I guess I won't. It is my birthday today so I don't have to do anythng. Hubby has planned supper for us. He has to take me shopping because I asked for a nice purse and gave him some pictures of ones I liked. He still hasn't found anything. I guess it is a lot to ask a guy to pick out a purse. Told my son I wanted fairly good sunglasses. Mine are shot. I take them off when I am approaching a light or backing up because they are so scratched. I told him not to buy me ones like he had. I think they were abot $200. I don't look after them that well.
Every one have a great day.
Brenda

[Llamalady]

Important: Myth about cats:

Well only dogs dig through the garbage so I don't need to watch what I put in the garbage. Cats aren't smart enough to figure out how to get into them.

Truth:

False! Dogs' size can make it easier for them sometimes to get into garbage cans but I have had many a garbage-picker cat.

I think this goes up with the myth that cats eat.

[penguin20]

Heather,

Thanks for sharing this! It will be a good guidelines for those who aims to have a cat!


Basically, Cats are one of the most 'sweet' animals and one way of showing their sweetness is always trying to rub their body to your feet,legs,and they also want to sleep beside you!

That's what I observed with my cat.

[vix506]

Originally Posted by Llamalady

OMG could you imagine never having had a cat before and then all of a sudden the cat is becoming violently ill? Someone not knowing about hairballs.. well that would be horrific!

HAHA Sounds like my first experience with a hairball! WOW, I almost poo'ed my pants, I didnt know what the heck was going on! My first kitty adopted me, and though I had heard of hairballs, I didnt know what to expect!