new cat or kitten advice (merged)

Tortieshell

mae wrote: »

Not too keen on them not going out though I mean at least in the garden coz I don't fancy keeping a litter tray forever???

My mum has a big soppy dog that we look after when she goes on holiday do you think there is a chance I could get them used to each other?

Yeah I wasnt too keen on the indoor bit either! As long as you keep an eye on them it should be fine.

If you get one from a breeder they usually socialise the kittens beforehand with other cats, dogs, different people and they dont usually sell them until they are 14 weeks old so they have had their jabs already.

From what I have read it shouldnt be a problem with dogs, they are very friendly pets.

Good Luck

mae

See I'm spoilt for choice now.. They are all adorable .....

sexki11en

Can't help you with the moulting issue as I only have 3 moggies and they moult shockingly but as far as being laid back and cuddly, that will be up to you.

If you play with your kitten regularly from little, hug it, sit with it, and pay it lots of attention it will grow up to be the best lap cat. Our newest one (now 15 months old) is the soppiest little cat in the world. He sits on OH's shoulder and licks his stubble! If OH has his legs up on the table (even though I tell him not to!) little un will sit on his legs and go to sleep.

Good luck and I really should stop coming into this forum......I want another one now but even I think 4 cats is one too many lol

Gytha_Ogg

I agree, it's all about how they're used to being handled. We got our cat at 12 weeks (he'd been abandoned) - we have friends around a lot at out house, so he was used to being picked up, poked, prodded, played with and handled right from the off, and he's not fazed by people in the slightest - he thinks everyone comes round to see him. he's so laid back, he's almost horizontal.

IMHO there'll be a genetic component too, some cats will have naturally better temperaments than others - and also will learn from their mother and litter mates.

believe me, when you find 'your' cat, you'll know straight away.

anniestar

mae wrote: »

Not too keen on them not going out though I mean at least in the garden coz I don't fancy keeping a litter tray forever???
?

You should ALWAYS have a litter tray even if your cat goes outside.

anniestar

sexki11en wrote: »

Can't help you with the moulting issue as I only have 3 moggies and they moult shockingly but as far as being laid back and cuddly, that will be up to you.

If you play with your kitten regularly from little, hug it, sit with it, and pay it lots of attention it will grow up to be the best lap cat. Our newest one (now 15 months old) is the soppiest little cat in the world. He sits on OH's shoulder and licks his stubble! If OH has his legs up on the table (even though I tell him not to!) little un will sit on his legs and go to sleep.

Good luck and I really should stop coming into this forum......I want another one now but even I think 4 cats is one too many lol

4 is a LOVELY number of cats to have. We have 7 at the mo and if we ever move I wouldn't bet on it staying at "only" 7!!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Gytha_Ogg

anniestar wrote: »

You should ALWAYS have a litter tray even if your cat goes outside.

seconded, it's always handy to have there in case your cat's ill or doesn't want to go out in bad weather.

foreversomeday

Also some tips to help with moulting: In the kitchen or bathroom (or any room with a non-carpet floor) brush the cat every few days, or stroke it wearing a rubber glove, this gets rid of any loose hairs and they love it. If you use a fine-toothed comb you can also catch any flea infestations before they become a problem. Hoover as often as you can and you shouldn't get cat hair all over your clothes etc. To get it off your clothes don't bother with those lint rollers - they dry out when you're not using them and they fill up too easily too meaning they work out expensive and it seems a lot of waste! You can get a brush-like thing which traps hair and then you can just pull it off and put it into the bin. We have one and it's magic! No idea where we got it from though so sorry

kr15snw

Just to say about letting your cat out. We personally dont as we dont want the risk of her getting hurt while we cant keep an eye on her.

So she is a house cat, but she comes for walks with the dogs. She has her own little harness and has been trained to walk to heel (its soooo cute!!!).

But she gets plenty of entertainment and exercise in the house (she has 2 springers to chase / be chased by in the house) but we offer her plenty of energy related things

Oh and we also have a covered litter tray so it doesnt smell at all

mae

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've still not got one or decided on what kind. I am just struggling with the moulting and the 'always' having a litter tray.
Can you tell I don't like housework :rotfl: