new cat or kitten advice (merged)

viktory

Our moggy kitten was not at all socialised when we got her and she is not terribly cuddly (although seriously gorgeous). She does go out, but not far and I always make sure she is in at night and when we are out work. She has a litter tray that she no longer uses, preferring the flower bed in the garden. We have left in in situ though, as she is at home on her own most of the day. It is also a good idea to keep the tray in case your cat gets hassled by another cat whilst toileting - it can make them very stressed leading to cystitis or soiling in the house.

On the vets advice she was kept in for a long time, as she needed to be neutered, injected and she was tiny. I think that is why she is such a homely cat.

I would really recommend reading any of the three books written by Vicky Halls link here. They are packed with good information.

ailuro2

Our little cat came to us via someone dumping her in the area when she was only little..around 9 weeks old according to the vet when we took her down for her vaccination jabs.

Cats aren't cheap, we were over a hundred pounds to innoculate and spey/neuter in the first instance, and of course microchipping,then a yearly booster of £30 a go. Catteries are cheaper than kennels, costing around £4 or 5 a day.

They are, however, wonderful pets, especially for little girls who love to play with them and brush them (do this from an early age and there will not be any hair to clean up-and less problems with furballs amd matting too) and of course they are easy to feed and water, unlikely to bite after kittenhood too. No need to walk them either unless of course you have siamese- but they can be a bit wierd, and expect to be treated like spoilt children.

I'd love a burmese because they are so friendly and talkative, but many cats can be loveable ginven the right treatment.

I'd suggest you take a trip to your local cat's protection league and see if there's a four legged friend there who would make your house a home again. (it's not quite home without a pet, is it?:D )

ps, I hate housework but our little Smudge doesn't really make much mess, and her hair never seems to accumulate anywhere.
We do keep her out of DD's bedroom and the spare room,though, as we have allergy sufferers who come to stay sometimes.

Leopardlady

We got our cat, a Tonkinese, about 6 months ago, and i am an alergy sufferer and was not expecting to survive with a cat at all, but he is adorable and i am able to cuddle him.
He is incredibly cuddly and loves sleeping on our laps more than anything, he was given to us from a rescue centre and we were told that he was an indoor cat, but we decided to try him outside and now he goes out when he wants or stays in when he wants. He does have a litter tray and it was something i dreaded, but it is really not that bad, and he now uses the garden quite a bit as well.
Tonkinese are the only cats i have not had an asthma attack when near, and i wouldn't change having our gorgeous cat for anything. Good luck with your hunt
Oh by the way we didn't have any pets when i was a child as we moved every 2 years and i don't think it makes all that much difference with how children grow up, but i think my cat would love to have a kid to play with and be pampered by

Cerenia

I didn't choose any of our lot from type - they were all wild and needed homes, some near deaths door, so we got them, tamed them and loved them to health - and they're all adorable! We've got 2 longhair and 2 shorthair. One's a black longhair which isn't bad, but the ginger longhair moults like crazy, but we still love them all. We open the door in the morning, they come and go as they please, cruel of us to think about leeping them in - they were all naturally wild cats.

Funny thing is... 5 years ago, I was scared of cats and thier claws! Now have 4 in london and 7 in wales!

mae

Thanks again everyone for all your opinions and advice... I still haven't got one but I think I will go to our local animal rescue centre on Saturday and have a look there.

BizzyBek

Hi Mae

If you are unsure about having a tray etc I would personally advise not to get a kitten - it is a big responsibility and one that you could have for the next 20 years.

My personal recommendation is that with any new kitten/cat you get in the routine that they must stay indoors from evening to morning, with a litter tray accessible. It is much safer for them to be indoors at night and helps create a good routine so they always 'check in'.

If you do decide you do want a kitten taking all that in to consideration definitely go to your local rescue centre for a number of reasons - they'll have had the kitten/cat in their care and can really assess its personality, they offer great advice and the kitten will come having had a check up.

mae

Thanks. I take on board what you are saying about it being a big responsibilty and one that could be around for many years and I totally agree and understand that and that is why I'm asking on here about things. I understand the commitment of a pet as I had our gorgeous dog for 12 years and I still miss her So I won't take getting a kitten lightly.

As far as a litter tray goes I know what you are saying I just thought I'd rather train it to go outside. As I get older (I'm only in my thirties!) I seem to think of every decision I make in terms of will it be extra work etc, I mean I chose not to have a conservatory because it would just be another room to clean :rotfl:
I'm starting to think I've got issues now I've wrote it down :rolleyes:

Anyway after all your advice if I definately get one I will definately keep the litter tray its only fair to the cat.

Thanks again

anniestar

I agree totally with BizzyBeck cats are a huge responsibility and do(thankfully)live longer than ever now, 15 is not uncommon. Re reading your posts are you sure that you are totally ready for another pet? You do still seem to be greving for your beloved dog. On a brighter note litter trays dont cause THAT much work we have 8 trays which obviously get changed and cleaned twice a day, additionally twice a week we wash them, soak them in stardrops and the whole process dosen't take any time at all really. Also it is difficult to gauge a cats true personality when they are in pens, some "shut down" and blossom when they are homed BUT......some are pretty self contained- happy but only prepared to be affectionateon their terms(ie when they feel like it) Honestly i wish you well and am not trying to put you off just trying to give you a balanced picture so that you can make an informed decision. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Cerenia

One of our cats (a year old) was hit by a car and killed last friday, and although we still have 3 cats, the female is very independant, wheras our other 2 were close when they were both younger (one's a year twin, the other 4 months), but now the little one's starting to become independant, leaving the 1 year old who's lost his twin a little confused and upset, he always follows us around and demands fuss and attention a lot more, either that or he sits at the bottom of the garden by his brother's grave.

Anyway, my partner reckons we should get another kitten, to help fill the void left for ourselves, and the other cats, but my argument is that is it too soon for another cat? Would it not confuse them more? I think its too soon myself, but I want whats best for them.

elvis_girl

Sorry to hear about your cat. I see your point about filling the void but cats forget pretty quickly. One of my cats went missing for a few weeks and when it came back the other kept hissing at it even though they had been together for six years from birth!