Would it be right to get another cat?

skintchick

MrsE wrote: »

I KNOW it great to give a rescue a home & I did help the Cats Protection for a while.
BUT rescues often do come with history.

AND if its coming into my home & family I would rather pay & get the "perfect cat" for us, as I did with Ted & we had over 7 great years with him.

I KNOW a rescue is the kind thing to do.
But its not for me.

My cat is a rescue. She is fantastic. I've had her for ten years now and she is so affectionate and has a real personality of her own - kooky and sometimes complicated!

You cannot ever know you will get the 'perfect cat' as they all have different personalities.

And as they are all different it wouldn;t feel like replacing Ted to get another cat of whatever kind you choose, as it will be a different animal and I'm sure would bring you pleasure.

MrsE_2

I know its the good & noble & honourable thing to do.

But pedigrees do need homes too.

There are a couple of cat breeds (Persian & Exotic come to mind) that are breed to be the feline equivalent of lap cats, they are more affectionate that regular cats & they wander less & are more dependent (because many moggies are very independent).

I know their are moggies that prove me wrong, but if you buy a pedigree with these traits then you are almost guaranteed that personality.

I admire & respect people who choose rescue cats & people who take in strays & help them.

But I'm sorry, its not for me & I'm only being honest.

However the right cat, will get spoilt rotten.

missbargain

I agree, too.

If you get a rescue, it may be hit and miss on what you want. There is a bit more guarantee with pedigree cats in relation to the character and/or looks if this is desired.
I think people should do what they wish to do, there is nothing wrong with wanting a pedigree cat. Otherwise, it would be like saying to all people who want to have their own children "but you should adopt, there are so many orphans out there waiting for home."

I personally think that it would be healing to get another cat when you are ready. You will always remember your Ted, the new cat won't be Ted's replacement, just a new little creature to be loved and adored in his/her own right.

foreign_correspondent

I think your OH will change his mind when he feels ready, (which I hope is soon, as you are clearly keen!) and I think there is no right or wrong about when this is for both of you.

However...does it not worry you that as Ted was a pedigree and the condition that he died from is, you say, more common in his breed, that another similar breed may also have problems?

Personally, I think this would be a major consideration for me when choosing another cat, he was so young to go like he did, and it has clearly been such a sad time for you. I dont know if there is any sort of screening against these inherited conditions in pedigree cats?

Hectors_House

MrsE wrote: »

Ted our adored Red persian died a couple of weeks ago.
He was 7.5 & it was very sudden, the vet thinks it was a heart condition that is more common in male persians.

When it happened I said we would never get another cat.

But I wonder would it help us?

When my last cat died (cancer) my mother said she's never have another.

I live with my folks at the moment and really missed the affection you get from loving a cat and we last about 7 months before she gave in to my pleading. LOL!

We went to the local RSPCA and cat rescue centres and I found my beautiful Sweepy. She wasn't at all the kind of cat I was looking for but she was a bad cruelty case and something about her attracted me instantly (as I watched her backside disappear out the catflap into the outside run whilst all the others sat in the warm looking at me).

They let me into the run and I sat down and looked the other way. After about ten minutes I felt this little nudge as she tried to climb into my lap. She chose me and I took her there and then.

Helping a rescue cat is a great thing to do and you don't forget the cat you lost by getting another.

lowis

If you get a rescue, it may be hit and miss on what you want. There is a bit more guarantee with pedigree cats in relation to the character and/or looks if this is desired.

and for those that missed it...there are rescue pedigrees too so you get the 'guaranteed' personality too in most cases.

not all rescue cats are moggies (although I respect Mrs E not wanting a cat from a pedigree rescue) i just want to make it clear that rescue pedigree cats exist and need help too.

missbargain

Of course, there are also pedigree rescue cats, too.

I think some people may worry about the background and whether the cat would be like the "new and the original" pedigree kitten, as its behaviour would have been modified (sadly) by its previous treatment.

I myself totally support adopting a cat, I myself adopted a grown up, simple moggy, but I can see the point of people who want to buy a pedigree kitten without the previous history (past lives not included here )

MrsE_2

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

I think your OH will change his mind when he feels ready, (which I hope is soon, as you are clearly keen!) and I think there is no right or wrong about when this is for both of you.

However...does it not worry you that as Ted was a pedigree and the condition that he died from is, you say, more common in his breed, that another similar breed may also have problems?

Personally, I think this would be a major consideration for me when choosing another cat, he was so young to go like he did, and it has clearly been such a sad time for you. I dont know if there is any sort of screening against these inherited conditions in pedigree cats?

It worries my DH, another reservation he has & why we wouldn't get an older cat, we don't want to start off knowing already oir time is limited.

Its slightly more common in persian males, but its by no means common.

Many of the persian health problems (PKD) are now screened for & we will place paramount importance on a healthy kitten, rather than a cheaper kitten.