Getting my first cat (PICTURES)

RazWaz

I've been feeling pretty down lately (I have quite bad depression) and thought getting a pet might cheer me up and give me something to cuddle at night, but thought since I'm not really that great at looking after myself at the moment, I couldn't inflict that on a poor animal so kinda put it out of my mind.

Well I'll keep it short, but my parents split up, my mother moved in with her mother but it didn't go well, so she looked for a flat nearby to rent so she could still be around as my Nana is quite ill. Around the same time a flat in my building happened to be going free and since it was only a mile from my Nana's house my mother moved in next door to me.

She is also a cat lover and had been thinking about getting one, so when I mentioned I really would like one, she came up with the idea that we could get one each, and they would live together in my mothers flat. I'd be given a set of keys and then I could go and play with them during the day (I'm currently out of work but my mother works full time). That way I could have all the benefits of a cat, without the cat being at any risk of neglect.

My mothers flat is a small cottage attached to the back of the building I live in, it has a smallish courtyard which opens up into a doorless garage running the length of the building I live in leading to a small door, which is the access to the cottage from the main road. The effect is a very large open space with fresh air, but with half of it rain proofed. It's surrounded by 10 foot walls on all sides so there is no way out apart from out the door so perfect to allow the cat to play outside without going near roads.

I suppose I should really get on with things and ask, where can I actually get a kitten from, and is there anything I need to know?

I had a kitten when I was 3 years old, but I don't remember training it or anything as I was so young (I had the cat till it died when I was 17). That one had free access to the outdoors (lived in a safer area then) so never had a litter tray, but with the set up this time we would need one. I have no idea how they work either.



P.S my mother has found her kitten, but it was the last one of the litter so I have to find one from somewhere else. It's still too young to leave it's mother so we wont be picking it up for another 2 weeks. I want a baby kitten around the same age so they can grow up together.

RazWaz

Also, after my childhood cat died, I seemed to have developed mild cat allergies. While they are not really a problem to me (only a slight itch around my eyes), short haired cats would be best. I'm hoping that daily exposure will put me back into remission. But if not, it's something I can deal with as I wont be living on cat-hair-covered furniture, and my mothers house is hardwood floor.

I have my heart set on a small black kitten with white socks and short hair, what breed would that be? Cause I have no idea where to start here.

ineed

I would suggest contacting a rescue centre, you can have a look for one near you online via a site like this http://www.catchat.org/. They have cats and kittens in need of homes, and they often microchip them for you and spay/neuter them. I have always had cats from sanctuaries, the last two cost me around £40 each (a recommended donation).

I think your looking for a black and white shorthair, these are called bicolored cats but normally just referred to as black and white moggies. You can read about them here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicolor_cat.

Sanctuaries normally have pictures of the cats for you to see.

Lifeforms

Honestly? As much as you have the ideal cat in mind, just go along to a rescue and let the kitten choose you. I hate to say this, but you might have to take your mum to "hold your hand" as she will be the primary caregiver to your kitten, so she will need to do the adopting procedure, otherwise I doubt any shelter would give you a kitten when you say actually it's mine, but it wont be living with me

Sometimes what chooses us is not what we'd have chosen. My last rescued cat chose me by hooking me, fish link and sinker, (literally with claws!) as I walked past him to the "pretty" cats, and boy did he play up to me, instant meow and purr, and patting me, and rolling over showing me his belly till I took him I miss my cuddle cat :-/

scaredy_cat

during my depression, my cat was the reason to keep doing things like eating and shopping. She was the only reason that i didn't go deeper into a bad depression i think.

she has since been pts, she was over 22! and i rehomed a cat that didn't get on with my friend's dog, He's a little tyke! i am currently waiting for him to make an appearance after being out all day and in the rain we had this afternoon!

RazWaz

ineed wrote: »

I think your looking for a black and white shorthair, these are called bicolored cats but normally just referred to as black and white moggies. You can read about them here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicolor_cat.

Sanctuaries normally have pictures of the cats for you to see.

Thanks for that! I know what I'm looking for now

Lifeforms wrote: »

Honestly? As much as you have the ideal cat in mind, just go along to a rescue and let the kitten choose you. I hate to say this, but you might have to take your mum to "hold your hand" as she will be the primary caregiver to your kitten, so she will need to do the adopting procedure, otherwise I doubt any shelter would give you a kitten when you say actually it's mine, but it wont be living with me

Sometimes what chooses us is not what we'd have chosen. My last rescued cat chose me by hooking me, fish link and sinker, (literally with claws!) as I walked past him to the "pretty" cats, and boy did he play up to me, instant meow and purr, and patting me, and rolling over showing me his belly till I took him I miss my cuddle cat :-/

I already said to myself just go and see what you fall in love with, I might end up with something I didn't expect but it's not a bad thing

The hand holding thing - I already knew that would happen, found a shelter and my mother is driving us there tomorrow afternoon to have a look around

scaredy_cat wrote: »

during my depression, my cat was the reason to keep doing things like eating and shopping. She was the only reason that i didn't go deeper into a bad depression i think.

she has since been pts, she was over 22! and i rehomed a cat that didn't get on with my friend's dog, He's a little tyke! i am currently waiting for him to make an appearance after being out all day and in the rain we had this afternoon!

I've had depression since I was 4, and had a cat from the age of 3-17. I know how much she helped me which is why I jumped at the chance of getting another one

Lifeforms

Pets are cool! Even when I'm down, my current cat will at least check I'm still alive. Granted he will just check to make sure he still gets feeding and his box emptied. Wont go as far as cuddling me, but will sit on the bed next to me as if to say I'm here, just checking etc.

RazWaz

Well I found a nearby shelter and went for a visit and had my heart stolen by a tiny little short haired black kitten, no white socks but she has a tiny white tail-tip, which led to her being called Mortip (Morti for short). And the best news, I held her for around 20 mins and no allergic reaction at all!

The shelter said they were looking for donations of small blankets for the pens, and I've always loved crochet so I'm making some blankets now to take with me when I pick her up.

She's 9 weeks old and I can pick her up in a few days time, so what do I need to buy so that I'm ready for her?

scaredy_cat

the basics are food and a bowl - not plastic.

extras are a cat bed - though they like to sleep on the bed, fresh washing, dirty washing, cushions, boxes.....
toys - balls, soft toy with catnip, feathers on a stick - or mse - string/ shoe lace, scrunched up wad of paper and loo roll!!

Lifeforms

I would suggest getting a decent sized cat tree if you haven't already. Places like Zooplus sell them cheaper than in shops, or there were some really large ones coming from Germany on amazon that were very cheap for what you got. Look for ones with high perches, but seem stable with running up and down, and maybe look to see if they have a hidy box or round box for somewhere to hide and sleep.

picklepick

A litter tray and whatever litter she is used to using in the rescue centre. If you want to change it to your preferred type/brand, then you can change it gradually over time by mixing the two together.