To cat, or not to cat, that is the question...

[tangentgirl]

I'm not the world's biggest animal person. I like other people's cats for the most part (and sometimes their dogs, if they don't bite), I'm just a little hesitant to have something I have to take care of.

However, lately, I've been thinking about getting a cat. My bf, who I live with, travels for work quite a bit, and, to be honest, it gets pretty quiet around the house. I also work from home, so ditto. It might be nice to have a cat around.

Since there seem to be a lot of cat lovers here on TE, I thought I'd ask you a few questions.

1. Where do you keep the litter box? This is my biggest concern: I don't want my house to smell yucky.
1a. Does anyone use a fancy self-cleaning litter box? Do those things really work? I'm willing to invest.

2. Inside cat or outside cat? Inside cat probably gets to live longer, outside cat probably has more fun; I'm interested in opinions.

3. I'm noticing a lot of people feed their cats canned food. Is it actually better for the cats than dry food? I don't particularly like the smell of canned food (notice a theme?), but if dry food is really bad for the cat...

4. How do you pick a nice cat? I'd prefer a cat that purrs and snuggles to a cat that hisses and bites, please.

5. Is there a trick to keep the cats from destroying furniture? I would never declaw a cat, that's just cruel. (Even I know that, and I'm a pet moron.) Can you get their nails filed or something? Or will one of those cat playgrounds solve the problem?

Thanks in advance.

[pll]

#1 and furry critter smell prevents me from getting a cat. Anytime I visit someone with a pet, I can smell the pet in the house. I love cats and dogs, just not in my house!

[KnottedYet]

The cat is going to do everything you don't want it to do.

It will puke on your bed, pee on the carpet, shred your couch, climb the blinds, fling kitty litter everywhere, yowl when you're trying to sleep, get hair on everything, smell, scratch you, eat rubber bands and choke and hack for hours.

Be ready.

Get the cat you fall in love with, and you won't mind all that.

[Trek420]

4. No, no no, you're got it all wrong. The cat picks you. Go to your local shelter and let your future cat pick a nice human. :)

5. Yes, cat gyms, climbing walls etc really help.

[Possegal]

4. How do you pick a nice cat? I'd prefer a cat that purrs and snuggles to a cat that hisses and bites, please.



While in many ways, I think this is a bit of a crapshoot :) I would suggest adopting a cat that has been fostered. I've been very lucky as I had 2 cats that were huge snugglers/purrers and both came to me without any knowledge of what they were like.

In December I finally adopted 2 more (the others had died in 2006 and 2009) and I admit one reason I waited so long was a fear of not having cats as lovely and friendly and fun as the two I had. But I think by taking in two that were being fostered, at least then I had some idea of their personalities. The woman that was fostering them said they were lovely cats who sat on your lap and loved to be held and that they were great pets. Only one really purrs. The other doesn't even meow actually, she chirps more than anything. But they are exactly as I was told they would be - fun and friendly and cuddly.

Oh, and I would never say an outdoor cat has more fun. My cats have a BLAST and they do so without fear of being hit by a car, or attacked by another animal, or poisoned by neighbors who don't like cats. These two have never been outside at all. The other two spent a lot of time on my deck. These two will eventually as well but I'm not quite ready to try that with them. They have too much energy and although I have no hard proof of it, I'm pretty sure they can fly! :)

[indysteel]

I'll answer a few of your questions. We keep our boxes in the basement. We scoop at least once a day and clean and disinfect regularly. One of the things that keeps down the smell is good hydration so that their urine is less concentrated. And that's where canned food comes into play. Cats do not get enough moisture from dry food and often do not drink enough water to make up for that. Canned food is better on that regard. You can do even better byaking sure that the canned food is high in protein rather than carbs. Many cat foods, even those that are considered premium, are too heavy on the carbs. as for smell; you feed it to them and walk away. I don't leave it put for extended periods, so it's not an issue. Keep in mind that a cat's appetite is stimulated by smell.

I second the idea of a foster. You might be better off with an adult cat. I like my cats indoors. There are lots of ways to encourage play and to make their environment stimulating. They sleep a lot regardless.

[Owlie]

If you live with your BF, how does he feel about a cat?

[VeganBikeChick]

1. Where do you keep the litter box? This is my biggest concern: I don't want my house to smell yucky. Keep mine in the bathroom as I live in a studio...I put baking soda in the bottom before I add the litter and honestly, no one has noticed the smell. I also scoop it at least 3x/day.
1a. Does anyone use a fancy self-cleaning litter box? Do those things really work? I'm willing to invest. I've heard they can be a pain if poop gets stuck to the rake, making them not work as well.

2. Inside cat or outside cat? Inside cat probably gets to live longer, outside cat probably has more fun; I'm interested in opinions. Definitely inside, if you want your cat to have a long lifespan. They love all kinds of kitty toys, I've especially found the "fishing pole" toy with a dangling feather/stuffed toy really fun for them. Oh, and laser pointers!

3. I'm noticing a lot of people feed their cats canned food. Is it actually better for the cats than dry food? I don't particularly like the smell of canned food (notice a theme?), but if dry food is really bad for the cat...
It's definitely best to incorporate wet food into their diets. Dry only can lead to bladder stones, which can be VERY pricey to treat (ask me how I know!)

4. How do you pick a nice cat? I'd prefer a cat that purrs and snuggles to a cat that hisses and bites, please. Please consider a rescue cat! Mine were from a family that had a toddler who would chase after them all the time, so they're very laid back and not bothered by anything :)

5. Is there a trick to keep the cats from destroying furniture? I would never declaw a cat, that's just cruel. (Even I know that, and I'm a pet moron.) Can you get their nails filed or something? Or will one of those cat playgrounds solve the problem? Keep its nails trimmed with a nail scissors for cats, a couple times a month. The more you do it, the easier it is. And definitely a scratching post for scratching on. They also sell "softclaws" which are covers you can put over the cat's nails.

Good Luck in your decision!

[smilingcat]

Hi tangentgirl,

Cats will throw up on occasion on places that you don't want. It's not on a tile floor, not on an old rug you are ready to throw away. Most will scratch furniture. Some don't surprisingly.

Owning a cat has good sides too. They keep you entertained, they keep themselves entertained and they love you.

The best place to adopt a cat is from a rescue group/foster. Ask questions to the foster and they can help you narrow down the choices. If you want a lap cat, tell them that you want a cat that likes to sleep in your lap.

In Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach area, check with P.A.C.T group. They show their cat at Petco on PCH on Saturday and occasionally on Sunday . Another group is PurrfectPartners. They show their cats on Saturday and Sunday at Centinella Feed and Pet store also on PCH and Beryl St.

If you decide to adopt a cat from Purrfect Partners, send me an e-mail and tell me who the foster is. And I can tell you more. Like any service, some are better than others. Purrfect Partner was the group I helped and fostered maybe 30 bottle fed kittens or more.

I've adopted an "adult" cat from PACT and he has turned out to be a great laid back cat. He is the alpha. Doesn't scratch furniture, rarely do I find him on the counter top. Pretty clean with his litter box (doesn't kick s*&t out of the box). Likes lot of soft scratches and loves to sleep in my lap. He has been with me for 11 years now. I also know Peggy the founder of the group. They are really good too.

Both group will require a home check. And they prefer that your cat be indoor only. Outdoor is really too dangerous for the cat. Cat will not mind being indoor only. Keep a cat nip toy around, a scratching post and maybe a climbing tree with a platform at the top so he has a perch to look down.

[Eden]

My cats are indoors only - I love them too much to risk them outside.... too many kitties disappear around here - traffic, raccoons, coyote, nasty neighbors... I don't necessarily think that being outdoors is all "fun" for them either... it's stressful, they have to worry about other animals and patrolling their territory, they fight ... Give them toys and sunny warm places to sleep and indoor cats are very happy - especially if they have the companionship of another cat.

I also have the litter boxes (two cats- multiple boxes) in the basement. If you are right next to them and they need scooping you can smell them, but they don't stink up the house. I use wheat litter.

My cats are on a canned only diet. I feed them small amounts 3 times a day. Food doesn't last long enough to stink...

How to pick one- they show their personalities pretty readily - even at the shelter. Some come in scared and can be worked with, but the cranky, hissy, growling are unlikely to turn into sweet lap cats in your home, nor are the ones who are super sweet in the shelter likely to change too much either.

and yes Knot is right - any pet will at times be bad, smell bad, puke or pee on something, wake you at 3am and be a general pain, but if you love them it doesn't matter. If you can't imagine ever being able to get over that don't get a pet.

[jessmarimba]

You're getting good answers for everything, but I just wanted to chime in as far as canned cat food goes.

You're probably thinking of the cheaper stuff that looks like vomit and smells about as good. There's canned cat food now - and not much more expensive - that looks like what you'd pour out of a people can of stew/soup. It doesn't smell like anything but whatever food it is - chicken, beef, whatever. The extra cost is worth it for ingredients I can visually identify and for food that doesn't make me want to be sick.

Also for your last question - I think they make rubber tips you can put on cats claws, but as long as they have scratching posts they generally leave furniture alone. If they don't, a squirt bottle can work wonders. Mine love those little cardboard scratchers and they both learned pretty quickly not to scratch the couch.

[Owlie]

Also for your last question - I think they make rubber tips you can put on cats claws, but as long as they have scratching posts they generally leave furniture alone. If they don't, a squirt bottle can work wonders. Mine love those little cardboard scratchers and they both learned pretty quickly not to scratch the couch.

I don't know. DBF's cat, despite being supplied with scratching posts aplenty (and a squirt bottle), much preferred the afghan that was a gift from a family friend. Once he destroyed it, he went back to the scratching post...
Strange creature.:confused:

[tangentgirl]

Thanks for all the good answers. It's definitely a big decision, and this is helpful.

I'm definitely open to a foster. :)

I forgot they also throw up on stuff. :eek:

A basement sounds like perfect place for the kitty box! Alas, they don't make houses with basements in these parts.

Didn't think about the idea that they might be scared outside, that it might be more stressful than fun for them. Selfishly, I figured a cat smell might keep the evil skunks away.

Also the points about the canned food having better hydration are good. Bladder stones sound expensive and sad.

The bf is somewhat open to a cat and has the same concerns I do. He has to be on board for it to happen.

Rubber tips for claws? That sounds kinda hilarious. And good too.

Smilingcat, thanks for the info, I'll hit you up if we talk to the Purrfect Partners folks. I see their cat adoptions at that Centinela Feed store all the time, it's part of what put the idea in my head. I might have to change grocery stores.

[malkin]

I nip the sharp tips off the kitty's claws with a normal nail clipper.

Our new (since about May) kitty has learned to come when we call his name so he can be outside when we are. We supervise him only slightly less than we would a toddler human.

He's a long haired beastie, so managing his grooming is new for us.
Brush, comb, shave the backside... let me know if there's anything else.

So far with this guy, we're fans of the pine pelleted litter and covered boxes. We have one box upstairs in the bathroom and one downstairs in the mud room.

Previously we had one of the "self cleaning" ones. The self cleaning part kept the kitty happy and the stuff was out of is space, but the smell remains and you have to empty the container frequently.

[KnottedYet]

Selfishly, I figured a cat smell might keep the evil skunks away.



Skunks and raccoons eat cats.

[Possegal]

I got my first kitty that was all mine when I lived in an apartment while in grad school. I had a closet that I could slightly pull the door open and then put her litter box on the floor in there, but on the side of the closet that the door was closed on. It was a small apartment and I could never smell the litter. In my house, with them a floor below me, I'm more lax at cleaning them out and so they are more likely to get a little smelly.

My contractor just made a little kitty door in a closet door for a friend of mine, and she leaves the litter box in there. The cat can come and go, but the closed door keeps the smell from spreading too much.

I'm glad you are asking so many questions and giving it so much thought. It is certainly a commitment and there are, as with all things, definitely some negative aspects that I could do without. But right now my Maeve is tucked in my bent knees and my Finbar is on the cushion behind me with his head on my shoulder, and I don't much care that they sometimes smell and have a real affinity for the breakfast counter. :)

See, Maeve even likes watching the Tour de France with me. :) (Did I mention I could do without them thinking I had the built-in bookcase put in to be a cat jungle gym?)

[Aggie_Ama]

I always had cats growing up, as did DH. I LOVE cats, he wasn't a fan because his stepmom has always had aloof, borderline snobby cats. But our cat is way different. We got lucky I suppose, I found the exact breed I love (manx) at the shelter and she has the typical manx personality. They are a generally very friendly, very social breed. She is almost dog like, she comes to her name, meets you at the door and doesn't like alone time that much (in fact she seems to complain to us if we go away for a weekend).

1. Where do you keep the litter box? This is my biggest concern: I don't want my house to smell yucky. - In a corner of the dining room. Our house has a HORRIBLE layout, the guest bath is tiny, we worried she would get closed in a guest bedroom plus don't want our dogs in the room because our bikes are in there and the dogs tend to be clumsy knocking everything over. Clean it often is the best way to keep kitty happy and smell down.

1a. Does anyone use a fancy self-cleaning litter box? Do those things really work? I'm willing to invest. - I have heard they are not worth the cost. The jam, you have to clean the rake.

2. Inside cat or outside cat? Inside cat probably gets to live longer, outside cat probably has more fun; I'm interested in opinions. - Had outdoor growing up. Several disappeared, one got hit by a car and several came home injured from fights. My current cat was declawed by her original owner but even if she wasn't she would be indoor.

3. I'm noticing a lot of people feed their cats canned food. Is it actually better for the cats than dry food? I don't particularly like the smell of canned food (notice a theme?), but if dry food is really bad for the cat... -My vet said the canned food is healthier and would keep her weight down because the dry food has a lot of empty calories. Unfortunately our cat is not a big fan and will eat the dog food if she is offered only canned food. Plus it is a bit more work than we care for.

4. How do you pick a nice cat? I'd prefer a cat that purrs and snuggles to a cat that hisses and bites, please. - Again I was drawn to my cats breed. I would recommend a foster. Cats in the shelter may not show their true colors. Ours was much more reserved. She was sweet and purred but she has way more personality than even the shelter workers had seen. Foster parents will likely have gotten the kitty to come out of his/her shell.

5. Is there a trick to keep the cats from destroying furniture? I would never declaw a cat, that's just cruel. (Even I know that, and I'm a pet moron.) Can you get their nails filed or something? Or will one of those cat playgrounds solve the problem? - I have never had an overly destructive cat. I have been told providing plenty of stimulation for them helps a lot. My cat was declawed (as I said above) but I would never ever do that. I do know when of our friends uses the claw covers. They are actually quite comical because he puts bright colors on his cat. He claims it is because then he can tell when she loses one but I think he is lying. :) I know they do have to be replaced regularly.

[tulip]

Have you and your boyfriend determined that neither of you are allergic to cats? I grew up with cats and had chronic bronchial and sinus infections (and probably asthma). No one thought to see if the cats were the culprits, but when I moved away to college, all that cleared up. My parents continue to have cats and it's a problem when I go to visit. Cat allergies really are terrible.

As for the smell--cat owners insist that their cats (and cat boxes) don't smell. However, as a visitor to many houses with cats, I can tell you that they ALWAYS smell. I think owners don't notice, but visitors very well might notice. The same is true for dogs, in my experience. There are gradations, of course.

Although I do not have any cats now, I had them for many years and all of my family still has them. They are all inside-outside cats. I think cats really benefit from being outside, particularly in gardens. There's nothing better than watching a contented cat in a garden! There are so many sensory experiences that they miss if always inside, particularly if the windows are never opened and the A/C or heat is always on. I find that sad.

My beloved cat that I got when I was 10 and who died when I was 31 was an indoor-outdoor cat. My mother's three cats are all indoor-outdoor and they are between 6 and 10 years old. My brother's cats are 10 and 14 years old. My father's cats are 9 and 3. I've lived in cities and in the county. Yes, we did have some cats who disappeared, and a few who came back a bit beat up. But the quality of life outside is something that you might want to consider. Birders, however, detest outside cats because cats eat birds. It's true. Fact of life. If you have coyotes, you might have other considerations, as well, and in that case I would definitely bring the cat inside at night.

Others will disagree, but I wanted to provide you with another opinion. I'm sure the flame wars will begin.

[tangentgirl]

Skunks and raccoons eat cats.

Skunks? But they're so little! At least it seems like it. Raccoons sure, they'll eat anything. Not that I want any cat I have getting into it with a skunk...they'd have to become an outside cat for a long time after that.

Nope, Tulip, no allergies. We have both lived with cats in the past. There was a really mean cat in my house when I was a teenager, but my dealings with it were usually avoiding having it bite the living *$@& outta me, which it did any chance it would get. I suppose I'm allergic to those kinds of cats.


We supervise him only slightly less than we would a toddler human.

That would be a dealbreaker for me. I'm guessing it's not like that with older cats...is that a good assumption?

[jessmarimba]

Mine don't get supervised so much in the house. But they don't usually go outside unless they're on a leash & harness :D

[tangentgirl]

Perhaps I'm misinterpreting the context of the supervision - Malkin, is that only when your cat is outside?

[Koronin]

Our litterboxes are in the 2nd bathroom. I also wish we had a basement, but living close to the coast basements are not an option (water table too high in general). Clean regularly and there shouldn't be much of a smell to virtually no smell. We did buy one of the self cleaning covered litterboxes called Litter Robot. The cats won't use it. So idea how well it works since they refuse to use it.

Our cats are indoor only. There are way too many ways they can get hurt or killed outside.

We have dry food out all the time and then feed wet food to them at different times. Also have a kitty water fountain as one of their water dishes. As for food you're better off buying it either at Petsmart, Petco or a local pet food store as those places have better quality foods than grocery and mass merchant stores have. We have one cat that gets a prescription diet due to bladder stones, but the other two we drive 2 hours to Raleigh to get them a high quality food. Make that trip about once every 6 weeks or so. Then keep the food in air tight containers.

A cat will pick you most of the time. One that my mom currently has actually showed up at our door and never left. Unfortunately our other three hate him and due to our move, he ended up with my mom and my mom's cat who has no issues with him. Two of ours are adopted and third (my oldest) was a stray. I would suggest a rescue over a shelter and ask lots of questions. (Of course there are a few shelters that do have foster programs, so that could work also.)

Keep the claws clipped (and start early with that) and keep lots of scratching posts and cat jungle gym things will help, also lots of toys. Of course we have one that that no matter what we do still wants to scratch one spot on our couch. Ended up putting doubled sided tape on that spot and it did solve that specific issue.

Oh and they will always throw up on the carpet. We have linoleum in the kitchen and bathrooms and that piece together wood flooring in the living room and office (bonus room), and yet the cats almost always still throw up on the carpet. There is more floor space in this house without carpet, but they insist on throwing up on the carpet.

[marni]

Skunks and raccoons eat cats.

and if they don't there is always the possibility of rabies. Really indoors cats are healthier, happier, more attached to the home as a territory wherein the humans are part of the , pride/group rather than intruders in the territory.

Our litter boxes, side by side, two of them, one for each cat although they share and share alike, are in the laundry next to the kitchen and main eating area. I scoop twice a day, change out all of the litter and wash the boxes 1 a week and sprinkle every other day with a bit of baking soda. No one has ever complained about the smell.

My two are both rescue kitties. Tux the Maine Coon is a castrated maine coon, who loves to lie in my arms and be cuddled and stroked and sleeps with his forehead pressed under my chin. Miss Ike is a three year old fixed female. She if a bit more standoffish ( which seems to be generally true of female cats in my experience) but perfectly willing to purr and head butt as long as she does it in her own time and way and is not picked up or forcibly restrained. She obviously was not handled much as a foster.

Cats like any pet or a child, or a boyfriend imply a responsibility to care for them in good times and bad and a willingness to clean up after them as needed. But the rewards are infinite, especially if like a child, you allow them to grow into their own personality, while providing them with clear rules and accept that they are indeed sensitive, and understanding minds that can learn and be influenced by you and your behaviour.

probably too much of an answer though.

[Biciclista]

uh, Knot, skunks don't eat cats!!!

I trim all my cat's claws with nail clippers. if they don't like it at first, i follow up with a treat. after a while, they are all very laid back and tolerant about it. Some need treats forever :)

I also stay away from furniture that cats like to scratch. I have a leather sofa and a leather chair in my livingroom. There are some holes in them, but it's not from scratching, it's from acrobatics. I have scratching posts and scratching blocks for my cats.
Not all cats puke frequently. I see cat puke maybe once a month and i have 3 cats.

I don't have to cover the cat litter thing; except to say, you don't have a basement?
how about a back room? a storage room?

and clean frequently and you'll be glad you did.

My husband has been home for the last month or so because of medical issues. Our cat has been such a good companion for him!

[zoom-zoom]

uh, Knot, skunks don't eat cats!!!

Doesn't matter if they eat them, or not...they will certainly kill them. Skunks are mean mofos. They are related to badgers and wolverines (honey badger, anyone? ;)). I wouldn't mess with a skunk and I weigh 150#s. My biggest cat is only about a tenth my size.

[malkin]

Perhaps I'm misinterpreting the context of the supervision - Malkin, is that only when your cat is outside?

Yep.

Right, I wasn't clear... Of course, I wouldn't leave a human child home alone while I went to work all day, but anyone who followed the local news in Utah this summer would get what I mean.

Outside, the cat is getting better, but without benefit a frontal cortex, safety seems not to be one of his higher priorities.

[Biciclista]

Doesn't matter if they eat them, or not...they will certainly kill them. Skunks are mean mofos. They are related to badgers and wolverines (honey badger, anyone? ;)). I wouldn't mess with a skunk and I weigh 150#s. My biggest cat is only about a tenth my size.

naaah. Growing up in NJ we had lots of outdoor cats and plenty of skunks. Skunks are fearless small animals and most cats are way way way too smart to get involved with anyone who smells like that.

There are rare cases of skunk/ cat fights. the result is a very stinky cat.
PS in most situations, I agree that indoor cats is the best way to go.

OH OH and there is one very important OTHER reason for keeping cats. mice and rats do NOT like the smell of cats, and THEY will avoid your home.

[tulip]

Skunks eat grubs and insects.

[malkin]

PS in most situations, I agree that indoor cats is the best way to go.


Me too.

That's why we supervise our Txukka outdoors and give him tuna when he comes when called.

The skunks might be jealous because he catches all the best grasshoppers.

[KnottedYet]

My wry usage of the hyperbolic "eat" to signify physical danger has obfuscated the issue.

My deepest apologies for the unwarranted confusion engendered by my vocabulary selection.

Allow me to flesh it out a bit:
A skunk f*cked up one of my cats real bad, he needed surgery, it wasn't funny, and he didn't get sprayed. The vet warned us to keep him inside, as skunks have been known to kill cats. I had no idea.

[Owlie]

naaah. Growing up in NJ we had lots of outdoor cats and plenty of skunks. Skunks are fearless small animals and most cats are way way way too smart to get involved with anyone who smells like that.

There are rare cases of skunk/ cat fights. the result is a very stinky cat.
PS in most situations, I agree that indoor cats is the best way to go.

OH OH and there is one very important OTHER reason for keeping cats. mice and rats do NOT like the smell of cats, and THEY will avoid your home.

Unless the mice have toxoplasmosis, of course.

I doubt skunks and raccoons wil eat cats--they're not food-sized. They will, however, get into fights with them and can be quite nasty. (Zoom-zoom, not the memes!)

[zoom-zoom]

Re: the indoor/outdoor debate. My best childhood kitty lost a hind leg to a neighbor dog and nearly bled to death where he'd gone under the deck to die while my parents were at work all day, then to choir practice in the evening. He was there at least 12 hours. In the dark. In shock. This dog had killed a $500 Siamese cat just months earlier and his a-hole owners let him off the lead near my folks' house, knowing full well that my family had 2 indoor/outdoor cats.

I will NEVER have a cat that goes outdoors. Not ever. Crap, 4 my strictly indoor cats are still battling fleas on a regular basis, since we have a yard full of squirrels and deer, so we end up bringing in fleas and eggs on our clothing and shoes. Tapeworm really sucks to deal with, too. Do you know how much it costs to treat 4 cats for fleas? Even buying topical Frontline or Advantage online is about $30/month for all 4.

The same cat who lost a leg also once brought in a still-living chipmunk and let it loose in the house. Who willingly puts themselves in that situation? Especially when a lot of these rodents are potentially carrying rabies. Ever gone through the treatment for a potential rabies bite? Me neither. Don't ever want to put myself in a situation to need to do so.

[tulip]

We'll just have to disagree on that one, zoom. I can't have cats anymore due to allergies, but if I could, I would have an indoor-only cat only if it was like Aggie's and had been declawed before I got it (I would not declaw a cat).

Tangentgirl, maybe you could try out this idea by fostering a cat on a temporary basis to see how you and your boyfriend like having one before you commit to a permanent cat. They are (usually) less work than a dog, but they are not as easy as a goldfish.

[tulip]

Or maybe look into a rabbit. They can be litterbox trained, they don't throw up, their food isn't stinky, and they are fuzzy and soft. I've heard they can be quite affectionate. Now a rabbit I would keep inside except for controlled and supervised hops around the yard. But they are prey animals, while cats are hunters. Totally different IMO.

[Crankin]

I am not an animal person, as you may have surmised, since I never comment on any of the animal threads. No one on either side of my family had pets and I am kind of scared of dogs.
After years of begging, we bought an Abyssinian cat when my kids were 10 and 12 (i.e. old enough to help in her care). We bought the cat from a breeder, who had to "check out" our qualifications, since I guess, this breed is somewhat rare. We got her when she was 4 months old. This was a perfect pet for my family, as she didn't require tons of work/care. We had the cat in 3 houses; the litter box was alternately in the bathroom or in this house, in the utility room, which is in the lower level. We used the Arm and Hammer odor control stuff with baking soda, as well as their litter and it generally worked well. We cleaned the box 1-2X a day. It got washed/scrubbed 1X a week. We used dry food for the very reason the OP stated. The look and smell of the wet food made all 4 of us gag and I nearly puked more than once when we bought the wet stuff. The vet never told us not to do this.
Our cat lived for 14 years and she was great for the kids. She came to the door when we came home from work and came when we called her. But, her health started failing, she wouldn't eat, and was having the usual urinary problems. I was not going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a cat that was almost 15. It was sad when we had her put down, but in the end, we decided against another pet.
Both of my kids have cats, one of them has two cats. They very much treat them as their children, so I guess we made a good choice. But, in the end, I am still not an animal person.

[Brandi]

[QUOTE=KnottedYet;606113]The cat is going to do everything you don't want it to do.

It will puke on your bed, pee on the carpet, shred your couch, climb the blinds, fling kitty litter everywhere, yowl when you're trying to sleep, get hair on everything, smell, scratch you, eat rubber bands and choke and hack for hours.

Be ready.

Get the cat you fall in love with, and you won't mind all that.[/QUOTE I protest!
Ok so they might do some of these things but gosh you make it sound awful! I have indoor and outdoor cat's. They have to come in at night. They do get cat litter all over but a good mat and a dust buster work well. Also Fresh step is the best at keeping order's down. I know I have 3 cat's who when I travel stay in the house. Friends have commented on seeing the cat box but they don't smell it. Also I have cat scratcher's all over my house. It looks a little crazy all these scratcher's but my furniture is untouched! Lot's of toy's to play with helps. They love paper bags too. As far as letting them outside just wait at least till they are a year old. People have a tendency to take kittens. And yes spend time with the kitties then pick on lovability. I picked one on looks once and that was a mistake at the time. She has turned out to be a very good kitty. Took 12 years to bring her around though. Good luck! And go to shelter's please. Right now is a good time lot's of kitties from spring are needing home's.

[smilingcat]

If you don't have the time to train a young kitten, an adult cat is a very good way to go. Again ask the fosters about the cats personality and behavior. Some likes to sleep in your lap, others are aloof, some like to hide to go sleep, some like to be on the counter...

Many of the adult cats being fostered are with the foster for a prolonged time so much so that the most fosters are very aware of the cats behavior and personality.

A cat around year old and above will do. An older cat, 5-6 yrs old or more would more likely be laid back (sleeps more). Some cats will not bother the furniture, some cats will not bother jumping on the counter. Others will not stop.

You might be able to get a discount on an adult cat adoption. Just a reminder, many of the cat rescue group will require a home check. They are checking for draw strings on the blinds, no screen on windows, torn screen where the cat can get out, where you will be placing the litterbox, hazards for the cats, such as foyer where the cat can jump down from the second floor onto the first floor with tiles...

And be expect to pay around $120 for the adoption.

Considering what we spend on each cat, this isn't a bad deal. You know the cats personality before hand, he will be micro-chipped with AVID (Purrefect Partners). I'm not sure if Peggy and her group P.A.C.T. is doing this. They talked about it. The cat will be tested for FelV/FIV, will tell you if they are positive or not, fully vaccinated, spayed/neutered, kid friendly, other animal friendly, single cat only home.

If the cat had fleas, cat would have been treated with Revolution or other kinds of medication. In your area, Advantage does not work anymore. Frontline is not working all that well. So most are switching to Revolution. Lastly, you should get a copy of the cat's veterinary record and the name of the vet the cat sees.

Listen to what the foster has to say. But don't let them push you into a cat you are not that interested. It's perfectly okay if you don't like the looks of the cat. Get a cat you like and if you are happy with what the fosters tell you about the cats personality.

[Irulan]

Another vote for the indoors only argument, for all the safety reason cited so far. But also, for being a good neighbor. I've never understood the acceptability of cats roaming but not dogs. Even if an area has leash laws, cat owners seem to ignore it.

as for

Although I do not have any cats now, I had them for many years and all of my family still has them. They are all inside-outside cats. I think cats really benefit from being outside, particularly in gardens. There's nothing better than watching a contented cat in a garden! There are so many sensory experiences that they miss if always inside, particularly if the windows are never opened and the A/C or heat is always on. I find that sad.

There are great ways for cats to get the outdoors experience without turning them loose. One of my neighbors has her deck 100% fenced in so kitty can bask in the sun outdoors and watch the birds, with out being subject to cars, hunting down sparse birdlife, or roaming and pooping in my and other yards. I think it's a great compromise. This works well I think. Her kitty gets the outdoor experience with being a nuisance to the neigbors.

[zoom-zoom]

Another vote for the indoors only argument, for all the safety reason cited so far. But also, for being a good neighbor. I've never understood the acceptability of cats roaming but not dogs. Even if an area has leash laws, cat owners seem to ignore it.

+1. We get strays/outside cats who like to spray around OUR house or terrorize them through the windows...which makes OUR neutered cats want to retaliate to mark THEIR territory from within. Other people's cats become our nuisance. We've stepped in the crap of other people's pets, too, which is annoying as hell.

While I am not a fan of people who shoot roaming cats, I can see how those who are not fans of cats might do this. I don't ever want one of my furbabies to be a bother to anyone else OR risk being on the wrong end of a bullet.

[jahnin24f]

We had a very nice cat when I was in grade school. He was a week old kitten when my father brought him. Timely, our dog just give birth, so he was feed and grew up together with the puppies. And I never see them fighting aside from playful gesture. Like them Doogie was very playful and very funny.

We never had problems about smell. I didn't know where Doogie hide those. He is so good with rodents, although love chasing and killing mouse our cat never ate one.

I don't like cats-their fur and their smell. And Doogie was the only cat I am fond of.

[spokewench]

Doesn't matter if they eat them, or not...they will certainly kill them. Skunks are mean mofos. They are related to badgers and wolverines (honey badger, anyone? ;)). I wouldn't mess with a skunk and I weigh 150#s. My biggest cat is only about a tenth my size.

Oh come on people, cats are not stupid enough to go up against a skunk! Dogs, now that's a different story.

I have had three cats, all indoor outdoor. Two came from California where we had no skunks in our neighborhood so when we moved to Flagstaff, they both got skunked once and then never again. I used to see them walking down the sidewalk right next to the skunk and nothing ever happened between the skunk and the cat; let alone any eating of the other!

I have another cat now who adopted me and is an inside/outdoor cat and he has not trouble with either the numerous racoons or skunks in our neighborhood.

My cats have all been indoor/outdoor cats and have all lived to ripe old ages. I guess it depends on how smart they are?

[tangentgirl]

Thank you so much everyone. Very good ideas and things to ponder here. If I do take the plunge, I'll let you know and post a picture. :D

[Veronica]

Oh come on people, cats are not stupid enough to go up against a skunk!

I have another cat now who adopted me and is an inside/outdoor cat and he has not trouble with either the numerous racoons or skunks in our neighborhood.



My ferals step aside and watch the skunks and raccoons eat the cat food. Usually the cats just sit atop the barbeque cart while the wild critters feast.

Veronica

[Bethany1]

Cats are great. Bandit was rescued during a harsh winter a couple of years ago as a kitten. Buttons was a kitten at my mom's house and needed a home.

I hate to admit this but any animal smell. Someone brought up rabbits. NO. I've had rabbits and they stink so bad I wanted to puke. Yes, mine were litterbox trained but the smell was horrible. The require more care than I was able to give. I found a family that adopted them and it was best thing I ever did. Some people love rabbits. I don't and never will after my experience.

My litterboxes are in the kitchen. I keep mats outside the box for easy cleaning. Just keep up with the cleaning so the smell is contained. Once my kitten figured out the litterbox, I've never had problems with mine not using a litterbox.

Mine are indoor cats only, but Bandit will look for every opportunity to get the door. He just wants to eat grass and come back in to puke it up. They are safer inside.

Buttons isn't declawed and she picked my sewing chair to destroy. It's better than my expensive couches and when she's done with the chair I can buy another. They will need something to destroy with their claws and it's never the expensive clawing thing at the store.

I didn't know dry food was bad for cats.

Cats will play with anything. Mine love bags, boxes and sewing machine bobbins. They dump them in the tub and play "hockey" as they bat the bobbin around. Ping pong balls are another favorite.

Rescue cats are great and they need homes. And, gasp..sometimes two cats are better than one. They play with each other and keep you entertained with their antics. Sometimes rescue groups have cats that are so close together than they can't be separated and it's hard finding them homes. They also come spayed/neutered which also important.

Cats do indeed pick you. Take your time finding the one or two that pick you so you both enjoy each other's company. If you need some laughs, check out the thread on "Dear Cat".

[Aggie_Ama]

We do let Tortilla (our cat) out supervised in the backyard. She is actually very attached to the home and doesn't go far but does like the sunshine. We also leave the blinds up in the back of the house so she can sunbathe and watch the birds, this seems to make her quite content. She tried once to jump our fence (6 foot privacy) but didn't make it. Now we are careful to supervise her, of course if she is being stubborn our puppy will herd her in for us. :p

I think it depends on the cat the level of safety outdoors. My husband's stepmother lets hers outside and they have all lived long lives. They do live on a very quiet street, with a two acre lot and her cats always seem to stay close to home. They do have poisonous snakes and other dangerous wildlife but it has not thus far proved to be an issue. My street however is more of a through street for the neighborhood with people often speeding, so I wouldn't feel safe having Tortilla out if she wasn't declawed.

I agree with Irulan, I actually get quite annoyed with roaming animals even though I am an animal nut. The cats scare birds out of my bath, chase them from my tree and sometimes spray my flower bed (yuck smell). The dogs kill our toads in the yard but leave them, poop in the yard and run out in front of me on bike and car!

On the cat puking, Tortilla has not puked once in the two years we have had her. I think this is rare but I grew up with cats (long and short hair) and did not have them puking all the time. Tortilla is medium fur and doesn't have a hairball problem. Although she does shed a ton, get a lint roller!

[winddance]

1. Where do you keep the litter box? This is my biggest concern: I don't want my house to smell yucky.
1a. Does anyone use a fancy self-cleaning litter box? Do those things really work? I'm willing to invest.

I keep theirs in the office, in a closet. They get scooped frequently and I have domed boxes, plus using baking soda really does cut down on the odor. Rinse them out frequently outside and change the litter completely at regular intervals.

I've never used the fancy ones, I think they'd terrify my wussy boy cat, and I would never want him to have a negative association with the litter!

If you do have problems with inappropriate elimination, please take your kitty to the vet right away to get checked out for possible UTI. Also, enzymatic cleaners are available at pet supply stores and that's really the only thing that works on cat urine.

2. Inside cat or outside cat? Inside cat probably gets to live longer, outside cat probably has more fun; I'm interested in opinions.

Inside only. Outdoor kitties have to face a lot of dangers and I live on a busy street. I've had a lot of close calls with my neighbor's outdoor cat, who seems to like to play chicken with cars. Training your kitteh to walk on a leash from a young age is a great way to have some adventures together and satisfy kitty's need to chase bugs and chew on your lawn.

3. I'm noticing a lot of people feed their cats canned food. Is it actually better for the cats than dry food? I don't particularly like the smell of canned food (notice a theme?), but if dry food is really bad for the cat...

Higher quality cat foods smell a LOT better than the grocery store stuff, but quite frankly, it just depends on what your cat will eat. If the first ingredient is chicken, the food smells like chicken. If the first ingredient is something wacky like "chicken by-product meal" or well....corn, the food and the kitty probably won't smell too good.

Wet food is much better for cats, who naturally get a lot of their hydration from their prey and aren't always great drinkers. Offering them a fountain is a good way to stimulate their thirst. I throw ice cubes in mine every morning and you'd think I had filled it with mice based on how excited they get.

4. How do you pick a nice cat? I'd prefer a cat that purrs and snuggles to a cat that hisses and bites, please.

I would actually suggest two. Two kittens or cats will beat up on each other instead of your house. If you do get an adult cat, try to adopt from a foster group so you adopt from someone more familiar with kitty's real personality and quirks to ensure they're truly suitable for your home.

I've gone the "adopt an adult cat" route and ended up with my sweet kitty who chose me at the shelter turning into a bit of a hellion. It turned out that she needed to live in a herd and be an indoor/outdoor kitty, but they didn't know enough about her history and personality outside of the shelter and placed her in my indoor-only, single cat home. She is now the queen bee in a household of 5 cats with outdoor space and is always happy to see me.

I think kittens are a lot easier to train the way you'd like. All cats have independent minds and pretty much do what they want, but at least my two know to not let me SEE them on the kitchen counter.

I've fostered many kittens, and the shy/skittish, formerly feral boys make the LOVIEST cats. You have to go slowly with them and earn their trust, but they will absolutely adore you for life.

5. Is there a trick to keep the cats from destroying furniture? I would never declaw a cat, that's just cruel. (Even I know that, and I'm a pet moron.) Can you get their nails filed or something? Or will one of those cat playgrounds solve the problem?

Microsuede furniture! Mine haven't touched it. Any fabric furniture they're very interested in and do claw (when I am not home to see it,) but the microfiber/microsuede...not so much. Leather does get scratched just from their daily romping around. Just make sure that you offer them appropriate places to scratch and also of their preferred material. Some cats like to claw carpet, others like sisal. Some cats like a tall post, some prefer to scratch the ground.

When trying to teach my two cats, as kittens, the glories of the scratching post, I took their favorite bell toy and sewed it to the top. They went NUTS trying to climb the post to get it off and have used scratching posts reliably since. If you have something that they are clawing and they shouldn't, double-sided tape works well.

Cats also like to be up high, so places to snooze where they can survey the room, appropriate places to claw, perches by the window, and a nice selection of toys to stimulate them will reduce their destructiveness and keep them happy.

Do clip their claws regularly and start young on both claw clipping and dental hygiene. Much easier.

There are lots of wonderful cats out there! I hope you decide to bring home your new best friend. :)