Advice on getting a cat please

[Vonhelmet]

They smell, they bring in dead objects, they pee everywhere, they treat you as a servant and they only come back to the house for feeding.

When I had cats I didn't see any pros to it. They look OK I suppose, but they don't look as good as other pets that are available.

Your cats clearly sucked.

 

[nheather]

Just got two kittens from the Cats Protection League.

Firstly, they look after them properly and won't let you have them before 9 weeks.

They provide 1 months cat insurance.

Beleive it or not there is a 6 month warranty - if you don't get on for any reason they will take them back.

And you feel good about giving an animal that no-one wants a friendy, safe and happy home.

As for insurance, I have taken out a two cat policy with Direct Line. It costs £12.50 per month for the two cats and provides identical\better cover than the PetPlan scheme costing over twice the price.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[KNiVES]

GET A DOG YOU HIPPY!

 

[Vonhelmet]

I have been looking into the insurance side for the cat but is there any advice on what I should look out for or what policies are the best.

Get one that allows you to make multiple claims per year, up to your limit. Some give you a limit, but it only applies to a single course of treatment, so after that you're screwed. Our cat is insured by Sainsbury's. It started out at about £4 per month, and it's up to about £6 per month a few years on. The policy was very good when we took it out.

Also, how much does the cats initial vet bill cost? I am looking at getting a kitten and so may need to pay for the initial shots, spaying etc.

Not sure how much the initial stuff cost. My wife would know. The spaying/neutering will probably come in at £30-50, at a guess. On top of that there's shots, which I think cost about £20 and that's needed every year. You'll also need a worming tablet each year, which costs a few quid, plus flea treatment which is a couple of quid a month, I think.

Both my and my girfriend work full time and varying hours, are kitten quite dependant on us being around when they are so young? I know that when they are older they just do their own thing but they require constant attention when they are really young?

I think you are supposed to be with them when they're first at your house for a week, so you'll need some time off work.

One thing that concerns me is that a lot of the households around where I live have cats, would introducing a kitten cause and problems/ conflicts, I know they have to stay inside while they are you and then only go out with supervision but would they fight etc?

They'll probably fight a bit, but they are usually fairly good at arranging their territories and they should adapt to a new cat arriving. You may also be able to get around it by letting your cat out at different times of the day. Our neighbour's cat is out all day, so we make sure our cat is out all night as they fight sometimes if they're out at the same time.

Just how destructive can they be, the family cat wasn't too bad when it was young but I have some expensive leather sofas that I'd rather weren't destroyed by a cat. I know I can get them a stratching post but what are the chances they will only use that?

It really depends. In our last (rented) house, our cat was a pain in the arse for scratching the sofa, but that was because the previous tenant had had ferrets. Go figure. In our current house, she scratches the stairs and carpets from time to time, but usually stops if we tell her to. Failing that, we chuck her outside to work off her energy out there. Also, I have never known a single cat to use a scratching post. I wouldn't bother. If you do want to try it, then just knock something together yourself. Glue a carpet tile round a suitably wide column of wood (like a fencepost, but only a foot or so tall, yeah?) then nail it to a flat panel of wood. Add some catnip, job done. It'll cost you £5-10 and a bit of time, rather than the silly prices in Argos or Pets at Home.

Any other advice you could give would be great, like what are the pros/ cons for getting a male or female? Where to buy from, have only really looked at Pets at home store just to get a feel for prices? Are there any breeds that are better than other? I'd prefer a short haired cat so there's not so much maintenance but nothing as short haired as a siamese.

Not sure about male/females, I don't think it makes too much odds, though perhaps someone can say otherwise. As for where to buy, just go to a rescue centre. They cost buttons in there and you're doing a good deed into the bargain. As for breeds, just get a short haired one, like you say. Something with an oriental edge is good though, as their personality is quite interesting. Just see what the rescue centre has.

 

[sunama]

Have a look through these classifieds:

http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseactio...-Pets+and+Livestock/subcat-Cats/7e7435db.html

 

[Slinkie]

Hi folks,

I have seen a litter of 7 week old kittens that I am interested in having a closer look at with the potenial of picking one up at the weekend.

However, talking to a colleague at work today she mentioned that really young kittens need to be fed quite often but she wasn't too sure on how often and I can't really find anything on the net about it after a cheeky google at work. My girlfriend will potentially be able to drive home at lunch time to feed them but she does sometime work away from the office and so won't be able to do it all the time. I can't get home and back in my lunch hour so some days they wouldn't be fed during the day.

Can someone who has had kittens please confirm what we'd need to do regarding the feeding for young kittens so we can determine if we'll be able to get them and be able to look after them properly.

Thanks

Matthew

Quick Edit: Also, how old would they be before they start feeding twice a day?

 

[Marf]

Up to one year three times a day, I just fed mine before work, after work and before bed(730am, 530pm, 10pm)

Invariably there would be some food left in the bowl when I got home anyway.

As someone else said if possible it would be an idea to be with them the first week they are in their new home, I did this, it helps them get acclimatised to both you and the house. I kept mine in the living room for the first couple of weeks as well.

Also, dont be surprised if for the first day or two after you get them home, they just hide, its normal. Mine holed up in the space inside my sofa bed for the first day, but soon came out when they were hungry.

 

[Deiwos]

As someone else said if possible it would be an idea to be with them the first week they are in their new home, I did this, it helps them get acclimatised to both you and the house. I kept mine in the living room for the first couple of weeks as well.

Also, dont be surprised if for the first day or two after you get them home, they just hide, its normal. Mine holed up in the space in the sofa bed for the first day, but soon came out when they were hungry.

This also applies if you getting an older cat. We got one and had to keep it indoors for 3 weeks, and then only let it out supervised for a couple more weeks.

He also would hide in the strangest places. Cupboards, under beds, in my bag etc. He never does this now, but did for about the first 3-4 months of having him.

Generally, I'd say getting an older cat is better if you're seeking the companionship aspect, as they tend to be much more indoor cats as they get older.

 

[Marf]

Yeah mine would head into the sofabed whenever they got scared or nervous for the first month, then when they got too big to fit would go behind the sofa.

re: an older cat its true that if you do just want a cat to sit with you on the sofa and be chilled out then an older cat can be better. Plus you dont have to deal with toilet training, not that it took much with mine, they took to using a litter tray like ducks to water, I suppose the fun part will be getting them to go outside instead once the catflap is fitted and they can go in and out as they please.

I wont deny that my two can be annoying as they run around like their bums are on fire sometimes, and will do for probably another six months or so.

That said theres something to be said for seeing them grow up from little bundles of fur that can sit on your hand to full size adults, and all the fun that goes along with that.

 

[camels5]

My advice is go to the RSPCA or similar we got our kitten from them and he is adorable. there are many young cats and kittens needing good homes and you don't have to spend a fortune.

 

[Slinkie]

That's good then,

My girlfriend has the week off next week which is why now is an ideal time to get one. It'll have both of us in the house for sta and sun, then she'll be home all week. Then both of us the next weekend.

We can easi'y feed the cat at least up to 8.30 in the morning, 5 in the afternoon and then before bed. That'll just be on the days when my girlfriend can't get home from work, on those days I think she'd go home at lunch time anyway just to play with it for a bit.

 

[sunama]

Dont forget to post some pictures of your new kitten, when you get the chance.

Also, how old is the kitten?

EDIT: just noticed you said they were currently 7 weeks old and will be 8 weeks old when you bring 1 home. I'm not sure whether it wise bringing 1 home so early. If you buying a pedigree, it would stay with its breeder till it was 12-13 weeks old, though the pedigrees are fully vaccinated and in some cases neutered before going to their new homes, hence, the time needed. Moggies - I'm not sure.