Cat Advice needed

[badmouse]

Kittens are cute and cuddly, I want one. I know I can go to the local shelter and get one. So, what else do I need? Litter box - what's good in that department? Is basic the way to go, or are the fancy ones worth the $$$? Cheap vs. expensive cat food? Toys, expensive scratching post, whatever? Cat hairbrush, nail clippers, toothbrush, etc?

It's amazing what they sell for cats at the pet store. What's actually necessary?

Also, is it possible to lessen the allergic-ness in case someone comes over who's allergic to cats? Yeah, I know, clean, vaccuum, etc. Does it work to wash the cat? Assuming that it would be possible to wash a cat, of course.

Or should I just meet my allergic friends at Starbucks, sans cat?

Thanx for the advice.

 

[brigden]

Kittens require a MASSIVE amount of attention. They will destroy your belongs. The animal's personality will develop according to the amount of attention and affection you adorn it with.

You will have less mess to clean up if you use good-quality food.

Make sure the cat has constant access to it's litter box and fresh water. If you leave during the day, make sure it has toys. You don't need expensive stuff, just a cardboard box or a ball of tinfoil.

Clean the litter box daily and disinfect it a couple times a month.

If you want to keep the cat from leaving hair everywhere make sure you brush it a few times a week.

 

[nageov3t]

cat6

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Buy high-quality dry food (Iams, Nutro, Science Diet, or equivalent). Don't ever give the cat wet food, unless you want to be bothered nonstop for the cat's lifetime.

Brigden exaggerates the destructiveness of kittens - I've lived with at least 6 kittens and never had them destroy anything. They definitely go through a pesky phase, though - be prepared to have your toes attacked in your sleep for a while! They will definitely claw furniture, which can admittedly be destructive - some upholstry is better for this than others. Declawing is inhumane IMO, but you may disagree, and it will alleviate the clawing issue.

Make sure to play with your kitten a lot if you want an athletic, interactive pet. Make sure they get plenty of love, and you'll get the same in return.

Look for a kitten with disproportionately large ears if you want a big cat (and who doesn't!).

Get your cat spayed or neutered as soon as possible - this will ensure they don't spray (more or less - they can spray post-fixing, but it's rare).

The most important thing (IMO): GET A MALE KITTEN!!! Male cats are vastly more fun and interactive, and less moody.

 

[AAman]

male or female, both are great, had 3 cats in my lifetime (and 3 dogs and a horse for the record, lol). My cat is half siamese- most siamese bond to one person for life, if that's what you are looking for (but cry when sad, require massive amounts of attention). If you can, skip a purebred like you're planning and get a good half-breed/mix, they have so much more character. Mine is half Tabby as well, those genes beat out the crying/whining genes, but gave me the lifetime loyalty and personality.

1. first, buy a scratching post/minny tower! not something really expensive, but something practical. I got one, and played with my cat on it, she loves it and will go scratch on, sleep there, etc. You can spray/rub catnip on it, but a favorite blanket or T-shirt

2. make sure the cat has all its shots! do not wait, I have seen animals die because their owners did not take this simple precaution.

3. cats are incredibly smart, mine is trained to voice command. buy a water squirt bottle,
this is a very simple and humane form of discipline. when they scratch the couch, tell them no, and then squirt 'em. Same goes for jumping on the table, etc. This way, you never have to beat your cat, and they hate the bottle, not you. My cat squints when she sees the bottle and I haven't had to use it in years

 

[MX2]

Originally posted by: brigden
Kittens require a MASSIVE amount of attention. They will destroy your belongs. The animal's personality will develop according to the amount of attention and affection you adorn it with.

You will have less mess to clean up if you use good-quality food.

Make sure the cat has constant access to it's litter box and fresh water. If you leave during the day, make sure it has toys. You don't need expensive stuff, just a cardboard box or a ball of tinfoil.

Clean the litter box daily and disinfect it a couple times a month.

If you want to keep the cat from leaving hair everywhere make sure you brush it a few times a week.

 

[ScottMac]

If you're away from home a lot, you may want to consider two cats. Then they keep each other company and are less likely to get bored and start figuring out ways to make you suffer for leaving them.

It reduces the separation anxiety. After a while they'll get used to you and be much happier about letting you stay at their house .

If you have a few extra bucks, I'd recommend getting them "chipped;" a rice-sized transponder is injected under their fur. If they're ever lost or picked up by animal control, the chip can be read, the transponder number is called into a central office, and the registered owner's name (and phone number) is given so you can be notified.

Remember, as a cat owner (from their point of view) you only have a couple jobs:

Get and dispense the food (and water)
Clean the box
Make the toys go

I've got a "Domestic Short Hair" (DSH) which is a nice way of saying "mutt cat" that's been with me now 17 years. He's getting old, has some problems (hyperthyroid & congestive heart failure), but still is up & around (as long as he gets his meds).

I've got a Bengal female too (looks like a small leopard). She's 1/3 his size (he's ~20lbs) but she drives him around the place like a sheep dog.

Consider NOT getting a kitten ... get a grown-up "pound cat:" They're already (usually) pretty well socialized, trained, and very friendly.

I like a dog too, but I'm just not home enough.

Cats are a hoot ... you'll be glad you got one (or two or three ....).


FWIW

Scott

 

[Shame]

Originally posted by: AAman
male or female, both are great, had 3 cats in my lifetime (and 3 dogs and a horse for the record, lol). My cat is half siamese- most siamese bond to one person for life, if that's what you are looking for (but cry when sad, require massive amounts of attention). If you can, skip a purebred like you're planning and get a good half-breed/mix, they have so much more character. Mine is half Tabby as well, those genes beat out the crying/whining genes, but gave me the lifetime loyalty and personality.

1. first, buy a scratching post/minny tower! not something really expensive, but something practical. I got one, and played with my cat on it, she loves it and will go scratch on, sleep there, etc. You can spray/rub catnip on it, but a favorite blanket or T-shirt

2. make sure the cat has all its shots! do not wait, I have seen animals die because their owners did not take this simple precaution.

3. cats are incredibly smart, mine is trained to voice command. buy a water squirt bottle,
this is a very simple and humane form of discipline. when they scratch the couch, tell them no, and then squirt 'em. Same goes for jumping on the table, etc. This way, you never have to beat your cat, and they hate the bottle, not you. My cat squints when she sees the bottle and I haven't had to use it in years

I'd swear by the spray bottle and stress balls. Spray bottle for the short range offender, stress balls for the longe range "behavior modification". Beaming kitty with a stress ball from 20 ft away keeps them off your stuff. Plus you get 20 pts.

Double sided tape and those nerf looking 4'' circular balls that soak up 10 gallons of water (remember those?) also send the same message. 50 pts for the water nerf hit. 35 pts. for the cleanup.

 

[Triumph]

Keep it in a plaster cast to stunt its growth. The result is a kitten sized cat for years to come.

 

[TheBDB]

Get nail clippers...when they are kittens those things are like needles.

 

[desk]

the first thing i would do is change your username.

 

[KarenMarie]

Kittens are a lot of work. They need a lot of attention.

As for food... The absolutely bestest food is wellness. They do cans and dry. If I could afford to feed it to all 10 of my cats, I would. I cannot so I just get enough for them to have as treats... I see you are in NJ... I know you can find it in NJ Pets . I dont know if there is a store by you.

Toys, toys and more toys... they are soooo important, unless you are gonna spend all your time playing with the kitten. Also... get a good scratching post. Unless you want her to sharpen her claws on your furniture.

I rescue cats ... I will be glad to help you with any questions you might have.

 

[Ninjja]

Originally posted by: Shame

Originally posted by: AAman
male or female, both are great, had 3 cats in my lifetime (and 3 dogs and a horse for the record, lol). My cat is half siamese- most siamese bond to one person for life, if that's what you are looking for (but cry when sad, require massive amounts of attention). If you can, skip a purebred like you're planning and get a good half-breed/mix, they have so much more character. Mine is half Tabby as well, those genes beat out the crying/whining genes, but gave me the lifetime loyalty and personality.

1. first, buy a scratching post/minny tower! not something really expensive, but something practical. I got one, and played with my cat on it, she loves it and will go scratch on, sleep there, etc. You can spray/rub catnip on it, but a favorite blanket or T-shirt

2. make sure the cat has all its shots! do not wait, I have seen animals die because their owners did not take this simple precaution.

3. cats are incredibly smart, mine is trained to voice command. buy a water squirt bottle,
this is a very simple and humane form of discipline. when they scratch the couch, tell them no, and then squirt 'em. Same goes for jumping on the table, etc. This way, you never have to beat your cat, and they hate the bottle, not you. My cat squints when she sees the bottle and I haven't had to use it in years

I'd swear by the spray bottle and stress balls. Spray bottle for the short range offender, stress balls for the longe range "behavior modification". Beaming kitty with a stress ball from 20 ft away keeps them off your stuff. Plus you get 20 pts.

Double sided tape and those nerf looking 4'' circular balls that soak up 10 gallons of water (remember those?) also send the same message. 50 pts for the water nerf hit. 35 pts. for the cleanup.

What is a stress ball and how does it work?

 

[Patt]

Get good food ... generic stuff == messy messes.

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Don't do it. Really.

 

[Baked]

Buy fish tank, dump kitten in tank, throw some tissues and small paper bag in there and you're done.

 

[Feneant2]

Have you considered an older kitty? You know, the ones people buy when they are cute, get bored when they grow older and dump them into a shelter. I got my cat when she was around 6 I guess, I forget- she is still adorable and loves to play, but her personnality is developped so I know what to expect from her.

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: Feneant2
Have you considered an older kitty? You know, the ones people buy when they are cute, get bored when they grow older and dump them into a shelter. I got my cat when she was around 6 I guess, I forget- she is still adorable and loves to play, but her personnality is developped so I know what to expect from her.

Winner. I adopted an adult cat as well. Kittens almost always get adopted but the odds for an older cat surviving are much slimmer. You'd be saving a life.

 

[fbrdphreak]

My gf's family took in two strays over their time. One was a male tabby a while back and he's doing great. He only really warmed up to me and her Mom tho, doesn't really like anyone else
The other was a black female cat and she got pregnant (her going into heat was damn funny tho), so then they got three kittens. One disappeared when they started letting the cats outside but the others are still here and now pretty much full grown. Nothing is better than a kitten raised from birth. Now ALL the cats (and their two dogs, a boxer & shizu) live with us. My gf's cat, named Ewok , is about the damned most tolerant cat ever. You can wear him around your shoulders, pick him up and put him wherever, and he almost comes by his name w/out any kind of training.
Personally I think most cats are assholes unless you raise them from birth, but whateva you want to do

 

[torpid]

Holy 3 month old bump for no noticeable reason, batman.

As far as the bumped content goes, ignore the first paragraph from don vito. Pretty much everything is incorrect. None of the foods he mentioned are high quality, and wet food is a GOOD thing for cats. Dry food is noticeably less healthy over time. It is more convenient and cheaper, that's about it. It has been pretty much disproven that it has any other benefits (e.g. it doesn't clean teeth noticeably enough to make a difference as once thought, etc.)

The best food is debatable. Wellness is good, any naturapet product is good (innova, etc.), etc.

 

[mordantmonkey]

ive heard you should mix dry cat food with a little water, it's better for their kidneys and can help avoid UTI. can anyone confirm this?
Also, get a fecal test/worm preventative almost ALL kittens are infected with worms from their mother.

 

[torpid]

If you feed dry food, pretty much anything you do to get them to drink more water is a good idea. Studies have shown that cats don't necessarily drink as much water as they should when on a dry diet. Things like pet fountains help, but it is unclear how much. Wet diets are the only "proven" way to get them to intake enough water.