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Getting a cat and have a few questions

S

slackerinabox

Lifer
So, I'm a new pet owner and have a few questions:
1. I have an apartment with some expensive gear in it. Would it be ok to keep the cat confined to one room during my work day until I know that s/he doesn't have the tendency to scratch up tvs or sofas?

2. Do those automated litter things work? I'm not lazy, just don't want the place to smell funky and a daily cleaning seems like a good idea

3. How old isn't too young? I'm a new pet owner and probably will do a sucky job of taking care of the needs of an infant kitty - when are they pretty independent?

4. monthly cat expenses - about what are they, on average?

5. About keeping the little guy in one froom - they need an ac to be left on, right? It gets to be about 90 degrees + humidity in nyc so does that mean I have to run an ac all day? i dunno, sounds like a dumb question because my friends without A/Cs own cats, but that always seemed so uncivilized to me (though 90 degrees might not be hot to a cat)

6. Are cats really instinctually litter trained?

Anything else I should know? I think the energy of a little furball could be good for my apartment but want to do this right, for the sake of said furball..

Shut up, I'm not gay!
 
If you really don't want too much trouble with scratching and training, I suggest getting a cat from a local shelter or thr SPCA.
 
1. Yes, my dad and his gf have one and aside from waking him up in the morning after the cats do their business they love it.

2. It scoops everything up for you so you more or less just have to dump it I think. They apparently can get stuck sometimes though.

3-6. No clue.
 
1.) It will be ok, just let it have food, water, litter, and a window for it to look out.
2.) My kitty refuses to use automatic box.
3.) I got a shelter cat that was already trained at 6 months to crap in a box and not to scratch the sofa.
4.) For me, about $25.
5.) I usually leave my kitty at home with the ac at 85.
6.) Beats me.
 
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
So, I'm a new pet owner and have a few questions:
1. I have an apartment with some expensive gear in it. Would it be ok to keep the cat confined to one room during my work day until I know that s/he doesn't have the tendency to scratch up tvs or sofas?

yes

2. Do those automated litter things work? I'm not lazy, just don't want the place to smell funky and a daily cleaning seems like a good idea

waste of money, they clog up

3. How old isn't too young? I'm a new pet owner and probably will do a sucky job of taking care of the needs of an infant kitty - when are they pretty independent?

cats take care of themselves, just feed and water, prently of scratching

4. monthly cat expenses - about what are they, on average?

varies, you can pamper for $100 a month or $10 a month they will be happy

5. About keeping the little guy in one froom - they need an ac to be left on, right? It gets to be about 90 degrees + humidity in nyc so does that mean I have to run an ac all day? i dunno, sounds like a dumb question because my friends without A/Cs own cats, but that always seemed so uncivilized to me (though 90 degrees might not be hot to a cat)

Yeah keep him cool, he would do fine above a temp you like, but dont just shut it off

6. Are cats really instinctually litter trained?

The two I have were

Anything else I should know? I think the energy of a little furball could be good for my apartment but want to do this right, for the sake of said furball..

You probably want to get him/her fixed.

Shut up, I'm not gay!
Click to expand...

Noted for the record.

 
Dude, cats are awesome.

1. Cat proof your place. Put tape on surfaces you don't want scratched up (like sofas). Take off your speaker grills. Give him a scratching post and trim his claws. And buy toys to keep him occupied so he doesn't destroy your stuff. Train him not to scratch by squirting with a water bottle when you catch him.

2. Yes the automated litter boxes work. You still need to empty them every 2-3 days and the litter should get changed out every 1-2 weeks but it's very handy. The younger the cat the easier it is to train them to use it.

3. They're independent but you'll still want to spend time initially to bond with your cat.

4. Figure $20 for decent dry food and another $20 for litter, though it depends on how much you go through.

5. AC is nice. At the very least make sure the cat has plenty of water.

6. They're instinctive about it. Best to confine him to a small room for a couple days with the litter box though to make sure he knows to use it before you turn him loose. And whatever you do, make sure you keep the litter box clean.
 
Originally posted by: JonTheBaller
Get an American Pit Bull, you soft ass
Click to expand...

Thought about getting a british bulldog, actually... But it's not far for the dog, keeping him locked in a tiny apartment except for the occassional walk.
 
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