Interested in getting a kitten - advice?

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NuclearFusi0n

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2001
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I want to get a kitten but I have some problems and some questions.
I'll be living in a one bedroom place for the next few years (college) so I was wondering if that would be acceptable for a kitten/cat, or if it would depend on the different cat genetics or something. I also go home every few weeks, for a weekend usually, so I was wondering how a cat would react to being carted around every 2 weeks, or if I could leave it safely at my place (doubt it).
I'm also a pretty broke college student, so I was wondering how much a cat would cost. I can afford small stuff, like 10 or 20 a week for food or something, but if it costs like $150+ for innoculations and stuff I doubt I could afford a kitten. If you have any financial information that would be cool too.
Thanks for the help.
 
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BCskunk

Golden Member
Jun 1, 2002
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why dont u goto the RSPCA and adopt one..dats what me and my friends did in college.... its pretty cheap that way and u know the cat has had his/her injections
 
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NuclearFusi0n

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2001
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Originally posted by: dparker
Originally posted by: NuclearFusi0n
Originally posted by: bootymac
Originally posted by: NuclearFusi0n
Originally posted by: BCskunk
get one of those bonsai kittens
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ur cool come party w/ me.
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Ooo!!! If it's at Chucky Cheeses can I come?????
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damn man u all in da shizzay :cool:
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And I can bring the Sprite Remix in my new K Swiss (which I got luv for).
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g holmes u so in!!
 
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shopbruin

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2000
5,817
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Originally posted by: BCskunk
why dont u goto the RSPCA and adopt one..dats what me and my friends did in college.... its pretty cheap that way and u know the cat has had his/her injections
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please do that. the cat is spayed or neutered already also, had all necessary shots, and these kitties need a home. they are also very cheap too.
 
virtuamike

virtuamike

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2000
7,845
13
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If there's a Petsmart nearby, shots are only like $30 every visit last I remember.

If you plan on going away for a weekend, invest in an auto litter box, they're around $100 but they're great. I have one for my 2 cats, I empty out the tray every 3 days so weekends aren't a problem.

Food isn't much, maybe $20 every month for just 1 cat. Stick with the dry food, the wet stuff makes their poop smell nasty and they get bad breath.

Flea collars, $5 will last you 6 months.

Cats are great, they make awesome pillows and foot warmers.
 
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GRIFFIN1

Golden Member
Nov 10, 1999
1,403
6
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A cat will do fine being left alone for a few days. Just don't forget to leave food and water for it. All the cats I have known don't like to ride in a car. I was bringing my girlfriends kitten home in a box. It was a stray cat that was around her parents house 25 miles out in the country. After about 1 mile, the cat took a dump in the box. Since it was winter, I couldn't roll the windows down. Ofcouse, the kitten was covered in crap when I finally got to my apartment. It went straight from the box to the shower. She was a little stressed after all that.

Make sure you have a scratching post there as soon as the cat is there. They will tear up your stuff if you don't train them to use one. You could get it declawed, but that is just something I don't agree with.

Male cats seem to like to pee on stuff.

Get a laser pointer. Cats go nuts for them.
 
SarcasticDwarf

SarcasticDwarf

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2001
9,574
2
76
Originally posted by: GRIFFIN1
A cat will do fine being left alone for a few days. Just don't forget to leave food and water for it. All the cats I have known don't like to ride in a car. I was bringing my girlfriends kitten home in a box. It was a stray cat that was around her parents house 25 miles out in the country. After about 1 mile, the cat took a dump in the box. Since it was winter, I couldn't roll the windows down. Ofcouse, the kitten was covered in crap when I finally got to my apartment. It went straight from the box to the shower. She was a little stressed after all that.
Make sure you have a scratching post there as soon as the cat is there. They will tear up your stuff if you don't train them to use one. You could get it declawed, but that is just something I don't agree with.
Male cats seem to like to pee on stuff.
Get a laser pointer. Cats go nuts for them.
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That is better than 2 wimpy dogs in cages on a plane flying from AZ to NY-THAT is covered in sh*t
 
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Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
21,938
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If it's going to be an indoor cat, you really don't even need to bother with shots. Getting it fixed (if it's not fixed yet), will cost like $100 or so. Food is fairly cheap, but remember to buy can food too.

And don't buy the kitten... look in the papers or visit the SPCA and pick one up for free. There are so many around that need homes, it's foolish to pay for them.
 
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Dragnov

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
6,878
0
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That is better than 2 wimpy dogs in cages on a plane flying from AZ to NY-THAT is covered in sh*t
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Well thats a pretty long flight. :p

My dogs can't even travel 30 min. in the car w/o sh*tting all over the place. :eek:
 
olds

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,124
779
126
I always though that a male owning a cat = gay. I guess I grew up in a different era.
 
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shopbruin

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2000
5,817
0
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Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
I always though that a male owning a cat = gay. I guess I grew up in a different era.
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it is like THE computer nerd accessory now - your own cat. easy to clean/take care of/etc. can be very entertaining when provoked. usually affordable.
 
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rgwalt

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2000
7,393
0
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Look into local shelters in your area. The ASPCA and the Humane Society are places to start, and your area may also have some no-kill shelters. Usually these places have an adoption fee that covers the first set of injections and having the animal fixed. The yearly shots depend on whether or not you plan to keep the cat inside full time. If you are going to keep the cat inside full time, get the full battery of vaccinations for the first year, and then just get the rabies shot every year there after (required by law), which runs like $15 or $20 at most. You will need to plan on setting up places for the cat to sleep, a scratching post or pad, and a litter box. Leaving a cat for the weekend isn't a problem, but you may want to look into getting a cat water fountain that has an extra storage area for extra water. An automated litter box isn't a must, but isn't a bad idea if you have the money. At the very least, I would recommend a covered litter box. Cat have a tendency to kick litter all over the place, so a covered box helps with this problem. You don't want litter all over a 1 bedroom apartment.

Up front, plan on spending some money on a new kitten or cat for adoption fees, vaccinations, and initial supplies. On a monthly basis, plan on spending around $20 or $30 on food, litter, and some occasional toys, treats, and a new scratching post and pad. On a yearly basis, plan on holding onto at least $100 for vet bills. Your cat will need yearly vaccinations, and it will get sick/hurt and need treatment.

Ryan
 
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