Should we get a kitten?

[Markbnj]

Well if you want a dog then get a dog, but on the whole they are vastly more effort than cats.

That I'll agree with. Dogs need our help to fulfill all their needs, whereas cats can be pretty much left to their own devices. No question dogs require more investment of time and care.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My husband really wants to get a kitten, and I have some concerns so I'd like advice from kitten/cat owners on the following:

1) Does the kitty litter stink up the house? No Not if you clean the litter box regularly.

2) What are the worst problems you've run into with a new four-legged pet? Probably scratching on the furniture. I think declawing is cruel to cats though so I won't do it. Leather furniture is the best fabric IMO. Most cats don't like to scratch it. Having scratching posts helps too.

3) What's the approximate monthly cost that a cat runs up in your experience? Very low, we have 2 cats and we feed them twice a day, wet in the morning and dry in the evening. We have 2 litter boxes and change them weekly.

Make sure you get the cat spayed or neutered and keep them indoors.

I love our cats. They are great pets. Very affectionate and entertaining.

 

[sigurros81]

1) Does the kitty litter stink up the house? No Not if you clean the litter box regularly.

2) What are the worst problems you've run into with a new four-legged pet? Probably scratching on the furniture. I think declawing is cruel to cats though so I won't do it. Leather furniture is the best fabric IMO. Most cats don't like to scratch it. Having scratching posts helps too.

3) What's the approximate monthly cost that a cat runs up in your experience? Very low, we have 2 cats and we feed them twice a day, wet in the morning and dry in the evening. We have 2 litter boxes and change them weekly.

Make sure you get the cat spayed or neutered and keep them indoors.

I love our cats. They are great pets. Very affectionate and entertaining.

I wish my cat would stay away from my leather shit. I have a nice leather bench I sit on when I play guitar and it's now pretty much my cat's favorite scratching post. I've also gotten my leather shoes scratched, but I've learned to put the shoes up when I get home.

 

[Perknose]

I'm going to get some grief for this but I have to disagree with you there. Shelters are full of unwanted cats who are fucked and are doomed to live out their brief lives in cages followed by euthanasia. Even if you can't or don't want to shell out big money on vet bills you are doing a shelter cat a huge favor by adopting it. Living out say, an eight or ten year life in a proper home is a hell of a lot better than being put down in a shelter even if you can't or won't shell out the money to squeeze a couple more years of life out of the cat when it gets old.

Ok, I see your point and it's reasonable. You have cats. I'm betting that when the times comes to off them or ante up for a procedure, that, in all but the more extreme cost/benefit cases, you go for the procedure . . . far beyond what you ever thought you would.

 

[alkemyst]

1) Does the kitty litter stink up the house? I'm a little bit of a neat freak, and I've never owned a four-legged pet. I feel like most dog owners say that their dog doesn't smell, but they've just gotten used to it, and when you go to their house, it definitely smells. So I'd like to ask this more to cat owners who never had a pet before and are kind of neat freaks.

Cat poop will stink. If you take care of the solids as they happen and clean the box once to twice a day; you shouldn't have much odor problems. People with stinky dogs aren't taking care of them properly.

2) What are the worst problems you've run into with a new four-legged pet?

Behavior problems have been easy to correct. The worst have been unforeseen medical expenses.

3) What's the approximate monthly cost that a cat runs up in your experience?

Figure a vet visit once a year at least, what ever food level you want to buy / how much a cat will eat a day, litter costs and a minor amount on treats and toys.

A single cat is not a lot of money.

Yes I realize I am going to get made fun of for certain aspects of this post, but I thought I might get some useful advice! Thanks!!

I have 10 cats currently, 4 are just being fostered for adoption. Three I have had for 10 years and 3 others recently added as they are not so suitable for re-homing.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

1) Does the kitty litter stink up the house? I'm a little bit of a neat freak, and I've never owned a four-legged pet. I feel like most dog owners say that their dog doesn't smell, but they've just gotten used to it, and when you go to their house, it definitely smells. So I'd like to ask this more to cat owners who never had a pet before and are kind of neat freaks.

Not if you maintain the cat box in a clean condition. Invest in a litter locker and good scoopable litter and you will not have a problem.

2) What are the worst problems you've run into with a new four-legged pet?

My 12 year old male cat randomly decided to start spraying around the house one day. That really stinks. Literally and figuratively. I love the little guy, but his new habit may result in him losing his home.

3) What's the approximate monthly cost that a cat runs up in your experience?

I have 2 cats, and we spend about $30/month total for cat food, litter, and few toys. Initial cost will be higher because you will need to buy necessaries, i.e., a litter box, scratching post, etc.

Good luck. Cats can be great pets.

 

[Jeff7]

Cats are clean and in general don't smell. Lazy people who don't clean the cat box are what makes it smell.

Protip: Don't buy litter boxes for big $$$. Pick up Rubbermaid or target brand storage bins and dremmel out a door.

🙂
Or cement mixing pans from Home Depot, if you're ok with the uncovered variety.

Also cats like to bring you presents... ie dead mice it finds on your bed.. etc

also

http://gizmodo.com/5931500/why-cat-bites-are-pretty-much-the-worst-thing-ever

😱
Wow.
I don't know if a cat ever bit me hard enough to puncture the skin. If they ever did, it sure never got infected like that. Ouch.

 

[ichy]

Ok, I see your point and it's reasonable. You have cats. I'm betting that when the times comes to off them or ante up for a procedure, that, in all but the more extreme cost/benefit cases, you go for the procedure . . . far beyond what you ever thought you would.

Oh don't get me wrong, I would spend a not insignificant amount of money to save my cat. I love her and could never put her down in order to save a few hundred (or even a few thousand) dollars. My point is that someone who simply can't afford that shouldn't be dissuaded from adopting a cat. A good home with basic veterinary care is vastly superior to life and death in a shelter.

 

[ichy]

Another thing: Be sure to socialize the cat a lot. Make sure you have the time to do this. People diss on cats because some can be spooky and standoffish. You get a cat like that by not paying attention to them as a kitten.

I avoided this problem by adopting a cat that was starving to death on the street. Rescue from starvation = permanent kitty love. The only problem is that if I fed her as much as she wanted she'd be an obese feline blimp.

 

[ichy]

Wow.
I don't know if a cat ever bit me hard enough to puncture the skin. If they ever did, it sure never got infected like that. Ouch.

My cat did once. I was trying to stuff her into her cat carrier in order to bring her to the vet to get spayed.

Cat scratches and bites have the potential to be nasty, especially scratches since cats bury their shit with their paws. Best thing to do is immediately was with soap and water and then put on something like Neosporin. I do that and have never had any infections.

 

[Dumac]

Litter boxes won't smell much if you maintain them correctbly. Also, letter boxes are best placed in a secluded area, so hopefully it'll be an area where you wouldn't be often anyway.

Costs are pretty low, but variable on what food you buy your cat. Cats are obligate carnivores, so I would recommend doing a lot of research into the food you feed it. I wouldn't suggest using any dry food except for shortly after you get the cat and it is transitioning from what it was fed at a shelter to what you want to feed it.

Dry food is full of fillers and carbs that aren't part of a healthy cat diet. However, all wet food isn't necessarily better. You should check the ingredients to make sure that the wet food has mostly meat as the primary ingredients (not animal by-products) instead of things like wheat gluten or whatnot.

It may seem a bit more expensive at first, but it will lead to a healthier cat and hopefully avoid future vet bills. It also may help with bathroom issues and whatnot.

 

[Dumac]

First, they have a need to work the coating off their claws from time to time. They do this by shredding your furniture and whatever else they can get to. You can get your cat a scratching post, and likely she'll use it from time to time, but will she use it exclusively? Ours had an awesome scratching post, and she used it very energetically, as long as she happened to be in that room when she felt like scratching the crap out of something. When in other rooms she scratched whatever she damn well felt like scratching, and over the years has ruined a sofa, a loveseat, draperies, carpets, and who knows what else.

You are supposed to have a scratching area in each room!! No wonder your cats scratch other things.[/QUOTE]

Just like other people have said though, cats are assholes.

No, they aren't. They are often just misunderstood and ill-trained. Their habits are instinctual and often necessary for a healthy life, and it is your duty as an owner to provide a positive outlet.

They will piss in your house

Has never happened to me. Not using the litterbox could be a sign of a serious medical condition.

they will tear up your carpet/furniture (unless you declaw them).

False! You can train a cat to have specific outlets to scratch. And PLEASE don't declaw your cats. It is a cruel procedure that isn't recommended by any vets nowadays.

To top that off, they may or may not even be nice to you.

If you give them love, they'll give you love in return.

 

[alkemyst]

I avoided this problem by adopting a cat that was starving to death on the street. Rescue from starvation = permanent kitty love. The only problem is that if I fed her as much as she wanted she'd be an obese feline blimp.

Not always. Some cats adjust, some don't unless you make a good effort.

Since we have a lot of pets and we pretty much play with them, our pets are very well adjusted.

I know a lot of people that brought home a cat and just threw it in a room with some food and water and wonder why it's never friendly when company comes over.

Worse are those that just put them outside at night and wonder why they are so wild-like.

 

[Drako]

Get a female kitten to avoid the possibility of spraying.

Umm, female cats will spray as well. :biggrin:

 

[sadffffff]

dont let an animal run around your house. theyre dirty.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

cats can be really cheap or expensive. when i had a cat at my house (california, so it can live outside most of the time) all i had to do was feed it and pay for vet bills. i fed it canned food which is maybe a $1.50 a day, but if it hadnt been used to wet food i could have gotten away with an $8 bag of dry food from costco that would have lasted a month or more. i dont recommend indoor cats. they are much healthier and live longer if they live outside mostly and they like it more and you dont have to worry about litter, the smell (their crap and piss DO smell) or property damage (fur and scratches all over your furniture, piss on your carpet etc...). so i would say if you live where you can have an outdoor cat (warm weather, and a large property), go for it. if you live in an apartment, dont do it

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

My husband really wants to get a kitten, and I have some concerns so I'd like advice from kitten/cat owners on the following:

1) Does the kitty litter stink up the house? I'm a little bit of a neat freak, and I've never owned a four-legged pet. I feel like most dog owners say that their dog doesn't smell, but they've just gotten used to it, and when you go to their house, it definitely smells. So I'd like to ask this more to cat owners who never had a pet before and are kind of neat freaks.

They have bowel movements too. If you are up for the challenge, you can potty train them. With patience.
Bathing them a few times a month isn't a bad idea either.

2) What are the worst problems you've run into with a new four-legged pet?

Peeing & pooping everywhere except their litter boxes.
Wake up in the morning, feeling today is going to be a great day! ......... Stepping in shit within moments of getting out of bed. Always an omen of a shitty day ahead...
They generally only do this kind of stuff when they are unhappy. Ensure they stay happy!
Also, with the 12 cats mom has... I suppose it was inevitable to find hairballs in the fridge.
Grooming them regularly helps cut down on how severe shedding can get. Even better, get them shaven every few months.

 

[sigurros81]

This thread needs more cat pics. I'm disappointed.

 

[ichy]

I bought a Roomba shortly after I got my cat. Greatest purchase ever. Cat hair be gone!

 

[Red Squirrel]

I bought a Roomba shortly after I got my cat. Greatest purchase ever. Cat hair be gone!

I've been thinking of buying one, the cat would probably like it too. :biggrin:

 

[KeithTalent]

Get three! :awe:

**shamelessly stolen from Jesus Hume Christ**

KT

 

[momeNt]

Cats have sharp claws, even if you trim them, expect some furniture damage and clothing/linen/drapery damage. Unless you are getting them declawed.

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

As bad as it would make me feel & how much they would hate me for it, until they get over it. I'd like my cats declawed to minimize the damage they can cause.
Only worry I'd have is them getting in fights & unable to defend themselves as well, but I'd want them to stay indoors anyway.

 

[alkemyst]

I have been involved in animal causes for most of my life, my education was in zoology for a long long time.

Declawing IMHO is better than having a cat destroyed. If there were more homes than cats, I'd say even sexual altering may be something to reconsider...however; there is not. In my community about 1,200 cats are detroyed per month. There simply isn't enough homes for them.

I have yet to see any cat personally even while working for a veternarian that had behavioral / physical issues due to a declawing except where the original surgery was done by someone incompetent.

Four of my cats are declawed and 6 I currently have are not (4 are kittens and will be adopted out). We keep their claws trimmed and have mostly cat-friendly fabrics but still we have to replace things even though we have several scratching posts and other things they like (those cardboard things like the turbo scratcher are real favorites).

Many people can't afford or don't want to deal with the damage. Also even back claws can damage fine material.

One of the main oppositions to declawing is really that bad owners end up putting these cats outside or end up giving them up to someone that will. Cat's claws are not for fighting as much as escape. Without them they are pretty much sitting ducks outside for any predator.

 

[tcG]

I like cats, but the whole having-them-poop-in-your-house thing, and everything that entails, is a bit of a deal breaker for me. I would only have a cat if I could have their litter box in the garage, or if I had a large property and they could be indoor/outdoor cats.

When I grew up we always had indoor/outdoor cats so there was never a litter box.