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Trying to decide if I should get a cat

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Thanks. I think I should be able to take care of a cat. The only thing that kind of scares me is damage to my place. I have lots of fairly nice things (leather couch, big screen TV, computer, fairly nice furniture) and I'm afraid the cat will scratch the hell out of those things. How safe are the scratching boards?
 
Originally posted by: Mwilding
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Get a female long haired calico. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Are you aware of the redundancy in that sentence?
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Actually, there are male calicos, they're just very rare. Calicos are cool cats... lots of attitude.
 
Originally posted by: Argo
Are there decent sites out there that tell what to watch out for and basically help me decide if I'll be capable of taking care of it?
Click to expand...

I have had and loved cats all my life. Currently, I have two cats (sisters) 13 years old. I do consider myself a "cat expert". If you are in a stable place, and you know you can keep your cat for life, and consider it part of your family, go for it. You must keep up with cleaning the kitty litter for the cats hygeine, and to keep your crib smellin' fresh. You must give the cat attention and love as well as discipline. Be aware every cat has a distinct personality, and some are not as sweet as others. In time you will get to know your cat and be able to know what it wants. I know a lot of tricks and tecniques to make living with your cat go smoothly. Over the years I have used and come up with many ideas for disciplining in a humane manner, so please feel free to PM me with any questions or concerns. Most of all have fun and love you cat, and it will do the same. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Tick
Originally posted by: EatSpam
Originally posted by: Argo
Are there decent sites out there that tell what to watch out for and basically help me decide if I'll be capable of taking care of it?
Click to expand...

Cats are cool and very easy pets. Go visit your local humane society a few times to see which ones you like and which ones like you. Many times a cat will pick you out... one of mine did.

Don't get a kitten declawed. It you start them with scratching boards, their claws won't be a problem with furniture. We use the cardboard ones that they can really shred. My cats never took to the scratching posts very well.

Pets are all about a time commitment. Are you and your roommates/girlfriend/family/whoever home fairly often? If not, don't get a pet. Otherwise, you'll be ok.

Aside from attention, cats really only need a few things:

cat food
water
litter box w/litter
scratching item

Toys are ok, but not really necessary. My cat's favorite toys are:

(new) rubber glove from a toliet brush - I opened the brush and she stole the glove.
an old tennis ball
crumbled up pieces of paper
Click to expand...

Rings from milk jugs are the best cat toy ever.
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I forgot about those! My cats love those!
 
YES!!! get a cat they are soo cool and unique creatures, talk to vet or something if u need info on taking care of it, my cat's breathe stinks like crap
 
Originally posted by: Cooler
No
I would recommend a low maintenance long life pet such as a turtle or lizard.

I have had my turtle for 20 year and all it needs is new water and food ever day and clean its terrarium once every other month. Best part is they sleep during the winter so no need to feed them then.
Click to expand...

BOOORRRRINNNGGGG! Cats are fvcking awesome, just take care of them. 😛

<- loves and owns 4 cats. 😎
 
Originally posted by: EatSpam
Originally posted by: Argo
Are there decent sites out there that tell what to watch out for and basically help me decide if I'll be capable of taking care of it?
Click to expand...

Cats are cool and very easy pets. Go visit your local humane society a few times to see which ones you like and which ones like you. Many times a cat will pick you out... one of mine did.

Don't get a kitten declawed. It you start them with scratching boards, their claws won't be a problem with furniture. We use the cardboard ones that they can really shred. My cats never took to the scratching posts very well.

Pets are all about a time commitment. Are you and your roommates/girlfriend/family/whoever home fairly often? If not, don't get a pet. Otherwise, you'll be ok.

Aside from attention, cats really only need a few things:

cat food
water
litter box w/litter
scratching item

Toys are ok, but not really necessary. My cat's favorite toys are:

(new) rubber glove from a toliet brush - I opened the brush and she stole the glove.
an old tennis ball
crumbled up pieces of paper
Click to expand...

My cat chose me when I went to the pet adoption clinic. I give him credit for his good taste, although it's probably the only smart thing that he's ever done 🙂

Anyway... You gotta get a laser pointer if you have a cat. Cats go NUTS when when see the dot from a laser pointer!
 
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Originally posted by: Tick
Cat's a great. Like dogs without all the extra work.
Click to expand...

The advantage of not having to walk a cat when it's -30 out is undeniable.

Cat: *staring outside, not having yet seen outside* Mrowr?
M4H: *opens door* You want to go out in that?
Cat: *looking up at M4H* <Thoughtballoon> You have got to be f$#@ing kidding me. </Thoughtballoon> *turns and heads towards fireplace*

- M4H
Click to expand...

My dog will_not go outside in the rain. 😛
 
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Originally posted by: EatSpam
Originally posted by: Argo
Are there decent sites out there that tell what to watch out for and basically help me decide if I'll be capable of taking care of it?
Click to expand...

Cats are cool and very easy pets. Go visit your local humane society a few times to see which ones you like and which ones like you. Many times a cat will pick you out... one of mine did.

Don't get a kitten declawed. It you start them with scratching boards, their claws won't be a problem with furniture. We use the cardboard ones that they can really shred. My cats never took to the scratching posts very well.

Pets are all about a time commitment. Are you and your roommates/girlfriend/family/whoever home fairly often? If not, don't get a pet. Otherwise, you'll be ok.

Aside from attention, cats really only need a few things:

cat food
water
litter box w/litter
scratching item

Toys are ok, but not really necessary. My cat's favorite toys are:

(new) rubber glove from a toliet brush - I opened the brush and she stole the glove.
an old tennis ball
crumbled up pieces of paper
Click to expand...

My cat chose me when I went to the pet adoption clinic. I give him credit for his good taste, although it's probably the only smart thing that he's ever done 🙂

Anyway... You gotta get a laser pointer if you have a cat. Cats go NUTS when when see the dot from a laser pointer!
Click to expand...


Ditto on the laser pointer. It drives both of my cats wild. They will start panting like a dog before they stop chasing it if I let them. You have to watch out for their eyes though.
 
Originally posted by: rockyct
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Originally posted by: EatSpam
Originally posted by: Argo
Are there decent sites out there that tell what to watch out for and basically help me decide if I'll be capable of taking care of it?
Click to expand...

Cats are cool and very easy pets. Go visit your local humane society a few times to see which ones you like and which ones like you. Many times a cat will pick you out... one of mine did.

Don't get a kitten declawed. It you start them with scratching boards, their claws won't be a problem with furniture. We use the cardboard ones that they can really shred. My cats never took to the scratching posts very well.

Pets are all about a time commitment. Are you and your roommates/girlfriend/family/whoever home fairly often? If not, don't get a pet. Otherwise, you'll be ok.

Aside from attention, cats really only need a few things:

cat food
water
litter box w/litter
scratching item

Toys are ok, but not really necessary. My cat's favorite toys are:

(new) rubber glove from a toliet brush - I opened the brush and she stole the glove.
an old tennis ball
crumbled up pieces of paper
Click to expand...

My cat chose me when I went to the pet adoption clinic. I give him credit for his good taste, although it's probably the only smart thing that he's ever done 🙂

Anyway... You gotta get a laser pointer if you have a cat. Cats go NUTS when when see the dot from a laser pointer!
Click to expand...


Ditto on the laser pointer. It drives both of my cats wild. They will start panting like a dog before they stop chasing it if I let them. You have to watch out for their eyes though.
Click to expand...

Same with mine. All three know what it sounds like, since its on a keychain. They perk up and start looking around the room whenever they hear the jingle...even if I don't use it for months!
 
Originally posted by: Brainonska511
You could always get a cat and if you don't like it, just toss it into the microwave. :laugh:
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humm... that didn't seem funny to me for some reason.
 
Don't get a cat. Or a dog for that matter.

A little part of me dies everytime I come home and find the house a mess or find a stain or discover a new smell.

Edit: Come to think of it, don't get married either. Thats how I ended up with all these damn animals. Its a freakin zoo.
 
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Originally posted by: Tick
Cat's a great. Like dogs without all the extra work.
Click to expand...

The advantage of not having to walk a cat when it's -30 out is undeniable.

Cat: *staring outside, not having yet seen outside* Mrowr?
M4H: *opens door* You want to go out in that?
Cat: *looking up at M4H* <Thoughtballoon> You have got to be f$#@ing kidding me. </Thoughtballoon> *turns and heads towards fireplace*

- M4H
Click to expand...

lol, so cute 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Cooler
No
I would recommend a low maintenance long life pet such as a turtle or lizard.

I have had my turtle for 20 year and all it needs is new water and food ever day and clean its terrarium once every other month. Best part is they sleep during the winter so no need to feed them then.
Click to expand...

but does your turtle offer you companioship, affection? does he even recognise you? are turtles clever?
 
Originally posted by: EvilPaper
Don't get a cat. Or a dog for that matter.

A little part of me dies everytime I come home and find the house a mess or find a stain or discover a new smell.

Edit: Come to think of it, don't get married either. Thats how I ended up with all these damn animals. Its a freakin zoo.
Click to expand...

Damn dude..

pretty bitter eh?
 
Cats suck, get a dog. I learned that after having my two cats piss in random electrical things and ****** and puke everywhere.
 
Originally posted by: aidanjm
Originally posted by: Cooler
No
I would recommend a low maintenance long life pet such as a turtle or lizard.

I have had my turtle for 20 year and all it needs is new water and food ever day and clean its terrarium once every other month. Best part is they sleep during the winter so no need to feed them then.
Click to expand...

but does your turtle offer you companioship, affection? does he even recognise you? are turtles clever?
Click to expand...

Yes she does when i come home she runs to conner wanting food. She likes her neck to be rubed as well. BTW did you know turtles can see colors.
 
Originally posted by: AmdEmAll
Cats suck, get a dog. I learned that after having my two cats piss in random electrical things and ****** and puke everywhere.
Click to expand...

prob cause you treated them like sh!t.

I don't have any problem with people hating animals but if you do just don't get one. Simple logic.
 
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