need help from cat people

[korbbec]

Cats are the best. I have three and they all have very different personalities. Most of what I read here I agree with. Do not use Hartz products at all. Do not put any chemical on your pet without a vets ok. Any flea med not sold by a vet could harm your pet.

 

[minniecarousel]

We just lost our 13 year-old cat and are planning on adopting 2 cats from a rescue group in a few weeks. When we got our guy 13 years ago, he was a first for our family. DH did not grow up with any pets; I had a dog for a year or so when I was young. Looking back, even though we were novices, I would have adopted 2 together. Like everyone else has said - they're much easier than dogs.

Good luck!

 

[DizBelle]

Lint/Hair Rollers. Invest in them - many of them. Keep one at home, in the car, at work.....

I could build another cat (or two or three) with all the hair I've rolled off of my clothes.

 

[caitycaity]

thanks for everyone's thoughtful comments. keep em coming.

 

[lesroi]

Yes, they all are different but boys are MUCH more affectionate than girls. The girls tend to be aloof and want petting when THEY want petting. My male cats are just big love buckets..lol.

Hmmmm, I have a girl kitty and she couldn't be further from this description. She is a calico DSH from the pound. She is the most affectionate cat I have ever met. She LOVES my DH (more than me, lol!)

We have 4 dogs and Lucy the kitty is more dog-like than any other cat I have seen. She comes when you call even! She loves attention and petting, and is often sleeping on my DH's legs at night.

She's a real sweetie!

Good luck whatever you decide!

Tracy

 

[Lachesis00]

We have 3 cats.

The big guy, Max, a Siamese mix, is a big teddy bear, but the biggest wuss. He is over 25# but cowers if he hears a noise he doesn't like or his sisters chase him (he lived at my sisters for 12 hours when they were kittens, like 5 weeks old-- what damage could have been done).
He hides a lot but doesn't mind being held and coddled and petted. Often he will lay on my chest at night. He sleeps at the end of the bed on my side or in one of the cat beds or under our bed hiding. He use to lay on my husband's but like to suck his ear *awk*. He doesn't do it to me but will to my son. I stopped him from doing it early on. Hmmmm

Second is Milo or MsMilo who is a tortie siamese, if you will (thought she was a he *ooops*) is the biggest lapcat you could ever want. She constantly wants attention. She is the most people friendly. Loves anyone and everyone. Every night around 11pm she plops down between my husband and I. Heaven forbid he is too close to me. Must just close enough, but far enough away to stretch out and kneed. She needs her space.
She has an attitude and you can see it in her eyes when she is mad even if you didn't do anything. Geez. She sleeps on our bed nightly at the end, laying on someone's legs, normally my husbands, but once in a blue moon mine.

Pepper is a Tortishell and is the least friendly. She wants attention on her terms. Family or not, she doesn't care. She also could be a loaner cat (live on her own, no siblings/other cats). The other 2 cats do not seem to like her (they are all from the same litter) and pick on her all the time.
She is the least likely to sleep on the bed or with us and loves her cat box (a wicker basket with her blanket), in the cat kennel (to haul them to the vet) or a box (like one that might have held Dasanti water... LOL the smaller the better). She will snuggle with us, just out of arms reach normally if no other cat is around, but the second one enters the room, she is off and running.

Even though they are from the same litter, they are really different. Each has their own personality and likes/dislikes.
At first we were just taking the 2 girl cats, my sister was taking the boy. That lasted as I mentioned 12 hours if that. They are now 5 years old and have traveled from Alaska to Arizona with us.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

Cats really are much easier to care for than dogs. My dog is actually pretty independant and the cats are still easier than her. We keep a bowl of dry food out all day for them, a bowl of water, and they have their litter box. Of course I love to give them attention but they also entertain themselves a lot of the time. A pom pom and a flight of stairs give a cat hours of entertainment.

I agree with others that from my personal experience male cats are much more affectionate. My female cat only wants to be pet on her terms. It's also no help that she is a calico which have the trait of being moody. She likes to be pet, but the second she's had enough she'll let you know. My male cats are lap cats. And they love to make figure 8's around your legs.

I also suggest getting 2 cats. They really truly do keep each other occupied. My oldest cat never really got along with the others. She is a loner. But the younger two (the males) are like best friends even though they are about 6 years apart in age. They play with each other and can usually be found basking in the sun together.

And like others have said, cats are just weird. My middle cat has decided in his older age that he likes the bathroom. He pretends to hide behind the toilet.

 

[Simba's Mom]

One thing I think is important is to adopt a cat that has been with its mother for a decent amount of time, at least 6 weeks. My own opinion is that they are better natured and more well adjusted. Good Luck!

You probably didn't mean any offense, but you really hit a nerve with that one. We found our kitty at 4 days old, so he'd hardly spent any time with his mother. Well, he's 3 1/2 years old now and very good natured and (I think) well adjusted. I hope you weren't disparaging my little baby!

 

[Lachesis00]

We got our 3 at 5 weeks give or take. If we hadn't taken them they would have continued living like feral cats outside in the wild. I wish they could have stayed with their mom longer. We got them from a gal at our bank, she'd check on them now and again. She had something like 30 feral cats running wild.
The poor mom had a litter like 2 or 3 months before this one and went on to have 3 more after it all in a little over a year. The last 2 litters for sure had defective babies mentally and physically. So sad because she saw how well adjusted our cats were. Eventually she got the mom fixed and took all but one cat to the pound.

All 3 of our are fixed too. We didn't want a repeat of their family history No one is sure who their dad is. Their mom was pure white so I am told. None of them have much white.

You probably didn't mean http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/confused24.gif
any offense, but you really hit a nerve with that one. We found our kitty at 4 days old, so he'd hardly spent any time with his mother. Well, he's 3 1/2 years old now and very good natured and (I think) well adjusted. I hope you weren't disparaging my little baby!

 

[lesroi]

I hope you weren't disparaging my little baby!

Little?!?!? That is a biiiiiiig boy! He sure is cute!


Tracy

 

[Saphire]

I hope you weren't disparaging my little baby!

Never! I am glad your beautiful kitty is well adjusted and in a happy home. I am just speaking from my own personal, past experience. My DH and I found a kitten, about 3 weeks old, in the woods one day while walking. We scooped him up and brought him home and loved him for many years. But this poor kitty had some 'issues', which I always suspected were from being pulled from his mom too soon. If you have the love in your heart to adopt and work with such a kitty...great! But, in general, a cat will have fewer problems if it is weaned at the appropriate time.

 

[goofy4tink]

You probably didn't mean any offense, but you really hit a nerve with that one. We found our kitty at 4 days old, so he'd hardly spent any time with his mother. Well, he's 3 1/2 years old now and very good natured and (I think) well adjusted. I hope you weren't disparaging my little baby!

OMG!!!! That could be my little Fluffy!!!! How handsome he is!

I second the suggestions of getting two, rather than just one. They tend to amuse themselves this way. And as kittens, they'll tire each other out quickly...and that is a very good thing!!! As they get older, they will get in squabbles...it will sound like they are killing each other. Have no fear, 20 minutes later you will have a puddle of kitty on your bed. That's what happens with my three all the time. They are such good buddies. One is 8, the other is 6 and the baby is 3. We got them all at different times, so each one has had to join the family!!! It takes a bit of time but it's so worthwhile.
They need shots, neutering/spaying, they need to stay inside, fresh food and water, and clean kitty box...I like to leave out 2 or 3 boxes if I'm going to be gone for a few days.

 

[unbroken chain]

Cats are very easy to take care of. I agree that 2 cats is the way to go. They keep each other company. One kitty could be very lonely. Two cats is not really any more work than one, because cats in general aren't any work other than cleaning litter and vacuuming more.

Definitely go to a shelter, or check your area at www.petfinder.com One big advantage of a rescue group is that they have fostered the animals and can find ones with the personality you want. Also, they may have 2 that have come together and it would be great to keep them together.

To keep them from scratching up your couch, I have found the spray "No Scratch" by Pet Organics to be of some help.

I have found that certain types of cats seem to have certain personalities. A rescue group could advise you here. For example, the long haired females I have had are, well, self-centered even for cats. Pet me NOW, I am the center of the universe. More than most cats. The black/orange tortoiseshells were called by my vet the "redheads" of the cat world - hissy, temperamental. The mackerel (brown/grey) tabbies I have had have been more curious and seem more intelligent. Etc.

Don't spend a lot on toys - really, they just want anything that is very light in weight to bat around. The rings off the top of gallon milk jugs are their favorites!

Don't feed them milk or canned food first thing in the morning. You'll be sorry, trust me on this. If you feed them at 6:05, they'll start waking you up at 6 a.m., then 5:55, then 5:50....you get the picture. And don't think they'll forget about it if you stop. They'll keep waking you up for months.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

DH and I volunteer with a cat rescue group and get to foster kittens from time to time. We also have two grown-up kitties of our own, Beatrice and Rosalind, who are 9 year old sisters that DH adopted when they were 8 weeks old. They are major love-bugs - totally social, friendly, and affectionate. No one can sit down in our house without having a cat on their lap!

I'm a big fan of having two cats so they can keep each other company. It's definitely been my experience that they seem much happier if they have a buddy.

We have what is supposed to be a medium sized dog cage that we use for our foster kittens while they are getting acclimated, at night, and when we are gone. The spacing on the bars is just right for even the 6wk old kittens we sometimes get, and it has a shelf that we put a small bed on. We have a small litter box in there, as well as food and water bowls for the babies.

One thing to note is that clumping litter is not recommended for very young kittens, and crystal or regular litter is preferred when they are still small.

I think 50% of a cat's personality is "nature" - just born that way - and 50% is "nurture" - how the cat is raised and socialized. Our girls were raised by DH who snuggled and cuddled them constantly when he was home, and pretty much spoiled them with toys and playtime so they are now playful, friendly, snuggly companions. Our role as foster parents to the kittens is to socialize them so they learn to be people-oriented and used to being handled by anyone and everyone.

And of course, I highly recommend adopting your pet(s) from a rescue group or animal shelter. There are so many cats that are looking for homes! I could introduce you to several in my neighborhood that are available!

 

[Sherri]

Consider adoption and consider two cats. They tend to bond with each other and that will make you feel less guilty when you are not at home.
Once you have a cat you will wonder how you lived so long without one.
Your cat (s) will be your best friend.

 

[chager]

I agree having 2 cats is as easy as 1, but if you happen to fall in love with one that doesn't like other cats don't pass on it just because of that! We had to give up one because she just could not adjust to having other animals in the house. Dog or cat!
We have all females and will not have males again. We had a male years ago. He started peeing on everything. Apparently he was suffering from urinary issues that are common in males. We treated him many times. In the end we lost him at age 5 to unknown causes. It was thought possibly heart issues and he just flipped out. He did not adjust to change very well at all! About the same time we found a little furball that was about 5-6 weeks old. She lived to be 12. (We lost her three years ago to thyroid complications, very common in cats from what we learned. She was allergic to the only meds available to treat her) We currently have a 12 yr old pound kitty. We got her when she was a year old. We also have a 2 yr old we found when she was about 3 weeks old. (Her and her brother. He resides with my parents) Bottle fed and weaned both. Our hand raised kitty is more sociable then out pound kitty, but I think that is just their personalities.
At mom's house there are 3, 2 males and a female. All are fairly aloof.Her female is 13yo. Very tiny and demands attention when she wants it. She still looks like a kitten. Her oldest male is 11 yo. He was hand raised from about 3 weeks. Mama abandoned the litter. He has severe urinary issues and had surgery when he was 2. Essentially he is a "girl" now. Mom had to reteach him to pee after the surgery. He is the oldest living cat that has had this surgery that the vet knows of. Most don't live past 5 with it. Mom is meticulous with his care. He is very loving when he wants to be and loves to talk to you. The youngest is the brother of our youngest. He is just a bully and a brat!! He thinks it is great fun to beat up our 7mo old Aussie!! I swaer the cat laughs when he sees our dog cower.
Mom's oldest and out oldest are both declawed. Ours came that way. We thought about it for our youngest girl but couldn't afford it. If you want to declaw have the laser surgery done. Pain is not near like the reg procedure. However if you can get your kitty to only scratch the scratching posts/items that is the best. Also if you are getting the spay/nueter done go with laser. Much less heal time involved. We had laser my best friend has traditional. Her kitty took 2x as long to heal and was in pain longer then ours.
Use a good quality cat food like Iams or what your vet recommends. Also stay away, far far away from Litter Pearls!!!!!! We tried them once and I found the blasted things for YEARS after!!!!!! I use a litter robot for the cat box. Expensive, yes, but I HATE scooping!! It has saved us a ton of money in cat litter too.
Have fun looking for your furbaby!!

 

[poohandwendy]

Never! I am glad your beautiful kitty is well adjusted and in a happy home. I am just speaking from my own personal, past experience. My DH and I found a kitten, about 3 weeks old, in the woods one day while walking. We scooped him up and brought him home and loved him for many years. But this poor kitty had some 'issues', which I always suspected were from being pulled from his mom too soon. If you have the love in your heart to adopt and work with such a kitty...great! But, in general, a cat will have fewer problems if it is weaned at the appropriate time.

That is true. Optimal circumstances, the kitten can be with it's mother until 10-12 weeks. It's right around the time where the mother pushes them away from nursing completely. And they learn alot from her up until that time, especially socially. Obviously, that isn't always possible.

And wow, that is a BIG boy Simba's Mom!

 

[themarquis]

You probably didn't mean any offense, but you really hit a nerve with that one. We found our kitty at 4 days old, so he'd hardly spent any time with his mother. Well, he's 3 1/2 years old now and very good natured and (I think) well adjusted. I hope you weren't disparaging my little baby!

Awww... what a cutie.

I have to say, though, that I agree with the poster who said it is *best* to not take a kitten from its mom until it is older (most humane societies are now adopting babies out at 8-10 weeks as a rule and no earlier). I'm sure nobody meant any offense!

Just because it is best does not mean it's always possible -- obviously not with yours since he was abandoned (I assume?) -- there are other situations where momma cats can't take care of them appropriately, they don't have enough milk for them, or they die -- anyway, the point is that nobody should forcibly and for no reason take a baby away from its mom when it is very very tiny ... but if that is the way it has to be, so be it.

Hand-raised cats can be wonderful and well adjusted, but they do have a higher incidence of behavioral problems, mostly just because humans really can't teach them how to be cats the way that their mom could (i.e., they teach them to not use their claws when playing by biting them hard on the neck when they do! Humans can't really well replicate this kind of training).

There are also health problems, since formula is not as good as cat milk, and some tiny kittnes have failure to thrive because they won't drink as much as they need to or they get respiratory viruses and stuff because their immune systems are not as well developed as if they got colostrum.

Anyway, the point is you did a great thing raising your kitty and I'm happy he turned out well. From experience, I have had the misfortune of trying to help family and friends with situations where hand-raised kitties did not turn out well. (one had to be adopted out to people who owned a farm where he could roam and not interact so much with people since he had violence problems; another was put to sleep ). I think posters are just trying to remind the OP that since she/he has little experience with kitties, it would be best to adopt a slightly older kitty.

 

[poohandwendy]

OT, but along the lines of kittens and age of leaving mother:

I think the reason it became such common practice to rehome kittens so young (6 weeks) was because that is when they are still fluffy and kitten-like and they are just starting to eat solids. I think many people were of the mindset that it is easier to find homes for really young kittens, which in some ways is true. Who can resist a tiny little fluffy kitten, LOL? And what do you do if they get too old (start looking more like an adult cat than kitten) and can't find homes for them?

I know that when our litter was tiny, almost everyone wanted to take them a month before I was willing to let them go (right around 10-12 weeks). I mean, people see them and want to take them home, then and there. I can't blame them. But, I basically let everyone choose theirs when they were really young and showed them some info I had gathered regarding social benefits of adopting a bit later, and then just stuck to my guns. I understood that they really wanted to take them home, but I think they really were better off having a few more weeks with their mother and siblings. I felt obligated to give them the best start I could, considering their mother came to us in desperate state (extremely underweight- especially for a cat who was carrying a litter of 8, flea-ridden, matted and on her own).

If we would not have had the mother to raise them, for whatever reason, it would have been optimal for them to be in their forever homes earlier...where they would have had the individual attention they would have needed.