Very OT-cat info thread - YouLookFab Forum

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Very OT-cat info thread

Cilleena

Veteran

I know a lot of our members have cats and adore them. I have 2 dogs and I know nothing about owning a cat except that you have to clean the litter box. My 13 yr old daughter wants a cat really, really bad. How hard are they to take care of? Give it to me straight.

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29 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

Isis

Veteran

We have one cat and one dog (and two snakes and 17 fish). I love both the cat and the dog, but the cat is MUCH easier to care for than the dog! No walks, self-feeding....we've even left the cat alone for a couple of days (with a neighbor to check in) with a large bowl of food, and all is fine. Could never do that with a dog.

And, we got the cat as a kitten when the dog was young adult, and the cat LOVES to play and torment the dog. The dog like to play, but also gets fed up at being ambushed all the time! I think they are really good for each other when no one else is home. They sleep together too!

kellygirl

Veteran

Great question, Cilleena. I've only ever had dogs as I'm allergic to cats (dander or fur or something.) We have a time share cat that comes over every day to visit and I'm quite smitten with her. I wouldn't mind a cat myself. Interested in hearing everyone's opinions.

TravellingTam

I have three cats. LOVE them! They are so full of fun and personality. They sleep together, they sleep with us, they chase things (real and imaginary), one even chases her own tail. The pics are Cookie (black and white, like an Oreo) and her brother Neo.

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Bookarella

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I grew up with only dogs and thought that cats were mean (based on a couple of childhood incidents). However, my room mate in college talked me into getting a kitten together, and that was the start of my love affair with the felines! At the moment, we have one dog and 3 cats. All were rescued by me. The biggest draw back to me is the claw issue. I declawed my first three cats, but after learning more about it I will never do that again. Cats like to sharpen their claws and not always in the best places. We have tried to train ours to use scratching posts and cardboard scratchers. Most of the time it works. However, I occaisionally find one using the furniture. Another one of my cats has snaggy claws and they tend to rip my tees. I have to be very careful with her and keep the claws trimmed. The plus side is they are very loving and funny. They can be pretty low maintenance while you are out of town. They are a huge part of our family, and we all love them. Even hubby who hated my original 3 cats! (We were a package deal!) Hope this does help.

*Here is Callie who likes to be my paper weight! We are the only females in a house of males.

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Mo

(website)

Veteran

Cats can be very different depending on their temperaments. Some hide under the bed most the time - others follow you room to room meowing at you for attention. We have the latter. It could be because we socialized it that way, but odds are he had a people oriented leaning before we encouraged it. By contrast, my stepmom's cat I grew up with didn't get near me for many years at first. And she was never a lap cat ever. They do like, and need, play time. If yours is an indoor kitty they depend on you for distractions. If it's indoor/outdoor it can chase bugs and birds on it's own time :). You can, and we do, leave kitty home for a few days with a bowl of food and water fountain when we take quick trips. But he does not like it, and lets us know.

Louise

Veteran

Dogs have masters, cats have servants!!!!
I have lived with cats all my life and love them dearly. They can be very aloof animals not as clingy as dogs. Some are very much 'take it or leave it' when it comes to fuss and humans. Personally I feel they are a lot less hastle than dogs as no daily walks and we can leave the cats alone all day with no problems. I think if you already have dogs a cat will be no trouble at all x

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Every cat is unique. I have had my fair share, and currently I'm mommy to four girls. One is VERY clingy (it's a breed thing) and Iove it. But they are all very self sufficient, and sleep most of the day (and night). Sleeping = contentment.
I'm sensitive to smells, and regular perfumed litter has always bothered me. We have been using Arm and Hammer's corn litter for a few years now, and it has been GREAT. Highly recommend it. Plus, it's better for kitties too.
Bryan and I take the time to play and cuddle with each girly in the way they like. I like to think they are well behaved because of it.
If you come to my house, you will immediately be accepted and loved by all. Even my non affectionate girl is very social. I think rescued animals are generally more loving and friendly, unless they had a bad experience.
Our little guy who passed away last year was traumetized somehow, and was terrified of every little thing. Fortunately he was affectionate with us so we could always calm him down.
We frequently take weekend trips and are able to leave the girls home with food, water and litter boxes (ideally you have a box per set of paws plus 1), and plenty of fun toys to play with. Ours like stuffed animals and bouncy balls. I rotate toys just like I would a toddler.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Cats are *so* much easier to take care of than dogs!
They pretty much litter box train themselves (unless you just get the rare and unfortunate unclean cat). Usually, all you have to do is show it to them once, and they will continue to go there on their own. They are easier to leave when you travel (as noted in other posts), and they are not generally needy for attention (but I find them extremely loyal and affectionate). My dog loves the cat. She helped raise him from a kitten, and we often find them napping together or grooming each other. When we are leaving the house, I have to make sure that the cat is inside with the dog. If she is left alone she will get anxious, but if the cat is in with her she is fine. Just note that cats are extreme creatures of habit and they do not like any changes- and they will let you know!

Aida

Veteran

All good advice in here! I'm 500% a cat person. Cats are certainly individuals, and if you've cared for dogs you'll find most aspects of caring for cats to be way easier. Mainly training is tougher with cats, they certainly have no innate desire to please their "owners". They do still require minimal training, especially in regards to use of claws and teeth on furniture/people; I highly suggest keeping a scratching post in the main rooms you spend time in (TV room, bedroom, hobby room). And their fur gets EVERYWHERE. Cats may not require quite the amount of attention dogs do, but spending time with them daily will give you a much more compliant cat; they remember when you do things they like and will in turn do things you like

EDIT: My sis has both a cat and dog, and her cat's toys get destroyed by the dog all the time (poor guy). So.. be prepared to buy/make lots of toys.

Maya

Veteran

My little one was very easy to care for (I'm speaking in past tense because she is at my parents' house now).

Day to day, all I did was clean her litterbox, feed her (one 6 oz can, divided into 3 servings), and play with her. I tried to brush her once every week, but it was more like twice a month. This was more for my benefit than hers. She is a short-haired kitty, but her fur got into everything, and brushing helped cut down on it a bit. A long haired kitty would need to be brushed more regularly.

The things I had trouble with were cutting her nails, getting her in her carrier, and giving her medications if needed. Luckily it was pretty easy to train her where to scratch and where not to, and her claws are pretty much self-trimming (although she does unintentionally scratch me sometimes). We would still battle each other over the carrier and medicines though.

She also has a sensitive tummy, like a lot of cats, and is a regular thrower-upper. At least twice a month, but usually more. It's just sort of an ongoing thing we have to deal with and be aware of.

As everyone has mentioned, cats are no different than any other animals, including humans. They all have very different personalities and quirks, but a lot just depends how they're raised and nurtured. Mine was very quiet when I first took her home--now she meows up a storm. Some kitties are more needy while others are more aloof. They are always a joy to behold though, and absolutely wonderful companion animals. I miss mine so much I actually started crying when I was talking about her today at work

Anyway, it's good to know what kind of kitty you're looking for before you go. Everyone loves friendly, perky lap cats but they are often more needy. I had a soft spot for shy, scardy cats, and that's exactly what I got.

nancylee

Veteran

We've had both a dog and a cat. Dogs are wonderful, but cats are MUCH less work (no walking, you can leave them alone for several days with a bowl of food and some water), and they can be very affectionate. We spoiled our cat by petting and holding him all the time when he was a kitten (he was so cute!), and now he demands attention! This may sound strange, but it seems to be universal knowledge among cat lovers that orange male cats are the sweetest!

I say go ahead and get the cat. The work and disruption to your daily life is minimal, and your daughter will be very happy. My son was the one responsible for bringing the kitten into our home. He was 14 at the time, and he and the cat are still very close!

Aziraphale

Veteran

hehe it's so funny to hear how cat people talk about dogs and vice versa. Louise, I love how you refer to dogs as "clingy" -- clearly you're a cat gal! A dog lover like me would say "loyal" or "loving."

Cilleena, I'm a dog person myself, although I daresay we would have a cat or two as well if my husband and I were not so allergic. Far more people are allergic to cats than to dogs, so make very sure that your daughter (and anyone else in your family) can tolerate them before you bring an adorable kitten home. My own daughter was fine until she was five, and then one day she went to a friend's house and patted her cat (which she had done many times before) and within minutes her eyes swelled up like crazy and she didn't stop sneezing for two hours.

From what I hear from my many friends who have cats is that they are far easier to care for than dogs, but they can be really good at destroying your drapes and sofa. So, if you're in the market for new furniture, you might want to hold off until your cat is older. Socializing kittens at an early age with kids and dogs is a good idea too.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

There are a lot of great things about owning cats, which others have covered in detail, so I'll just add some challenges/drawbacks I've experienced as a cat owner (I have 2 cats). I wouldn't trade my cats for anything, but before you decide to take the plunge, there are a couple things to think about. First, do your dogs have a strong prey drive? How will they tolerate a cat? Speaking from experience, having animals that don't get along is exhausting and stressful. Some dogs just naturally have an instinct to chase and capture (and kill) smaller animals, and it might not be something you can train them out of (or it might take a lot of training and time and stress). Also, if you get a cat with claws, it could do serious damage to your dogs, or your furniture (or both). It can be challenging to train a cat to use a scratching post, but some cats just take to it, too. However, be prepared to possibly have some of your stuff scratched up during the training period. If you adopt an adult cat with claws, declawing is not a minor, painless operation (I personally would never declaw any cat, but that's just me). We have one cat we adopted who is declawed, and one with claws, and the one with claws is scratching post trained, but he will still get some of my stuff if I accidentally leave it out (shoes, handbags, etc). We just bought new placemats for our dining table on Saturday, and by Sunday they were scratched. Also, cats get up on things--kitchen counters, dining tables, desks, chairs, sofas. I've never really found a way to keep them from doing this, so just be prepared to accept it.

Like I said, I love my cats and wouldn't trade them for the world, but there are some downsides (just like taking care of any kind of pets). If you do decide to get a cat, take some time to find the right one and make sure it will fit with your family's lifestyle, the ages of your children (some cats don't tolerate small children) and the current pets you have. And let us know what you decide!

Frances

Cilleena, your local SPCA or other animal shelter may be able to work with you to find a cat whose personality will mesh beautifully with your family, home and other pets. The San Francisco SPCA asks people to fill out a survey to gauge their expectations, then tries to match them with a specific cat's personality type, such as a "private investigator" or a "party animal" or a "sidekick." http://www.sfspca.org/adoption.....your-match
Some people do better with an active, entertaining cat, and some prefer a quiet soul who will curl up with them while they read.

I lost my beloved Emily this past December after 15 years, and though I miss her terribly, my 15 years with her was one of the greatest gifts I've received in my life. Emily was extremely independent and self-sufficient, but still greeted me with a demand for a tummy rub each day when I came home from work and curled up in the small of my back each night when I went to sleep. If you find the right personality match for you and your family, I don't believe you will regret your decision for one minute.

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

I'm an unapologetic dog person. (Eager to please? Clingy? My Basenjis laugh in your direction, Aida & Louise. )

I've owned several cats and worked as vet assistant at a cats only practice. Over all, cats are much easier to care for than are dogs. If you get one I would definitely recommend you really work body handling with it (if you think dogs are tough to trim nails on, try doing it to a cat) a LOT, especially the feet and tail area. Also get him/her used to you looking in her mouth, ears, etc. A grumpy cat that is under handled (or conversely sensitized by over handling - happens in dogs too) is a real pistol to deal with for vets, or for you if you need to do any home care. I have more cat bites than dog bites, that's for sure.

Neutered males can be prone to crystals in the urine so watch for that. Some cats are difficult to litter train and/or finicky about making sure their litter pan is clean. My old cat would not use his pan if there was a turd in it. He'd poop next to it instead and loved to kick litter EVERYWHERE. Scratch training will also help save your sanity and your furniture.

To reiterate what Ana said, my question is more, how are your dogs with cats? Have they been around them? What breeds/are they prey driven? That will affect how easy or difficult it will be to introduce a kitten. Also be sure that YOU want a cat. In 5 years when your 13yo is off to college it'll be all yours.

I would not bring a cat into my house, but not because of the cat. My dogs LOVE cats, mainly on rye with mustard though plain will suffice. It could be done but it would be so much work that I don't think it would be worth it. And I could never trust them alone together. I have highly prey driven dogs who have had success catching and killing small animals. So knowing your dogs is important.

I think cats are great and can be wonderful pets. I loved my kitties very much. They were friendly and fun to have around. I just can't have one now and they really don't fit my lifestyle/personal focus.

Good luck whatever you decide!

JayS

Veteran

Cats are much easier than dogs, but they do require attention and affection. My advice to my 8 year old when we were looking for a cat was let the cat pick you. The cat we ended up with has been a member of our family for 14 years now. The little boy he picked will graduate from college in May. Ozzy is getting on in years and is a little grumpy at times, but we love him dearly. For 8 years he had a dog to stalk and pal around with. Very much a Garfield - Odie relationship. Notice sleeping arrangements...
Your daughter could very well end up with a friend that will see her to adulthood. Just let the kitty pick her...

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rae

(website)

Veteran

I would say dogs are physically more work to care for, while cats are emotionally more work to care for... if you can call it "work." A dog is happy just to be around you most of the time, but cats really prefer to be friends and equals who share interests and hang out together. The part of the cat brain that processes emotions is actually really similar to the same part of the human brain, so they think a lot like us... they like to be noticed, respected, loved. They will want attention sometimes, want to be alone sometimes, ask you to explain why staring at the computer is fun. Most cat people enjoy noticing, interacting with, and showing love for their cats, and so it isn't work at all.

This is my all-time favorite cat blog, full of amazing tips and insights into cat psychology (I could go on and on and on).

How to tell if a cat isn't for you:
http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/.....for-you/34

Reasons why a cat might be for you:
http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/.....onest/8524

How to choose a cat:
http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/.....lters/1122

Marley

Veteran

I love dogs. I love cats. I have cats right now because dogs do not fit into my lifestyle at the moment. I cannot imagine my life without my cats. They bring such joy and love - so many laughs and cuddles and funny moments. You'll not regret bringing a cat into your life!

Steph

Veteran

I am a huge cat person. I devote a ton of my time to animal rescue, and think that I have rescued and placed around 150 cats by now. Here are my thoughts.

When people adopt from me I often hear them describe their cat as "very dog-like." I find it interesting--the fact is that a lot of cats can have personality traits that we consider dog-like, but because cats tend to get a bad rap as being selfish and self-interested, people don't realize that. Cats can be incredibly affectionate, loyal, and can bond strongly with their humans. Heck--I am working on placing a cat right now who plays fetch!

I think you have gotten some great advice here. My biggest suggestion would be to go to a rescue or a shelter and find out what cats they have who are dog-friendly and would do well in your type of household. Rescues tend to have their cats in foster homes, which often means they have a ton of information about their cats' personalities. Shelters also often have great information, either from testing the cats at the shelter or from the owner's give-up information. (But note that a cat who is unhappy or scared at a shelter is NOT necessarily going to be that way in a home. That's the saddest thing to me about shelters--that so many cats are overlooked because they simply don't like being in a small cage.)

I think the information about scratching and declawing you have gotten here is very good as well. It is a horrible idea to declaw a cat. In addition to it being a difficult surgery for the cat (since it is like amputating fingers at the first knuckle), some cats can develop behavioral issues when declawed, particularly litterbox issues (because the litter can hurt the paws of a declawed cat if the surgery resulted in residual pain) and biting issues. If you decide that clawing is a real concern, you can absolutely adopt a previously declawed cat. The plus there is that you would know in advance if the cat has any declaw-related issues (I "specialize" in declawed cats and have actually come across almost none that have these issues, but that's probably because biters and cats with litterbox issues are often put down pretty much immediately by the shelters), and you don't have to put a clawed cat through the surgery.

My final thought is that although cats are really not hard work, kittens ARE time-consuming. They are very high energy and get into things and can be pretty rambunctious. We actually won't even adopt out a kitten unless it is part of a pair or the home has another young cat, because they are so active and need the companionship of another cat to help keep them out of trouble! From what you are saying in your post, I think that you would be far better off with an adult.

I would definitely think about the personality traits you want in a cat and ask the rescue or shelter which cat would fit. It should not be difficult to find a dog-friendly and kid-friendly cat who has a fantastic personality. Oh, and if you're in DC, let me know and I'll find you a match from my rescue.

Aunty

Veteran

My home would not be a home with out my 4 cat's.
All our cats have come from the Cat's Protection Charity. We only had 2 to start with, then 1 died. We did not replace her. Then last January we found a big kitten under a garden chair trying to shelter from the snow. After alot of trying we managed to get her in side. She would only stay in at night while the weather was so bad. Then a few weeks later she got up on the sofa beside my DH and gave birth to 2 little kittens. It was a bit of a suprise!! but what are you going to do?
So now we have Dutch, Bubbles, Squeaker and Sox's and we would not have it any other way.
PS. We don't do litter tray's they use the garden.

Cilleena

Veteran

Wow! Such great information! Thank you everyone for taking the time to give such thoughtful responses.

One big factor I didn't mention...My daughter is allergic to cats! She is still able to spend the night with her friend that has 2 cats living in the house and not have problems...unless the cat was sleeping on her pillow. We are looking at getting one of the hypoallergenic cats. They are Siberian and "supposed" to be hypoallergenic. They have fur and still shed, but they don't make the protein that is supposed the be the most common cause of allergic reactions in most cat allergies.

I've got to go, but I do have a few more questions and areas I'd love someone to elaborate on. I'll be back! Thanks again everybody!

Cilleena

Veteran

So, it sounds like cats are wonderful, but do need attention. I personally do not have the time or energy to devote to a cat right now. I feel badly for my poor doggies who don't get as much of my attention as they did before the little ones came along. My older daughter MAY be able to take care of a cat, but I am not the kind of pet owner that will bring an animal into my home without being able to commit to it MYSELF. Kids are fickle with pets, even older kids. The responsibility always falls back on the mom.

I had a feeling this was the case when I posted this discussion about cats. But, I kept hearing that cats are self sufficient and so much easier than dogs. Thank you for giving it to me straight. From cute cuddles to shredded curtains, anything is possible, and more likely if you don't have the time to put into a kitty at the start. We'll be putting off our cat adoption until my youngest is AT LEAST potty trained.

catgirl

Veteran

Cats are super-easy to take care of compared to dogs (we have both), but they do get lonely. Our cat Sera is much clingier now that our older cat is gone. Also, they are nocturnal and that can be a problem. Sera has taken to yowling at the top of her lungs at 4:30 a.m. because she's so dumb she has forgotten we're all asleep and not gone. She also was a stray and so she has some food issues with gorging and then puking. Lovely, I know. And there's the shedding of fur (though she lets me vacuum her!), and shredding of furniture.

That said, I am an animal person through and through... I could not live without both a cat and a dog. Cats are independent and less child-like in terms of needing you to be there for them. We take our dog to the office or doggie day care so she's not lonely, but the cat is fine for a weekend by herself.

It is still a big commitment, but well worth it if you're up for it.

Aida

Veteran

Cilleena my sister is also allergic to cats and owns a Siberian He's the cutest, sweetest fluffball ever and was FAR easier to train than most cat's I've met! Gets along well with her dog (a Maltese/Lhasa mix) but is too sweet to stick up for himself when the dog wants to roughhouse so he is almost never on the ground. Siberians come in a "range" of hypoallergenic-ness though, so you'll need to test the kitten you plan to bring home if you decide to get one (this basically consisted of sticking the cat in my sis's face to see if she reacted hehe!). They can also be pricey, esp. if you have to purchase from a breeder.

Cilleena

Veteran

Aida, you're not kidding on the pricey part. There is a breeder not too far from here, but there's sell for $900 then another $200 on top of that for having them fixed. And I thought my purebred dogs were expensive. The breeders have an 18 month waiting list for their kittens, which is why I'm researching it now. Looks like we wouldn't get one for a while anyway. The breeders will send you a sample of the cat fur to see if you have a reaction. I suppose that might not be terribly helpful unless it's of the specific cat you are interested in adopting.

I think we would want a kitten because I would want to raise him/her with my little ones and the dogs. My dogs are Shelties. The breed is known for their ability to get along well with cats. My female is a little catlike herself. My little ones are much rougher than the dogs anyday.

Still, I'm not positive on my 13 year old's ability to do all the training and care-taking, so I am apprehensive. She's driving me nuts though. She's turned into a cat fanatic.

Aida

Veteran

When my sis was looking at Siberian kittens, she found that the ones that are a bit less hypoallergenic cost a lot less; the ones that are really hypoallergenic ran around $900 as you're finding, but those that registered some levels of the protein (but still very, very low) were $400 and then less if they registered even higher levels of it. She got one of the $400 kitties, and had no trouble until recently; as they age the allergen often increases, and she's finding she's more allergic to him now than when he was younger and he's only 5ish.

EDIT: She's the worst trainer ever, btw, way too nice. Her cat turned out pretty good though but it depends on the individual temperament.

Steph

Veteran

Cilleena, for when it is time for you to add a cat, I would encourage you to have your daughter meet some regular cats, stuff her face in their fur, and see how she reacts. It sounds like she has only mild cat allergies, and in my experience some cats will set those people off and others will not (I am one of those people). Additionally, many people with allergies find that the allergies abate when they get used to having a cat in a home. I live with two cats and am totally fine, but when I go away for a week and then return home, my allergies act up for the first couple of days and then they disappear. If your daughter is only seeing cats for a few days at a time, she's never having the opportunity to adjust.

(Also, I don't know where you are located, but $200 to have a cat fixed doesn't sound expensive to me at all. Many of the vets in my area charge up to $400.)

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

Cileena,

I'm allergic to cats, mildew, mold, yeast, etc, etc.. I've owned cats, worked with cats, drink Guiness... You get the idea. Some people's system can adjust and become tolerant of allergens.

Regarding your dogs, while Shelties are generally mild mannered people tend to forget that the herding instinct is just a modified version of the predatory sequence. They've been selectively bred to remove the grab/shake/kill/consume part but individuals will vary. Just be aware.They are generally pretty easy to train so even if you have to train them to ignore a cat you shouldn't have too much trouble I wouldn't think.

PS - my last dog was still pricier than the breeder's cat and my breed is "cheap" relative to most. I feel your pain. However I would also encourage you to consider a rescue kitten or cat. Or even foster with the option to adopt that way you can do a "trial run" of sorts.

Kari

Veteran

Cilleena, I've always had Shelties too. That being said, both of my Shelties are very submissive, and while they love to chase in fun (herding bubbles or chasing us around the yard), both of them have just been tentatively curious and submissive whenever a cat wandered into the yard for a visit. So I think it would depend very greatly on the personality of your dogs.
(However, in her younger days, our current Sheltie has taken a run at bunnies or even a deer once when they turned and started running away - apparently there is something very enticing about that fluffy white tail.)

I have never owned a cat (too many family members are allergic), but recently read a book that really clarified the reason why cat and dog personalities can tend to be so different - "Animals Make Us Human" by Temple Grandin. I highly recommend it, even if only for a very interesting read.