Pets
Related: About this forumI thinking about adopting a cat
Hello,
Just looking for feedback on cat ownership. Would you guys recommend it and costs for food and health. Thanks
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bettyellen
(47,209 posts)are you worried about costs? Wet food is better than dry, and well, vet bills can vary....
Sophia4
(3,515 posts)Before adopting, call the various veternarians in your area and find out about their prices and services. You will probably need to give the cat a lot of shots and make sure he/she is neutered or spayed. Prices vary on those services.
Cats can eat as much as two cans of cat food per day plus dry food. You will also need a litter box. So it is a good idea to go to the store you are most likely to buy those items from and check the prices.
I buy cat food by the carton, the box. It's just a little cheaper that way. My cat is not choosy about her kitty litter. She likes any kind.
Get a scoop for cleaning the kitty litter, bowls (rims not high) for water, dry food and wet food. I use little plastic containers (again with low rims) for water and dry food and bought good cat dishes for the wet food. But you might find lids from pyrex-type dishes work for wet food and they may be available in a second hand (junk) store.
My cat likes to go out every day. She sleeps a lot.
Oddly, she loves to watch videos that feature other animals including cats but also deer, squirrels, just about any videos.
I love having a cat, and I have been told they keep rats and mice away.
Have fun with your cat.
pansypoo53219
(20,976 posts)2 spares. i need spares again. my spares found a spittoon(ceramic) i had w/ water & a plant. they said. OURS! need spittoon now.
i only get purina cause they did not have any pet poison.
Sophia4
(3,515 posts)
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)the Dollar store. I'd say that between wet and dry I've spent a buck or two a day on food over the years. Cats are finicky and will let you know what they like.
Annual checkups should be maybe $150 or less, depending on where you live, but most indoor cats seem to lead fairly healthy lives.
Cats are not dogs, and when you get your new one home it will most likely run off and find some place to hide, sneaking out for food, water, and the litter box. A few days to a week later it will realize there is no danger and come out to say hello. You will then find that cats can be as affectionate as any dog, just in their own way.
General cat care advice is all over the place, and no doubt more opinions will chime in here.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Never hide from anything. I was lucky enough to get two rescues w DU’s help!
Sophia4
(3,515 posts)1) she had been an indoor cat, and
2) we should have only her and no other cat.
The first point is easy to understand.
There is a story behind number 2, but I don't know what it is. I note her ears have little hairs like a lynx at the top, and she acts like a hunter. Hmm. Could be.
We have windows across the back of our house (small house, lots and lots of windows in the back), and when she first joined our family, she sat at those windows and stared outside as if watching a movie or a dream that could not be real.
So we finished getting her shots, and let her out. The dream became reality as they say. But we only let her outside during the day because there are coyotes and raccoons and who knows what out there (in the middle of Los Angeles) once it gets dark.
When the neighbor's bully of a cat stays away, she stays outside as long as she can. I think she sleeps in what is compared to her size, a forest of succulents. She climbs our avocado trees just a bit, just to show off and feel her claws in the tree bark, doesn't really go up all that far and then comes down and runs around. She likes to hide under our car so we watch to make sure we know where she is before we back out of our driveway.
It's just a joy to have a cat in our lives.
This morning we woke up to find she was sleeping between us in our bed. She favors my husband I think although I'm the one who cleans her litter and her room and feeds her most of the time.
I knit, and she loves my yarn. The sight of it just intrigues her. Ohhh, how she would love to play with my knitting projects. But, as a human, I am wary because my knitting project would soon be spread all over the house.
My cat loves videos of other animals but not of humans. I think the videos of animals excite her hunting urge.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)she got in fights with others-- that may even be why she ended up in a shelter.
Me, I've had four cats over the years, sometimes two at a time. When the new cat was introduced, they got along just fine.
And I've seen plenty of houses where 4 or 5 cats and a couple of dogs are a peaceable kingdom.
Phoenix61
(17,003 posts)Cats are very individualistic. Some are more affectionate than others. They all sleep a lot, up to 18 hours a day. Mine rarely get canned food. It's not that great for their teeth. Get the best food you can afford. The more nutrient dense the food the less it will eat. Makes it easier to keep the litter box clean. Vets prices can vary a lot so it's a good idea to check around. Ask if they have emergency care. Some contract that out which is fine but it's good to have that number on hand. Get a scratch post and rub catnip on it. This will save your furniture. Cats claws grow out under the old ones. The old ones need to be pulled off which is why cats scratch things, to pull off the old claw. "My Cat from Hell" is a great show if you want to learn how a cat brain works. I can't imagine not have my furry little friends.
Duppers
(28,120 posts)https://www.thespruce.com/shopping-list-for-your-new-cat-552019
A few biased and opinionated words of advice:
*Cats have longer, healthier lives inside.
*Two cats are better than one.
They keep each other company while you're gone. And don't be worried about having a favorite, we all do.
*You'll never regret it!!
They are marvelous companions. And I'm mainly a dog person but I miss my amazing Siameses like crazy. (Hubby's horrible allergies led to our not getting another one after our last one died.)
Good luck and keep us posted.
HopeAgain
(4,407 posts)which is highly recommended. I also believe in keeping inside unless you are urban - they live longer that way, statistically speaking, and are less likely to get sick. Get something for it to scrstch on if you like your furniture.
They live a long time...sometimes over 18 years, so be aware it will still be there if your circumstances change. We have a cat that suddeny became ours when our son moved into the city and an apartment that doesnt allow animals.
Freddie
(9,265 posts)If DH allowed it, but he prefers a max of 2 which is probably best. When dating years ago the major criteria was if he didn't like my cat, see ya later.
All cats are wonderful in their own way, I've had many over the years and each has his/her unique personality. Some take longer than others to acclimate to a new environment and to bond with their person, be very patient. Best to confine him to one room with litter box, food and water at first as a whole house can be overwhelming.
I use sifting litter boxes and store-brand unscented clumping litter, an $8 jug lasts about 2 weeks. I sift daily, takes a minute.
Food will vary depending on your cats preferences. They tend to get attached to whatever they were fed as young kittens so find this out if you can. Most agree that wet food is better than dry but my boys way prefer dry and consider their daily can a mere appetizer they pick at. Many will disagree but I recommend finding a good quality food you can get at your grocery store like Iams or Purina One and avoid the extra trip to a pet store for the fancy stuff.
If you adopt from a shelter or rescue your cat will most likely be already "fixed", if not this is necessary for both genders. There are low-cost clinics available most places for this. And PLEASE keep your cat indoors!
Best of luck and let us know what you do!
dembotoz
(16,802 posts)Some very friendly, some avoid u
Just take it slowly and let them learn who u r
There is an adjustment process.
The cat just went from a cage to ur home...
Cats are way easier than dogs.
I chuckle when I see a neighbor taking the dog out in awful weather.
I grew up a dog person and now cats only
pazzyanne
(6,551 posts)My most recent cats are a pair of littermates and they are the most entertaining and affectionate cats I've had. Of course I did get them when they were about a week old and had lost their mother. I have fostered kittens in the past and these two stayed after a pretty intensive work period of about 2 months. For the most part cats are pretty independent, but the comments listed above give great instruction for someone new the feline world. I also have two feral cats who visit me from October to April. They are fed and checked to make sure they are staying as healthy as possible but they barely accept my presence, so they remain outdoor cats. My babies are indoor only and love to visit with the outdoor cats through the full length glass door in my laundry room. You are about to enter a wonderful world. Have fun with your new adoptee.
Nitram
(22,794 posts)1. If your cat will be left home alone while you're at work, I'd recommend getting two cats. They'll keep each other company.
2. Don't let your cat outdoors. They kill too many birds and other creatures even when they're well-fed. They are also exposed to fleas and feline diseases when they come into contact with other cats. Once you let them outside to roam free, they will not be content to stay indoors.
3. We feed our cats "half-and-half dry" food and canned food.
4. Yelling at cats doesn't work. It just scares them. They are responsive to small changes in tone or volume if they know and trust you.
5. If you go to the SPCA to adopt a cat, try holding one and petting it to see if it is relaxed and responds with a purr. If it does, you've got a winner. Some cats and dogs have been mistreated so badly before being rescued that it can take years of patience for them to adjust to being petted or picked up.
ginnyinWI
(17,276 posts)I'd say go to a good animal shelter in your area and ask them about the different cats' personalities. Decide whether you want one who will follow you around all day or who will be happy with some alone time. Things like that.
Two is much more fun than one! Unless you have an individual who does not like other cats. That will usually be a female cat who is about three years old and up. If you only want one, a middle aged or older female is your best bet. Males tend to be more social, especially the orange ones!
I am a volunteer for a no-kill animal shelter and I've seen hundreds of cats. There are all sizes and personalities. You need to spend a little time visiting with the one you are interested in. If they will purr for you and allow petting that's a really good start.
Good luck!
Basic upkeep is just food, water, a clean litter box, and somewhere comfortable to sleep, if only a corner of the couch. I also brush my cats' teeth daily because I don't want to have to take them in for a dental cleaning. So far it's working beautifully. He's used to being approached with the toothbrush while he's napping in the evening.
Fla Dem
(23,656 posts)Rescued her when she was 4 months old. Started with wet food, but she pretty much would just lick the gravy and leave the solid. I had to chop up the solid into tiny pieces so she would get some each time she licked at the gravy. Vet recommend "Science Diet". It's a dry cat food and my cat loves it, I think. At least she eats it every day. Put a 1/2 cup in her bowl each day and she grazes on it all day. She gets Tuna maybe 3-4 times a month, whenever I make a tuna sandwich. She can be asleep on the other side of the house, but she knows when I open that tuna can. She's out in the kitchen in a flash demanding her share.
She was a feral, but adapted quickly to staying indoors. I do have a good size screened lanai she enjoys; likes laying in the sun and catching lizards, but has shown no desire to roam outside. Domestic cats shouldn't be allowed to roam free. There are too many predators and dangers waiting for them out there(pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, weed killers). If you do let your cat out, make sure they are chipped and have a collar with identification tag. Rural cats are a little different as they serve a purpose in managing rodents and other pests.
I use Swheat cat litter. It is a NATURAL litter, not one of those chemically created litters produced in China. It has no odor and works extremely well. It is biodegradable (it's wheat) and says it flushable.
Take her in once a year for her annual exam and shots. Depending on how many shots she's due for, annual vet bill can run $150 - $250.
Hopefully if you're adopting from a reputable rescue organization, your cat will already be spayed/neutered and have all their initial shots. While a new little kitten is adorable, older cats need love too. I wish when I had first gotten my cat (actually she got me. She was a abandoned kitten wandering around my driveway,) I had gotten her a companion. That's the only thing I think she misses is another cat to curl up with and play with. I think she's too old now to accept another in the house.
Anyway, my words of wisdom for what they're worth. Good luck. Let us know how things work out and it you do adopt, post a picture.
crazycatlady
(4,492 posts)Visit your local shelter. VIsit with the kitties-- one will adopt you. If you want two, many shelters have pairs that have to go together (siblings). A shelter cat will be fixed already and have their age appropriate shots.
Consider an adult as opposed to a kitten. Kittens are by far the cutest creature on earth but are a handful and get into trouble a lot.
IF you have NEtlfix, watch "The LIon in your Living Room"
angstlessk
(11,862 posts)Makes me wonder...these people are lovers of pets, you seem to be a lover of nothing?
Phentex
(16,334 posts)Didn't last long.
