ChatterBank1 min ago
Thinking of Getting a Cat
34 Answers
Hi All,
I'm more after personal experiences here.
Am thinking of getting a cat. I have owned cats before and am likely to use a re-homing shelter. I have also looked in to cat insurance and will probably go with tescos, and there is a vets locally that has good reviews. So practically I think I'm set up.
Now I'm considering the cost of food. I generally prefer a mixture of dry and wet food so I'm wondering what people who have cats consider a monthly cat food bill to be?
The man hostage is slightly allergic to cats although he's happy for me to have one. I like domestic long hairs generally but I imagine this is not really a good choice for someone with an allergy? Are there cats that are better to have if someone in the house has an allergy?
Next door has a cat that I think is probably about a year old. He's a very nice cat and quite curious and does occasionally like to pop his head around the kitchen door. I have absolutely no problems with this whatsoever but in order to maintain peace and harmony, (I don't want to hear cat fighting noises!) would you recommend a female rather than a male? I personally quite like male cats. Does anyone have a preference over the sex of their cat, and if so, why?
Thanks all, just want to make fully informed choice and all that.
Cheers
China
I'm more after personal experiences here.
Am thinking of getting a cat. I have owned cats before and am likely to use a re-homing shelter. I have also looked in to cat insurance and will probably go with tescos, and there is a vets locally that has good reviews. So practically I think I'm set up.
Now I'm considering the cost of food. I generally prefer a mixture of dry and wet food so I'm wondering what people who have cats consider a monthly cat food bill to be?
The man hostage is slightly allergic to cats although he's happy for me to have one. I like domestic long hairs generally but I imagine this is not really a good choice for someone with an allergy? Are there cats that are better to have if someone in the house has an allergy?
Next door has a cat that I think is probably about a year old. He's a very nice cat and quite curious and does occasionally like to pop his head around the kitchen door. I have absolutely no problems with this whatsoever but in order to maintain peace and harmony, (I don't want to hear cat fighting noises!) would you recommend a female rather than a male? I personally quite like male cats. Does anyone have a preference over the sex of their cat, and if so, why?
Thanks all, just want to make fully informed choice and all that.
Cheers
China
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I've had neutered females and castrated males, and my favourite was definitely the male, Tigger (sorry about the name - he wasn't going to be called that, but it stuck) He was a lovely deep brown tabby, very affectionate and lived a very happy life until he died at the grand old age of 17 and a half.
Now we have a little female cat, who was here when we moved into this house, who took a while to become accustomed to us (and 3 dags), but even now, 7 years on, she will come for a stroke and may climb onto your knee, but it's all very much on her terms. so I would honestly have a male, neutered to discourage any ideas of spraying. We also have a ginger and white cat who visits us from time to time, he is a young male, and very sociable. So male it is for me, every time.
Now we have a little female cat, who was here when we moved into this house, who took a while to become accustomed to us (and 3 dags), but even now, 7 years on, she will come for a stroke and may climb onto your knee, but it's all very much on her terms. so I would honestly have a male, neutered to discourage any ideas of spraying. We also have a ginger and white cat who visits us from time to time, he is a young male, and very sociable. So male it is for me, every time.
long hairs are actually better than short for cat allergy bods... the skin dust which is the comonest allergen is trapped in the fur until you groom them so if you groom when OH is not around it should be fine..
Went with my ex today to find a cat to replace hher much missed boys and the late lamented tinkerbella and have found an absolute stunner....
a smoky grey/apricot dom long haired 3 y.o. female... absolutely huge for a she so probably Maine coone in the bloodline somewhere and the most affectionate loving thing...with a very loud purr the routine home visit hopefully next week and she should be in her new home next week end.
I really miss being owned by a cat
food for Tinkerbella was expensive as she had the special renal diet for a while... but reckon between £8-10 per week plus front line or equivalent every 5-6 weeks, and worm tabs plus litter if you use it
Went with my ex today to find a cat to replace hher much missed boys and the late lamented tinkerbella and have found an absolute stunner....
a smoky grey/apricot dom long haired 3 y.o. female... absolutely huge for a she so probably Maine coone in the bloodline somewhere and the most affectionate loving thing...with a very loud purr the routine home visit hopefully next week and she should be in her new home next week end.
I really miss being owned by a cat
food for Tinkerbella was expensive as she had the special renal diet for a while... but reckon between £8-10 per week plus front line or equivalent every 5-6 weeks, and worm tabs plus litter if you use it
Funnily enough, we house/cat sat for three weeks for some friends who had DLH cat and man hostage didn't suffer as much as he does with my dads cat. Mind you... their house is a lot tidier and less dusty than my dads!
I'm defintely leaning back towards male again. I think I probably won't be getting one for a month or two but lots of food for thought, thanks :c)
I'm defintely leaning back towards male again. I think I probably won't be getting one for a month or two but lots of food for thought, thanks :c)
Caspar-semi long haired,white,deaf,indoor male is currently sleeping *in* the sink drainer.....don't ask!
He gets constant dry-usually Whiskas or Go-cat @ aprox £1 per box. He eats most wet...anything from Sheba @ 6 for £3,to whatever boxes are on offer @ 2 for £5.....to Aldi's @ 17p per foil tray.
As an he's an indoor cat, I go through a fair amount of litter....Thomas or Fussypus @ 3+ per bag....lasts 2-3 weeks.
I've had both males and females.....and have always found males to be far more soppy,and not as temperamental as females.
He gets constant dry-usually Whiskas or Go-cat @ aprox £1 per box. He eats most wet...anything from Sheba @ 6 for £3,to whatever boxes are on offer @ 2 for £5.....to Aldi's @ 17p per foil tray.
As an he's an indoor cat, I go through a fair amount of litter....Thomas or Fussypus @ 3+ per bag....lasts 2-3 weeks.
I've had both males and females.....and have always found males to be far more soppy,and not as temperamental as females.
I agree with the majority that males are friendlier than females. You could pick my Dennis up and he would be totally relaxed and friendly but my female you only pick up on her terms. And then she wants to go down again almost immediately. Just one thing re the flea treatment you will need, don't buy Frontline Spot-on, it doesn't work anymore, the fleas have become immune to it. They are practically giving it away now and that is why. Eagerly awaiting to see what you get now.
When I chose my cat I went on the local RSPCA web site, there's whole list of cats there, with name age brief history and photo. I chose 3 I liked then phoned to arrange app't to see them. The one we chose F. was called 'Gucci'
My H liked 'Ella' (after Ella Fitzgerald) and its stuck, she answers to it anyway.
Have a look at the rescue peoples web site China, see what theyv'e got.
jem
My H liked 'Ella' (after Ella Fitzgerald) and its stuck, she answers to it anyway.
Have a look at the rescue peoples web site China, see what theyv'e got.
jem
No where near unfortunately Chaffinch, I have asked her before where she is based.
Thank you for the financial inforamtion pasta, that is helpful. I also had a browse in tescos yesterday doing the shop. Interesting about frontline too, is that the stuff you put on the back of their necks? If so, I've always used that before and had thought it was quite good. Little blighters.
Unless there is some sort of problem with the home check, I would always use a re-home place rather than buy. I do worry because I live on a main road that I might not pass the house inspection but I am set back from the main road by bushes, some steps and there's obviously a gate for the back bit. And out back is much more interesting and bigger anyway so can only keep fingers crossed really.
Thank you for the financial inforamtion pasta, that is helpful. I also had a browse in tescos yesterday doing the shop. Interesting about frontline too, is that the stuff you put on the back of their necks? If so, I've always used that before and had thought it was quite good. Little blighters.
Unless there is some sort of problem with the home check, I would always use a re-home place rather than buy. I do worry because I live on a main road that I might not pass the house inspection but I am set back from the main road by bushes, some steps and there's obviously a gate for the back bit. And out back is much more interesting and bigger anyway so can only keep fingers crossed really.
They definitely do home checks at the organisations I'm thinking of which are eiher cat protection (I got my two previous from there and they home checked) and Celia Hammond. I don't mind, it's a nice home, but I think I'll get marked down for the road, have to wait and see.
Shame you're not closer though! :c)
Shame you're not closer though! :c)
My cats have all been rescued (back home and my own). I've never noticed much of a difference temprement wise between male and female, I find it just depends on the cat. My two girls couldn't be more different. They are sisters I rescued together after I lost my Heathcliffe. They fight amongst themselves although more play fighting and not in a destructive (to the house) way.
I think allergies can be quite personal as well. I did notice though that my two now who are short haired shed significantly whereas Heathcliffe who was long haired hardly did at all.
Food wise, on an average (without accounting for random cat fussiness - I loved it yesterday - I hate it today - you should know!) mine have 3 pouches per day each max (although fed together) and always have biscuits available though they don't touch them much. I also have Spare Cat factor as he tends to wolf down anything they don't eat so a little deceptive!
I tend to go for Tesco's own food mainly (currently 3 x 12 pouch boxes for £6 if anyone wants a bargain!) as it's good value. Mine prefer gravy ones to jelly.
With rescue cats there is always an element of the unknown. With my Heathcliffe and now with Nush especially it has been a lot of time and patience and space giving to gain trust. Mish has always been incredibly affectionate although if anyone else comes near she is off, just doesn't do other people.
It can be a long road but it's a lovely thing for me to see the progress they make as time goes on, often just little moments but special ones. I think with rescue cats it's worth having a good frank chat with the rescue home as to which cats would suit you and your situation rather than trying to fit a cat to your circumstances. Be openminded and try not to get too much of a set idea what you want in advance.
I remember going to look when I got Heathcliffe. He just looked so sad and I picked him up and he was just letting out this low yowl over and over again and he wasn't in great shape, very thin and his coat was a bit icky. I just couldn't have not taken him home.
I think allergies can be quite personal as well. I did notice though that my two now who are short haired shed significantly whereas Heathcliffe who was long haired hardly did at all.
Food wise, on an average (without accounting for random cat fussiness - I loved it yesterday - I hate it today - you should know!) mine have 3 pouches per day each max (although fed together) and always have biscuits available though they don't touch them much. I also have Spare Cat factor as he tends to wolf down anything they don't eat so a little deceptive!
I tend to go for Tesco's own food mainly (currently 3 x 12 pouch boxes for £6 if anyone wants a bargain!) as it's good value. Mine prefer gravy ones to jelly.
With rescue cats there is always an element of the unknown. With my Heathcliffe and now with Nush especially it has been a lot of time and patience and space giving to gain trust. Mish has always been incredibly affectionate although if anyone else comes near she is off, just doesn't do other people.
It can be a long road but it's a lovely thing for me to see the progress they make as time goes on, often just little moments but special ones. I think with rescue cats it's worth having a good frank chat with the rescue home as to which cats would suit you and your situation rather than trying to fit a cat to your circumstances. Be openminded and try not to get too much of a set idea what you want in advance.
I remember going to look when I got Heathcliffe. He just looked so sad and I picked him up and he was just letting out this low yowl over and over again and he wasn't in great shape, very thin and his coat was a bit icky. I just couldn't have not taken him home.
