Everything about c@ts

[Rowie-the-Pooh]

So me and my mom have been thinking about this for a long time, and we'd love to add a c@t to our household. Rowie's MUCH calmer now, and at three years old is pretty mature. Before we moved, we used to feed the stray cats by our house and so we're pretty experienced as far as c@ts go, but not actually owning one. I mean, I've seen everything, all the life stages of a c@t, a momma giving birth, a tom c@t fighting..etc. But having one in the house I'm guessing is a bit different. We'd love to adopt one from the BSPCA, and since I'm pretty experienced with kittens, would love one!

Anywhoo, any suggestions? I've read my c@t book from cover to cover but advice from people who actually own c@ts would be great.. :D

Btw, its going to be an indoor c@t, but my mom is insisting it has to potty outside. :roll: HELLO, Litterbox!

[bk_blue]

Yay, another future kat person... I also agree having visiting kats is different to actually owning one. I guess the key is that the kat is yours instead of someone else's and you have to pay for all its costs. I'd suggest either adopting an adult kat who has proven to be good around dogs (if that sort of info is available at the BSPCA, like on Petfinder), or get a kitten, and slowly introduce the kitten to Rowie. Good luck :D

[Crystal]

I love em, but hubby doesn't. We've had two, but one hated everyone but me and the other I gave to my grandmother (she was lonely). Someone stole the second one. I kept mine in the house. That is thing about c@ts, litterbox. It is so much easier than house training a dog. C@ts insist on digging to go potty. I know males don't always use the litter box. They tend to want to mark there territory when other animals are around, but if you have them fixed I don't think it becomes a problem. Not for sure I'm not an expert. Good Luck. My first c@t loved my dog. they slept together most of the time. We kinda forced them together. We had the c@t first and then when we got the dog we would hold the c@t and let the dog sniff him. They became good buddies. Until the c@t swapped the dog of the nose and the dog grabbed the c@t by it's head. I screamed, dog let go and it never happened again.

[courtnek]

well Rowie, I have two. PushyC@t is an independent, ill- tempered, I-want-it-all-NOW cat. at 17 1/2 and failing, he still rules the roost. he was not played with as a kitten, not squished and hugged and loved, and thats what he learned. he willallow me to love on him, but no one else, and only when he wants to.

enter Ford, the kitten my son brought home. he was loved on, squished, held, talked to and made a fuss over from 8 weeks. he will climb into your lab, roll over on his back and ask to have his belly rubbed. two entirely different animals, depending on upbringing. He came in not taking any crap from the dogs, and remains that way still. his confidence is unbelievable, but I think thats cuz he was so "cooshed" since being here.

they all have different personalities. they can be "cultured" with a little work.

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[kittygirl109]

Check the username. :wink:

I LOVE cats. Please PM me if you have any suggestions. For now, I'd suggest an Orange Tabby. Great cats! The best in the world. Also, intros will be hard, but well worth it. :D PM me if you want an info. I'm practically an expert. I've worked with cats for as long as I can remember, and have a few of my won right now.

[Rowie-the-Pooh]

Thanks so much for your input, everyone! :D I'm so excited, all I can think about is me typing/doing homework/taking a nap with a c@t snoozing on my lap. Haha! Kittygirl109, I will definately PM you with questions once I get my kat, or even before.

I have a question though, I've been reading my c@t encyclopedia and it mentions that if I will be away for long periods of time I should get two kittens to keep each other company. I never believed in getting two pups at once, but with kats it seems to be a common practice to get two kittens to keep each other company. I've been visiting websites and a lot of experienced owners have done this. What is your take on it? I don't think I'll be able to convince my mom to get two kittens at once, besides I think it'll be too much for me at once..

Finally, a lot of the kats at the BSPCA here are mixes, so I don't really have a choice as to what breed to adopt. Most are strays, and the kittens (there are always kittens :() are from momma kats brought in who had their kittens at the shelter.. so what should I look for in choosing a kitty?

[kittygirl109]

PM me! :lol:

[leahluvsherpups]

I have six cats. Five of them were under a year old when I got them and have found that they acclimate easier than an adult. Especially when you have dogs. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me as well..

[courtnek]

Ford is an "ooopps" kitty...he's a grey tabby with little bits of orange in him.

two c@ts are good if there are no other pets, but you have Rowie. Dogs and c@ts can bond if they are introduced slowly and properly. Goldens are good at this. My Goldens best friend for the last 6 years of his life was a black siamese mix named Isis. I have a picture of them with Taurus' paws around Isis' shoulder...

I NOW have a scanner, so I think I'll get that pic and scan it in for you.

look for a kitty who like to be held, who the shelter says is ok with dogs, who doesnt mind being picked up, turned over, rubbed under the chin
and generally appears to like being held (if you really want a lap c@t)

take Rowie with you to meet the c@t. Dont expect instant acceptace, it wont happen. If the c@t is "ok" with Rowie on the first meeting (doesnt freak out entirely) its probably good to go.
watch Rowies responses too.

when you get the kitty home, keep them seperate for a while thru a baby gate, until they adjust to each other. once they do, let them be together but watch both sets of responses.


I have introduced multiple c@ts and dogs over the years, and they always end up being fine together. Pay as much attention to Rowie as the kitty, equally, and they'll become friends.


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