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The litter tray

dd would like a cat...

34 replies

paddingtonbear1 · 05/02/2014 21:15

... but I am not sure. I like cats, and dh wouldn't mind having one, but I'm a bit worried about my leather sofas (our house is quite open plan, so it's not easy to shut the lounge off). Also, there's not currently anywhere to put a cat flap. I don't really want one in the wall or front door, and our back patio doors are sliding! We're out all day during the week. Would this really matter or should I just say to dd that it's not possible? I've put her off for now, but she keeps asking. SIL didn't help by telling dd while she was on hols that if dd did well in her maths at school, she could persuade us to get a cat! (SIL didn't ask us first if this was ok..) Dd did do well, after struggling before, so I feel a bit mean saying no now.

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cozietoesie · 05/02/2014 21:31

SIL's 'intervention' is worthy of a whole thread on another board so I won't go into it.

How old is your DD ? And has she had any sort of pet before?

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BonaDea · 05/02/2014 21:34

Personally I think it is sooo much better if you can have a cat flap and it takes the pressure off ( ie doesn't matter if you are home late or away for a night etc). We previously had one in a wall and it was absolutely fine for us - much better than ringing patio doors. How about a small window?

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Fluffycloudland77 · 05/02/2014 21:58

Tbh some cats are destructive it's just that you love them so you overlook it.

If you're particularly fond of the sofa don't get a kitten. Some cats have lovely manners & don't jump up on the furniture but a lot of them just do as they like.

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JumpingJackSprat · 05/02/2014 22:57

Unless everyone in the house is fully committed don't get one. Depending how old she is and whether you feel she will take full responsibility maybe get a cage pet? Hamster/rat/gerbil? Rats make great pets and doesn't matter if you leave them all day. Id worry about a cat being left all day most of the time.

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paddingtonbear1 · 05/02/2014 23:59

Sorry, I meant to mention dd's age! She's 10.5. She had a hamster before, but doesn't want another as they are nocturnal. She's loved cats for ages - SIL has two, and one of our close friends had one until recently. Our friend has never had a cat flap, but then she's often around during the day. I think we would need one, really.

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cozietoesie · 06/02/2014 00:23

Maybe have a look at more mature cats rather than kittens ? That way, you can find a cat with a (reasonably) known temperament. Cats from rescues aren't usually free but the 'contribution' that you would have to make likely won't reflect the real cost of having to neuter, chip and vaccinate a kitten for example.

If you look at the \link{http://www.catchat.org/adoption/index.html\catchat} Find a Shelter page, you can see the rescues in your local area - and many of them will have web pages which you can view before going to the actual shelter.

(Catchat also have a forum for cats needing new homes.)

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ScentedScandal · 06/02/2014 00:35

We have two cats and they aren't destructive. We have one scratch on a windowsill where one jumped up and slipped. They pretty much leave the furniture alone though. We had them from kittens and they're very relaxed comatose mainly during the day and laid back.

I agree 100% about the catflap making life easier.

They are really my dc cats and I do think they make wonderful pets, we adore them. They are a commitment though and do cost a reasonable amount each year to care for. We don't mind that at all but it's something to consider.

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Cailleach · 06/02/2014 02:20

If you are anywhere near South Yorkshire I have a lovely black kitten up for grabs... :)

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nooka · 06/02/2014 02:27

You could consider adopting a cat that needs to be indoors (our local shelter often had one or two although generally it was because they were old or ill). Definitely adopting an older cat with known habits sounds like the best idea for you, and the commitment is longer that way too. Plus they are harder to home so you'd be doing a good thing. I'd see if you can find a friendly shelter and have a chat with them.

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Nandocushion · 06/02/2014 03:26

Leather sofas are not an issue - none of my cats have ever touched ours. Fabric furniture is more of a problem.

If you get an older rescue cat like cozietosie suggests, you can ask for an indoor cat, and you won't need a flap, and you won't have to worry about whether you're around during the week, and you won't have to worry about how to explain to your DD when the cat inevitably gets run over or goes missing. And you won't need to worry about any of the myriad diseases cats get when outside, or fleas, etc.

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cozietoesie · 06/02/2014 06:29

Gosh Yes - I almost forgot. There's a quite lovely black kitten up for grabs to a good home who is known to The Litter Tray. Depending on where you are.

You can read about her and see her and her litter mates \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1905626-Litter-of-kittens-found-paging-experts-please?msgid=44190223\here.}

Smile

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Thecatisatwat · 06/02/2014 12:24

My advice - don't get a tortie and don't put a cat flap in unless you don't mind muddy footprints over all surfaces..... In fact do you want a tortie with constantly muddy feet, free to a good home? Grin

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cozietoesie · 06/02/2014 12:34

Ah - I can tell that that's the voice of love speaking, albeit a tad exasperated.

Wink

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Methe · 06/02/2014 12:42

My kitten has destroyed my leather chair in the 4 months we've had her. It's impossible to keep them off the furniture if you live in an open plan house.

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Methe · 06/02/2014 12:45

I've uploaded a photo in case you wanted to see the chair and the offender Grin

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cozietoesie · 06/02/2014 12:49

Gorgeous - but Debilcat eyes.

I usually go in for 'sacrificial' pieces of furniture or carpet. It makes the house look a tad disreputable unless I have forewarning. (Thank Goodness for throws.)

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Wolfiefan · 06/02/2014 12:53

We had two cats and never had a cat flap. They have never touched the sofa but used to shred the divan! I agree with not getting a kitten. We got ours from a wonderful Surrey rescue.

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Methe · 06/02/2014 13:04

Devilcat is right, she's like a whirling dervish and very destructive! It's a good job we think she's great and were all onside when we got her or it could have been bad for her. Several people I know have had kittens and then rehomed them as teenagers as they couldn't cope with them.

Dh does get annoyed with the fact that she'll wreck anything she can though and this chair really is beyond repair and so's the carpet at the top of the stairs, the fabric doors on my wardrobe, the back of the poang chair in my bedroom and various sets of curtains

Kittens are hard work. Far harder than I imagined.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 06/02/2014 17:14

The chairs like a kitten growth chart, "when we first had her she could only reach here but now she can scratch all the way up, which is nice".

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qazxc · 06/02/2014 17:24

We have 2 indoor cats. They have plenty of scratching posts so leave the furniture alone. I got them from a local animal charity as adults so they were already housetrained and neutered. I only ever get adult cats as you know what kind of character they have and have gotten over the mad kitten stage. You also have plenty of choice as most people want the cute little kittens.

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sashh · 06/02/2014 18:02

When I got my sofa the delivery man said cats wither attack them or leave them alone. Only one of my fosterers did any attacking.

I don't have a cat flap. I sleep with my bedroom window open so she comes and goes as she pleases when I am in but she is locked in during the day.

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teenagetantrums · 06/02/2014 18:38

our two cats destroyed two leather armchairs when they were younger, now just one likes to attack the sofa and ignore the scratching posts, i couldn't lock them out of the lounge when i was out due to open plan. A cat will be ok indoors if you have a litter tray. its a good thing i love them they are quite destructive, one knocked the pile of washing up on the floor last nigh breaking 6 plates and two glasses.

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Corygal · 06/02/2014 18:46

Little Mr Cory, my tabby, has shredded an expensive leather sofa and is currently ripping the guts out of a 19th-century chaise longue. He really enjoys himself, bless the little fellow.

You don't mind because your pet is so much more lovely than a boring old bit of furniture. Also, pet destruction sorts the sheep from the goats human-wise - no one likes a prude. And most cats don't do it.

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Thecatisatwat · 06/02/2014 23:33

Tbh the cat is far more work than my 7yo.

Hope we haven't put you off too much Paddington. Grin

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Scarletohello · 07/02/2014 00:10

Have you thought about fostering kittens? Have them for a while to see how you get on? Of course you may fall in love with them and not want to give them back..

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