Getting a cat

[southeastastra]

i'm thinking of getting a cat, what do i need to consider? i've never had a cat and am totally clueless. are they expensive to keep and can they be trained easily? thanks

[airy]

Cat's arn't expensive really, although there will probably be some initial outlay. Kittens will need to be vaccinated and neutered which can be quite expensive but is a one off obviously!
You'd need regular flea and worming treatment, there are a few different treatments but you'd need to do these around every three months I think.
Cats are very easily house trained, they're clean animals and don't like to be dirty, and would themselves prefer to 'do their business' outside ime.
Food isn't expensive really, and they make great pets

hth and good luck

[nicnack2]

if kitten you will need, litter tray (one thats covered) cat litter, toys, kitten food. requires course of injections which approx £30 i think and these need doing once yearly, insurance if you want, microchipped in case they go missing, food bowl, water bowl, bed, and toys. Must less expensive than dogs. Most cats have been housetrained by mum but are quaickly trainined if not.

[airy]

Oh meant to say definitely get pet insurance, if anything should happen vets bills are very expensive. I think you can get insurance for cats for around £5 a month

[southeastastra]

thanks for the replies! i have two rabbits do you think they would be ok with a cat (they are kept in cages)

[magnolia1]

Ok, I have had cats all my life and they are fab IMO

You will need: Litter tray until he/she goes outside. Ours use litter tray for 1st few months but some cats use for longer. But i have found the longer you use them the less they go outside.
Insurance is a good idea coz they are expensive to trat at the vets. Ours have never been treated which is typical but we did have a young cat onec that ws over £600 in vet bills

A scratch post from day one and some spray catnip on it should attract him/her to use it more than the furniture.

They are not very easily trained because they are all a free spirit and do what they want when they want BUT our cats know that they have to use the windows to come in and out and apart from that they sleep, eat and play and then sleep more!

They do shed tons of hair!!!! Usually on the clean washing or ironing pile. They hide in wardrobes and cupboards and then you shut them in there by mistake. Or they get shut in a bedroom and rip up the carpet trying to get out

They sleep on the telly, shelving units, window sills, your newspaper while you are reading it!!
They know when its time for the vets and dissapear for hours!!!!!!

They will want food when they decide and try to trip you up in the kitchen if you don't do it RIGHT AWAY

They are great company and fun to watch, not expensive to feed but I reccommend good flea treatment for them and the house.

You will give them fresh water and they will still drink the puddles

I am not trying to put you off honest!! A dog will do as you want, you will do as a cat wants

But they are so worth it!!!

[magnolia1]

My mum has rabbits and cats and they play together in the garden

[southeastastra]

ah thanks! i just hope my ds(5) doesn't sit on it!

[sanchpanch]

cats are wonderfull pets, i have had mine from a kitten and she is now 9!!!
they are so clean and very independent which i see as a bonus(others don't)

use a litter tray then start putting it outside back door and they will get the hint that they pee outside, i have a got a cat flap which makes it a whole lot easier, she does what she pleases, comes and goes as she likes,
i have never had to have a scratch post she seems to use the fence in garden or trees, but i suppose they are all different,

go for it!!!!