Convince me to get a cat

[ragged]

Am put off by the idea of feeding them meat, the costs (jabs), issues in adapting an older one to our household (can't even contemplate training up a kitten!), dealing with their poo (loathe the idea of litter trays, too, but guess that's better than finding ickies in the garden). Our own cat might stalk wild local birds.

But I feel that I want DC to have the shared cultural experience of having a cat or dog, want DC to know how to interact with them, I can see that they'd adore a nice cat as family pet. I grew up with cats, dogs are more demanding pets. We live somewhere reasonably suitable (low traffic roads) & wild mice to stalk. It would keep the neighbours' cats out, & we have tried various rodent pets which we found lacking in many respects.

So tell me what's so great about your cat?

[stinkyfluffycat]

Maybe you shouldn't get one if you don't actually want one? Yes it might be nice for the kids but realistically you would probably end up doing all the work (hoovering up fur, cleaning litter tray, getting cat puke off sofas, removal of small dead mammals, cleaning up cat pee if it gets upset/territorial). Better not to get one in the first place than get one, decide it's too much work and end up sending it back to the cats' home.

They are also expensive (our flea treatment is about £12 per month, food £4.50 ish a box, litter £10 a bag, insurance £8 per month, jabs £40 ish).

After all of the above I wouldn't give my cats away for the world, but then I'm a crazy cat lady...

[Kladdkaka]

If you need convincing, you shouldn't get one.

[noddyholder]

You do sound wrong for a cat!

[Kladdkaka]

What's so great about my cat? Have a look at the pictures on my profile and see for yourself. She's gorgeous and fluffy and mad as a box of frogs.

[haggisaggis]

My old cat was pts about 6 weeks ago at teh age of 21 - so do bear in mind that if you do get one it may be for a very long time!! We have now taken on a rescue cat - 5 year old male. VERY friendly - took about 1 hour to settle and now (after 10 days) owns us completely. He eats dried food so no smelly tinned cat food. His litter tray is in teh shower room so easy to scoop out poo and put down toilet. He is very cuddly and does not object to being picked up by dc (old cat hated this so it is a novelty for the kids). He does leave hair everywhere though.

[ragged]

Oh right, fair enough. Maybe we shall just keep being friendly to other people's and that will have to suffice. Or perhaps we could foster... I'll look into that, but my guess is that most pets to be fostered are from old people households & therefore unsuitable around young children. Yes I'm fully aware I'd do all the work, that's one of the many things that puts me off, lol.

[Lizcat]

They are supreme beings who do not have owners only staff. Really you need to be 100% committed to satisfying their exacting standards.
Again mad crazy cat owner, but very honest about my position in household

Cats
Me,DH and DD
Dog