Should I get a cat?

[jamesdeandaydream]

Would I be crazy to get a cat with a 1 year old? I never had big pets when I was growing up, just gerbils and rabbits etc. I'd love a dog or a cat but I'm leaning more towards a cat because they'd presumably be easier to look after?

[Hoppinggreen]

Cats are a bit easier than dogs in that they can be left for longer periods but they still do need a lot of care and cost money. You would also need to carefully supervise a one year old with a cat To keep them both safe.

[coffeeisnectar]

Yes, they are amazing animals. Get a rescue, an older cat used to younger children and be prepared to turn into a mad cat lady. Cats protection and other rescues list the cats needs but best thing g is to see if you can afford it, have a space for a litter tray and feed bowls away from your dc and then go and see some cats.

Ime cats choose us.

[Nervousmoggy]

Cats are extremely easy to look after - far far far easier than dogs. If you get a normal well balanced kind of cat (not one that is in the cats' home because it has been terrorised as a young cat, for instance), then they are almost trouble free, ime. If you want one that doesn't go out hunting and bring in the occasional dead animal, and that is happy to spend most of its time in the house, curling up on the sofa and being friendly, you might want to go for a cat that is a few years old. I really can't see why a cat would be any danger to a one year old, unless it has psychological problems due to being ill-treated, for instance. You can also leave them on their own when you go away for the weekend, which is great.
If you get a healthy cat it does not cost much money - pretty much just food, and ideally annual injections (approx. £40), and spaying.

[Seawig]

We got our first cat from Cats Protection before DS was two. We took the kids along and met a number of cats in their pens. It was easy to see which ones hated the sight of kids or were nervous and who were bolder or used to small people.

Huntercat turned out to be tough as they come on the nerves front while loving strokes, cuddles and hunting. Totally happy to be badly stroked by trying to be gentle toddlers, catflap so he had all of outside for space when and if he needed it and was about one when we got him so easy and laid back rather than kitten mad.

He was intrigued by DS patting him and trying to feed him litter pellets when we visited, unlike the others who fled or hissed wildly as we entered the pens! I had said no long hair but he was perfect so we took him home and 4 years on he is still a perfect match. (And we went back a year later and got a feisty tortie who also likes the chaos of kids and is bold not nervous at heart)

[jamesdeandaydream]

Seawig he's gorgeous! Everyone's posts have made me so excited, I think I'm going to go and look at one of the rescue centres at the weekend. I need to be sure because I won't be able to say no once I see one I like.

Does it matter that I have no experience whatsoever with cats? I want him or her to be part of the family (there's only me and dd).

Oh and is there any difference between male and female cats in terms of temperament etc or does it just depends on the individual cat? I'm definitely open to the idea of getting an older cat.

[ineedamoreadultieradult]

Cats Protection are excellent at finding you the right cat. We saw a few on the website we liked but after chatting to the rescue people they said they wouldn't fit our family and showed us our DCAT1 who has now been here 5 years and fit in perfectly.

[pictish]

We have just got two young rescues (from the same home) a fortnight ago. They are an absolute delight...litter trained, confident around the kids and friendly.
Contact a shelter and ask them to team you up with the right puss.

[pictish]

Oh...ours are a boy and a girl. Boy cat is more bolshy certainly, but I think that's just his personality and nothing to do with his sex. I think it depends on the particular cat.

[msrisotto]

The answer to your OP is almost always yes!

I have heard that boy cats are cuddlier than girl cats, but I have a lovely girl lap cat so it isn't the be all. I do think it is important to see the temperament of the cat you home. Good luck!

[jamesdeandaydream]

Keep rolling the pics in these cats are beautiful. I'm so excited! I hope they can find one that will be happy around dd. I have an image of me sitting on the sofa after a long day with the cat snuggled up next to me. I don't need a man

[Wolfiefan]

You can't have a cat.
You need two.
True fact!!

We adopted mum and son from a shelter in Surrey. They were 2 and 18momths. Lovely with the kids. Very easy to be around.

Remember to factor in the cost of food, flea and worming treatments and vaccinations. What about when you go away?

[Corygal]

Go for it - cats are the most superb members of any family, especially for kids. You won't look back.

[Corygal]

Poltercat is such a stunner, a gorgeous fudgy kitty of serenity.

[OnTheEdgeToday]

Yes get a cat. My two drive me mad, but i wouldnt have them any other way.
My big cat doesnt really do fuss, he likes to just laze around and be a cat. Although he loves to clean me and any other human he knows.
My other cat...the trouble maker is always up to mischief. If we had a ghost, it would never be known because the cat gets the blame for everything. Crash, bang wallop in the middle of the night...its him! Blinds broken in the morning...its him!
But, he is my little shadow. He follows me everywhere. Tries to save me by trying to pull me out of the bathtub. Swipes the toilet roll across the bathroom just as i go to get it...
Follows me to the shops, comes to take the dog for a walk. Bullies my other cat. Gives me his paw...never should have taught him as he does it all the bastard time now. He waits til i wash the benches and sits on the newly cleaned one with a look as if to say "you got a problem?"

[OnTheEdgeToday]

My big cat. Dont know how to turn it the right way

[OnTheEdgeToday]

Oh it is the right way.
This is the trouble maker

[OnTheEdgeToday]

He is a little bastard. He really is but i love him. The kids had some bubbles. They had placed the bubble tub on the bench and took the blower. The trouble maker casually walked over to them (on the benches hes not allowed on) and looked at me whilst raising his paw. I said dont you dare and tried getting over to him. He just pushed it, without taking his eyes off of me. Bubble water alll over the floor.

[hollinhurst84]

My new cats protection cat. He's my first cat and I have had him three weeks

[FinestGrundyTurkey]

This is my boy kitten (he's only 5 months! He's massive!) on my lap yesterday. Could he be more relaxed?
Usually he's the other way up, patting my face with his paws & kissing me.
I have 3 girl cats too, & they all like laps sometimes, but none have been as sweet & floppy as him.
(When he's not flopping he's a maniac, though. But will probably calm down...)