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Original poster

Cats as pets - what do you wish you'd known?

167 replies

KiplingAngelCake · 30/10/2018 13:17

We're considering getting a pet cat or dog next year. DH and DCs are super keen, but I'm a bit lukewarm about the idea. I've never had or wanted a pet, so this is new territory for me.

We are erring towards a cat, as we don't have tons of space and I'd be worried about a dog getting enough exercise as DH and I work long hours and DCs are too little to take a dog out alone.

Anyway, just wondering what you wish you'd known before getting a pet cat? Thanks!

OP posts:
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thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 30/10/2018 17:13

‘Also from day one get them used to sleeping downstairs as the 4:30am lunatic runaround will drive you insane.’

Ha, unless you live in a bungalow you’ll still get them thundering up and down the stairs clicking every step with all their claws out. Also the furballs - your house can be 99% laminate flooring and they’ll still find that 1% to chuck up on - or in/on your shoes Grin

MalcolmsBrokenWalrusMoneybox · 30/10/2018 17:15

I wish I'd known more about the variety of ailments they can have.
Vets consultation is £30 a time here, plus whatever medication is required.
I only got accident insurance and one rescue has at least 3 on going health issues.
The cats are very lovely though, funny little personalities.

LanguidLobster · 30/10/2018 17:46

Like @CrimsonCloverHoney said, how they break your heart.

And they can be extremely loyal and have enchanting personalities and endearing ways.

We wanted to get a sticky up in The Litter Tray about cat care and what to do when they go missing, must get onto MN about that.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cats
GlassHeart1 · 30/10/2018 17:51

Oh, you will of course need to not only budget for vets and cat food (possibly less than dog expenses) but also allow space/storage for it as well as eating, sleeping and cat litter paraphernalia.

More importantly you will also need to allow headspace for being aware where they are most of the time and attempt to satisfy their individual food tastes as well as remembering to order cat food before you run out.

citiesofbismuth · 30/10/2018 17:52

You have to accept them on their terms. They're pets that live alongside you and they have their own thoughts and feelings about stuff and you have to respect that.

They love security and routine. They prefer to be quiet most of the time. They appreciate being played with though.

They look as though they're selfish and in their own world, but they do take it all in and one of mine knows instantly if I'm not feeling well and will stick to me like glue and sleep on my bed with me until I'm feeling better. She even knows when I'm going to feel unwell before I'm aware of it myself.

If you let a cat wander, particularly overnight or near a main road, fully prepare for it to be knocked over and killed. I confine mine to the garden with cat fencing brackets.

Cats need dental care due to their modern diet. This can be expensive, but is important to avoid them being in pain and poor health.

Cats are experts at concealing illness, you have to know your cat inside out in order to detect any health problems.

Don't feed a diet of solely dry food as cats need fluids to avoid kidney and bladder problems and often don't drink enough. Buy the best quality food you can afford. Never feed Whiskers or Go Cat type stuff.

MaudesMum · 30/10/2018 18:00

If you start with kittens, get them used to being brushed from an early stage, especially if they are long haired. Also get them used to being handled, so if (when) you have to feed them pills, get off a tick or pop them in a cat box it won't be a major ordeal. If you adopt an adult cat, all of the above might be harder to achieve, and I would personally think twice before re-homing a longhaired cat who wasn't happy with regular brushing.

acivilcontract · 30/10/2018 18:06

You may end up feeding your cat what it wants to eat, mine is 13 has no health problems and has always been fed on whiskers or Sheba.

SpaceCadet4000 · 30/10/2018 18:14

DH was insistent that we just get one.... 3 months later we got another! Just get 2 from the start- much easier!

Get one with short hair.

Don't leave anything lying around they can swallow e.g. hair ties, ribbons

They scatter litter everywhere so buy a dedicated pan for sweeping it up and a scatter proof mat.

OliviaStabler · 30/10/2018 18:58

On a serious note:

  • Buy excellent pet insurance with coverage for life e.g. PetPlan. Expensive but you'll be happy you did later on in their lives when they need expensive treatment
  • Register with a good vet
  • Don't buy flea treatment from the supermarket. Buy it from a good vets. It will cost but it works. Buy shit, your cats get fleas.
  • Always place their water bowl in a different room from their food.
  • Try different cat litters until you find one that suits you
  • One cat needs two litter trays IMO
  • A laser pen will be your friend Grin

On a lighter note; the phrase dogs have masters, cats have servants is completely true.

Use a rescue centre and take time to think about what type of cat will suit your home. It really is important that you needs are filled as well as those of your new cat/s.

They all have their own distinct personalities. Anyone who goes 'It's just a cat' is an arsehole.

OliviaStabler · 30/10/2018 18:58
  • your
Heatherjayne1972 · 30/10/2018 19:09

I have two. They will train you to do whatever it is they want/ need
They’ve got their own personalities
One of mine is loving affectionate and cuddly ( at 3am especially) the other one is a snooty so and so

But they are cute and we are in love

BlackCatsRule88 · 30/10/2018 19:54

Cats are generally much lower maintenance, esp if you have one that goes in and out as they please. Don’t bother purchasing too many expensive toys in advance, until you know your cat is a “toy” cat. Mine couldn’t give two hoots about toys so they all went to the local cat rescue. Mine also has no interest in a cat bed and would sit / sleep in any other location in the house instead (that went to the cat rescue too). Wet cat food smells horrible so stick with dry if you are sensitive to smell! Also, your cat will 100% do whatever she wants and you have virtually no control - but she’ll melt your heart and you wouldn’t have them any other way!

reallyanotherone · 30/10/2018 20:06

I forgot to say how easy cats are to look after. You can go out to work all day or evening and they look after themselves. You can have a day out and not worry about rushing back like you have to with a dog

I also thought this, in theory. As it is we have just got a dog and i find him much, much easier and less stressful.

No wandering round the house at 3 am informing me loudly that it’s raining and they are wet. No feeling of dread when they’re late back and wandering the streets looking for them.

The dog is much more portable. If i want to go away last minute i can take him with or drop him at my mums or brothers. Finding a catsitter or cattery with space last minute can be a challenge, particularly in school holidays.

I generally know where the dog is all the time and he keeps to our hours sleeping at night and active in the day.

Shmithecat · 30/10/2018 20:09

Cats have selective heating - act deaf as a post when you're calling them from threw feet away but can be woken from sleep by a mouse farting 5 miles away...

OrdinaryGirl · 30/10/2018 20:09

I have learnt that none of the downsides to having a cat will matter if you get a British Short Hair because they are teddy bears in both looks and personality and will enslave your heart forever. ❤️ I cannot imagine our family without OrdinaryCat.

Meet0nTheIedge · 30/10/2018 20:44

Our cats keep to our hours, we never have to call them in at night (we lock the catflap mid eve) so no wet cats at 3am, no surprise gifts in the morning. We only give as much wet food as they will eat at once so no smell issues here (they clear the bowls in about a minute). We have an autofeeder so can stay out overnight without a sitter. However you do have to plan for longer absences, catteries and sitters do get very booked up at peak times.

sluj · 30/10/2018 20:55

One of the key bits of advice coming out of this thread is to keep them in a night and confine them to one room to sleep. That way you don't get disturbed until you are ready and they are safe from cars and foxes.
Having said that, I would be quite happy to sleep with my cats if DH was amenable 😁

reallyanotherone · 30/10/2018 22:15

One of the key bits of advice coming out of this thread is to keep them in a night and confine them to one room to sleep. That way you don't get disturbed until you are ready and they are safe from cars and foxes

Except ime a lot of the time the cat doesn’t co-operate :). I have tried that in the past and have been kept awake all night by howling and destruction of the room they are confined too. Easier to have the conversation about the rain at 3am and go back to sleep with a wet cat.

Mind mine were part siamese and LOUD when they had an opinion on something...

katseyes7 · 30/10/2018 22:23

l've had pets all my life, but never a cat. Last year l offered to look after a friend's kitten when they went on holiday.
lt was a nightmare. l only had her for a week, l felt like l spent the entire time shouting "get down!" and "stop it!". She climbed all over the living room, knocked an ornament off my mantelpiece and broke it.
And the litter tray. OMG, the litter tray. l had to keep her (and it!) in the living room as l have house rabbits and they have their own room. The smell!! My god, it was horrific. Even my friend, who has three cats, had warned me that "kitten shit is vile" and it is!!
She was sweet when she came for a cuddle and snuggled in and purred like a train, but l honestly cannot imagine having to cope with that for more than a week. l had both my dogs from being six weeks old, and they were no bother by comparison.
l'll stick with my rabbits. At least they don't climb!!

2018SoFarSoGreat · 30/10/2018 22:48

Cats have people - never a truer word said! We are but servants, awaiting a call to service.

We have always had indoor cats, so no presents thank god. They live a long time, but why wouldn't they when they are waited on hand and foot? Ours have lived long and happy lives - 19, 22 and 24 when they died, so really part of ours and DC's lives.

Current is only 7, so still a baby really. All black, and that hair gets all over the place, but she is such a sweet girl. Likes nothing better than to curl up on a blanket on your lap. Even when it is hot outside, both DH and I will flip a soft blanket over us so that she can settle. We also do the sideways crawl out of bed so as not to disturb her. It is pathetic, but we both pretend not to notice the other doing it, to preserve what little dignity we have.

Could not imagine coming home to a cat-less house.

UptownFlunk · 30/10/2018 23:03

katseyes7 kitten behaviour is nothing like cat behaviour. They do go through a mad kitten phase but it's pretty short and they are funny with it. They sleep a lot as kittens too though. Once they are cats they calm right down.

Osirus · 30/10/2018 23:13

You can’t prepare yourself for how much you will fall in love with a cat.

My beautiful best friend died in 2011 when she was 17 and I still cry when I think about her. I’d had her since I was 11. I miss her so terribly.

Davros · 30/10/2018 23:57

Sorry haven't rtft but my top tips are:

  1. Only give them dry food. No pong and it's fine for them
  2. Get those cardboard tray scratching boxes. Our furniture has hardly been touched since we started using them
  3. Train them with a bell or something that is paired with a treat, I.e. if the bell is rung they must have a treat or if they have a treat the bell must be rung. Our cat always comes to her special bell and it has helped us find her many times
  4. Even if they are chipped get them a collar with your phone number on a tag. A lost cat being taken to the vet to have the chip scanned takes a lot longer than ringing the number on their collar
LanguidLobster · 31/10/2018 01:09

@Osirus, sorry - know exactly how you feel

OliviaStabler · 31/10/2018 06:59

You'll never go to the toilet alone again.
If you shut a door, the cat/s will be there within 10 seconds asking to go through it.