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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!

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6
Ollivander84 · 01/11/2018 11:37

Oh and mine never hunts, never brings presents, only scratches on his cardboard scratch box and cries if he accidentally hurts me told you he was weird

Rhiannon13 · 01/11/2018 11:49

I wish I'd known a grass seed could result in a vet bill of over £800 (she was insured, but it turned out eyes weren't covered).

Rhiannon13 · 01/11/2018 11:50

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.

And this.

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Cats
DobbinsVeil · 01/11/2018 11:54

I've had 2 cats, complete chalk and cheese in terms of pretty much everything. First cat lived to be 21. Current cat is 16. DS2 (11) has always been allergic to her but it's got much worse in the last year. She is not a fan of the DC tbh, she tolerates them in a cupboard love kind of way. She doesn't like to be indoors when they're in and immediate goes out and sits staring mournfully through the patio doors at us. We bought her a little house for the garden but she sits in front of it.

I won't get another cat after she's gone.

spidey66 · 01/11/2018 11:55

I miss my cat, we had him PTS over the summer. He was 18 and was gradually slowing down-then went rapidly downhill within a few days, wouldn't eat, drink, move, started weeing inside and was having trouble breathing. The vet said his organs were failing, which would explain the trouble breathing and the incontinence. Even now 4 months on, i expect to see him coming up the hall. My head tells me it was the right decision but my heart is still in bits.

Agree about don't buy a bed.....we bought one and he didn't look at it. They find their own favourite spaces. Comfy armchairs are a favourite. Ours liked a wicker basket we kept in the bathroom to store the towels in. Apparently they like wicker, and the towels were comfortable.

DobbinsVeil · 01/11/2018 11:57

Mine was a prolific hunter when she was a young cat. We used to live in a flat next to a railway line and she used to bring rats in! One was so big she couldn't recapture it and we ended up spending the night in the living room as it ran behind the wardrobe and it was too late to be moving things around. We fashioned a run and it trotted out the front door the next morning! She has calmed that right down, hasn't brought anything in for years.

AndSheWas85 · 01/11/2018 12:02

How life enhancing they are (with all their eccentrics included Wink)and how much you will miss them when they are gone.

tierraJ · 01/11/2018 18:18

Some of them are very special and you miss them intensely when they die (pic of my much loved late Millie cat)

Cats as pets - what do you wish you'd known?
tierraJ · 01/11/2018 18:21

However you then persuade yourself to visit the local cat rescue place & before you know it you are 'being trained' by a beautiful new cat!! Pic of my Ebony....

Cats as pets - what do you wish you'd known?
GlassHeart1 · 01/11/2018 18:52

They often trip you up (literally) even on the stairs. They like to sleep in busy spots so they get the attention. Ours used to sleep on the landing and you had to be very careful at night.

Toomanytoremember · 01/11/2018 18:54

That they poo in the garden, and wreck it Angry. They don’t bury it either Angry

GlassHeart1 · 01/11/2018 18:56

I had to learn to catch mice ours occasionally brought in and let loose!

cookingteaforsix · 02/11/2018 00:45

Cats with intelligence, think they are human, are so very lovely.

Dry food doesn't smell and easier in the summer months.

Cats smell clean almost always

Cats shed fur when moulting, brushing helps, good vacuum is essential.

Cats remind you when they are hungry and can come and go as they please. No having to walk them.

Cats are cuddly and love a warm lap.

We've not had a problem with scratching. Kittens teething though, will chew things.

Kittens can climb wallpaper and curtains, but they do calm down as cats.

We love cats.

RibbonAurora · 02/11/2018 01:05

You'll always be 'in their spot'. Oh and whatever rung on the household ladder you're on right now? Yeah, you just got demoted. Other than that feed them on demand, drop everything instantaneously to accede to their every whim and accept you no longer own anything and maybe you won't be the first one to be eaten when they finally take over the universe.

Harebellmeadow · 02/11/2018 01:11

That they may live many years, but become elderly early. 7 years is considered an old cat buy vets.

Oliversmumsarmy · 02/11/2018 10:47

That they may live many years, but become elderly early. 7 years is considered an old cat buy vets

I have never heard that.

No one has told any of my cats that they were old at 7

We lost our old girl this year at the age of 21. I don’t think she started to slow down till she was 18

PoesyCherish · 02/11/2018 11:40

Never leave food out unless you want it eaten - e.g. dish up for dinner and leave the leftovers out to cool ready to put in fridge later only to find cats have partially eaten it

Don't leave a bottle of bucks fizz somewhere they can knock over and smash all over the floor just before your letting agents come around for an inspection yeah that was fun to clean up and explain

You will love them and miss them so much when they're gone even though they drove you completely mad

I miss our cats. Can't wait to get cats again.

Athena51 · 02/11/2018 11:49

I have always had cats and don't think a house is a home without one .

Yes, they can be a pain, yes my cat is super floofy and I am constantly hoovering, there are furballs and cat litter to deal with and that can be a pain but...

my current cat came into my life when I was at my lowest ebb ever and honestly he was a gift from the heavens. So much love and cuddles (he's a total lap cat and follows me round like a dog. He's amazing and I love him to pieces.

Cats are brilliant I remember the individual personalities of every cat that been in my life.

Also, just look at this face Smile

Cats as pets - what do you wish you'd known?
reallyanotherone · 02/11/2018 12:36

That they may live many years, but become elderly early. 7 years is considered an old cat buy vets

I’ve never heard this either. Mine lived to 16+, and even though he had multiple congenital health issues he never needed a vet until he was over 10, when it was niggling chronic stuffed linked to his original health problems rather than age.

yolofish · 02/11/2018 12:50

As DD1 said many years ago during Christmas dinner: "Mummy is it ok if yolocat licks the turkey?" Cue horrified expressions from inlaws and me running to remove said cat (bless his heart!)

Dry food - Royal Canin or James Wellbeloved - is practical, easy to feed, doesnt smell, and it DOES not result in kidney problems. It also provides teeth cleaning because they have to crunch. Cleaning a cat's teeth with a toothbrush is not a lot of fun...

Generally nowadays 7 year old cats are considered middle age, most of the good manufacturers (eg RC and JWB) make a 'senior' product for 12 plus.

OliviaStabler · 02/11/2018 17:22

Dreamies. It is true cats go nuts for Dreamies, well in my house anyway Grin They will be your new best friend.

Cat nip. Find a really good supplier and your cats will love you forever.

Davros · 03/11/2018 21:14

DCat has no interest in Dreamies but she loves Thrive. They're expensive but she only gets a small amount or one chunk when I need to ring her bell to call her

fruitshot · 03/11/2018 21:23

I wish mine brought me dead animals.
Mice (which escaped and crawled up the central heating pipe into the loft and created a new world)
Bats - really hard to catch
Seagulls
Birds
Neighbours Yorkshire puddings.

They cannot be placated. Once they want 'something' it must happen. You will never know what that something is.

They are so bloody fussy. Well, mine is. I must go through every single brand of cat food, varying flavours, textures etc to find what it is she wants, and she will go on strike until I find it.

But...she is incredibly loving, especially with my children. If one is sick, she will stand vigil outside their room all night, or lay next to them if they are downstairs.

AnnaMagnani · 03/11/2018 21:26

Kittens are amazing. Get 2 - they are more fun, play with each other and your furniture will be less ruined.

Pet insurance - worth it. Life of pet, no limit to condition. Didn't use it for years but then it was a boon.

Get short haired cats. So much easier.

Thrive is better than Dreamies and Cosmas Snackies are cheaper than Thrive. Zooplus is your friend.

Covered litter trays are the way forward.

Keep them in a long time as kittens and they become v homey. Keep them in at night, no matter how much they demand otherwise and they soon get used to it. Much safer for them and reduces the killing.

Kittens from rescue are a bargain - they come neutered and with their jabs done already.

Teach your rules from day 1 and your furniture will not be used as a scratching post (they will need at least one provided). However if that fails a Catsscat will teach them harmlessly in 2 puffs of air.

Finally you will love them more than you can possibly imagine.

OliviaStabler · 04/11/2018 10:15

Thrive is better than Dreamies and Cosmas Snackies are cheaper than Thrive. Zooplus is your friend.

I've not heard of these brands, I'll take a look.

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