Do I want a cat??

[lucysmam]

The answer is, of course, yes.

But, it's been a looooong old time since I had a cat, as a child. So, can any of you recommend somewhere I can do some research/learning about our feline friends, before I 100% commit please?

And tell me anything you think I might need to know. I need to consider my decision properly before I get over excited and just say yes!

Thanks 🐈

I have three cats.

They've never killed anything, they don't piss around the house. Only in the litter and I clean that everyday so no smell. They haven't scratched the furniture.

So I stand by my original post, yes you need a cat. Maybe get two.

@TheShellBeach he is magnificat.

The answer to do I need a cat is always yes! Kittens are adorable but not easy at first! Lots of handling will help get them affectionate. Mine dcats are getting old now at approx 14 and 11 I got the second thinking it would make a nice companion for my first. Except the second is mean to the first who probably wishes they'd remained an only cat! Wouldn't be without them though

I cannot believe how much having a cat has improved my life. I was avowedly a dog person but ended up with the cat by accident and can safely say if soul mates exist this cat is mine. If you have the funds for insurance and vet, don’t mind your sofa being scratched or cat glitter getting everywhere, that’s all you need to know before becoming a cat slave.
My only regret is not getting a cat sooner but then I wouldn’t have my cat.

Enjoy!

This. Get cats in pairs then they are never lonely 😺😺

Another one urging you to get a sibling pair. We have our two in a BOGOF deal from a local farm 11 years ago. Two are absolutely no extra work. I have had cats for nearly 60years and have only needed a litter tray when tiny kittens or poorly. Cats go outside. Cats also like company and are quite picky with who that company is, so a sibling is perfect .

Had current cats 11 years and are a delight everyday.

Is cat insurance expensive? More than a dog?

Much cheaper than a dog.

Had cats my whole life, and could still name everyone of them! Currently owned by a very elderly girl who has gone blind but she just loves you to kiss her head, a grumpy Maine Coon who only loves me at bedtime (he's a weighted blanket in his own right!) and a new rescue kitten who is fearless and fabulous! The only thing for me is a long haired cat is a pain with grooming and making sure their back ends keep clean.

Cats are sociable so if you are not home all day, get two otherwise they get bored/destructive.

Of course you need a cat. I cannot imagine not having cats.
I’m actually feeling a bit upset right now because the cat that usually sleeps on me and DH has decided to go out tonight instead, and I’m missing him!

We took in a cat who's owner couldn't keep her and she is such a joy to have around. She is not a lap cat and is not particularly cuddlely but whenever I am on my own in the house (which isn't often) she will come and sit on my knee, she must think I am lonely.

The only issue now is to go on holiday. She hates other cats so no cattery but she likes company so we have to have someone house sit. She is not an indoor cat but has only ever gone round our garden which is fine but now she wants us to be out there with her.

No you don't. Pet ownership is cruel and causing mass environmental harm.

I have 2 and a dog. After doing a few quick sums in my head, I decided to bank the amount that insurance would cost, currently putting £100 a month away, they have all had their boosters for the year and there is about £1200 surplus in the vet bill account. If we got a really enormous bill, I am lucky that I could pull the money from my running away savings, I'm getting a bit old to run away now so that's probably OK. It does need working out though, we have had a few eye-watering bills over the years

Our lockdown kitten has grown into a devastatingly handsome and highly neurotic big boy. He’s much loved and utterly spoiled. We often wonder aloud what we used to talk about before we gif him. He filled a cat-shaped hole in our lives we didn’t know we had. A kindly neighbour visits to feed him when we go away. He is very suspicious of her and glares angrily through the banisters, deflecting all efforts to pet him. He is a born hunter, which I feel —proud— guilty about. His favourite prey are shrews and starlings. He thieves endlessly. He won’t sit on laps, and scratches clumps out of the carpet. He ignores toys and cat trees, but will joyfully kill bottle tops. His favourite pillow is DD2’s hair. He’s obnoxious. We adore him 😻

Yes! She is my first (only) pet, and I didn’t realise how much work she was going to be when she was little. Maybe it would’ve been different with two. I had also assumed you could just buy grocery store pet food but quite a few of the brands aren’t recommended so I end up buying online and it wasn’t as cheap as I thought. Overall, there are lots of good brands to choose from.

Now shes older she’s a very easy pet. She does think she is a dog and follows me everywhere. Daily there’s just playtime, cuddles, food & water, litter box and teeth brushing.

It's a reverse- only meaning the question is not do you want the cat the question is does the cat want you

Ask the cat and go with what they say, and if anyone thinks I am crazy have you spent anytime with a cat?

Yes, you do, but get good insurance! My two have had some chronic digestion issues and one has some teeth issues (they're rescue sisters, came to me at six months, now nearly 11) and the £70 a month insurance costs me is probably the best money I spend - they don't need it often but when they do it's a lot.

They are the lights and loves of my life, family had always had dogs and I was a horse person so had no idea of the love and affection cats are capable of! And they make me laugh every day!

They're both currently asleep at the end of my bed and I love them more than I knew was possible 🥰

I love cats.

But kids move out... Cats don't.

Yes OP, you absolutely do want a cat! In fact I think you should get 2! I got my first in 2017 he was a 10 week old rescue found on a farm. Then a year later got another … they are inseparable and best friends. Just last year we ended up with another .. unexpectedly! All 3 guide one another and aside from maybe 20 minutes a day general food/litter care they are pretty self sufficient and happy to ponder about doing their own thing. They have a mini toy box and my 4 year old loves playing with them. You won’t regret it and you’ll never be lonely, my lap is never free. They are an absolute joy and very much a part of our family.

Yes...

But also, IMO cats have bad PR, they’re not usually indifferent or aloof, they’re just not dogs.

Read the OP don't assume!

I think you definitely need a cat in your life LucysMam Infact we started a bit of a tradition on the cancer thread of getting cats during treatment. I worship Floof and DH who said only get another cat if it's small and female I hear telling 1.2m male Floof that he loves him everyday plus at 3am he was refilling Floofs food bowl. Only issue is someone to cover when on holiday.

The rescue I went through would only place kittens in pairs so get two if you can and don’t remove them from their mother until the right time.
mid younwant a friendly cat try to get one but no idea how you
wpuld know. Insurance is really expensive and just goes up and up.
otherwise not too much work and when we are away someone comes in to feed the cat.

You don’t want A cat. You want two 🐈 😁
@Toddlerteaplease I think we all need more Cheddar. Is that fluffy tummy a trap?