Help me make this choice" (cat related) (title amended by MNHQ)

[LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary]

Hi all,

I had a previous thread in AIBU about getting a cat - perhaps someone clever could post the link? The vast consensus was that i should re-home an older cat due to my circumstances:
I'm out 12hrs 5 days a week for work but at home evenings and weekends. I live alone in a spacious, quiet flat in a cul-de-sac with a large shared garden. I don't really go on holidays. There are some other cats in the area.

OK fine. So I went to the local rescue today and am now torn between 2 cats and need to decide: Both are 9yr old females with no health problems.

Cat A: Not used to other cats. Affectionate - rubbed head on my hand and licked & purred but doesn't like to be picked up. Was a tiny bit scratchy and hissy at one point.

Cat B: Nice & small. Clung to me for dear life - incredibly affectionate. Was like having a baby in a wrap-thing. Used to other cats.

The cat sanctuary people said either would be fine for me but I was surprised Cat B could be left alone for long periods. They have no particular concerns about Cat A with other cats - it just hasn't been tested yet!

I love them both already and am completely torn.
Any advice would be really appreciate, thank you.

If it's relevant, Cat A has much shorter hair whilst Cat B is a bit more long-haired. i don't have any allergies but I do like a clean house!

I do want an affectionate cat but I don't want one superglued to me at all times.

Gawd it's so hard.

I wonder which would be harder to home.

I don't think any cat will be superglued to you at all times tbh. One of mine is incredibly affectionate, but likes her own space too and has a death stare the like of which I've never seen on an animal, if you mess with her when she's not in the mood.

Do you have (or could you get) a cat flap?

You need a second visit. Hopefully then you'll get that instinctive "yup, that's the cat for me" feeling.

Needy cats can be bloody needy, and when you've had a long day at work that can be the last thing you want. On the other hand you don't want a cat who doesn't give a damn whether you're there or not. It is a tough call, but one visit isn't enough.

You could always ask for them to be introduced to see how they get on, and then have both!

It's difficult, I don't suppose you would have the both then they would keep each other company whilst you are out and Cat B might not cling to you so much if she had another feline to cling to.

Which one did you feel 'chose' you? From what you say I think Cat B has set her sights on you.

Ahem... Might I suggest two cats if they're going to be alone for extended periods? Just putting that out there one can never have too many cats

Needy cats are needy. I have a ginger tom who is ridiculously clingy - he follows me everywhere - if I stop in the hall, he stops and waits for me. He won't sit with anyone else. He waits for me outside the bedroom in the morning and when I get home, he's waiting at the top of the stairs!

His sister is the total opposite. She'll come for cuddles for a few minutes, then gets bored and buggers off. She hates being picked up and has an incredible death stare!

I love them both to bits. It just depends on what kind of cat you want, I suppose. I would probably go for B but I love cuddling with my cat, so I'm bias!

Oh goodness, what a choice. Obviously I want to say "take both" but if Cat A doesn't get on with Cat B, you're stuffed.

Do you have a cat flap, by the way? Will it be able to go out in the day?

Cat B strikes me as more loveable and therefore much easier to rehome. The noble thing to do would be to take Cat A, who would probably come round after a while. Depends whether you want to do the noble thing, really.

Thanks guys.
I'm going back tomorrow (otherwise one or both might be gone). Maybe I'll have a helpful dream tonight!
Yes, I think I will ask if they can be introduced.
Cat B is apparently mega affectionate with everyone!!!

Yabu to cite Sophie's choice to describe choosing a cat. Do you know what Sophie's choice means?

Cat A is still really affectionate.
Cat B sat on my shoulder and drooled! She cuddled into me like a baby!

Yes, the sanctuary won't let me have one unless I get a flap installed.

Sophie's Choice

Take both. Company for each other and a cat for every mood.

Go for car B. Dont be noble- go for whichever you love the most as the next person may be perfect for car A. You just never know

Or both obviously!

Second visit but i do love cat b despite my allergy. Photos please op

As I'm reading this I have my lovely affectionate boy nuzzling into my neck and dribbling while purring. He'd stay there all day if I let him.

I'd say get both but then I have 4

One of our cats chose us with the 'cuddle on the shoulder, purr and dribble manoeuvre' - it's been an experience is all I can say.

One of my cats is very affectionate with everyone, he's a shoulder sitter too, but I'm on maternity leave at the moment and I barely see him during the day, he takes himself off to a different part of the house and relaxes so Cat B might be okay with being left.

I think if you see them again you will know which cat is yours (if both really isn't an option...)

Have you tried the lap test? Which one really loves a good lap, especially with blanky provided?

Cats are mercurial, being nice to you gets them food, CatB will just sleep when you're not home.
Sounds like you'd enjoy CatB more.

We have one like CatA. Little bastard we only took in to save CatPL the bother. We love bomb him & have brought him round (no longer scratches at every opportunity). Even thought he won't be affectionate & only learnt to be handled with great reluctance, our CatA is a total mug for a blanket on a lap. Settles there in 2 seconds (provided it's an adult not child lap).

CatA is shorthair & sheds more than our long hair, btw.

From the website:

Description of Cat A:
likes to be stroked but she's not as keen on being picked up, and hasn't been used to children or animals, so a quiet, adult home with a garden would be best for this tabby tortoiseshell cat

Description of Cat B:
She loves people, is very chatty, and should be fine with kids over about 7, in a house with outside access. Her fur is a little thin at the moment and she needs a bit of building up, but with some TLC and regular flea treatment she should be fine. her friend Jasper (right) has already found his forever home.

So the black cat has already been homed. He is pictured with Cat B.

Cut out the Sophie's choice crap op. Totally unacceptable thread title.

Apologies, I will ask for it to be changed.