Calling All Cat Lovers - views for cats as a pet....

[Alambil]

Well, seeing as you are cat lovers, presumably you think they are good pets but WHY?

I have a 5yr old son who is very animal minded and respectful so would be no issue.

I would love a kitten and am just wondering on any words of wisdom? Is it a stupid idea/good idea?

Roughly how much are they to keep? (thinking injections, food, basket, toys etc etc etc)

Please help - good AND bad views appreciated (need both sides of the coin!)

Nearly 9 years ago I fell in love with a beautiful black kitten and took him home...2 weeks later I discovered he had gone totally blind due to glaucoma and catarracts - lots of expensive tests were required to prove this.

Over the years my lovely cat developed MANY health problems including recurring cystitis, and weight problems.

After years of expensive vets fees, constant medication, and prescription food, we finally decided to have him put to sleep on Friday - as we felt that he wasn't happy and we were struggling as we have 2 DC's to look after now too.

I think what I'm trying to say is that ANYTHING can happen when you take on the responsibility of pet ownership, so make sure that you are prepared both financially and emotionally. I learned the hard way; Cats are not always the easy pet that people think they are.

(He was insured btw - a lot of his illnesses to related to his blindness which was a pre-existing condition)

noooomoooorescarynames, my cat did have blocked urethra and had emergency surgery - he was fine for a good few years after but it was hellishly expensive!

WasherChainSaurusMassacre, must have been a hard decision - sounds like he was a lucky puss

We are on our fifth cat now, and have had no horendous vet bills with any of them (even the one who was run over only cost about £250, including two operations and a two week stay at the vet). But we do have a rather straight talking vet, who is inclined to say why bother with tests when the treatment will be the same, and expresses surprise whenever we bring our current cat in for his annual jabs (he's about 17 now) and tells us that this year will probably be his last. My mother certainly spent way more on her dog. Insuring older cats is IMO ridiculously expensive anyway. I second the suggestion about getting a slightly older cat from a rescue centre.

hmm lots to think of here

To be honest - the reason for wanting a cat is for company but then I also need something for excersise

Am wondering about (and have been offered the mone for) a puppy instead as I seem to be more of a dog person than a cat person, although both are cute and funny at times!

I think I'm leaning towards a dog cos I get free training courtesy of my mother lol lol so a lot of the expense is gone

hmmm wonder where I can find a cheapish pup from...

dinny and nutterly - he's had a lot of vet appointments (some with the emergency vet, some with our vet) which are covered on insurance as well as ABs and painkillers. The diet's not 'claimable' but we'd be paying for food anyway, so I'm not bothered I'm just glad we can claim the rest. The cat is currently sat on a pampers bed mat as his bladder was stretched by being so full and now it's 'loose' and he's leaking
Our other cat was hit by a car 3 years ago (he was ok in the end) and we claimed that on the insurace too (another out-of-hours trip to the emergency vet)

Lewisfan - sounds like you're leaning more towards a dog there

Oh you need to get a Ragdoll if you have the money. They are very very laid back chilled out cats.

Fantastic pets.

errrr- do NOT got a ragdoll - they can also be highly neurotic. MIL has had & bred persian, ragdolls & other breeds - one of her adult ragdolls was lovely, the other 2 were absolutely horrid!!!! Somali's are very affectionate but again as will all pedigrees tends to be a bit highly strung!

we just sorted our cat kitten insurance yesterday, thanks to this thread! and thanks so much for the food tips NutterlybloodandgUts, have decided to only feed Iams, the odd bit of fis/chicken and maybe one meal of Iams and gourmet-food type tin

dinny - just looked at your pics - all I can say is aaawwww

ah, noooomoooorescarynames, forgot those pics were there - they are so different now.

Tilly (the darker one) is sooooooo much better now, she was on and IV yesterday at the vet - amazed how fast she has bounced back (thank God!)

my Ragdoll is fine, thankfully. Lovely kitten.

Didn't realise that the profiles don't move with the namechanges - now I'm back to my normal name you can see my cats on my profile page. It's the shorthaired one who's poorly, though he seems much more himself today