Thinking, JUST thinking, that is vaguely considering the notion of the possibility of maybe purchasing a kitten and needing some info please

[Rhubarb]

I'm not really a cat person. That is, they're ok and everything, but I was brought up with dogs.
I've always had animals around me but since Max, my parrot was nicked 4 years ago, we've had nothing.

Now the kids have been mithering for a couple of years for a pet. A cat seems ok. But I need to know from cat people if my ideas are complete and utter tosh or not.

You can go away and ask the neighbour to feed the cat, so you don't have to pay for kennels.
You can put a bell on it's collar so it doesn't catch birds and stuff.
You don't need a cat flap.

But what I'm worried about is cat piss - how come some cat owner's houses smell of cat piss? What are they doing wrong?

How much do you spend on cat food?

Just tell me everything I need to know before I start to even consider getting a cat.

But if I do get one, it'll be a rescue one that will already be neutered.

This is all codswallop, if you don't mind me saying so, Rhubarb.

Shall pop one of my own in the post to you if serious progress not made soon

LOL! You cat people are just weird man!

Yup.

And soon you will be too

i know i know!
have my kittens over christmas,see what you think-then after my tree comes down and weve settled in new house i'll have them back

what a plan!

A truly selfless gesture there, sarnie-girl.

Do you want my teething lab puppy too, Rhubarb?

SOD OFF!

Bloody cheek!

I'm getting a boa constrictor.

I am not a great cat love either, but we have one.

Ours does have a bell but still regularly catches birds, mice etc.

She has a bowl of dry food left down all day and then one pouch of wet food in the morning. She would eat more wet food if she could but I can't stand the smell of it so it's one in the morning or non.

Oh and we have never had a problem with cat piss smell.

Oh and we don't have a catflap, else i'd have a kitchen full of dead animals.

ive got their little bags packed-they are so excited.its soo lovely of you.

Not sure Cats Protection would rehome with a boa - let me just check on that, Rhubarb...

Oh but the poor little thing can't get in without a cat flap, and we wouldn't want it out there in the cold would we?

Can't you give them a key?

x post with sarnie - pmsl

A boa and a pitbull I'm getting.

Oh and we have a lodger who originates from Seoul with us atm, not that I'm implying anything there you understand.

So yeah, bring them all in!

Who can't get in? The boa? I think it'd be okay as long as it hadn't eaten any small children whilst outside

Duh - I just got the lodger.

Took a while, but I got there in the end.

Don't they eat snakes too, Rhubarb?

Poor wee boa - wouldn't want to see him end up in the soup, so to speak

snake and cat soup, might be nice, you never know!

i originate from Seoul

I love my cats. They are affectionate, ornamental, and very calming to watch and stroke (good for the bloodpressure, I'm told). They are very little trouble, go out since our house has a flap, but use the litter tray more as they were housecats for their first four years in my old flat (you could consider keeping house cats if you are at home a lot, but they need more entertainment. I love dogs, but with a busy life, cats are easier.

Having said that, it sounds as if you and your DH are ambivalent. You have to be absolutely SURE you want the cats - as it's inevitable that a lot of the responsibility will fall to you, despite what the DCs may say about looking after it totally. My DP had cats thrust upon him when he and I got together, and they can be a bone of contention - mainly at 7am when one of them mews outside the bedroom door. If it's lucky, he just roars at the door. If it's unlucky, he tears the door open and flings his trousers at them . He won't have them in our bedroom because of the hair. It saddens me, as I used to love having them sleep with me (still do when DP's away, don't tell on me please )

They can be expensive - I use a quite pricey litter - white crystals - because they don't have that 'litter' smell. And the girl cat will only eat Iams dry and wet food sachets that have at least 60% real fish in them. Vets bills are around £90 for annual jabs and checkups, plus extra quarterly worming tablets, anti flea treatments (you MUST deflea them if they go out - it's not pleasant to run your fingers through Pussy's fur and see something small and black running away!)

They don't jump on the counters - when they were small, I kept a plant spray handy and gave them a quick squirt, which did the trick without hurting them. They do eat houseplants and flowers - so I have to put these out of reach. And they will sleep on the comfiest chair in the room and give you the evils when you shove them out of the way.

I've not known them to catch birds - they watch them avidly but prefer ground-based prey - have had to rescue several frogs and one baby rat brought into the house. Actually happy that they do hunt rats though it wasn't nice to come home late one night and nearly tread on a large corpse by the front door!!

Oh, but they are lovely and DD and I certainly couldn't bear to part with them (DP knows that he would have to go first ).

Have relayed your last post to Cats Protection, Rhubarb.

They say it's still not out of the question but they might want to check your dustbins when they do the home visit.

Have taken my cat out the Jiffy Bag now (boy, was he cross!) and I notice cheesesarnie's gone all quiet so she's either:

a) horrified

or

b) putting the kittens on the train now.

oh no, xpost with sarnie.

Did they get on the train okay then,cheesie one?

She's eaten them!

(thanks tanee btw!)

i dont really i was joking.but every one stopped playing.

umm cats are just having pre journey meal then theyll be on there way ok.
thankyou-it really is a big help.ive stuck some pocket money and a spare hanky in the little back packs.

Rhubarb pmsl

you should change your name to "catsarnie" or "pussysandwich" - or is that too lesbo?

I've got the pan on in antipation of them arriving!