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.

Bella, have you been looking in my wardobe again??

wardrobe..

Oooh, just received some pussy from postman! Bit flat and smelly though, is your pussy always like that cheesesarnie?

The jury is still out I'm afraid. I don't know if there is a Cats Protection round here, in our local phone book only the Cats Action Trust was listed along with a Cats and Dogs Home in Bath which apparently (so the lady at the Cats Action Trust said) won't rehome a cat to anyone who doesn't have pussy cat flaps.

Plus the Cats Action Trust were doing a deal of giving you a neutered cat and insuring said cat for one year.
As we are rather short of cash, the thought of coughing up for neutering the thing myself, plus the injections, then the boosters etc is rather galling.
Then of course, dh is not very enthusiastic either.

are you in bath?here

if you get a kitten from someone directly then you won't have to pay anything initially and you'll have a good 4 months to scrape the money together to get it neutered as 6 months is usually the recommended age.

if you find a reasonable vet (ask friends who they use and you might find a cheaper than average one) the jabs may not cost too much, some clinics offer reduced rates if you're on low income but you'd have to see if you qualify.

You beat me to it, cheesesarnie!

Hey, and isn't Bath within 2 hours of North Wales?

i think your right bella.

Rhubarb!

Where are you Rhubarb?!

Maybe she's on her way to Wales - do you think?

she was about earlier.

avoiding us do you think?mad cat people.

Nah - why would she avoid us ?

I have two cats they are six months old. They go out when I am at home (I work part time) and in the evenings but on the days when I am at work they stay in, they also stay in at night in the cold weather although in the summer I may well leave them out all night. No cat flap - rented house also.

I have a litter tray with a lid, it's quite discreet, and I change the litter often. I don't think my house smells! I have noticed that they are using it less and less thse days - they must go when they are out, which is good for me if not for the neighbours whose gardens they are undoubtedly crapping in (sorry, neighbours).

Yes I get a neighbour to feed them if we go away, and she does it for free if only for a few days but I usually buy her a bottle of wine (she has a cat so I reciprocate). But if we go on a major holiday i.e two weeks I might consider hiring a pet sitter although a neighbourhood teenager sounds like a good idea....

I don't know about the bells thing, not sure they really work. I think the odd bird/mouse is just a fact of life for catowners unless you keep them in all the time. Mine got a pheasant the other day! (We are in a rural area).

Don't forget to factor in the cost of vaccinations, insurance if you decide to get it, etc.

Cats make lovely pets - they can be affectionate, funny, and my girls love them. Sometimes a bit too much lol.

Good idea to get a rescue cat but make sure it is one that is okay with kids as some have had traumatic experiences! If you are out a lot I'd suggest getting two (mine are brother and sister and they really do keep each other company and play together etc).

My kitten shat in the boys' lego, meaning I had to sling it. Gutted. And so was the cat, nearly.

you had to sling the cat

No, the cat was nearly gutted!

Colditz! You're as bad as Rhubarb - in fact, are you the same person by any chance?

Anyway, here we are, cheesesarnie & me, quietly plugging away trying to fix Rhubarb up with the cat of her dreams. She keeps making silly comments like you do but we know that she really really wants to be a fully fledged cat person like us. Ornaments, pyjamas and everything.

Oh, BTW, chessesarnie - did you see that really touching documentary about Persians on The Cat Channel last night - so sweet

Colditz - ETA from you to North Wales?

no, no, I am from the Midlands, why?

Midlands, Colditz - that sounds pretty darn close to North Wales...

Two lovely rescue cats deperately in need of a home...

Here it is, Colditz

here

NBo no no.

I have one insaniac cat. She looks like a leopard that got shrunk in the tumble drier. no More Cats.

Besides, when she gets stressed (which she will with more cats around) she befouls the children's books. No more cats.

Not a convincing argument, Colditz.

TBH, Rhubarb put up a better fight than that

Something furry in a jiffy bag making its way to you now.....

My cats were nearly put in jiffy bags this morning when DP almost stepped into a hairball at the bottom of the stairs.

I think Rhubarb is now at the local cat emporium, stocking up on cats, toys, china etc . She hasn't got time to talk to us anymore!

Nah - she's on holiday - in Cat alonia