Thinking of adopting cat. Never owned one before. Advice please.

[Joso]

Hello. Am thinking of adopting cute kitten of five months from local rescue. Have never owned a cat before but always wanted to. She seems super affectionate and cuddly and I thought that slightly older kitten may be a good option. What do you think? Is there anything important or glaringly obvious that I need to ask the rescue place before I decide to adopt? Any advice appreciated.

Your first problem is that you think you are going to 'own' a cat. You will quickly find out that you never own a cat, they either own you, or deign to spend time with you. As the saying goes "Cats were once worshipped as Gods. They have never forgotten this."

Your kitten will have been checked over, but it's a good idea to register with a local vet as soon as possible.

Keep your cat in for a couple of weeks until they are used to your home. Give them somewhere quiet to get away from everyone. Not all cats like human company. My current one probably spends 10 minutes a day with us, the rest of the time she's out hunting or sleeping in a quiet corner near the radiator. My previous cat spent all day with us and would always be on someone's lap. They're all different.

Also don't believe the advertising. Eight out of 10 cat owners may prefer Whiskas but yours will probably prefer Felix. Dry biscuits are also a good food to leave out.

If your cat is a hunter then put on 2 or 3 bells. Be prepared for a cat to bring you presents. This is because they love you and want to show you how to hunt. If you get angry with them for bringing you a mouse they will just bring you something bigger.

And be prepared to fall head over heels in love with an amazing bundle of fur. A cat is probably the most perfectly designed creature in the world. Every cell on their body is designed for one thing and one thing only - to be the perfect killer. There are lots of books on cat physiology and psychology out there and they make fascinating reading. There are also some books written by cat owners - I recommend "The Unadulterated Cat" by Terry Pratchett.

Ta very much World. You really know your kitty stuff! Loads of food for thought for me.

"Dogs have owners, cats have staff."

My advice? Don't! Cats are wolves in sheep's clothing (IYSWIM!)

hi joso, i too up until two weeks ago had never had a cat but i rescued one recently form a builders yard. still learning but it is lovely really. adds a sense of 'snuggness' to our home, as well as alot of hair.....we are lucky in that she is very affectionate. doesn't seem to be a hunter type more lazy but she could turn out to be very different as still getting to know her. best of luck