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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Talk to me about why you got a cat

50 replies

BoysRule · 15/03/2016 14:05

We are currently a pet-less family - two DCs (3 and 6). We feel like we have a pet sized hole in our lives. We are busy - I work 2 days a week but I am in and out a lot quite a bit on the other days and we are in and out at weekends.

A kitten wouldn't suit us for the above reasons but we are seriously considering a rescue cat. We are registered with a rehoming place and they have several that suit us in terms of ability to live with children. Our neighbours have a cat and we love it when she comes over for a cuddle.

I just don't want to make a mistake. DH and I had a cat years ago who was very unaffectionate and brought home a lot of birds/mice/anything that moved. We still enjoyed his company though. I'm just a bit nervous about disturbing our happy equilibrium in the house.

Do you think it's right for us?

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Vinorosso74 · 15/03/2016 14:17

I'm sure there are lots of cats out there who would fit your home.
With adult cats you can tell how they are with children some of which may have lived with children before. They are happy to sleep keep themselves busy if you're out. I assume your children are gentle with your neighbour's cat. If they understand how to treat a cat and behave around them that's a good start.
Rescue centres will expect the whole family to meet the cat so all go along to meet your potential furry friend.
The neighbour's cat might not be so happy with a new cat mind!

cozietoesie · 15/03/2016 15:42

I was given my first cat - a Siamese kitten for my birthday when I was young. My parents were very lucky because it 'took'. (They could have had a disaster on their hands if he'd decided that someone else was his 'person'.) Since then, I've just seen cats as a necessary part of the family. Smile

None of my siblings have pets right now - some, never, and some for a few years. For myself, I couldn't exist without a warm furriness stalking round the place.

prokupatuskrakedatus · 15/03/2016 17:31

Having a cat is like living with a permanent toddler.
Always getting in trouble, always sneaking into places they're not supposed to be. Always trying to eat things that are not good for them and inquisitive like nothing on earth.

But they are lovely, cuddly and fluffily warm. And the only kind of pet for us. Luckily three of four members of our family are cat-people, cats usually like us and accept the fourth (DH).

twinkletoedelephant · 15/03/2016 17:44

We got a car as dd was afraid of monster in her room and thought it terribly unfair her brothers got to share a room and she was all alone (twins)
Plus I was never aloud a pet as a child and I really want one for myself the kids.

Cat spent a fortnight in the cupboard then came out and was part of our family he would put up with the twins 'loving' him and would snuggle with everyone he would walk dd room at bedtime and listen to bedtime stories and later her reading to him. He was bloody awesome bag of fluff.

Sadly he passed away and ds really found it hard to cope with not having a cat he has autism and we got a new kitten ....shes insane but funnily enough its his bed she sleeps on...and him she drops toys to for playing fetch.

Cats just seem to know ;+)

LadyFuchsiaGroan · 15/03/2016 17:51

Dp bought me a cat for my birthday exactly a year after I had dd Hmm no idea why he thought a cat would make a good gift. I love cats and always had cats at home growing up but I still cant get my head around buying a pet as a gift!

Second cat was a stray who had been abandoned by our neighbours we took him in while waiting to hear from shelters but by then we had all fallen in love with him.

Female cats in my experience tend to be more aloof while all the toms tend to be more outgoing and tolerant, I wouldn't be without either now even though I didnt choose them Grin

wtffgs · 15/03/2016 18:01

Female cats aloof? ShockGrin You may like to mention that to mine. We got them because we were both cat lovers and working FT meant a dog was impossible. Are you prepared for the vets bills, cattery fees and cornucopia of dead and half-dead fauna though? Confused

tippytap · 15/03/2016 18:27

I've always wanted a cat and wasn't allowed pets as a child. Mum thinks all animals are 'dirty and filthy'. Especially cats.

I don't know why it took me so long to adopt one, but I'm glad I did. YY to previous poster about having a permanent toddler in the house though. But I love my kitty-cat cuddles Smile

YeOldeTrout · 15/03/2016 18:50

To give DC something to love.

I went for the friendliest shelter cats we could find, got 2 brothers who were still kitten enough to be great fun.

FishOn · 15/03/2016 18:53

DH and I both grew up with cats - he had a cat when I met him too, and as soon as we moved in together to somewhere we could have a cat we adopted one.

Then he fell in love with a kitten at the adoption place a couple of years ago and so we got another one crazy cat man

He and the young cat are still very much in love Grin

Goingtobeawesome · 15/03/2016 18:56

We got our two rescue cats because my 18 year old cat died and I couldn't bare the coldness in the house.

I'm home a lot. One cat not fussed if I am or not, the other tells me off if I am not home immediately after the school run Grin. I will never live without a cat again.

I enjoy seeing the children who do like the cats, enjoy them. DD1 not keen.

LadyFuchsiaGroan · 15/03/2016 18:57

wtffgs - no certainly not all, I just think the female cats I have had have been particularly arsey Grin Our tom cat is a lot more tolerant of our noisy 3yo dd while the female refuses to acknowledge her existence Wink

pilates · 15/03/2016 18:58

We got a cat because DH's mum died and he was feeling sad. He grew up with cats and always wanted one. I'm glad we did it makes our house feel like a home and the children adore her. Our cat is definitely number 1 in our house.

sonlypuppyfat · 15/03/2016 19:03

We always thought we were dog people but after the dog died we ended up taking a stray in, she was lovely but a bit feisty. When we lost her to the evil road we bought a cat from the cat protection people and he is wonderful so gentle we love him to bits

Geepee71 · 15/03/2016 19:37

I kind of adopted mine, she was always outside and I encouraged her to come for petting, neighbour then explained she was hers but as she's allergic she can't have her inside. She used to live with neighbours daughter, (the cat) but moved to my neighbour when kids came along. I asked if she'd mind me having her in when it was cold, and neighbour was delighted. Not long after her brother and daughter also moved in (still talking cats) so I now have 3 who are all spoilt rotten. Neighbour come over to see them and also feeds them if I'm ever out late of away.
Can't be without cats in the house, they make it feel like home.

motherinferior · 15/03/2016 20:32

Default. Various cats that needed rehoming. We now have three.

tabulahrasa · 15/03/2016 20:42

DP wanted one, he wanted a cuddly affectionate lap cat and I persuaded him that a Siamese would fit the bill because I figured they were the best fit with me being more of a dog person.

I wasn't even allowed to feed her for the first year in case she preferred me, he took a week off work to settle her in - he didn't even take a whole week after the DC were born.

She repaid him by her unwavering devotion until she died, to me, lol.

The second one was from a neighbours accidental litter.

TheABC · 15/03/2016 20:54

Cats were the reason I started dating DH! Any man who could go mushy over a pair of black and white kittens from the local rescue centre was worth getting to know.

15 years on, we now have a rescue tabby and a frankly bonkers maine coon. We limit the damage to local wildlife by keeping them in at night (dusk and Dawn seems to be the worst time for small squeaky things to be caught).

DS adores them and there is nothing like a purring cat on your lap at the end of a long day. Definitely worth the vets bills (get insurance) and being locked on the nose at 6 in the morning.

cozietoesie · 15/03/2016 23:09

You just can't tell in advance, tabulah. They'll choose without fear or favour. Smile

Wolfiefan · 15/03/2016 23:13

For moments like these!

Talk to me about why you got a cat
moveon · 15/03/2016 23:18

It's just DD and I was keen for a cat to keen me company when she goes to her dad's, and also for DD as a mate at home.

I knew I didn't want a kitten, and someone more mature so we visited a rescue a couple of times until our cat chose us. We adore her. She doesn't claw, bite, rarely walks on furniture or tables. She's really into DD at the moment and so sweet - they have a great relationship. Best thing ever.

HemanOrSheRa · 15/03/2016 23:28

Aw Wolfie Smile.

We always had a cat when I lived at home so when I moved out it seemed right to get my own. A house doesn't feel like a home without a cat or two curled up. I did mention to DP my desire, after years of adopting strays and unwanted kittens that I come across in my job, for a Maine Coon. He begged me not to Grin. Silly old fool.

Here is one of mine, my youngest and most recent furbaby, scaring the shit out of me in the middle of the night. My Little Goof Boy.

Talk to me about why you got a cat
JeanGenie23 · 15/03/2016 23:36

We got our first cat because we had spent a fortune on mouse traps and a friend of mine had kittens (well her cat did) and a cat seemed like the only thing we hadn't tried. Allie didn't catch anything but no more nice appeared once he was around!

We brought cat #2 to keep #1 company. We had both from kittens. Cats are the best, indifferent and in charge Smile

Talk to me about why you got a cat
cozietoesie · 16/03/2016 00:22

Jean

I didn't think The Lodger hunted anything inside here until - one fine morning - I found a body under something. Are you completely sure that he wasn't just disposing of the evidence?

Smile
sashh · 16/03/2016 05:54

A neighbour's son brought mine to me because she had followed him from the Dr to his mum and he knew I fostered.

We looked for an owner, checked for microchip etc and she sort of just stayed.

She would be a perfect family cat, she goes to a neighbour's and plays with his grandchildren, she is also fed there and at another neighbour's.

She is the most docile cat I have ever encountered, quite likes to be carried like a baby and will literally try to jump in to your arms - she misses but then climbs up, OK whith a jumper, painful with a T shirt

JeanGenie23 · 16/03/2016 07:10

Morning cozie- perhaps he was disposing of the bodies but he is so daft, and was even more so as a kitten, I find it hard to imagine! Smile