Is it fair

[howido]

... to get a cat when I'm out of the house for 13 hours a day, five days oer week..?

Many thanks

I'm a nurse and do 13 hour shifts. My girls are absolutely fine with it. (I had a camera to check) but they are Persians and really not very dynamic. They don't really go out even when given the chance.

Depends on the cat really. Will they go outside? My indoor girls are v needy and would get terribly lonely. My mum's cat who is outside most of the day (his choice) is fine.

Thank you!

I was/am prepared for a slating.

I long for a puss again, but don't want them to be lonely/neglected purely for my benefit iyswim?

Do you think two puss cats would fare better?

They would be able to go outside if they wanted to.

There are cats in the neighbourhood - I don't know if that makes it better or worse - sometimes, rarely, I hear them calling at night - does that mean there's a top cat?

Oh I don't know. I'm the same as toddler and I ended up getting a second one. Best thing I ever did. I monitor them when I'm off like today they bloody get me up at 6 to be fed then sleep til 6pm it's a bloody cheek. The only time one wants to go out is when it gets dark. I actually make h r go out for the fresh air. Be prepared to do all the litter when you get home. Can you get a rescue pair?

I'd get two!

Thanks, the camera idea is good and I'll definitely do that...

I would also definitely look at rescue cats.

It is more difficult to decide without knowing their personalities and lifestyle but it's also not something you can 'trial' either...

I adopted a mum and baby pair. Because she was a half feral rescue and her kitten had 1 eye due to health problems they were indoor cats to start with. I worked shifts and they kept each other company. Lots of scratch posts numerous litter trays and lots of toys should do the trick.

Thanks so much, I may speak to the rescue and tell them my situation and see if they have any 'matches'

Will definitely invest in all the equipment (Disney Momma??)

Get two. The rescue will be able to suggest suitable ones as they will know their temperaments.

Its quite long for a kitten to be left - but one adult cat or a bonded pair would be fine I think.

Mines only 16 weeks and has been left since i got her. The difference is that she has the one year old with her. I wouldnt leave her on her own all that time. Look on your local cat protection site there will be loads of pairs.

2 puss cats is always better than 1 regardless!

My cat spends almost the entire day asleep and prefers a quiet house (he is still a youngster, only 4) so someone who's out all day wouldn't bother him. He potters about, comes down for a snack & a stroll in the yard then goes back for another snooze. I'm sure a rescue would have an adult cat to suit your circumstances OP

Should have added I previously had 2 old cats and they really did sleep almost all the time, so if you didn't mind the pros and cons of an oldie, they might be suitable?

What annoys me is when I do spend all day at home - and the little furry boys still bugger off for most of the day, coming back only for food.

Mine were rescues and about five years old now.

What is so unfair is that I am out working and they have a 3 bedroom house and garden to themselves all day.

The rescue centre will be able to give a view on the personalities of the cats they've got in.

As PP have said, one or maybe two slightly older rescue cats would love a nice house to snooze in all day.

I got mother cat and kitten son. He couldn't be left inside or out for 10 mins without getting into trouble, locked in sheds, sitting on someone's chimney pot, sleeping on someone's bed. I lost count of the number of times I got asked 'is that little black and white cat yours?'

Mother cat goes out for short walks but stays in most of the time and uses a litter tray.

My three ignore me, and each other , during the day.

Would yours be able to go out during the day? That would be nice for them.

Sounds to me as if you could offer a lovely home to one or two adult cats, talk to your local cat rescue about suitable candidates. They'll have loads of adults, sadly most people want kittens.

Cats are naturally solitary, I'd stick with one unless you are getting two older ones that definitely like each other.

Cats don't really need people around like dogs do especially if they are free to come and go. However kittens do need attention and I wouldn't leave them for that long if you want them to grow up to be nice and cuddly.

Could you look at adopting older kittens? 6months-1year, they re still fun but old enough to go out and more independent.

Theres loads in pairs though even under one which is my favourite age. I cant imagine my two without each other.