Please help us /me to decide..

[stirling]

Me really, the kids are already decided. DC 12 and 10 have pulled through a very difficult couple of years since their irresponsible negligiant father left. DD continously talks about wanting to 'love and look after ' a pet/ child, I understand that.

They just don't see the responsibility aspect no matter how much I've explained it. I had a cat in my 20s, and I loved her but the memory of the bad bits really put me off. Are there any advance in technology since I was a cat owner 20 years ago? My main worries :

1. Having to use a litter tray - we live in suburbs where all neighbours are v precious about their gardens, don't want to be falling out with neighbours! Therefore it'd have to be a litter tray, yuk - I remember the stench, the urine, the clumps...I can't do it again! I know eventually kids will stop helping...
2. The scratching of furniture and fleas - regardless of flea powder etc my cat was always scratching.
3. My son has allergies - what if he's allergic? And it's then too late?

I took them to a cats adoption centre in North London to see how he'd be around cats and see if there was a reaction - but the nasty woman wouldn't let us in unless we were prepared to adopt immediately.

We don't have friends with cats else I would have visited them. Just want to access a cat!

Used to live in an area where there were loads of cats, here - no one seems to have one.

Many thanks, sorry it got rambly

Yes things have improved a fair bit for cat guardians these days. There's plenty of different types of cat litter out there and many types absorb the smell pretty well e.g. one of mine goes through phases of rather smelly poos but once it's buried I don't smell anything (as long as I don't leave it in there days or anything!).

For fleas these days there are some excellent spot-on treatments that also kill worms etc as well, so apart from their annual boosters at the vets you just have to put a few drops on the back of their neck once a month. Just make sure you get a decent vet-recommended one - cheapo ones like Bob Martin can harm cats and aren't effective.

You can get some fantastic scratch posts & pads these days for cats all the way from £5 to a couple of hundred for a very posh top of the range cat tree. If they have something nice to scratch like a sizal covered post or proper cardboard scratcher they aren't likely to harm your furniture. Mine are indoor only kitties and only once has either tried to scratch the sofa - and that was because she wanted my immediate attention; I spoke sternly to her & she hasn't tried since.

I'm a bit and that someone at a rescue didn't let you see the cats assuming you'd explained your reason, unless you just turned up one day & they prefer appointments being made. But I don't know any rescues that would insist on an immediate adoption anyway, most insist on doing a home check first etc.

Hopefully Thecatneuterer will come on this thread, as she works for Celia Hammond which is one of the best rescues out there, and can advise further on that.

Ooh I volunteer at North London CP (not staff so not involved in process) and that is very odd. The cattery is lacking in space and I believe there have been time wasters recently (am not saying you are by the way) maybe it was very busy in the cattery? They do require you to fill a home check form prior to meeting any cats (I think).
Cat litters are much better now, flea treatment is good now spot on treatments work (generally prescription ones).

I have two indoor cats, who both share a litter tray. I scoop once daily and full change monthlyZ there is absolutely no smell at all from the tray. Mine have never scratched my leather sofa but liked my fabric one. They are very good with their scratching post. The good things about being a cat slave far outweigh the negatives!

Ah thanks for these very helpful replies!

Reassuring to know there are improvements on the cat litter tray front.

Drops on neck sound good - they treat fleas right?

Re cat adoption place, I was so upset I actually told the woman off. Their website specifically advertised all over the home page "we are open all bank holiday weekend, no appointment necessary" - a real welcoming message, so I told my kids that we should drive there ( long drive in the heat!) and see some cats, see what kids thought about it, see if DS reacted.

I was literally just shoved out of the door, given a few business cards for not sure what (I was too astounded by her attitude to listen) and told that this place is only for very serious people who are ready to adopt immediately. I told her what I thought of her and said that she could not expect people to consider adoption from that institute with that sort of attitude. Really want to report her

Aw, I adopted from NorthLondon CP and they were lovely. The only place that would consider me as i live in a flat. I did ring up first though before i visited and i had my eye on my Dolly was gutted when she showed reserved. I just made a quick call and she was home with me that night. If it was them i am surprised.

Ive got two and find it less stressful than one but more expensive insurance wise other than that its delightful. Im not even a cat person. Worlds Best Extra Clumping litter is always on offer at Amazon. Its fantastic. Scoop as soon as you can. The dc. May even find it fun its so easy. Mine have never scratched furniture but have plenty of posts and mats from Poundland for that. Go for ot if he isnt allergic. They are great fun in a different way to dogs.

I couldnt go back now.

The spot on prevents fleas as well as killing them. As mentioned avoid Bob Martin but Advocate and Stronghold are good-may cost morr but are safe and effective. There's a website called Zooplus which sell all sorts of products, litters, food, toys etc that is worth a browse.
Do you have any farm type places as they often have cats or pub cats? Contact a local vet see if they might know someone where you could meet cats?

Yes. To ZooPlus. Much cheaper than many places. If they do r sell it, it doesn't exist!

Thanks everyone, yes I might ask at local vet.. Love the poundland scratch posts and mats idea - ie several.
Now that the practical matters are less daunting, I've got to focus on finding out if DS is allergic. He had a scratch test at Royal Ear Nose throat hospital, about 3 years ago and reacted to the ' cat dog " allergy test. But he may be better now...

Don't you know anyone at all who has cats that you can go an visit?

You may find his allergies calm down if he has a cat at home. I grew up with cats and didn't react. But after moving away to uni and not having continual exposure I'd end up with eye and sinus problems every time I visited. After she died I got a cat here and whilst my eyes itched at first I stopped reacting very quickly, and am now completely fine around her.

That's really interesting about allergies settling down...
Thanks
I do know one or two cat owners who live miles away!