We're thinking about getting a cat. What do we need to know?

[Wrybread]

Ds2 has always been scared of cats, but last week we met a relative's shorthaired exotic cat (shorthaired version of a Persian) and not only wasn't he scared, he said he'd like us to have one. (For extra info, he used to be scared of dogs but his dad got a dog and he's much better with that breed of dog now)

This type of cat is naturally quiet, friendly and doesn't tend to hunt or pounce etc

We're not going to get one straight away, we're thinking sometime after Easter.

But as I've never had a cat, I don't know what we need to know. Is it a good idea to get the same breed? And is there anything I need to know about caring for a shorthaired exotic cat?

And is it better to get a kitten or an older cat?

Think about what you will do if things don't work out as you thought. We rescued an 8 year old moggy earlier this year. She formed a strong bond with my teenage dd, just as we hoped. Hoever, she randomly pees in the house and refuses to use the cat flap. So.........We have 2 giant litter trays, she has ruined 2 carpets and caused us hours of work clearing up after her. However, returning her to the RSPCA will break dds heart so we are stuck with her for the foreseeable future. I regret the day she came into our lives I'm afraid.

1. You don't get a cat - a cat deigns to live with you until they get a better offer.
2. You have to post pictures of your cat regardless of the question when posting on MN litter tray.
3. Agree to either get a rescue or wait for some waifs and strays to wander into your garden. Ours were about a year old when we got them and although they have mellowed a little they are still similar in character.

Cats are wonderful. They are also bastards.

Mine was a brilliant suggestion from a local rescue. He was around 5 months old so a big kitten. Playful but old enough to know when to put his claws away and to not be scared of the children. My youngest was around 3 I think so prime age for picking up and squishing the cat.

They strongly suggested him and were completely right. He's loud, huge, fearless, hunts, steals food and gets everywhere. Vet is pretty sure he has a Bengal parent. He also loves cuddles, sleeps with children on beds and while he has always let the older children know who is boss and will bat them when they annoy him he lets the small one get away with murder.

Rescues are great. Of course with cats there are no guarantees and you might not get a cuddly lap cat, they are very much their own person. But they are fabulous even if they treat you as a slave.

Litter tray, food bowl, and one of those cat beds like a little tent so they can hide from the children if they want to. Plus lots of toys on string.

The best insurance cover you can get is a must. My long haired girls ran up claims of £20,000. Just a combination of bad luck and a terrible start in life as breeding queens in a kitten farm. Cheddar, has been ok though.

Any recommendations for insurance?

My dc are age 10 and over.

We live right by a main road (bus route) so we're thinking that we need an indoors cat and to go for a breed that prefers that.

Are Persians / exotic shorthair kittens as destructive as other breeds? I like the idea of an older rescue but ds2 prefers the idea of a kitten to grow up with

Yes, we know that any cat will own us and not the other way round

One hurdle we've got is that MIL (who is lovely), doesn't like cats much, and has also pointed out that cats and dogs have a high carbon footprint. Any tips on how to help with both?

Humans also have a high carbon foot print, ask her which dc she’d like you re-home?.

You could cat proof the garden, some cats are house cats by choice but others get stressed by it. A cat proof garden would mean you can have the back door open in the summer without fretting about the cat.

I lost mine on the road and bitterly regret not cat proofing.

How do you cat proof a garden?

Don’t buy a kitten unless it’s a pedigree cat, even then St Francis sometimes have kittens if that’s what you want, she had a litter of pedigree kittens in v recently.

I don’t do St Francis cats but live vvv close and a number of my friends do.

Get an older cat. Kittens are insane, hyperactive, pouncy, bitey little devils.

I disagree with getting two. Might be better for kittens but as they reach maturity they like their own territory. Unless you have a lot of indoor and outdoor space where they can get away from each other and other cats there can be issues.

I’d find a small rescue and get them to match you up. Where in the country are you?

I also disagree with getting two, have had two and three together over the years. They have all hated each other as adult cats.

My experience with smaller rescues was not a good one and one cat that I tried to rehome is still there three months later. I rescued from my local Blue Cross, lovely experience, fantastic staff 🌟 all round.

Burmese and Siamese are really loving and friendly IME - perfect for children - If you find a breed based rescue you can find an adult cat which can be assessed for your family fit. Siamese do like company though. Best someone home a lot or get 2!

I love siamese cats. But you cannot do anything without the little buggers having a (loud) opinion. Unless you want very high maintenance, avoid. Same for Bengals too.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=WwSYm1NPHP4

Katzsecure is the least obtrusive, I’ve seen diy versions on YouTube or there’s protectapet.

Lots to choose from. I had to pick my dead cat off the road & you never want to do that.

If you are going for the indoors option, get a decent scratching mat or large post. Don't bother with poxy little kitten ones: adult cats like to stretch out and their claws need to be kept down.

Also think about some cat refuges - places that are high up, safe for them to get to and away from the kids. It can be exhausting for them at times and they can also use the refuge if strange dogs or other humans come into the house. We arrange a shelving staircase for our pair to the top of the cupboards. Our daft Maine Coon also loves sitting on our (large) fishtank.

@dookofbust. Lucky you living up there! I love doing transport runs to deliver cats to them!

OP if you have Persians you don't want to let them out into the big wide world. They just aren't bright enough! They isn't much going on between the ears!

Depends on the cats wether you got two. Magic has been much happier with Cheddar than she ever was with her own sister!

Regardless of breed, getting an adult cat is better in the sense that you will get a good idea of his/her personality right away and can choose a suitable one (i.e. a laid back child friendly one in your case). With kittens, you just won't know exactly how they'll be as adults - lap cats or more aloof etc.

I would advise a kitten with a wary child. I chose a kitten because my 13 year old was wary, she remembers the cats we had when she was born (last one died when she was 9).

She was always slightly wary of the cats, never the dog/horses/ponies 🤷🏻‍♀️.

So I chose a kitten and she has got used to him while he grows. Still in the mad attack kitten phase right now but she isn’t wary because she has seen him grow.

Get a couple of scratch posts and watch your sofa like a hawk!

We have a leather sofa

Be prepared for your leather sofa to be shredded lol. We got one kitten from a breeder. Have had 2 before & they didn't get on. Have also had rescue cats before & found our last ones were quite damaged so didn't want to risk it this time. Wanted a kitten we could train from young. We got our baby at 8 weeks & she is now 5 months. Very scratchy & bitey, but the most wonderful cutest thing ever. So affectionate, sleeps on our beds & laps. Wouldn't be without her!

Ours never touched the leather sofa, then I got a duresta velvet sofa.

Dh did warn me it wouldn’t end well.

Mine have never touched my leather sofa, my Ikea fabric one was shredded.

My leather sofa has been untouched by four cats. If you give them plenty of things they can scratch they should be ok.