How to select a cat

[LadyAgripina]

I've been wanting a cat for my daughter for ages, but I have a jack russell. Now, there is a mouse invasion at home and the jack doesn't even bother (she is 11), so we decided to try with a puppy cat (the dog had some contacts in the past and it worked) even being aware of a long process of desensitisation. My question is: which cat is easier for first time owners? Which are more hunter prone? Which are the more stay at home ones? My house is three floors (old house), do cats move?

Thank you for any advise

Congratulations on your decision to apply for the position of dcat slave! Have a look on fb for your local rescue.. They may have an idea of a dcat you are suitable to serve.
And don't forget if you get one the fee for added advice here is at least 2 pics.

My question is: which cat is easier for first time owners? Which are more hunter prone? Which are the more stay at home ones? My house is three floors (old house), do cats move?
You can never tell 100%, but I'd recommend a young adult moggy rescue. All of my cats have been hunters in their youth. Some will want to go out, some won't. A rescue can advise.
I'd be worried about keeping your Jack Russell and the cat apart. JR's aren't known for being cat friendly...

Invest in a baby gate at first. Dcat needs to be able to escape unwanted attention..
And op - bet you find 2 lovely dcat soon! We have dcats and Lurchers.. And a Husky.. They know dcats are armed and dangerous and except for a reluctant wash they generally keep out their way.

You don't choose a cat. They choose you. We went to a rescue and the staff showed us all the cats they had who they felt would cope with my rabble of small children. The Cat yelled loudly, marched out of his cage and told us he was going to come home us.

Unless you go for expensive posh cats then lazy, lap cat, cuddly, hunter etc is a bit luck of the draw.

Thank you for all the comments and suggestions. Due to our total inexperience, we were thinking of buying (sorry ) one of those expensive ones @OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea

And we were thinking baby because of that @Santahasjoinedww

I am really conscious of my JR tendencies but there is always somebody at home so we hope to be able to conduct the whole process. And our neighbours has cats and she is in a not trembling with hate and rage and pure lust to kill them, as she was before. She is quiet particularly the new baby they have and even leave her to explore her nose. So 🙏

Kittens are much harder work and you can't see their temperament, you're better off going 6 months + from a rescue. And I know it's a shame, I would also love a super chunky British Shorthair kitten! If you get an older one as well you can check that they are big enough to a) deal with mice and b)make the Jack Russell think twice.

I'm very jealous, have been wanting to get a cat for ages but can't adopt with small kids 😭

Why on earth wouldn't you go to a rescue? Rescues are perfect for inexperienced owners as they guide you and, crucially, will be able to suggest the best cat for your circumstances.

Sellers just want your money. And that's without even getting into the ethical issues of deliberately breeding more cats when there aren't enough homes to go round. And the callousness of probably the majority of breeders (i have a hundred appalling stories I can tell on the subject).

Go to a rescue.

She used to “tremble with hate and rage and pure lust to kill them”? Seriously?
NEVER get a cat with this dog.
Do cats move? Yes then your dog will kill it.

This type of thing

@Wolfiefan

She used to “tremble with hate and rage and pure lust to kill them”? Seriously? NEVER get a cat with this dog. Do cats move? Yes then your dog will kill it.

Oh god I missed that.

This one hundred per cent.

The trembling was when she was young. Now she seems curious. She also slept witn cats when she was a puppy.

Thank you for the advice on rescues, I didn't know. I will do that.

Was she full of hate and trying to kill the cat or sleeping with one? It can’t be both.
Get a pest controller to deal with mice.
Don’t get a cat. You aren’t actually looking for another pet.

Set some mouse traps, wait till your dog dies, get a cat.

My cat brought mice in (alive) then set them free for her overnight entertainment and then either killed them or got bored and left them.

There is absolutely no guarantee that having a cat will solve your mouse problem.

I think females tend to be better hunters than males in general.

Rentokill. Not a cat.

Terriers are hunting dogs bred for centuries to kill small furry things such as rabbits, rats and mice. The clue is in the name "terrier" = terroriser.

Jack Russells are notorious for killing cats...they have an incredibly strong prey drive.

You are crazy to even consider it. A rescue will not touch you with a bargepole when they find out what breed of dog you have. A colleague of mine came home one day to find her terrier had ripped her cat apart and left its head on the bottom step of their stairs. Her eight year old daughter was traumatised by the sight. Another colleague has a JRT that killed three of the neighbours cats so she had to let it out in the garden with a muzzle on for ever after, just in case.

Most dogs are working dogs by nature of their breeding ...terriers and sighthounds must NEVER be introduced to cats; even if they seem ok initially, it's not worth the risk.

Worth reading the testimonials at the end of this:

www.therealjackrussell.com/advice/faqcats.php

My advice would be don’t get a cat with a jack russell.
Also even if you did not have a jack russell don’t get a breed - go to a rescue place if you get one at all.
Sounds as though you want it for mousing and for its looks. Feel sorry for it if you do get one tbh. Apols for straight talk but doesn’t read as though you actually want one for itself.
Rentokill will help with mice ??

Ok! Persuaded.'I won't do it.

But believe me that she slept with the cat when she was one year old. And then tremble when she was 5. And now she does not tremble. But you are right, I won't risk having that situation.

Maybe a younger JR could see the rats that the older does not?

Ok! Persuaded.'I won't do it.

Good call OP 👍

My cat kills everything what's your address op?

A cat is not a good solution to your mouse problem. Yes young cats enjoy chasing mice but will only do it for fun when they want to, and will certainly not exterminate the whole mouse population, and sooner or later will decide that mice catching is a game for younger cats than they and will settle into a long retirement of mostly napping until it's time for food.

Get a pest exterminator to sort out your mouse problem. Only get a pet if your chief aim is to focus on the wellbeing of that pet. No cat is going to be happy with your dog, so wait till he dies of old age before considering a cat.

I'm glad you've listened to the advice on this thread.

It's a bit bleak, but the lid fashioned snap traps are by far the most kind death to a mouse. Obviously you'd need to put them where you have the biggest problem AND shut your dog out of that room until you sort the trap. Peanut butter smeared on the stick bit is a very appealing to a mouse. Also bacon. Also, make sure you're blocking out any holes they might be coming in.

OLD fashioned not 'lid fashioned'

Yes you completely persuaded me, and it is a relief. My neighbours told me that pest control didn't sort out their problem and that's why they went x the cats. But anyway I already called rebntokill. The house is very old, no way to cover all the holes.

I am considering another jack Russell because we always had 2 dogs and we loved that. But we wanted to have that cat after the dog, that's the dilemma.

I was 5. Watching TV (play school) sitting on the floor.

Not touching the JRT. Not moving. Not making a sound. I was sitting quietly watching TV.

The JRT went for my face. I'm missing part of my lip and part of my nose and have a scar between the two. (Excellent surgeon stitched me up. You can barely tell unless I point it out)

That was a completely unprovoked attack. Imagine how a cat would tempt a JRT.

I don't like JRTs. They aren't predictable or pets IMHO.

Good choice not to get a cat just yet. Get one when the time is right. A rescue definitely.

My 2 rescues are amazing hunters. No mice here!