Cat ownership - honestly how difficult is it?

[crummyusername]

Hi, I'm thinking of getting an adult rescue cat. Really it's for my 11yo son, who's got anxiety and possible autism and is desperate for one. I don't mind cats but to be honest, have had a tough few years and don't really want the extra responsibility. However if it makes a difference for DS I'm willing to consider it.

Everyone I talk to seems to say it's barely any work looking after a cat - just make sure it's fed basically. Surely there's more to it than that? I don't want to go into this underestimating the commitment. Grateful for any thoughts!

I have an indoor boy as I am autistic and just could not take the stress of him being out near roads.

he lives like a King in our 1 bed house, he LOVES sunbathing in the windows but I will say he is higher maintenance than outdoor cats I had as a child. He LOVES to play and relies on us for this as he can’t go outside- we spend about 40 mins a day playing with various toys with him. He is also an absolute cuddle monster and cuddling the cat is my favourite thing ever. I sleep so much better with him draped over me and he wants to be with us all the time.

we mutually adore each other and my husband has a theory that he and I have such an affinity because I am autistic- I can’t read people but I can read the cat!

this is him… we are napping back to back in this shot!

I really don't think any cat is meant to be indoors unless they have health issues. Definitely don't get a cat if you aren't prepared to let it outside. It's selfish to leave an animal trapped indoors due to your own anxieties. I might get lots of people disagreeing with me on this though. I can't imagine many cats are happy indoors when it's in their make up to roam and have some freedom.

We have 2 rescue cats that are bonded siblings so they are happy to share a food bowl, litter tray and sleep curled up together. It’s very sweet. They settled very quickly when they arrived as they had each other. They are very little work, just feed them wet food once a day (they have access to dry food and water all day), scoop the litter daily and change it weekly. They go to the vet once a year.

I live in Australia in an area with a lot of native wildlife so my cats are 100% indoors. Because I value all animals not just my pets. Cats are killing machines outdoors and are at significant risk from cars. They live much longer, healthier lives indoors. In Australia it is mandated by many local councils that they must be kept on your property particularly at night. I have baby ringtail possums and blue tongue lizards in my backyard so it isn’t safe to let mine out at all. Also one is pure white so the vet advised she should be an indoor cat or she would end up with skin cancer on her pink nose and ears from our harsh sun.

I live on a main road. My cats would be mince meat fairly quickly if they were allowed outside. It's much kinder for me to keep them in. They aren't particularly fussed about it either.

My
Persians wouldn't last five minutes out doors. Way to thick, and they'd get nicked!

@user1471548941 My Bengal used to sleep like that with me!

Many cats are fine indoors and some need to stay indoors for health reasons. My last three cats have had the choice to go outdoors but have all chosen to stay indoors. Even if the front door was left wide open they rarely, if ever, ventured outside.

I hear lots of people talk about bengals and Persians being house cats. Are they meant to be house cats or is it just because of the value/risk of being stolen? Interested to know! Have only ever owned my current moggie so no idea on the fancier breeds.

Both can get stolen, bengals like a wide territory so need a cat proof garden to play I’m a leopard in.

I'm still reading this thread. Thanks for all the messages (and for your phone @user1471548941 , he is GORGEOUS)

I've decided we are definitely going down the path of indoor cat. We are lucky enough to have a decent size house and I can get a catio fitted, so they will have space to roam. I've spoken to a few rescues, and some seem very anti-indoor (unless cats have FIV) whereas others think house + catio is good, so we will see what comes up. Browsing Facebook and Nextdoor shows frequent messages about missing or run-over cats in this area, and I don't think either me or my son could take that stress, and I'm not sure it would be fair on the cat either.

I'd ideally like a bonded pair but if the right single cat comes along, we'll go for that. My son is so so desperate for the cat to arrive, he has been really suffering from stress and anxiety and he needs something happy to look forward to. But of course we'll wait for the right one.

Not sure on location, but this boy is in the same rescue as we got Flynn from…

cotswoldsdogsandcatshome.org.uk/animals/julius/

we are about 2 hours away and they had no issue with us collecting him.

My boy is also FIV and it has caused no problems so far- he is just like a normal healthy cat, though if anything happened we would take him straight to the Vet for anti-biotics rather than “wait and see” if it sorts out itself.

God I barely notice my cat exists 😅 no it’s not hard work she’s barely ever in only seems to come in for food.

My cat stays at home and a neighbour pops in, we have any automatic cat feed in and a árcalo though. The cattery is extortionate and he would hate it as is a bit wild

Catflap is clearly what I meant there!