New to cat ownership- advice?

[Rabidturnip]

Evening furry overlord slaves! We are considering getting a cat. We already have a dog (cocker cross). We are open to a kitten or rescuing an adult cat. My preference would be rescue, however I have never owned a cat before and have no idea how it would work with having the dog too. Eg introductions, dos and don’ts. Anyone have any nuggets of wisdom? We are in no rush, and I want to make sure we get it right and have prepared as well as we can. Thanks

First thing to remember/realise, you don't own a cat. A cat owns you. As long as you're prepared to alter your life and household dynamics completely, you'll do well😉.

If you do rescue an older cat, the rescue centre should know if a cat has had experience of living with a dog successfully, and will be able to advise you on the best way for you to introduce the cat and your dog to each other.

When you bring your cat home, keep it indoors for at least 3 weeks before letting it out. Keep it one room, with all their belongings. Have a box for it to retreat into. Some toys and a cat tree would be good.

It'll need to be deflead & wormed regularly. Annual vet check up. Combed regularly.

Good luck!

And the best insurance cover you can buy. Cats are much more low maintenance than dogs are. And are just awesome!

Don't bother buying cat beds- we got several different sorts n mine prefer cardboard boxes 🙄😂

Thanks for the advice everyone. We are on holiday in July so won’t make any plans until we are back.

And I will be sure to post photos when we get him/her 🤣

Some cats do use their beds. Mine have five and they are all used.

Kittens will get into every possible place in your home you can imagine and a whole lot that you can't. Any small hole, space, tunnel-looking thing is kitten-bait. Anything that looks like it might be climbable will be climbed. They don't tend to put things in their mouths like puppies (though they might!) so its a different kind of baby-proofing: are they any tight gaps, places between furniture, movable kickboards, a kitten could get stuck in? Anything tall that looks like it might be good to climb, without an easy way to get down? They climb curtains btw. And then get stuck on the curtain rod at the top.

Ah but do you have a dog? In my experience cats much prefer to steal the dog's bed. Or sometimes sleep on the dog.

OP

I agree you do not own a cat, your entire family, including the dog will be the cat's minions.

There should be a term like, "Stockholm syndrome" to describe the state of cat slaves.

Oh and many of them like to bring you presents, if you are lucky it will be a sock, if you are unlucky a bird or rodent, if your neighbours are unlucky it could be a whole roast chicken or a gammon.

There should be a term like, "Stockholm syndrome" to describe the state of cat slaves.

My cat: making tiny claw-pricks in my face to wake up and feed her at 4.45am, shoving her entire body into my face and cutting off my airway.
Me: Hello my love, how are you today? Mummy will do it now.