Pros and cons of having a cat?

[CommuterMummy]

Never had a cat in my whole life and tbh I am and always will be a dog lover. But dogs are high maintenance and DH and I work FT mostly outside the house so I think a cat is more appropriate for us - I want DS to grow up with a pet.
The main things I am scared of are them brining in mice (I am absolutely terrified of them, one of my biggest fears), them disappearing if they escape from the garden, them runing all our furniture etc.
We’d be looking to buy a house in a Surrey commuter town so quite green but not too rural - is the mice risk still high?
Is there a way of ensuring we get one with a slightly calmer and more affectionate personality (like with dogs for example, even if of course there can be differences bewteen the same breed, they tend to share certain characteristisc).
I basically want a low maintenance sofa cat that is sweet and is going to be a good family companion, especially for DS.
Am I asking too much? I genuinely don’t know anything about them!

*ruining furniture. Sorry for the typos

Cats are a law into themselves and I fear it's purely pot luck what you get.

We have two cats. One is as you describe but the other is pointless. Won't sit on your lap, won't be picked up or stroked but will poke you in the face at 3am.

They've scratched all the furniture.

I'm fond of them but don't feel they put much effort in.

We got a dog 2 years ago as I've always been a dog person.

Don't get a kitten it won't suit you

Cats can be surprisingly high maintenance I mean yes I don't have to walk him but apart from that he is like a dog requires food entertainment (especially if they are an only) vet bills! My one cat has just cost me £200 plus for his paw (turns out he cant tolerate certain antibiotics) all he did was jump off his scratching post twist his claw then developed an infection then developed an intolerance to the antibiotics....🥴

Don't forget hairballs or random vomit if they eat too fast

The list is endless they are not low maintenance always (you get some that are)

I am a dog ,over, but I did have cats when I was working FT. It may sound strange, but coming home to the cat was much better than an empty house. And you can leave them all day, and even overnight, unlike a dog.
I was happy to leave cats at the cattery for holidays, but leaving my dog with a relative is VERY stressful, so I avoid going away.
Mine never scratched furniture or stairs, but they did have scratching posts and a cat flap to come and go as they pleased.
If I couldn’t have a dog for any reason, I’d have a cat again. I’d hate to have no pet.

And mine never brought in mice, but they did bring in a live baby rabbit once !

I've only ever had rescue cats who were indoor ones. No worries over bringing 'gifts' like mice or birds, or getting run over ( we live in a city anyway).

I think you'd better off getting a stuffed toy cat!

You can't pre-select their personality.

I would say have it as an indoor cat if you don't like the thought of mice.

The advantages of getting an adult cat from a rescue shelter is that they know the personalities and can guide you.

I've had my kitty since she was 6 weeks old. Known her since she was a day old. I was never a cat person till she came in to my life. She's the most loving affectionate cat ever. Would make a great therapy cat. It helped that I got the imprint. Which you get from day 1.

By handling them from day 1*

Kittens can be hard work to train either to go outside or in a litter tray. If in doubt don't. A low maintenance sofa cat?? No more guarantee of that than having a baby that sleeps 12 hours at night from the word go.

I wouldn't be without them, though they are hard work when small kittens. I had two to keep each other company but actually they are very independent and don't bother too much with each other.

Our cat sometimes brings in mice but she also catches ones that come in the house. It annoys me when she brings a mouse in from outside alive and then seems to lose it! I hate mice too, but we live in the countryside and the cat has been good at getting rid of the mice that come in. She has scratched our furniture but she was a rescue kitten and has always been very nervous. When my DC were little they were too lively for her but now they are older she loves them and sits on their laps. She is so loving and cuddly and we all adore her. She is fine left at home when we go away and someone comes and feeds her so she is easy in that respect.

Cats can be a massive pain in the arse
if they choose to do their business in a certain place that’s that
that’s probably the worst thing

when mine feel they’re being fed on time they’ll fight it’s pretty violent and annoying

cat food is expensive

m I could go on but I adore cats
I feel like cats make this world better
im totally in awe of cats

caring for them is costly and a pain but I will always have cats as they are worth it to me

if you don’t feel this way about cats don’t get one as it won’t be worth it

What about a Ragdoll? They are very placid and can't go outside - definitely wouldn't be catching any mice!

Also if you get a kitten, get 2. Then they always have company and are less needy, especially if you are out all day.

The reality of having an indoor cat is that you will never have nice things again. They scratch furniture and doors despite the small fortune you’ll spend on scratch posts. They claw at carpet, pulling it up. Hairballs and random vomit will happen in the most inconvenient places. They dig up houseplants. They still manage to kick litter all over the place even if you buy a tray with a lid. They jump onto all surfaces and knock things over all the time. You will buy them a bed that will never be used and they will prefer to sleep on your bed or in laundry baskets. Everything will be covered in cat hair no matter how much you clean.

Im a total cat person but the reality is

• scratched and broken furniture
• food mess everywhere -she carries it round the house, dumps it and walks off
• she has bought in mice from time to time,, sometimes they are still alive and they go missing in the house. I dont know where they end up to be honest. We had our windows done some years back and the bloke moved some furniture in the living room and there was a little body. I was mortified.
• she will get on the work tops despite what you say
• she thinks the bed is her bed,, waking up with cramp because your legs have been in a funny position all night
• random runny watery vomit, for no reason
• hairballs

We dont have insurance or anything, never have for any of our pets.

Cats prevent house mice (and rats) but they do bring in mice (usually dead) and birds (often alive) ime. One quickly develops the skill to cover with two sheets of kitchen roll and deftly scoop up in the dustpan, holding in situ with the brush en-route to the dustbin.

They will scratch your furniture and carpet.

They may love you as loyally as a dog. They may not.

They may wee in your house when stressed or unwell.

The costs stack up. My two rescues currently cost £38pcm for insurance. My old boy's insurance had gone up to £89 pcm, £135 excess and then covered 80%.

Fleaing, worming and vacs I pay ,£13pcm through the vet.

Food is about £120pcm (OK I accept They have the good stuff).

One of my vet nurses looks after them when we are away £15 per day for two.

If they are indoor cats there is the bind of litter and trays and additional cleaning.

They are expensive, cause damage, and are a tie. On the other hand I don't think a house is a home without a cat.

You have to be a cat person to commit to a cat. No cat will commit 100% to you.

No birds on your garden if you a cat.

First things first, the only way you can guarantee that a cat won't catch mice is to keep it indoors (and ideally provide a catio). So your starting point is an indoor cat/s.

If you work FT outside the house then you'll need to get two kittens or a bonded pair of cats. Not fair to have an lone indoor cat if you are out all day.

Then you need to consider temperament. Not all cats will be happy as indoor cats. As suggested by a PP, Ragdolls would be an obvious choice. We have an indoor Ragdoll and he is incredibly low maintenance - not in the least bit destructive, is never sick, and is bombproof in terms of using his litter tray. He's affectionate and a wonderful companion. I'm not sure how typical this is of the breed or if we just got lucky.

Cats dont like cat company, they are solitary animals and while they might get on with other cats in the house its not their preferred option.

Yes, cats do as they please.....however, they can be trained to not scratch, claw or damage. I've had numerous cats, not one ever destroyed or broke anything. Maybe because ours are outside cats, so lots to do? Yes, lots of mice, we live in the country, less when we were in the town. They are great. I would never be without a cat. I don't think they are very expensive either, but we don't have insurance or have had much vet treatment tbh. Lucky I guess. Again maybe because they are big standard cats, and pretty fit.

My two get on really well. They were brought up together from day 1.

Sorry to be blunt but based on your criteria please don't get a cat. Or any animal really. There are certain breeds that are more docile and suited to indoor living but they are animals and don't come with preset requirements.

I've had cats all my life and everyone has been different. Some have been an absolute dream and easy to look after and some have been high maintenance.

Even if they're 'perfect' they still shed hair and go to the toilet. If you've never had a cat then it will be a bit of a shock to the system. Definitely don't get a kitten as they require a lot of input and likely to be playful and into things.

I got 2 kittens from a rescue centre 9 months ago. Like you there is often no one in the house. I have only ever had older single cats before but the 2 together is brilliant.
They provide hours of entertainment for the DC and me playing and being stupid together. My DD in particular loves them and keeps her off a screen. Also we all send each other videos of them (and other cats) on WhatsApp so it's kind of bonded us as a family too. They entertain each other so definitely less high maintenance than with one and they love (need) the company.

The litters trays were a real pain at first before they went out but they barely use them now.

No mice as yet - but leaves and worms.

The sofa in my kitchen has now got threads hanging off it. I just accept it as they being so much joy in other ways.

I don't have AirTags but plenty of people do so you can track them when they get lost.

They are more expensive than I thought