Thinking about getting a cat - your advice very welcome!

[newcat123]

Any advice welcome please! Kids are desperate for a pet, I grew up with dogs but just don't have the capacity to never be out of the house for more than a few hours. Husband grew up with cats and I'd be happy with a cat. I know that I sneeze with long-haired ones but hopefully ok with short haired - arranging to visit a friend and see if their short-haired cat will sit on my lap for a bit!

otherwise am complete novice! would appreciate advice on finding a breeder and anything else you can think of. we have a big garden and would encourage cat to only go out the back (and put cat flap there) as on relatively busy road. there are other local cats around.

We have just adopted our 2nd cat from a rescue centre after the 1st one died. When you read about each cat they tell you whether they are suitable to live with young children, older children, other cats/dogs etc and whether they go outside. My daughter lives in a flat in busy road so adopted an indoor cat. There are loads to choose from, our new cat is 9 but she bounces round like a kitten and has settled in like a dream.
Also pedigree cats are more likely to be inbred and have health issues, better with a moggie.

You can go to a rescue centre and adopt a kitten. They are full of them at this time of year.

Just do it, cats are the best!

We got a rescue kitty. You just kind of show up at the shelter and pick one who looks nice; we didn’t really get to spend much time with her before we took her. But you don’t get to pick your children’s personality or temperament either!

She was about 12 weeks old when we got her and I wouldn’t have one that young again. It was like having a real baby.

We don’t use a litter tray as she prefers to go outside but you will need one initially, as the cat will need to stay inside for a bit when it is first learning its way around.

We live in a terraced house and she goes out the front door and comes in the back door, or vice versa. Plenty of fences to walk along to get to where she needs to be. We don’t have a cat door because she catches mice and lizards and she’d bring them in if she could get in through a cat door.

We live on a very busy road and cat is fine. I actually think she’s better off on a busy road because the traffic is noisy so she’s aware of it and stays away. Any cats I’ve heard of getting hit by cars around here tend to be on the quieter side streets where people speed up and down, especially late at night. (In fact when I was a kid, our family cat got run over on a quiet street.)

Bits of advice I would give you is that cats shed their fur all the time all year round and they will scratch whatever piece of furniture or carpet takes their fancy so if this is going to bother you then think seriously before committing to a cat. They are independent but still love their humans and need a lot of attention. If you live by a busy main road I just wouldn't get one as it rarely ends well. Their poop stinks the house out if they use the litter tray and they kick the litter all over the place some days. They need good quality food, insurance and yearly inoculations in my opinion which isn't much cheaper than having a dog Getting two sibling kittens was the best thing we did as they play with each other and are constant companions. Be prepared for a cat to live as long as 15 or more years old. Having said all that we absolutely adore our two cats they are such fun to watch and interact with and are great companions for us. It gave my children a sense of caring for something other than themselves, even now my kids are young adults the first thing they ask when they get home is where are the cats so they can go and see them. I would have more if I could afford to.

The rescue cats are all assessed for temperament, and the shelter will know whether they are used to living with children and/or other pets.

We have adopted three over the years, and they have all been lovely.

Most rescues will be able to tell you a bit about the cats, not all are strays, lots are surrendered to rescues by owners who've had a change in circumstances. You'll get a feel for the one(s) that are right for you when you visit the rescue. We only meant to have one but fell in love with a brother/sister pair who've been with us 6 years now.

I have a pair of siblings. They are lovely.
Great advice on the thread already.
I would say make sure you have a plan for looking after them for when you go away.
Get a good hoover. They shed a lot.

Great advice here, just came to also say please look into adopting from a rescue! Older cats are absolutely wonderful (as I sit here with my boy who I’ve had since he was 3!), added bonus is they are toilet trained and don’t need quite so much company/supervision compared to kittens which works well if you’re out at work a lot.

Important also is making sure they have their own space or somewhere they can go in the house to get away. My cat would say a decent cat tree is a must (I would say don’t waste money on cat beds 😅). In terms of the road, we live on one that’s fairly busy but my cat is very nervous of it so stays in the garden so id say whether you need to cat proof depends on the cat. With the cat flap, get one with a chip reader to stop any others getting in your house.

Also important, insurance and a decent hoover/10000 refills for lint rollers to pick up the fur!

Definitely get one, they change your life ☺️

I had never had a cat, never had cats in the family, never really interacted with a cat, when one day during lockdown en, a gorgeous black cat just wandered in my home and never left! (I did track down her owner on fb who said she has a few cats and her home is a bit crowded with them, and if I want her, I can have her!)
I had no idea what to do with a cat, but very quickly learnt just going off instinct, registered her at the vets and got her microchipped etc etc. And now I can’t imagine my life without her!

To answer the OP's question from earlier: cat proofing. https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/kitten/welcoming/cat-proofing-the-garden

thanks, that's really useful

We adopted a 5 year old cat , he is marvellous, we all love him, he is affectionate and friendly and just lovely. He has no special equipment at all, sleeps on any chair, bed , sofa or stair that he fancies . No fancy food , he's a lovely boy, does come and go via catflap, I've always liked that for cats, we have a litter tray for emergencies (ie raining all day) is insured but basic policy is not expensive for young healthy cat. Once a year immunisation and check. Has flea /worm treatment from vet every 3 months

Please cat proof your garden if you intend to let them out or I'm afraid you will almost certainly be on here talking about a dead cat.You simply cannot control where a cat goes. Most roam up to 2-3 miles, a lot lot further than their owners give them credit for. Protect- a - Pet netting for the garden or you can make a catio (lots on pinterest for inspiration)

Insurance is about £20 a month.

Cats are amazing but please keep them safe. Roads are simply not safe this day and age.