Husband wants a cat/cats I've never owned one before

[Hoolahoophop]

We are moving to a new house, and DH has said now we back onto fields he would like a cat. I have never had a cat before, we have fish and we (I) have rabbits.

Are we better buying kittens or adopting, at what age. We have 2 primary aged children. I have been looking at pictures and family compatibility and think Ragdoll and Short Haired British breeds would be good for us. Does this sound right?

DH wants the cats, I'll end up looking after it/them, what will I need to know, and how do I find responsible breeders, or go about adopting.

Thanks

When we had younger kids and didn’t want the hassle of kittens (potential biting, litter training and poo accidents, chewing stuff etc) we got a young adult cat from the RSPCA.

The staff were able to tell us which cats were suitable for a home with children our ages and what the cat’s personalities were like. Plus he was already house & litter trained 👍.

He slotted right in, he’s the most affectionate and chilled out cat!

Yes, just get a classic cat from a rescue.

Dog breeds are very different from each other because dogs have been given lots of different jobs - cats only have one traditional job (pest control) and are less domesticated than dogs in general. So you get the full gamut of cat personalities just in normal cats.

Think about what personality traits you would like in a cat (friendly, independent, cuddly, confident, playful, relaxed, etc) and get an adult rescue. If you ask them for what you want you can get a smashing cat that is just the cat you wanted! We asked for a young adult who could live with primary age children and had a friendly and cuddly personality and that's exactly what we got - he's an absolute star!

Or get a couple of rescue kittens for the fun and cuteness and so they grow up used to your children and everything, that would also be a good option.

Don't buy a cat (beyond adoption fees), no need. I personally wouldn't get a rescue dog because it's so easy to mess up a dog's socialisation and traumatised dogs can be very challenging, but rescue cats don't really have these issues.

we got our young cat from a rescue centre. We went to see him and he was totally in love with DD from the moment he saw her.
We’ve had him 6 months now and he quite likes me now too.

Ragdolls are generally seen as indoor cats. They’re
too daft to be safe outside. They’re a bit like dogs. They follow you around, run to the doorbell and need a lot of attention for a cat. We have had ragdolls and moggies. Much as I love the ragdolls moggies are proper cats and they are lower maintenance. For a lot of outside space I would avoid a ragdoll.

We got a 2 yo moggy from a rescue centre. He came fully house trained and well behaved. So lovely and affectionate. Go for a rescue OP.

Don't get a ragdoll as completely pointless if you are moving somewhere with open space for a cat to go outside. Go to a shelter and get a kitten for your children.
Neutered males tend to be the most affectionate btw but cats are very individual so you can never quite tell with kittens.
If you want to know temperament adopt an adult cat.
They are the easiest pets and much easier than rabbits. They will tell you what is required very quickly. You just do as you are told. Apart from going to the vets you will have to take the lead on that one.
I have never had a kitten come to me that hasn't been litter trained by it's mother. So I personally don't understand why people say kittens are hard work? I think they are fantastic fun. My cat is now 7 but he was always lovely even as a crazy kitten.

I've always had mine from kittens. Honestly - kittens are an absolute joy, the kids would love them. I do agree with above, though, that you can't always guess their adult temperaments - our boy was very shy/cautious as a kitten, but he's totally placid and laid back as an adult.

Little kittens do better with a litter mate, so long as you have enough room that they can have their own space as adults.

There's not really much "looking after" involved tbh. There's the logistics (and cost) of keeping up with flea/worming/vaccinations. You'll have to clear up cat sick occasionally, and rodent entrails fairly regularly. My cats are short haired moggies, so don't need any grooming or anything.

definitely a rescue. I have the most wonderful male moggy who is so gentle and loving with my children. We got him when he was about 2 and then a couple of years later we got a female kitten from the same rescue. Initially (for about 2 weeks) he was depressed about it, but now 4 years on they are the best of friends. She is a bit feistier but has learnt to be affectionate and love cuddles from her big ‘brother’

Don’t get a breed. It’s the opposite of dogs really. Moggy all day long.

It’s Daphne’s birthday today, it really is, she was a rescue kitten at 14 weeks.
She likes to survey her kingdom.

They aren’t that much maintenance. They’re v independent. I wouldn’t bother with a breed. Adopting is much more rewarding - and you often get such a great little personality in return. i’m excited for you and the family

I posted a similar thread a while back and got lots of good advice -

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_litter_tray/5241883-i-think-i-want-to-adopt-a-cat-but-ive-never-had-a-cat-before-and-i-have-questions?page=1

@EmpressaurusKitty what a beautiful girl

Give it a few weeks and you be wondering how you managed your life without being a cat slave. It really is the best!

Kittens will wreck your house! Climb your curtains, scratch your furniture! Much better to get an older cat whose personality is established.

It's not a good idea to let ragdolls out! We have a half Maine Coon/half Ragdoll rescue boy and although he was allowed out at his previous home, it really would not be a good idea!! We also have a rescue tortie and white long-haired girl, who has an element of Maine Coon in her too. We adopted them two years apart and they are so bonded - they just love each other!

However, our first lady rescue, short-haired tortie and white, hates them both equally.... We have to keep them separated.

Cats are so special. I have had cats all my life and I'm old!!!

Happy birthday, Daphne!

Ah don't worry she'll be completely under their spell within weeks.

We’ve had our long haired moggy since kittenhood. Kittenhood was….stressful. If I get another cat I’ll get a short haired adult! She’s shy and runs the house solely on her terms. Not that cuddly. I wish she was more cuddly.

yes , I love cats. I’d get one.
But why would you have to do all the work?

Thanks for all the advice. When we were choosing the bunnies we rehomed from a local rescue and they have been amazing, both the rescue and the bunnies. However, we did go in with breed suggestions which the rescue agreed with and helped us to find from amongst their adoptees. It made a difference with temperament and size with the bunnies so I assumed it would be the same with cats.

@2025willbemytime and @notatinydancer fear not. DH has done no feet stamping has just talked forever about wanting cats 'when' we got a house suitable, and now we do. He will do his bit when he is around but he works longer hours than me so during the week care duties including feeding children and animals in the morning (and the evening if he is very late) will be down to me, it is my choice to do this and luckily for the feminists, I can earn as much as I want and we need on reduced hours. But I want to find out what in entailed in cat ownership before I sign up.

I am ambivalent about cats, but then he was ambivalent about the rabbits but supported me in getting them adopted, building a bunny mansion, vet visits etc. He feeds them when I have to do odd hours. So as long as it will not massively add to my workload I am happy to support him in getting cats.

Dh grew up with cats but they were his Mums and cared for by his mum, so I guess we could both be described as beginner cat owners. Also, times and advice change, there is a massive difference in the way I care for our rabbits now, compared to the advice and care given when I was a kid.

Thanks @Pigeonqueen for linking your thread. I will have a good read of that.

And thank you everyone who put on pictures of your feline friends. It definitely works in swaying a decision towards cats! Especially with the posters saying that cats are a good care to reward investment.

I guess my only other concern would be holidays, we love a holiday. Will need to find a cattery or friendly neighbor for that.

Cat pics, you say? This is Kettle, aged around 5, abandoned by previous owners, sweetest cat in the world.

Apart from accidents and injuries, in which we've had a run of bad luck, he's very low maintenance. We feed him, clean his litter tray (he goes out but prefers his tray for toileting most of the time), give him a brush every now and then, the kids play chase the string with him. And he rewards us with cuddles and cuteness and his funny personality. He makes us laugh every day and he is absolutely adorable.

Cats are easier than many other pets. Even when you go away they're generally OK at home with someone coming in which is easier to arrange than dog care. And they are top tier pets when it comes to personality, intelligence, affection and bonding with humans.

Here is a cat picture to help you OP. The first was when we first got our girls as young kittens, the second is more recent.

My DH was ambivalent about cats and indeed had said for years that he didn’t want any pets before mellowing last summer. When we got the cats he was accepting rather than enthusiastic. But within a few weeks he started to get very fond of them and now I’ve overheard him calling them things like “sweet cat” and “my love”. They have also been a very positive and calming influence on the kids. (And the children can help look after them - I was away for a night last week and my 10 year old took on responsibility for feeding the cats and doing their litter tray and did a good job. Even my 6 year old often does their breakfast if she is the first one down.)

Holidays - you can get someone to pop in to feed them and sort the litter tray. Presumably you’d need someone to come for the rabbits anyway?

You can probably get into a reciprocal arrangement with a cat-owning neighbour, OP - that’s what we have.

For holidays we use Trusted Housesitters (house sitters who stay in your house) https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleAds_Direct_Search_Brand_UK_Acquisitions&utm_content=Brand_FullBrand&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqIm_BhDnARIsAKBYcmvlU2o16-aODMVuvs2gbuoyjnSHaavWl-yJX6UH9ZMBdR_d0auHuQYaAqTWEALw_wcB
They've all been brilliant. If not we just ask a neighbour or pay a cat sitter to pop in. I would never use a cattery. It would be torture for any cat I've had.

Holidays it depends on the cat. We had one that was utterly reliant on humans, and needed company almost constantly. We found a small cattery who worked with that- would let him out into the run to follow her round while she made breakfast etc or let him snuggle while doing paperwork. That cat knew the train timetable and would be sat outside waiting to shout at passengers for ignoring him.

another cat was very attached to his home environment and a cattery would not have worked. He liked human company but other cats and change seriously stressed him. So we got a cat sitter to come in and feed him and chat for a while.

you’ll figure out your cat’s personality.

Same!