Vanity - Question about cats

[Perdogg]

I am thinking about getting a cat when I move into a permanent place (condo or Townhouse). I know some people think it is strange for a guy to like cats, well, I like all animals. So let's not draw any inferences from this thank you.

I was thinking about getting one of the rarer breeds, but if I do get a cat I am going to love the animal no matter what. I would get a rescue.

I was thinking getting a Bengal, Mau, or an Abby. I know people, including Freepers, have said that Bengals require a lot of attention and is probably for a more experienced cat owner. I also heard that it is not good to leave them alone for 9 hours a day.

Does any one have any experience with Maus or Abbys? Does anyone have a Peterbald? I am not opposed to getting a non-pure bred, in fact, the most loving pets I had as a child were mixed. And they tend to live longer.

Any thoughts or good advice?

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

All three of mine like to drink from the toilet. We have a water bowl out for them, but I’ve only ever seen Apple drink from it and half the time she doesn’t remember where it is!

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

“In our area the bigger problem isn’t cats but assorted pit bulls, staffordshires and rotties, readily surrendered and infrequently adopted.”

Based on browsing my local shelter’s adoptable pets pages, it appears the big problem here is Chihuahuas. I’ve looked at the dog pages a few times when they comprised over half the dogs they had up for adoption.

[catnipman]

“Our vet apologizes to her clients for mandatory vaccines, but she says she has no choice, due to state regs. Of course; we all know what is going on there.”

Yep, vaccines are where vets make most of their profits. I had one here in Colorado tell me the bald-faced lie that she couldn’t give a vaccine without a complete (and expensive) exam due to state requirements. I knew there was no such requirement and told her in no uncertain terms that what she claimed was absolutely untrue. She was forced to back down with some BS mumbling.

My question is mandatory by who? You or the vet? Google it and see if the vet is lying.

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

“They’re miniature tigers in every way.....nature’s perfect little killers, tough and resilient.”

Yup. I’ve always said of my orange tabby that deep down, she knows she’s related to tigers. But all we’ve ever seen her kill are spiders; she’s tried to catch flies but as far as I know she hasn’t succeeded in that yet.

[mupcat]

As you've already read by many the way to go is a rescue, but if you are really interested in a purebred here's a site that can help. Take the quiz and also look at the various breeds on the menu part. Even if you end up with a rescue it's a fun quiz to take with so much information.

We have 3 cats and after having dogs for over 40 years I think all things considered the cats have brought me more pleasure. Good luck, and happy hunting!.

Animal Planet

[mupcat]

Sorry, should have said the reason for the quiz is to find out the most compatible breed for you and the life you lead. The quiz is under the “breed selector”.

[Perdogg]

American Wirehair 89%

Siberian 89%

Snowshoe 89%

Tonkinese 89%

[Perdogg]

American Wirehair 89%
Siberian 89%
Snowshoe 89%
Tonkinese 89%
Japanese Bobtail 88%
Manx 87%
Russian Blue 87%
Bombay 86%
Cymric 86%
Devon Rex 86%
Egyptian Mau 86%
Norwegian Forest Cat 86%
Ocicat 86%
Turkish Van 86%
American Shorthair 85%
British Shorthair 85%
Burmese 85%
Havana Brown 85%
Chartreux 84%
Colorpoint Shorthair 84%
Javanese 84%
Maine Coon 84%
Oriental 84%
Scottish Fold 84%
Siamese 84%
American Curl 83%
Korat 83%
Singapura 83%
Balinese 82%
Turkish Angora 82%
Ragdoll 80%
Sphynx 80

[mupcat]

HA—not sure what all that means, but looks like you can take your pick of just about any breed you want. You certainly appear to be flexible and maybe that’s why so many would fit your lifestyle. I notice one of the few breeds NOT on your list of recommended breeds is Persian so that obviously addresses the grooming requirements.

[Gefn]

I would say you will be happy to have a cat in your life.

I’ve had the pleasure of 3 kitties. The first one was a very elderly cat of a college friend who’s grandmother just died. She was a Maine Coon calico, and I loved her. I had her for only two months, I believe her little cat heart broke when my friends grandma died. The vet had another cat who was there for a year, and considered unadoptable. I took one look at her and knew she would be my kitty. I had her for 17 years, and I still miss her. She was a Burmese cat, but I think she had some Siamese in her, she was a talker. Best kitty ever.

After she died, I didn’t want another cat. A month later she came to me in a dream, told me there was a tan tabby in the local shelter who had been there for 3 years and desperately needed a home. I went to the shelter with my parents, answered a questionnaire, and looked at the cats. I didn’t want a kitten, I wanted a cat at least 6 months old, I saw a few kitties who came up to me, meowed and looked adorable.

The shelter told me the best cat was this small tan tabby who had been there for 3 years. I was not sure, I didn’t feel a spark with this cat, but she was so lonely and afraid of the other kitties. The shelter told me I could have her for two weeks, if I didn’t bond with her, to bring her back and I could get a new kitty.

The first few days she was under my bed, but I could hear her t night using the litter box and eating. She came around on her own schedule, Very aloof, very scared. I just let her explore me on her own terms. When. She let me, I snuggled her, and fell in love with her. It took several months for her affectionate nature to come out. Until her old age, she was never a lap cat but she did sleep with me most nights. She’s an old girl now with some health problems but I do love her.

I think what ever cat you decide on will be wonderful, and you will have so much happiness from it.

[Twinkie]

Cats are real sweet. . and they want to name themselves. Our cat, Brutus, was funny. We first tried to name her Zip; but she wouldn’t answer to that. Then we tried Lambchop, but the neighbor kids hooted and hollered from a mile across the valley making fun of “Lambchop”. She refused to answer to that also. So, I tried a tough name instead - “Brutus” - which she loved and comes running when we call for “Brutus”. - Whatever breed you get, if you can get past the hurdle of a name they will answer to, then you can move on from there. - I like Fresh Step cat litter, and Wildcat Food with real wild game in it, mixed with Kitten Chow for now. Fresh water, (dry food is about all Brutus will eat), a litter box, and Brutus is happy. Oh, and rabies shots, worm medicine, monthly flea and tick, hairball remedy are nice additions. Brutus also loves to stay outdoors most of the time, and comes inside to sleep at night most nights. Most people say no to letting cats go outside; but Brutus refuses to stay inside all the time - and she knows how to be difficult about things in an effective way. - Poor guy, you’re about to get an edu-CAT-shun!

[CatherineofAragon]

"Yup. I’ve always said of my orange tabby that deep down, she knows she’s related to tigers. But all we’ve ever seen her kill are spiders; she’s tried to catch flies but as far as I know she hasn’t succeeded in that yet."

LOL.....I love me some orange tabbies. The ones I've known have been tough little boys.

Same for my husband. When he was a bachelor, a stray orange tabby adopted him. The cat would do his thing during the day, and come in at night to watch TV beside my husband on the couch, and eat cut-up hot dogs.

My husband will also tell you about another who belonged to a former girl friend. He was at her house, and the cat was snoozing, or so they thought. Suddenly he shot across the room, and *WHAP* knocked a mouse into the far wall with his paw. The poor little mouse bounced back, dead, and the cat resumed cool mode, licking his paws as if to say, "It was nothing." Mr. CoA was amazed at the strength behind that little paw, and pretty much convinced of the awesomeness of cats from then on.

[CatherineofAragon]

Perdogg, I forgot to wish you and your future furball the best. I hope you keep us all informed!

[Axenolith]

He actually molted, there was winter and summer fur, in summer his hair was pretty short.

[Axenolith]

Yes. My SIL and her kids wanted to name him some goofy earth mother tree hugger name like “Bentha” (he was last kitten in a litter their cat had). I looked at my stepson when we got him from them and on que we were both “Oh, that name SO has to go”, and we had just seen the movie Spawn, and were simultaneous on that.

[who knows what evil?]

‘Bentha?’ Sweet mother of mercy...good call on ‘Spawn’.

[publana]

I forgot to mention that my dog is a very forgiving dog and loves cats. They are getting along famously now.

[gunsequalfreedom]

you cat lovers are immune to the smell of cats and think cat litter covers it up. Sorry the rest of us think your house stinks like cat urine.

okay, well maybe it smells like perfumed cat litter cat urine but it still smells like cat urine.

do you ever wonder why your friends always turn down your invitations to come to your house for dinner?

[CAluvdubya]

Cats are obligate carnivores. Feed kittehs a meat based diet, NOT a grain based one as most dry foods are. Cats do not handle carbohydrates the way dogs can, and tend to develop diabetes. Diabetes is not a death sentence for cats; I kept one alive for years with insulin injections and proper diet, but best to try to avoid the problem completely. www.felinediabetes.com

Best advice on the thread so far.

I've had two diabetic cats and one got off insulin after I changed his diet. I no longer give dry food, except a small handful as a snack on occasion.

I know I'm late to the thread but I'd go with two kittens to keep as company for each other if you're planning on leaving for 9 hours at a time.

Short hairs are so much easier to take care of than long hairs. I say this as an owner of a gorgeous Ragdoll. My other 3 are rescues but all have short hair and much easier.

Good luck! (and now I'll finish reading the thread to see if you've already adopted!)

[smokingfrog]

What kind of food do you feed your diabetic cat(s)? Our cat Beau has been on insulin for a couple of years now. He went into remission once, but it came back.