Posted on 10/11/2013 6:58:47 PM PDT by 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?
Yes, go to the local shelter, and if you don’t see a cat you want to rescue from the rescue, you probably don’t really need one. And if you do see one you must rescue, expect to put up with their soviet style procedures. You may need a home inspection, a long interview, and sometimes the shelter personnel will even decide based on their gut that “this is not the cat for you.” The attitudes there can be absolutely insufferable. You will also have to sign something saying that if you ever decide you don’t want the cat, you can only give it back to the shelter. God help you if you don’t have it when they come to check on how you’re treating the kitty.
Well. Now if you still want a cat, you probably are a cat person :)
Oh yeah, and you’ll need permission note from your landlord if you rent. And if the cat’s not spayed or neutered you must do that...and be prepared to prove it at followup.
Still, if your local shelter keeps cats in cages, I hope you will go there and save a kitty.
Get yourself a nice looking mixed breed or tabby kitten or young cat with no bad habits. you can find them in your local online shopper and sometimes on Craigslist. Fresh kittens go quickly as everyone tries to avoid the fanatics at the local shelter/rescue organizations. Go over and watch the kittens and the mom. Cats are mostly genetics.
Make sure you hold it constantly for the first year. Never give it treats in the morning or you will be woken for treats early. Play with the cat but do not tease it. Treat it gently and respectfully and you will have a wonderful cat.
The best cat is an even tempered, playful one who has been fixed.
How great! Some kitties are going to get a terrific, new home!
In my experience, the purebreds are more demanding and require more time and attention to keep them happy. I’ve had over 20 cats in my life, of all kinds.
If they’re not happy you won’t be happy.
How often do you want to clean up pee from an angry cat?
Pure-breeds, or purer breeds, can be really high-strung and can act out very inappropriately.
Bengals need a lot of room to stretch and run - I wouldn’t advise this cat for an apartment unless it’s a huge apartment with lots of windows and maybe a terrace.
All that said - yeah, here it comes - I’d go to the shelter and get a male cat of mixed breed, who is fixed or will be fixed (not for procreation reasons, for spraying reasons). If you can find litter-mates or cats who already love each other I’d get 2.
IME, male cats make better, happier cats and companions.
Whatever you decide, good luck! Please keep us posted :).
We’ve learned the hard way that cats should be indoors only but they make wonderful companions. Advice from a life long cat guy.
Guy looking for a cat?
Are you gay? If so, go ahead.
He is the best cat I have ever had.
Yes, I may eat both of them one day.
5.56mm
Wait a sec. Save yourself the aggravation and check the local classifieds for free kittens. You’ll be rescuing a cat from a fast track to the shelter.
I don’t know much about the characteristics of various breeds. All of our cats are mixed breeds; we usually have about 4 at any time. One piece of advice that I would give, since it sounds as though you’ll be out of the house for much of the day, is to get two cats, so that they can keep each other company.
Hey, hey, hey!
All cats are liberals.
always me, me, me, meow.
only affectionate on THEIR terms.
you WILL bow to their every whim, or else.
will act like they love you and then sh!t in your shoe.
Getting a cat smoothed a lot of rough corners off my son.
We had a Russian Blue, a stray. She was wonderful, great disposition, no shedding, and a great mouser. We also had a Calico, and she was the WORST cat I’ve ever had in all my days. She was stupid, lay in her kitty litter, peed on EVERYTHING, bad disposition. I would never get another Calico.
I think cats are great, but the previous post is correct - you work for them.
Abbys are great, I’ve had two, and they are the smartest most affectionate cats around.
Just keep up with their teeth, they can have problems, and get one from a reputable breeder.
Is it too late in the thread to suggest a pot-bellied pig? If so, my apologies.
Have two dogs.
I think my cat is conservative. He usually coughs up a hairball whenever 0bama shows up on TV.
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