Cat people.. i have some questions about felines

The cage is an issue, they need really big cages right?

and, no offense to anyone, Im really not a fan of them. my cousin had a mouse and it pooped/peed all over me! yuck! im not a fan of any animal those goes to the bathroom on me lol
Altho, ive been researching and it seems that rats are quite diffrent.. kind of like little dogs.

the only issue would be the cage. and the landlord.. hes OK with cats and dogs. but one of the girls said she wanted a ferret and he said no. so im not so sure about rats. ill email him tho after I do some reasearch

thats EXACTLY what I want. like a garfeild kind of cat that will be content to just chill out lol

and I will definetly check out the black cats, i think they are very pretty and if we can find one with brown feet then we are just all set! lol

Hmmm..yeah, that's totally fair. If they don't suit you, they don't suit you.

They do need a large cage, unless you're going to let them out all the time. And they can sometimes...umm...dribble on you. They can be littertrained very easily, but as well behaved as my boys were, they still tended to leave little pee trails here and there when the mood caught them. :0

Rats are a pretty particular pet. They really are very social and have real needs..they can't just be left in a cage like a mouse or a guinea pig. If you don't have the time or environment for them to come out and explore then I wouldn't bother. They're basically like miniature ferrets. They're small, but they have BIG personality.

Wonderful suggestions! Please do consider a black cat. But most of all, just look for a laid back kitty - maybe even an older adult or middle aged.

Also, you say you already have cats. What holds you back from bringing one of your currently owned cats? (I'm all for saving a life, but just curious. )

They are all sort of feral. we befriended them enough that they come indoors, sometimes we can pet them, and we got them spayed/neutered but they by no means want anything to do with people. they would NOT take the move well, they are so tightly bonded and being outdoors is such a big part of them.
They pretty much just use us for food and a roof over their heads lol

Yes, we have those too. Only one of the barn cats is very social here, but even then I'd NEVER make him be an indoor only kitty, even if I promise him that if we have the finances one day, we'll take him with us and he could be indoor/outdoor.

But most definitely look for a garfield cat, in a black coat! I know here there are many rescue groups.. and of course, rescue groups always tend to know much more about individual cats personalities, less likely to adopt a cat with URI issues, etc. So also look into rescues since you do need a particular type of cat. Shelters may not be able to help in the personality area unless it is a very good shelter.

BTW, this is our kitty we hand raised from 2 days old. He was the only male, and Dustin HAD to keep him. He's MUCH bigger now (8-9 months), but haven't uploaded the recent pictures of him.

totally off the wall suggestion but you are in one of the main exotic pet states
bobcat, caracal or lynx
i know the bob when bottle raised tends to bond well and even exhibits dog like protective tendancies & social character. additionally when well fed they can get to 40# (and even bigger) and will seriously intimidate strangers.

Oh. About the litterbox.

My big blue cat, Gonzo, learned to use the toilet. It's not difficult to teach most cats He also walked on a leash and was a champion snuggler.

I know everyone already petty much answered these but I thought I'd share my experiences too, I love cats but only want to own certain personalities which is why I'm sticking to Siamese(sort of like how I like small dogs and puppies but don't want to own them, I like cats but only like certain personalities and know that I will find that in most Siamese) .


1. Is it OK to only have 1 cat..will it get lonely without any other kitty friends? kittens are on sale at the shelter for $35 for 2.

Like many said, it depends on the cat. Neko would have done absolutely perfect without another cat, in fact I think he liked it better before we got Willie. He hates other cats now. Many adult cats will be labeled as bad with other cats. There was a cat at the shelter who would urinate all over the place in a home with cats but would play with the family dogs. Cats made him uncomfortable. Most kittens however are fine with other cats and will grow up to be fine with other cats if they are raised together. They do exercise each other and keep each other busy. Most shelters/rescues require you get two kittens. As I said I like a certain personality and that is a clingy super affectionate cat. Like with two puppies bought together, two cats may bond to each other more than to you. For that reason I think I will always buy kittens one at a time. People who want a more independent cat (not unaffectionate, just more content to be by himself/with the other cat and not with you) would be better with two kittens not one.


2. I want a long haired cat.. its just something ive always wanted lol what kind of grooming is necessary?

Never had a long haired cat, I prefer short coats for looks and grooming purposes. So I'm not sure on grooming requirements.

3. Kitten or adult cat? Im going to be adopting from the shelter. which do you think its best?

It's up to you. I like kittens personally but that's because I am somewhat afraid of adult cats that I have not raised/know very well. There have been a few adults that I bonded to at the shelter but I was not able to fully trust them even though I thought they were sweet as can be. I can't read cats as well as dogs (my own cats are an exception, I know them and can read them like a book). I like to raise them, get them used to teeth brushing, nail clipping, handling in general, etc. As I said I'm afraid of adults and have trouble reading strange adults so starting to do those things with adults, for me, is not something I'm comfortable with. That said they are vicious little buggers. With Neko I was very chopped up, all up my arms was scratched up. With Willie I only got a scratch here and there. It was all play though. They will attack your feet when you walk and sleep, they will rip stuff up and get all over everything, they will break things. In a small apartment they can be a tornado. So for a lot of people adults are better. For you I'd go adult. Remember though that shy cats in shelters may not be shy at all in a home, many do not show well in the shelter environment.

4. What is a good kind of litter/box? ill be living in an apartment

I just have a regular litter box, the bigger the better. Some cats are okay with covered boxes and some cats are not, I don't personally like them because sometimes cats poop up against the sides and it's another thing I have to clean. Plus I'm an out of sight out of mind person so having to walk past a full litter box is incentive for me to clean it.

5. i dont want it to be bored..what kinds of toys and things should I buy?

Some cats like crumpled up balls of paper, ping pong balls, little mice, etc. I call these "independent toys" because they can use these by themselves. Some cats like ones full of catnip (not all cats react to catnip-the reaction is genetic) Some cats much prefer wand type toys that you have to move around for them to chase and catch. A popular one is called "Da Bird". Yank on the toys before you buy them, if feathers/fluff rip out too easily don't buy them. Get scratching posts and put them in the room with furniture. some cats like horizontal and some like vertical. some like carpet, some sisal and some cardboard (unless they are Willie who likes only couch, so I made him one out of couch material).

6. People with cats..do they like you? do they cuddle with you? my cats just kind of hang around.. but maybe thats because they are indoor/outdoor and weren't really raised with us. I want a loving pet.

This also depends on the cat and his upbringing. My cats, due to both their breed, individual personalities and how I raised them are very affectionate and clingy. Both cats are always in the same room as me unless they are asleep. They both are always open to attention and are responsive to me calling them (Neko only responds to me, Willie responds to anyone and he RUNS when they call him). both wait for me at the front door when I come home from school or just from going outside. Willie is much more clingy than Neko (Neko was before we got Willie but has since changed). Willie will beg for attention and will jump into my arms. He will scream his head off when he wants attention. When seeking attention Neko gives a casual rub that most people, who don't know him, ignore (he kinda misses the leg too). Willie does not let you ignore him. Neko does not let you hold him for very long while Willie enjoys being held. Both like me and want my attention and I like that. They are not cats you have to go looking for, they are always there and ready for attention. It is a Siamese thing but is also an individual cat thing, plenty of non-Siamese will be like that and a Siamese that is raised with little attention will turn out differently, he most likely will give up on seeking attention from people. Cats who were allowed outside while they were growing up will most likely become more independent, they may enjoy your attention but they also like to do their own thing and have their own ways to entertain themselves outside. Mine play fetch, Neko rough houses better than most dogs (VERY fun and engaging for both of us) and Willie steals from the trash. They are very dog like, which I like.

7. What is a high quality cat food?

Usually the same brands of dog foods. For cats veggies, fruits and grains are even worse. Dry food is also not that great for them, feed as much wet food as you can afford. Or go raw (cheaper than wet food).

8. I will be a student.. so i wont be home 24/7. but since I'm prevet I am gonna be spending a lot of time in my room studying. but for when I'm not home.. what are some things I should have to keep kitty entertained? and keep her/him from scratching up my furniture?

Until you are sure the cat is trained to only use his post do something similar to what you'd do with a dog, don't crate but isolate in a bathroom or spare bedroom with litter box, independent toys, water, a soft bed or blanket and scratching post. Once he has lost all interest in furniture he can have the run of the house. He might end up sleeping the whole time anyway, mine do that while I'm at school. An open window (with a screen of course) can be good entertainment for some cats especially if there is wildlife or a lot of movement outside the window.

My boys:

Willie


Neko

1. Is it OK to only have 1 cat..will it get lonely without any other kitty friends? kittens are on sale at the shelter for $35 for 2
I think its okay, when we had Panda he was happiest as an only cat. Elliot seems pretty happy being an only cat aswell.


3. Kitten or adult cat? Im going to be adopting from the shelter. which do you think its best?
i suppose it depends what your after. Its been 10 years since I had a kitten and I enjoy calm older cats.

4. What is a good kind of litter/box? ill be living in an apartment
Elliot has a covered over one (because otherwise he can't aim properly and misses the box) it cost about $40 but its worth its weight in gold, blocks the smell quite well aswell.

5. i dont want it to be bored..what kinds of toys and things should I buy?
Scracthing post is a must or you'll loose your furniture. Elliot has nearly no prey drive, which is weird, but most cats seem to enjoy chasy toys.

6. People with cats..do they like you? do they cuddle with you? my cats just kind of hang around.. but maybe thats because they are indoor/outdoor and weren't really raised with us. I want a loving pet
Depends on teh breed/cat. Panda was probably ideal for me. He was very independant, he was dead quiet unless he was asking for food. He would occasioanlly sit beside me but always on his terms. His mother was a purebred British Shorthair and she gave him his bossy, brit nature that I love.

Elliot is a siamese. He's so different. Its like having a baby. He lives for his people, he is so, so attached to us. Sometimes he gets very distressed if he can't find us. When he's indoors he likes to be in your lap or on your hip being carried like a baby. He's exhausting at times just because of how needy he is. Is he loving? Absolutly.

This is Elliot, we got him just after we lost Panda. He was 9 years old and left in a shelter because his owners were moving. They're loss, we're so lucky to have him.

He knows how to relax.


He's demanding...




And this photo because I think it makes him look like he's dancing and it cracks me up everytime.



Sorry for the photo overload.

1. Is it OK to only have 1 cat..will it get lonely without any other kitty friends? kittens are on sale at the shelter for $35 for 2

Cats are fine on their own. I've grown up with cats, and often had two, and it was mostly hit and miss on whether they liked each other or not. My own cat was alone for a year and did fine, and never really took to the other cats when I moved here.

2. I want a long haired cat.. its just something ive always wanted lol what kind of grooming is necesary?

I'm totally with you there and I want a long haired cat again someday. We had a maine coon mix when I grew up (he had to be PTS a few months ago), and he needed frequent brushing or matted like crazy... once a day during shedding season at least, otherwise he was fine.

3. Kitten or adult cat? Im going to be adopting from the shelter. which do you think its best?

Whatever you want really. The advantage of older cats is that you can see right away if it will be a cuddler or not (most of my cats were, but some were more independent).

4. What is a good kind of litter/box? ill be living in an apartment

Definitely one with a top... My cat tends to lift her butt when she pees...

5. i dont want it to be bored..what kinds of toys and things should I buy?

Any cat toy works, they're not picky.

6. People with cats..do they like you? do they cuddle with you? my cats just kind of hang around.. but maybe thats because they are indoor/outdoor and weren't really raised with us. I want a loving pet

Best reason to get an older cat. My current cat (the first cat that was really my own) is pretty independent but still very cuddly. I've had several cats and most were cuddly, but a couple were not... it really depends on the cat.

7. What is a high quality cat food?

I feed innova... for cats can food is better, but I give both

8. i will be a student.. so i wont be home 24/7. but since im prevet I am gonna be spending a lot of time in my room studying. but for when im not home.. what are some things I should have to keep kitty entertained? and keep her/him from scratching up my furniture?

They really sleep a lot, I wouldn't worry about it - they're great pets for that.

Honestly I love cats, I don't think I'll have more dogs but I can't see myself without a cat (or two).

It was the second year of college that I got my two cats. It's a lot of work as a student, but if you're dedicated and responsible (which I think you are ) it can be done. My cats traveled with me back and forth on school breaks. They adapted pretty well to the situation.

1. Is it OK to only have 1 cat..will it get lonely without any other kitty friends? kittens are on sale at the shelter for $35 for 2

Some cats really do prefer to be alone and will do just fine. If you're adopting from a shelter I'm sure you'll find the personality you want. There are generally lots of cats to chose from.

2. I want a long haired cat.. its just something ive always wanted lol what kind of grooming is necesary?

I don't technically have a long haired cat, but I have a very fluffy cat and some days it makes me wanna pull my hair out, lol! Nothing shows better on your light furniture like black cat hair and it literally gets everywhere. Get your cat adjusted to brushing very early and you should be fine. Just as long as you don't mind a few hairs here and there.

3. Kitten or adult cat? Im going to be adopting from the shelter. which do you think its best?

An adult cat will give you a better idea of temperment and personality.

4. What is a good kind of litter/box? ill be living in an apartment

I have both hooded and open litter boxes. For some reason they like to poo in the hooded and pee in the open one......I have weird cats....

5. i dont want it to be bored..what kinds of toys and things should I buy?

I bought tons of toys for my cats. The only ones they really liked were the wand toys with feathers at the end of the string. Otherwise, my siamese loves hairbands and my tuxedo loves boxes and paper. They both love the laser pointer.

6. People with cats..do they like you? do they cuddle with you? my cats just kind of hang around.. but maybe thats because they are indoor/outdoor and weren't really raised with us. I want a loving pet

My tuxedo cuddles on her terms. Otherwise she wants you to leave her alone. My siamese is a cuddle machine. He'll let you hold him like a baby and loves to surprise me by jumping up on my shoulders....which is very uncomfortable when you're wearing a tank top.

7. What is a high quality cat food?

Mine do pretty well on the feline version of Taste of the Wild

8. i will be a student.. so i wont be home 24/7. but since im prevet I am gonna be spending a lot of time in my room studying. but for when im not home.. what are some things I should have to keep kitty entertained? and keep her/him from scratching up my furniture?

Cats are pretty good about finding their own entertainment when you're busy. Just leave out some of their favorite toys and maybe leave the blinds up so they can watch things outside and sunbathe.

Good Luck!

Here's my two kitties

Abu




Allie

No, no, I think that's an excellent suggestion for a college student! Not off the wall at all. I was going to suggest she get a cougar, but a bobcat is a much better idea! Sorry, everyone, I couldn't help myself.

Many cats can be as affectionate and as needy as dogs. Maybe you need some time with no pet.. rather than getting another one when you have one waiting for you at home.

Your dog may love cats. Who is to say the cat you get especially an adult from a shelter may be happy with your dog?

My opinions below.

1. Is it OK to only have 1 cat..will it get lonely without any other kitty friends? kittens are on sale at the shelter for $35 for 2

I think it depends on the individual cats. Adobe is much happier now that we have a foster cat (we haven't broken the news to him yet, lol). Growing up our cats were very social and we also had two or three at least.

2. I want a long haired cat.. its just something ive always wanted lol what kind of grooming is necesary?

Brushing everyday.

3. Kitten or adult cat? Im going to be adopting from the shelter. which do you think its best?

Adult please. The kittens go first because they are the cutest.

4. What is a good kind of litter/box? ill be living in an apartment

Enclosed is the best way to go.

5. i dont want it to be bored..what kinds of toys and things should I buy?

Balls or anything to chase, scratch pads, things with strings hanging down, a cat tree is a must.

6. People with cats..do they like you? do they cuddle with you? my cats just kind of hang around.. but maybe thats because they are indoor/outdoor and weren't really raised with us. I want a loving pet

Yes, and yes.

7. What is a high quality cat food?

Raw.

8. i will be a student.. so i wont be home 24/7. but since im prevet I am gonna be spending a lot of time in my room studying. but for when im not home.. what are some things I should have to keep kitty entertained? and keep her/him from scratching up my furniture?

Never had a problem with cats scratching up my furniture (ever in my whole life) so I'm no help there. And if you'll be away during the day, kitty will just sleep as they are mostly nocturnal. Lucky you.

1. Is it OK to only have 1 cat..will it get lonely without any other kitty friends? kittens are on sale at the shelter for $35 for 2

We have one cat and she seems to get lonely if no one is in the room with her at first *meowing at the door* But if Izzy is in her kennel (In the same room as the cat) or we're around she's content. If you go for a kitten, I'd say two. If you're going adult, 1 should be fine.

2. I want a long haired cat.. its just something ive always wanted lol what kind of grooming is necessary?

If you have a lazy cat, try to get it used to brushing, otherwise they should clean themselves.

3. Kitten or adult cat? Im going to be adopting from the shelter. which do you think its best?

Adult of course because you're definitely saving a life moreso than adopting a widely wanted kitten.

4. What is a good kind of litter/box? ill be living in an apartment

We've got a little dome shaped one with a carbon filter, it's awesome!

5. i dont want it to be bored..what kinds of toys and things should I buy?

If you have any smaller dog toys, they'd work fine. Things with string-like appendages are popular, our kitten loves her squid toy.

6. People with cats..do they like you? do they cuddle with you? my cats just kind of hang around.. but maybe thats because they are indoor/outdoor and weren't really raised with us. I want a loving pet

Or course! Jade has to be in our laps if we're in the room. Any cat I've ever raised fully indoors has always been affectionate.

7. What is a high quality cat food?

If raw isn't an option, I'd say grain-free is a must. Since Taste of the Wild is what I feed my dog, I feed it to my cat too! (There is a feline version of course)

8. i will be a student.. so i wont be home 24/7. but since im prevet I am gonna be spending a lot of time in my room studying. but for when im not home.. what are some things I should have to keep kitty entertained? and keep her/him from scratching up my furniture?

Cats that don't get enough people time will eat furniture (Justin's mom's cat is) but as long as you can be home and awake with your car 6 hours or so a day I'd say you'll be fine and it will entertain itself between exploring, toys, and sleeping.

1. Is it OK to only have 1 cat..will it get lonely without any other kitty friends? kittens are on sale at the shelter for $35 for 2
I've never had just one cat. I think most of our cats would be fine as single pets, but they also don't mind their companions. If that makes any sense I do catch Del and Cora sleeping together once in awhile, though

2. I want a long haired cat.. its just something ive always wanted lol what kind of grooming is necesary?
Depends on the type of long hair. Del has a Ragdoll type coat..I rarely have to brush her (just armpits once in awhile). Abner is a Persian, so we have to monitor his coat for brushing needs. He likes to play in the shower..so he tends to get brushed more often otherwise the wet areas will mat

3. Kitten or adult cat? Im going to be adopting from the shelter. which do you think its best?
Personal preference. I'm not personally a fan of kittens..I'd much rather get my cats as adults. (Abner and Del were both adult adoptees)

4. What is a good kind of litter/box? ill be living in an apartment
Again, personal preference. Open boxes can have litter kicked out (but not all cats do this) and some cats do not like covered boxes. Ours are fine with them, so the boxes are all covered. Frequent scooping prevents odors, so it really comes down to your and the cat's preference.

5. i dont want it to be bored..what kinds of toys and things should I buy?
My cats dont' really play, but the crinkly toys are always a favorite. I also found a little soft leather mouse that was a huge hit until my Yorkie stole it for his own

6. People with cats..do they like you? do they cuddle with you? my cats just kind of hang around.. but maybe thats because they are indoor/outdoor and weren't really raised with us. I want a loving pet
Depends on the cat. All of our cats are social, but some in different ways. Nicki likes love on her own terms, as does Cora. (though the latter is more of an "I will lay near you, but please don't cart me around) Del is happy with any love..I think I could tuck her under my arm and she'd go limp and happily truck around with me the rest of the day. She often lays upside down in my lap with her feet in the air and sleeps while she gets belly rubs. And Abner likes to be in the middle of things and get head rubbins. He's also a talkative little lad. Getting an adult cat will give you a pretty good idea of personality.
7. What is a high quality cat food?
I feed a grain free dry food and everyone looks lovely. Canned is best, but two of my cats refuse to eat it and a third just picks..would never eat enough to sustain themselves. None of mine will eat raw

8. i will be a student.. so i wont be home 24/7. but since im prevet I am gonna be spending a lot of time in my room studying. but for when im not home.. what are some things I should have to keep kitty entertained? and keep her/him from scratching up my furniture?
I've never done anything in particular to entertain my cats when I am gone, and they've never had anyone home the majority of the time. Maybe I have boring cats..I'm pretty sure they just nap when I'm gone

and my cats are very companion-like. Maybe the idea of them as antisocial comes from those more familiar with feral type cats who aren't into humans. Even our most persnickity cat likes affection.

I have 2 Maine Coons. One I have to comb/brush more often; the other I don't have to very much because the hair is a little shorter. They are very affectionate.

So yeah.... hope that helps