(no subject)

[nekare]

So, should I get a cat? Anyone has any stories/advice/tips/what have you for someone that's never had a cat and only had dogs for months in childhood?

I went to a tiny adoption fair today and I fell in love with a gorgeous kitty that just let me hold him for like 20 minutes without even complaing once. At the same time though, I feel pretty daunted by the idea of being wholy responsible for a little being for the rest of its life.

But I've wanted a cat for years and years and years...

Comments

[ignipes]

Yes! Cats are easy to have as pets! And it's lovely to have a soft little creature to come home to! Cats spend most of their time asleep, so they don't require as much attention or amusement as dogs. As long as you feed them healthy food and make sure they have all their vaccinations and a clean litter box, there isn't much left to worry about. Most people train them just by getting a squirt bottle of water and spraying them when they jump on the table or scratch the carpet or whatever. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. You can't really train a cat, just dissuade her from doing things you don't want her to do. :)

I also tend to think cats should be indoor pets, because they can get hurt/sick easily outdoors, but it depends on where you live. A lot of people would disagree with me about that, but... well, in the battle of cat vs. car, the cat will never win, so.

[lilacsigil]

Cats are pretty easy to look after. My questions for a new cat owner would be:

1. Do you have someone to check in on the cat when you go away?
2. Can you change a litter box regularly?
3. Can you afford vaccinations and infrequent vet care?
4. Do you have lots of precious, delicate items or expensive furniture that should not be knocked over or scratched?

My cats are indoor cats, and one of them is a very active cat so I have to entertain him a lot when I'm home or he gets bored and destructive (this was obvious from his kitten behaviour). The others are pretty chill.