Should we get cats? Advice please...

In My Humble Opinion
1

We want to get two young cats - maybe even kittens. We have no other pets. We both work Monday - Friday, 9:00-5:00.

Is this a reasonable idea? We’re thinking of 2 because they can keep each other company while we’re away.

How old do they have to be before they’re completely litter-trained?

Can they be kept in a kennel or some kind of contained area so we can be sure they won’t destroy our furniture, carpets, etc?

How can we help them be sociable, sweet, fun animals instead of lonely, bored, anti-social, psychotic monsters?

Help!!! All advice is welcome …

S.

2

Getting two is the best thing you can do to keep them from getting bored. Cats do very well in pairs, and they don’t really need their people to be home all the time, especially since they sleep 18-20 hours per day.

Most kittens are litter trained by the time they’re old enough to be adopted, although those who were separated from their mothers too early sometimes have problems. Cats don’t kennel-train the way dogs do, but you can designate a room to keep them in when you’re away, if you must. They’ll be happiest if you can give them the run of the house, though. Kittens spend their time between naps raising hell, but they pretty much grow out of that by the time they’re a year old. To save the furniture, you should make sure you get a good scratching/climbing post that’s tall enough for a grown cat to stretch all the way up on in order to scratch. Whenever you see one of your kitties scratching something else, remove him gently from the furniture and place him in the same position on the scratching post. If you have large potted plants, it’s a good idea to cover the soil with rocks so that the kitties won’t dig them up. Cats can be trained, but the training methods you’d use for a dog aren’t typically effective. They aren’t pack animals, and they’re far more interested in pleasing themselves than in pleasing you. A squirt bottle filled with water is a valuable tool in training kittens, since it enables you to enforce your rules at a distance, and the kitten isn’t as likely to associate you with the unpleasant effects of doing something wrong.

Take care when you choose your kitties and make sure they seem friendly and willing to be handled. Most communities have humane societies or rescue associations where you can adopt cats and kittens, and the workers there can usually tell you what kind of personality each cat has. There are almost always siblings that can be adopted together. I’d suggest getting kittens that are at least 3 or 4 months old, since you’re not home all day and you’re not used to cats yet. They aren’t as cute as the littler babies, but they’re a bit more self-sufficient and less likely to need your constant attention. Most cats are somewhat sociable by nature, and as long as you don’t yell at them, hit them, or torture them, they usually turn out to be very pleasant and rewarding pets.

3

I am not sure if anyone can provide the OP with advice as to whether or not you SHOULD adopt two kittens. That’s a personal decision that depends on your particular needs and peccadilloes. If you don’t like having cat hair on all your clothes, you’ll find having cats irritating, because there WILL be cat hair on all your clothes. Cat hair is phenomenally persistent and difficult to clean up. It’s also anyone’s guess as to whether or not the cats will decide they like sharpening their claws on your drapes or what have you. And remember, you have to scoop up their piss and crap on a regular basis.

Now, whether or not you CAN adopt two kittens is a different question; of course you can. Cats do fine alone; they are relatively docile animals, sleep 16 hours a day, and will be fine staying inside for the rest of their lives. They can be left alone for several days as long as you leave out sufficient water and some food. They rarely require litter training and are usually good about using their box unless they’re sick or you forget to clean it out. Two cats are certainly better than one in the sense that cats tend to be happier and more sociable when they live with other cats. (But there’s more trouble and expense for you.)

Some other hints:

Use the “clumping” style litter. I know it’s more expensive by weight, but it lasts you five times as long. Trust me on this one.

If you have two cats you will find it convenient to have two litter boxes. It’ll cut down on the amount of time you spend scooping. Add baking soda to the mix regularly.

Keep your cats inside. Really. They have no need to go outside and their life expectancy and overall health is far, far better if they are kept indoors. If they do go outside there’s a high probability they will kill a LOT of animals and bring them to your house. Cats are ferocious predators and hunt whether they’re hungry or not.

Provide the cats with small and medium sized cardboard boxes. Cats love cardboard boxes; they enjoy hiding in them and scratching them.

When correcting your cats with a spray of water, make a loud “ssssssss!” sound at them. Cats identify that sound with anger anyway, and if you can associate you making a hissing sound with the spray of water they will soon learn it’s how you tell them you are displeased; eventually, just hissing at them will correct them very rapidly. When I hiss at my cats they run.

If you do get two cats, even if they are siblings, they will fight from time to time, often it what SOUNDS like a really horrible and violent manner. There’s nothing wrong with breaking it up if one’s beating on the other or if it’s just irritating, but don’t panic. Cats fight, they like fighting, and will pick fights just for the hell of it, even with other cats they adore. It’s their way of perpetually jockeying for position, so don’t worry too much about it.

4

I’m Stainz ’ BF. If we decide not to keep the cats inside, is there a good time of the year to get the kittens (fall, spring, winter, summer)?

We’ll probably keep them indoors, but just curious…

MtM

5

If you want to keep them outdoors,just keep a feed and water bowl out on the porch/patio backyard area.No need to go looking for a cat-they’ll find you.

You’ll probably end up with a few regulars,some that may even come into the house to check out your living quarters.Some may decide to stay. :slight_smile:

6

There’s a greenbelt behind us which makes me leery of having outdoor cats.

Do they get “street” smart, or are they pretty much innocent & helpless?

Also, is it true that indoor cats shed less than outdoor cats? Because they don’t really need “winter” and “summer” coats?

7

Please, please, please, if you care anything at all about the cats you plan to adopt, please keep them inside. My cat, Maggie, is 16 years old and has never been outside for a minute in her whole life and she does just fine. Every cat I had before that was either killed by a car or contracted a deadly disease (feline leukemia) from another cat. If you’re going to have cats, please do what you can to keep them safe.

8

If you have to ask strangers whether or not you should get a cat, the answer is almost invariably no. When you add in discussions of making said cat an outdoor cat in an urban area, the answer becomes an absolute, “Hell, no”.

Pets are NOT just impulse items you can get rid of when the novelty wears off and they’re not cute anymore, or when they start to cost money, or when they become inconvenient. They’re living creatures who are dependent on you for their food, water, shelter, and medical care. Getting a pet is a 10-20 year commitment, with guaranteed heartache at the end of it. It requires time, effort, money, and dedication in greater measures than you would imagine if you’ve never done it before. Like marriage, parenthood, and mortgages, it’s a responsibility not to be undertaken lightly.

If you’re determined to do this, there’s not much hard and fast advice to be given. Like all other creatures, cats are individuals, and what works for one might not work for another. One thing I can tell you with near certainty, though: if you get a pair of kitties and put them outside, within five years one or both of them will be gone. You’ll find it run over somewhere already dead, or you’ll have it euthanized because it drug its broken body home screaming in pain, or it’ll contract FIV or feline leukemia and need euthanasia, or it’ll just disappear. Maybe it’ll be killed and eaten by stray dogs. Maybe it’ll get hit and the county will dispose of it before you find the body. Maybe it’ll just wander off to someone else’s house and decide it likes that place better.

No, I’m not just pulling stuff out of my ass. I see at least one of these scenarios every single working week of my life, and during the summer, it’s more like every other shift. Don’t put your pets at risk for this. It’s tragic for the cat, expensive for you, and depressing for the people who have to bag and tag the remains.

9

The advice offered by previous posters has been excellent. They know what they’re talking about.

Other problems you will find with outdoor cats. First, the very real possibility that each time you let them out to roam might very well be the last time you see them. It’s a dangerous world out there, with cars, dogs, other cats, cruel people, and all kinds of other dangers (I wrote this before I saw CrazyCatLady’s reply, which is much more comprehensive on that point). Second, outdoor cats are much more likely to bring home parasites and diseases, which not only shorten their lifespan, but can also be passed on to the other pets and sometimes even the family. Third, if you think stepping on hairballs in the middle of the night is disgusting, you’ll really love climbing into bed with dead birds and half-eaten rodents that kitty decided to leave as a present.

Also note that indoor cats will be extremely curious about the outside world, and may become escape artists. If you wish kitty to stay happy, healthy, and indoors, keep a spray bottle on the doorstep and fire a couple of shots inside as you slowly ease the door open.

As to the question of should you get cats, just keep these thoughts in mind.

First, cats are destructive. If not properly housetrained / tended to, they will shred your furniture, tear curtains right off the wall, destroy your carpets, knock precious knickknacks to the floor, and pee and poop in all kinds of unexpected places. This does not even begin to describe the damage they might do to you from time to time. If you are not an extremely patient person, or you have expensive furnishings, pass on, friend. Get a goldfish.

Secondly, taking good care of any pet is expensive. The food and litter add up quickly, especially if you get the good stuff. Cats need regular shots and periodic checkups at the vet clinic. Emergency medical treatment is quite costly, and most vets will make you pay upfront. If you have a medium or long-haired cat, periodic professional grooming may prove necessary. Maintenance on a single healthy cat (not counting property damage) may average around $20 per month, but can shoot up to $300 or more if there are any significant health problems.

Third, there’s a lot of work involved. Litter boxes must be cleaned frequently (every day if you can manage it), because cats will turn up their noses at dirty litter boxes and relieve themselves on your bed, in your shoes, or in a pile of clean laundry – this is known as “leaving you a memo.” Claws should be trimmed periodically, which is a two-person job if the kitty decides he/she doesn’t enjoy the ritual. You will be cleaning up cat hair from every exposed surface, even if kitty gets a regular brushing. There are perfectly good reasons why those experienced with cats nod sagely when they hear the saying “dogs have owners, but cats have staff.”

If all of these dire warnings still haven’t put you off, then maybe having cats is right up your alley. And getting two kittens from the same litter is a wise choice (provided that they’re properly weaned). They won’t have to “get used to” one another, and will be more likely to get along well and keep one another entertained. Plus you should be able to feed them both the same food, which will save you from some major inconveniences.

Good luck!

10

All I have to add is to second, or third, or fourth the KEEP THEM INSIDE. I’ve had two cats killed by cars, one of which I found frozen in a snowbank and had to carry home for burial, crying all the way. I will never have another outside cat again.

It’s going to be troublesome when they’re young and explorative, but keep a close guard for a while, and they’ll get used to it.

11

I agree. I’ve had to haul 2 neighborhood cats to the vet to be put down because they were mauled or squashed. Nothing like turning the corner on New Year’s Day (with a hangover) and seeing a half dead cat frozen to the curb who’s eyes track you as you move.

2 cats are better than 1. I had both of mine fixed and they both are fully clawed although I wish I had gotten the younger one de-clawed. My furniture is shredded.

12

Thanks all for your input / advice.

We were looking for advice/suggestions mainly regarding our lifestyle and what we could expect if we got 2 young cats that would then be alone at home all day, 5 days a week. Mainly we were wondering if it would be fair to them, and if they’d be happy.

McDeath has had positive cat experiences before, whereas I haven’t, so the thought of 2 was somewhat daunting for me. But it sounds like that’s the best way to go, so they can keep each other company when we’re not there.

We will probably keep them inside for the most part - perhaps taking them outside in the yard when we’re there to keep an eye on them, so they can have a change of scenery!

When we get them, I’m sure we’ll have more questions …

S.

13

I hate to harp on this, but you will need to decide from day one if these are outside or inside kitties (please, make them inside kitties - Magiver’s post ripped my heart out). A cat can’t go outside once in awhile - once they’ve been out, they will want to get out ALL THE TIME. They will become escape artists, and you will spend time when you can least afford it chasing them down the street as they scamper off, tails in the air, having fun with this new game. Also, if you think you can keep a cat in a yard with your supervision, think again. They are small, fast, and bendy, and they can apparently walk through walls.

14

Kizarvexius, it looks like you’ve had a tough life with your cat(s).

Our fuzzbutt never attemps an escape outdoors, even if the door is wide open. He is content to just sit on the threshold and watch the world go by. (Of course, we do take him out for walks. He takes to a leash like a duck takes to water.)

Tears up the furniture? Naww. He prefers skin, bare or clothed. Besides no costly upholstering or replacing drapes; skin heals, in time. We actually play hardball games together. He will take at flying leap at me, all four paws baring claws and a faceful of teeth. Other than an occasional claw drawing blood, his bites, as hard as they can be, never draw blood. Brings new meaning to that term of endearment, the love bite.

We also play a game similar to the Native American war practice known as counting coup. It’s a modified game of tag where he runs up to us, swats us with a balled up paw and runs off. It is now up to the recipient to chase after him and hit him in return. He then starts the game all over. This game can last an hour or more.

Another game is for him to hide in the bathroom cabinet and play hide and seek. He picked this up on his own. He used to go into the bathroom, open the cabinet door and then slam it shut. He would do this several times until either one of us would get up to investigate. Only then would he stop. We initially thought this to be an attention-getter, or something worse. But it’s a definite game, and he modified it. Now he carefully claws the cabinet door open and climbs in. He then pushes the cabinet door open from the inside, then lets the hinge spring slam it shut on its own. We then start a loud search for him in the house, calling out his name. He continues with the game until we are nearby when he goes silent. We move on, calling out his name as we pass. He starts slamming the cabinet door again. This lasts as much as an hour as well.

Expensive? Naww. His dry cat food lasts for ages (Don’t suggest something else, nutritious or otherwise. He has a favorite food and never deviates from it. We’ve tried.) However, he will munch on what we eat; chicken, beef, eggs, an occasional veggie. But never fish. He hates fish with a passion. Besides, the little terror wants to share his meals with us. Well, me. If he whines, comes up to me and bites me on the ankle for no particular reason, that means he’s hungry and want to share a snack. Apparently cats do not like to be touched when they eat; out little cherub enjoys having his back or belly rubbed as he snarfs down his favorite kitty food. And snarf is the correct word. Only humans sound louder than him. (Ever been awakened in the middle of the night only to have His High & Mightly sitting on your chest, and the moment you open your eyes, he bites the tip of your nose because he’s hungry, and that belly scratch aids his digestion?)

Work? Naww. Litter cleaning is really fast. The cat hair is negligible. Fuzzball doesn’t shed much. We got one of those vertical horseshoe thingies he can walk through and scratch to his heart’s content. Very little cat hair recovered there. However, he periodically presents us with a hair present. At least he’s considerate enough to create hairballs.

You would think we have a two-year old brat, er child running amuck in the house, what with the toys scattered all over the place. Nope. Just a cat. Well, not just any cat …

All in all, he’s a joy. In all honesty, he’s never done anything to regret having him around.

15

Actually, Duckster, I loved my cats very much. My wife and I had 5 at one point in time. It just about broke my heart to have to give them up when our marriage fell apart. Fortunately, we found loving homes for the three that were still alive at the time.

So much of my perspective is probably colored by the fact that we had multiple cats, and were quite poor at the time. When the only outdoor cat (a stray that had adopted my wife’s family) came down with FIV, we had to get all of the others tested, which was a pretty crushing financial blow. None of the others contracted it, BTW, but the outdoor cat came down with a nasty eye infection that repeated treatments couldn’t get rid of (which is why they tested her for FIV in the first place) and had to be put down.

Cleaning up after the cats became a big job shortly after the outdoor cat (Marsha) died. Marsha had been the undisputed queen alpha, and so two of the others (Harlequin and Ophilia) began feuding for the top spot. When Ophilia lost, she started relieving herself all over the place as a protest. Also, our kitten, Tangerine, seemed to have some problems digesting her food and left the most unbelievably potent droppings in the litter box. And threw the litter everywhere as she tried to bury it. So cleanup was an ordeal for us.

As to the destruction, they shredded my grandmother’s old sofa, ruined two sets of venetian blinds, broke numerous items by knocking them off of high places, killed a couple of parakeets, shredded pillows and area rugs, and more. I’m not angry or judgemental about it all, but it did happen.

And the cat hair was absolutely everywhere. We even had to brush it off of our dinner plates since Harlequin was clever enough to find a way into the cupboard. Of course, my parents’ golden labrador retriever sheds more than the five cats combined…

So it’s not that I had a tough life with cats. It’s more accurate to say that I owned cats during a tough period of my life. And to some degree, the cats made it tougher. Don’t even get me started on my parents’ efforts to convince us that our baby daughter was allergic to animal dander and that we should just get rid of the cats. In short, I loved 'em, but nobody should be under the illusion that cats are low-maintenance pets.

16

It sounds to me like you need to get some books and educate yourself about cats.

That said, I think it’s good that you’re concerned about whether you have enough time to be a good pet owner to a couple of cats.

I am a single woman, living alone in the city. I work much longer hours than you do. I also have two cats that I adopted when they were kittens. One was 6 weeks old; the other 8 weeks old. I got them at the same time, and they quickly became best buddies (though they are not, obviously, litter mates).

They keep each other company when I’m gone, and when I come home at night, I make sure to spend some time with them–even if it’s just letting them sit on my lap as I read the SDMB. I also try not to lock them out of the bedroom (though I do, sometimes, when they’re being extra obnoxious).

Truly, though, it is clear that they love each other much more than they will ever love me. Rex will be all lovey-dovey, purring on my lap and getting his ears scratched, but if C.C. wanders by, he’ll jump up and run off to play in an instant. They can handle being away from me for a period of time. This is why, in my experience, it’s best to have 2 cats who really like each other.

I’ve never heard of a cat who wasn’t litter-trained. Generally, all you have to do to litter-train one is to plunk him or her down in the litter box and move its front paws in a digging motion. Keep a young kitten (or a kitten in a new home) in a small enough area that the litter box is always close by. Say, in one room. Once they get comfy in their new home, and know where the litter box is, I’ve never heard of a cat having a problem with litter-training.

Absolutely do not allow cats outdoors in the city. I can’t tell you how many lost cat signs I see in my neighborhood alone. They’re easily killed by cars in such busy areas. Your kitties will be safer and happier inside. I grew up believing that cats are happiest being indoor/outdoor, but unless you live in an area with few cars, it’s just not safe.

17

Also have to say that all the cats with serious behavior problems that I have known have been in households with 3+ cats. Cats, in my experience, do best in 2-cat households where both were adopted from the same litter.

My cats took only a little firm but persistent behavioral correction to learn a few simple lessons:

  1. Your claws are getting trimmed every 2 weeks, with a treat as a reward.
  2. You do not claw the nice chair.
  3. You do not get on the dining room table.
  4. You’re getting bathed once a month or so.
  5. The cat carrier and the vet are OK.

As long as cats aren’t too restricted, most seem to be able to handle learning a few behavioral rules. Be ready to reinforce them a lot. Granted, some cats will turn out to be stubborn, destructive S.O.B.s. And if you’ve got a lot of very nice or very delicate stuff, you’re in trouble with almost any cat. But there’s generally a happy medium that can be achieved with relative ease…if you’re willing to put in the work and the patience and the thought up front.

(Not a vet, but I hardly have a friend or relative who doesn’t have cats.)

18

Just saw your thoughts on taking them outside, supervised, once in a while for a “change of scenery.”

Beware.

My best friend started doing this with her indoor cat recently. Now the little darling begs, whines, and pleads to be let outside all the time.

It’s like drugs–a lot of cats can’t get enough of being outside, but it’s really not good for them.

19

Q.N. Jones - when you say you had to use a little “firm but persistent behavioral correction” - what method did you use? The squirt bottle?

I’m very much a dog person, so it’s hard for me to wrap my head around some of this! Dogs are soooooo much easier to train and predict and deal with.