To cat or not to cat...
Discussion
...that is the question.
Sadly, I lost the cat who adopted me. Potty Cat had been with me for 11 years
and I kept her the road 'til she turned 21. In the end, she was suffering a bad UTI
and IMHO the vet and her oppo scared her to death in search of a blood sample.
Muzzling a cat of such a vintage? Idiots.
Now, I'm ready for a replacement moggy and I'm wondering this, Cat or kitten?
On the one hand, a ,say, 2 to 3 year old could well be litter trained already and would be
less likely to succumb to a kittenhood disease.
On the other hand, a mature cat could've been maltreated by a previous owner, especially
tail-pulling brats so it might well have developed a personality disorder that can't be extinguished.
In any event, I intend to adopt/rehome and I can claim in all honesty that with me, said mog will be
landing on its feet.
Sadly, I lost the cat who adopted me. Potty Cat had been with me for 11 years
and I kept her the road 'til she turned 21. In the end, she was suffering a bad UTI
and IMHO the vet and her oppo scared her to death in search of a blood sample.
Muzzling a cat of such a vintage? Idiots.
Now, I'm ready for a replacement moggy and I'm wondering this, Cat or kitten?
On the one hand, a ,say, 2 to 3 year old could well be litter trained already and would be
less likely to succumb to a kittenhood disease.
On the other hand, a mature cat could've been maltreated by a previous owner, especially
tail-pulling brats so it might well have developed a personality disorder that can't be extinguished.
In any event, I intend to adopt/rehome and I can claim in all honesty that with me, said mog will be
landing on its feet.
I think this is a personal decision and you will hear both arguments.
When younger, we took on kittens, puppies and young dogs.
Our last few animals have all been rescues.
Our next ones will also be rescues.
We have the time, and some experience, to deal with any problems rescues may have.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Most importantly, we need photos. Lots of photos
When younger, we took on kittens, puppies and young dogs.
Our last few animals have all been rescues.
Our next ones will also be rescues.
We have the time, and some experience, to deal with any problems rescues may have.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Most importantly, we need photos. Lots of photos
They seem to find you somehow. Each time we've found ourselves catless we've ending up taking on cats from someone else who is, for example, emigrating.
If I was in your position I would be avoiding kittens, but beyond that have an open mind, and if nothing turns up then start looking at rescue cats.
If I was in your position I would be avoiding kittens, but beyond that have an open mind, and if nothing turns up then start looking at rescue cats.
Thank you very much, folks.
I admit that I'm leaning towards an older cat, I too have had many
rescues, mostly dogs and they all did well enough.
Some of my thinking is based on a cat I met when looking
around the owner's house with a view to buying.
It went like this...
(Cat on sofa, paying little attention to anything).
Me: "Hello puss, here's a nice head scratch for you."
Cat: "Rrrr, meowwww, FFFt, ffft, rake."
You get the picture.
Yes, I know, but one mog that had probably had a life of abuse but you know, once bitten.
I admit that I'm leaning towards an older cat, I too have had many
rescues, mostly dogs and they all did well enough.
Some of my thinking is based on a cat I met when looking
around the owner's house with a view to buying.
It went like this...
(Cat on sofa, paying little attention to anything).
Me: "Hello puss, here's a nice head scratch for you."
Cat: "Rrrr, meowwww, FFFt, ffft, rake."
You get the picture.
Yes, I know, but one mog that had probably had a life of abuse but you know, once bitten.
We got our current “second had cat” from the Cat Protection society. He was around 4 years old when we got him and he’d struggled to find a new home as most families who went to the cattery wanted kittens and he also had a bad rep’ with children. He’s brilliant and somewhat dysfunctional, probably due to his mistreatment at the hands of the kids. For the first year we had him he was quite standoffish and if you came up behind him he’d panic…………. I think the kids chased him and pulled his tail. He soon relaxed though and is a constant companion and is most happy when upside down on someone’s lap. At 15 years old he’s getting on a bit now but he’s still a little sod when provoked and runs about like a much younger cat. Never had once incident of clawing furniture, peeing in the house etc. He’s very well behaved.
Kittens are fabulous but a slightly older cat will love you forever (or at least tolerate you in it’s life) for giving them a second chance.
Have fun choosing.
Kittens are fabulous but a slightly older cat will love you forever (or at least tolerate you in it’s life) for giving them a second chance.
Have fun choosing.
Daughter got a 2 year old from a sanctuary. She spent ages walking round and found one she liked. Was almost 4 hours on a Saturday afternoon year last summer
She is a real character that the daughter adores and is great company.
She had been a stray so we were initially worried that she may not be that well behaved toilet wise but it's just the opposite. She has a tray she goes on and we have replicated a safe toilet area for her in the garden - essentially a litter tray in the soil under some bush . Never once has she wee in the house.
Gets on really well with our dog which is also surprising as we thought she may be scared or aggressive.
Very good as she doesn't scratch furniture but will do so on the flags outside. We have a couple of scratching posts round the house though
She is a real character that the daughter adores and is great company.
She had been a stray so we were initially worried that she may not be that well behaved toilet wise but it's just the opposite. She has a tray she goes on and we have replicated a safe toilet area for her in the garden - essentially a litter tray in the soil under some bush . Never once has she wee in the house.
Gets on really well with our dog which is also surprising as we thought she may be scared or aggressive.
Very good as she doesn't scratch furniture but will do so on the flags outside. We have a couple of scratching posts round the house though
Edited by TPSA7514 on Thursday 6th February 14:08
These rescue mogs are getting some good testimonials! There are some things
that need to be sorted out at my new home before I'll choose but I think I'll
be offering the red carpet to a mature puss.
My place is 200 yards from a quiet country road and has a biggish garden
and fields all around. Said puss will have only the challenge of the local felines
but can chat with the chickens and ducks next door, and the two nags in the field.
I'd like a black moggy, preferably of a size to be able to look after itself. There won't
be a companion cat but there are plenty of callers for entrtainment value and
three permanent residents.
that need to be sorted out at my new home before I'll choose but I think I'll
be offering the red carpet to a mature puss.
My place is 200 yards from a quiet country road and has a biggish garden
and fields all around. Said puss will have only the challenge of the local felines
but can chat with the chickens and ducks next door, and the two nags in the field.
I'd like a black moggy, preferably of a size to be able to look after itself. There won't
be a companion cat but there are plenty of callers for entrtainment value and
three permanent residents.
davhill said:
These rescue mogs are getting some good testimonials! There are some things
that need to be sorted out at my new home before I'll choose but I think I'll
be offering the red carpet to a mature puss.
My place is 200 yards from a quiet country road and has a biggish garden
and fields all around. Said puss will have only the challenge of the local felines
but can chat with the chickens and ducks next door, and the two nags in the field.
I'd like a black moggy, preferably of a size to be able to look after itself. There won't
be a companion cat but there are plenty of callers for entrtainment value and
three permanent residents.
One thing we found is that the animal sanctuary places can be very busy and operate a booking sytem When we got there we filled in a few forms and offered a donation there and then just for looking. I did that as I knew we would be there some time so it was bit like a day out.that need to be sorted out at my new home before I'll choose but I think I'll
be offering the red carpet to a mature puss.
My place is 200 yards from a quiet country road and has a biggish garden
and fields all around. Said puss will have only the challenge of the local felines
but can chat with the chickens and ducks next door, and the two nags in the field.
I'd like a black moggy, preferably of a size to be able to look after itself. There won't
be a companion cat but there are plenty of callers for entrtainment value and
three permanent residents.
The one we went to had a lot of details about the cats on the cages and enclosures and the descriptions were pretty thorough.
All good stuff. There's a Cat's Protection place and a couple of private sanctuaries round here. They seem very thorough
as regards their web sites. The deal, generally speaking, is that they offer a puss that's had its jabs and a Cat MOT, is chipped, neutered
or spayed, de-flead and is wormless. . Whether it's clinically insane or not isn't stated - Potty Cat was so-called with good reason. Reassuringly, they all want to perform a home visit, which shows a sense of responsibilty.
as regards their web sites. The deal, generally speaking, is that they offer a puss that's had its jabs and a Cat MOT, is chipped, neutered
or spayed, de-flead and is wormless. . Whether it's clinically insane or not isn't stated - Potty Cat was so-called with good reason. Reassuringly, they all want to perform a home visit, which shows a sense of responsibilty.
We picked up an elderly puss from the rescue. 17 apparently, 18 now. She is easy to deal and doesn't go out but that comes with higher vets bills due to age. So a warning there on age.
I think I would go kitten next time. We have always gone for rescue, last pair were 3 and 7 (both long stay at the rescue and needed homing) sadly no longer here. One youngster we have now is a found, straying as a kitten. We couldn't find the owners and the rescue couldn't take him.
We use the cats protection, they come vetted, chipped and in reasonable nick for a rescue.
Careful though, what they may say on the cat sheet at the rescue, maybe all wrong when puss comes home and decides to act differently.
I think I would go kitten next time. We have always gone for rescue, last pair were 3 and 7 (both long stay at the rescue and needed homing) sadly no longer here. One youngster we have now is a found, straying as a kitten. We couldn't find the owners and the rescue couldn't take him.
We use the cats protection, they come vetted, chipped and in reasonable nick for a rescue.
Careful though, what they may say on the cat sheet at the rescue, maybe all wrong when puss comes home and decides to act differently.
Just one word of warning - we went from one very sedentary 16 year old cat to two six month old kittens after he died.
It was a bit of a culture shock to say the least - I was close to taking them back to the Blue Cross on more than one occasion during the first fortnight!
Luckily I didn't - they're 8 now and we wouldn't be without them.
It was a bit of a culture shock to say the least - I was close to taking them back to the Blue Cross on more than one occasion during the first fortnight!
Luckily I didn't - they're 8 now and we wouldn't be without them.
I would go to a breeder to see if they've any
1-3yr old cats that never found a home and are still looking.
Breeding cats that they have stopped breeding from and need a new home.
There are plenty of lovely breeders out there and no doubt the cats will be lovely having been very well cared for.
This is in addition to going to a Rescue Centre, advice for which has already been given.
1-3yr old cats that never found a home and are still looking.
Breeding cats that they have stopped breeding from and need a new home.
There are plenty of lovely breeders out there and no doubt the cats will be lovely having been very well cared for.
This is in addition to going to a Rescue Centre, advice for which has already been given.
Thank you - this information is all very useful to me.
I know cat-hunting can be a bit of a minefield so I'm being very careful.
Last night, I found what looked like an ideal moggy on a protection-type site.
The cat, 'Bobby' is a two year old, all black puss who is listed as being clean (as in litter trained),
not feral and suited to a rural spot with a garden.
In the copy though, I was told that Bobby had been in trouble with the police for setting off security
alarms in commercial buildings, was half feral and not good with kids and dogs (no such things here).
However, it was revealed that whoever took Bobby on would find him extra nervous about just about
anything, given to hiding away and rarely seen.
The photo said it all. Bobby was jammed in a corner tight against the wall under a bed, with a
certain expression - he wasn't a happy cat. It's a shame, as he's a good looking little chap
and I feel I could porbably turn him around, given time. But now, he's disappeared from the site.
I'm no animal behaviourist but it's obvious that Bobby's had some mistreatment. He could have been a farm cat
that's never beed special to anyone, or he could've been in a household with cruel people.
As I said, a minefield. Luckily, I'm not hurrying to get a new feline friend and
I won't go for an unsuitable cat.
That said, I like the idea of approaching a breeder.
I know cat-hunting can be a bit of a minefield so I'm being very careful.
Last night, I found what looked like an ideal moggy on a protection-type site.
The cat, 'Bobby' is a two year old, all black puss who is listed as being clean (as in litter trained),
not feral and suited to a rural spot with a garden.
In the copy though, I was told that Bobby had been in trouble with the police for setting off security
alarms in commercial buildings, was half feral and not good with kids and dogs (no such things here).
However, it was revealed that whoever took Bobby on would find him extra nervous about just about
anything, given to hiding away and rarely seen.
The photo said it all. Bobby was jammed in a corner tight against the wall under a bed, with a
certain expression - he wasn't a happy cat. It's a shame, as he's a good looking little chap
and I feel I could porbably turn him around, given time. But now, he's disappeared from the site.
I'm no animal behaviourist but it's obvious that Bobby's had some mistreatment. He could have been a farm cat
that's never beed special to anyone, or he could've been in a household with cruel people.
As I said, a minefield. Luckily, I'm not hurrying to get a new feline friend and
I won't go for an unsuitable cat.
That said, I like the idea of approaching a breeder.
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