Feline Friends

[Nagishkaw 510]

You may try adopting from a local ' dog pound ' . Some pounds do indeed sell the animals there to research.

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

You may try adopting from a local ' dog pound ' . Some pounds do indeed sell the animals there to research.

they do?

[derekkj 0]

Hey Alex,

I am bit late to the party but you have already gotten some great advice. Like you I am naturally more of a dog person, but my parents didn't want the hassle so we have always had cats and I have grown into a cat person. And like Mags, our cats have always chosen us I have had kittens and older cats and had good experiences with both. Keep in mind that older cats already have their personalities pretty well set, while kittens are a little more maleable and trainable. The first couple of months with a kitten can be very trying though so it's a bit of a trade off.

Please keep in mind that all pets, especially indoor cats, are living very long lives nowadays, so don't make the commitment lightly. It really pisses me off when I hear about people who just dump their older animals off at shelters because they are moving to someplace that doesn't accepts pets or just don't want to deal with them any longer. Derek and I just put down our cat, Jenny, at the grand old age of 21, so know that you might have your cat for decades.

As for Rey, Derek was not a cat person before he lived with one. Neither was my father. Both are now though! Primarily because cats *can* be very loving and they definitely do grow on you! Somehow, they always seem to know the people they need to win over so don't be surprised if the cat attaches itself to Rey. Derek had only lived with Jenny for a year and was heart-broken when we had to put her to sleep. So, like you guys, we have stopped by a few shelters to do a little "test driving" Shelters always break my heart though because I feel guilty for the ones I don't bring home!

Good luck and know we will want pictures when your cat finds you!

Edited March 6, 2007 by derekkj

[sereia 0]

so true. my family kitty that my dad still has is 21 now too! and still kickin'!!!!!!

[Alex+R 0]

Thank you guys all so much!

I have learned, among other things: NEVER declaw a cat

Let the cat pick you (What if it's really friendly in its cage at the shelter but when you take it into a playroom (unfamiliar environment) it's shy for about 5 minutes before warming up again?)

Buy scratching posts or other scratching materials that are tougher than the carpet ones and that don't move

No point in getting a kitten

Oh you guys, the place I'll probably get a cat is not no-kill but they said almost 100% of their cats and dogs that make it upstairs (the "display" area) get adopted and before you get the animal it has already been spayed/neutered and had a vet check. Of course I'd probably get another vet check...

Re: the people who give cats back to shelters at age 10 or something, although the woman said that cat would probably be adopted soon despite its age, as some people want older cats, I just can't imagine abandoning a member of your family that way. I consider this a major life decision!

[Mags 112]

Let the cat pick you (What if it's really friendly in its cage at the shelter but when you take it into a playroom (unfamiliar environment) it's shy for about 5 minutes before warming up again?)

Any cat is more than likely to become shy when taken to a different environment. They all do it. They can act a bit freaky, won't want to be stroked, will sniff everything or hide. Don't take it personally....just give them time to adjust.

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

Thank you guys all so much!

I have learned, among other things: NEVER declaw a cat

Let the cat pick you (What if it's really friendly in its cage at the shelter but when you take it into a playroom (unfamiliar environment) it's shy for about 5 minutes before warming up again?)

Buy scratching posts or other scratching materials that are tougher than the carpet ones and that don't move

No point in getting a kitten

Oh you guys, the place I'll probably get a cat is not no-kill but they said almost 100% of their cats and dogs that make it upstairs (the "display" area) get adopted and before you get the animal it has already been spayed/neutered and had a vet check. Of course I'd probably get another vet check...

Re: the people who give cats back to shelters at age 10 or something, although the woman said that cat would probably be adopted soon despite its age, as some people want older cats, I just can't imagine abandoning a member of your family that way. I consider this a major life decision!

oh and on food - get it a decent brand of food, and don't switch it. i've been told that switching food on a cat might make it a picky eater (don't know if true, others can weigh in on this) but i have found doing so tends to result in a toxic smelling byproduct when i do

[Alex+R 0]

Ok, any food recommendations? I always liked using organic dog food. I read on some page last night that you should always give cats full-meat food because a lot of cat foods add stuff like grain and corn that they don't actually need as filler? Dunno?

Edited March 6, 2007 by Alex+R

[Flames9_RN 358]

I feed my cats Fellidae. Top notch ingredients. Not found at the big pet stores though. One usually has to goto a smaller mom/pop store, as is normally the case for most high end foods. Not saying theat a petsmart or petco don't have good food, just not the very high end stuff, but Nutro and a few others they have are more than suffice.

http://www.canidae.com/ just click on Fellidae. canidae is for dogs.

A great place for cat trees is http://www.armarkat.com/index.htm we have two from them, and they are excellent, extremely well priced, and FREE shipping in USA!!!!

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

Ok, any food recommendations? I always liked using organic dog food. I read on some page last night that you should always give cats full-meat food because a lot of cat foods add stuff like grain and corn that they don't actually need as filler? Dunno?

i used to feed science diet for cats, then the dang px stopped carrying it in 20 pound bags

so i switched to another brand and then to purina, been with that ever since. others will have opinions on what type of food is best. it's really your choice but it's a good idea to make sure it's a brand you can count on being able to find all the time. when i switched from science diet to another brand that lasted for about 3 months and then i could not find that brand/type anymore also stick with a dry food as canned food tends to stick to their teeth and this causes the obvious issues.

[Marilyn. 340]

My cat Dar (short for D'Artagnan) wasn't a cuddly lap cat... but he always seemed to know when I was feeling sad, lonely, upset etc because he would come and sit right beside me and let me pet him

and at night he liked to sleep at the end of my bed, usually between my feet/legs..... it was cute, he would wait until I was all settled in before he would jump up on the bed....

and then sometimes in the morning he would jump on my headboard or sit close to my head and start purring really loudly, trying to get me to get up and give him some food

My other cat, Precious Gem I got when he was about a month old.... (he had hitched a ride in someone's car engine and a friend of mine who worked with that someone, knew I wanted a cat)...

He was so tiny (it fit in the palm of my hand) and his favourite place to sleep was right under my neck.. even when he got a bit bigger he still liked to sleep there even though he didn't really fit

We think he was a Siamese cat, he had all the markings of one... He was a really affectionate cat and he loved to jump up on my lap....

and he liked to sleep under the covers with me or right on top of me and when hubby was over for a visit, Gem slept on him and hubby was afraid to move, he didn't want to squish him... or he would sleep right up against my hubby... it was soo cute...

Edited March 6, 2007 by MarilynP

[Alex+R 0]

I feed my cats Fellidae. Top notch ingredients. Not found at the big pet stores though. One usually has to goto a smaller mom/pop store, as is normally the case for most high end foods. Not saying theat a petsmart or petco don't have good food, just not the very high end stuff, but Nutro and a few others they have are more than suffice.

http://www.canidae.com/ just click on Fellidae. canidae is for dogs.

A great place for cat trees is http://www.armarkat.com/index.htm we have two from them, and they are excellent, extremely well priced, and FREE shipping in USA!!!!

My dog eats Canidae! He lives with just my parents now though so next time I go visit my dog (I mean parents) I will swing by the mom-and-pop store in the neighborhood where I used to buy it

[derekkj 0]

Thank you guys all so much!

I have learned, among other things: NEVER declaw a cat

Let the cat pick you (What if it's really friendly in its cage at the shelter but when you take it into a playroom (unfamiliar environment) it's shy for about 5 minutes before warming up again?)

Buy scratching posts or other scratching materials that are tougher than the carpet ones and that don't move

No point in getting a kitten

Oh you guys, the place I'll probably get a cat is not no-kill but they said almost 100% of their cats and dogs that make it upstairs (the "display" area) get adopted and before you get the animal it has already been spayed/neutered and had a vet check. Of course I'd probably get another vet check...

I have to confess. Jenny was declawed. She completely destroyed several pieces of furniture so (against my wishes) my Mom went ahead and did it. I was only 15 so didn't have any say. Fortunately, Jenny never had any adverse reaction to it, although I have heard about cats who became competely neurotic afterwards. Actually, she continuted to climb trees, hunt, and "claw" at the furniture. That being said, I don't plan on declawing any future cats.

If the cat is very friendly in the cage, chances are it will be out of it too. Get one that is interested in its surroundings, playful and curious, not shy and aloof. I can't explain how you will know, but chances are, like Mags said, when you see your cat, you will know. By the way, pick a vet that you are comfortable with as well. One that will give you options about your cat's care and then support your decision. I had a vet that made me feel guilty because I didn't want to do something for Jenny. Stupidly, I continued to go back to her and always felt like she was judging me a bit. Fortunately she was not on duty when Jenny needed to be put to sleep and the vet that I had then was completely supportive and told me I had done all the right things. Needless to say, I will be going back to the second vet from now on.

Re: the people who give cats back to shelters at age 10 or something, although the woman said that cat would probably be adopted soon despite its age, as some people want older cats, I just can't imagine abandoning a member of your family that way. I consider this a major life decision!

[sereia 0]

i read somewhere recently that soft food is better for cats. i'll have to look up the link.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Wouldnt let me edit!!! So:

I feed my cats Fellidae. Top notch ingredients. Not found at the big pet stores though. One usually has to goto a smaller mom/pop store, as is normally the case for most high end foods. Not saying theat a petsmart or petco don't have good food, just not the very high end stuff, but Nutro and a few others they have are more than suffice.

http://www.canidae.com/ just click on Fellidae. canidae is for dogs.

When looking at ingredients, the stuff listed first, contains more of it. So normally you want the meat (protien)listed first, someting like chicken meal,etc, nothing that states "by product" The poorer quality feed my only have 1 "meat" and even that may be a by product!!

http://cats.about.com/cs/catfood/a/tipsforchoosing.htm

http://cats.about.com/cs/nutrition/tp/premdrycatfood.htm

From what I was told at a small specialty store, al the high end cat foods are pretty close in quality, so its more or less up to the cat if they like the food or not. As well your vet may or may not be up to date on food quality. A few yrs back talking to my vet, he stated,that during his training, that food quailty wasn't that well covered!

I give my cats soft food at night as well. Sort of as a treat, but as well for the moisture content!!

A great place for cat trees is http://www.armarkat.com/index.htm we have two from them, and they are excellent, extremely well priced, and FREE shipping in USA!!!!

Best of luck