movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Dec 17, 2015 9:38:40 GMT -5
I was lucky with my cat. I adopted him when he was 1.5 yrs old and someone had already trained him to use a scratching post. I got him one of the cat tower things and he uses that. I actually buy one about every 2-3 years because he tears the crap out of them. They are SO worth the money though. He sits on his all time and uses it as a scratcher. He is getting older now so last week I got him what I refer to as a mini tower. It is about half as tall as his other one because I realized he was starting to have a harder time getting to the top (and he ONLY likes to sit at the top ). When I brought the new one into the house it was the equivalent of a person finding out they just won the lottery. Now he gets to sit at the top without too much effort. It is right beside my recliner so now he can sit at the top and pretty much be eye level with me, which for some reason seems to be a plus. I love cats! I like dogs but I truly love cats! I do have his nails trimmed every six weeks. The kneading can get pretty painful if I don't plus he will get his nails caught on his cat tower which I imagine is not fun for him.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 9:46:27 GMT -5
As a point of reference though. I'm not a gecko person either, but a lot of evenings I spend watching TV with a leopard gecko crawling around on me. DS lost interest in her about 7 years ago and says we should just give her away, but I feel responsible for taking care of her until she dies. Seriously, how long do these things live! She was 6 or 7 when we got her!
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cael
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Post by cael on Dec 17, 2015 10:07:31 GMT -5
Oh, and a good cat deterrent that people don't think of - a can of air, like for cleaning a keyboard or computer. My cat is a ballsy broad and squirt bottles don't bother her, sometimes clapping and yelling doesn't either - but if I even pick up the can of air and shake it, she runs for the hills. It works pretty well when she casually scratches the ONE furniture item in the house she sometimes goes for, my mom's antique couch
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 10:11:04 GMT -5
As a point of reference though. I'm not a gecko person either, but a lot of evenings I spend watching TV with a leopard gecko crawling around on me. DS lost interest in her about 7 years ago and says we should just give her away, but I feel responsible for taking care of her until she dies. Seriously, how long do these things live! She was 6 or 7 when we got her! linkOh and in other news GET A KITTEN! They are the best, yes they are a handful, but they are cute and it's worth it. Best cat I ever had (Shhhhh don't tell the other ones) was a Maine Coon. Ours is a female and she's a least 12 probably closer to 15. Easiest pet ever to take care of though. The only pain is you have to take care of all the live food too!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 10:13:23 GMT -5
On the plus side, we really don't have any fantastic furniture. The leather couch in the living room that I kept from the ex is getting up there in age and we have no chairs besides wood ones. No drapes to climb either.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Dec 17, 2015 10:16:43 GMT -5
This guy was still available. He has a mustache. LOL He's saying "Bring me home MPL! Bring me home MPL!". He's so adorable and handsome!
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Dec 17, 2015 10:17:37 GMT -5
Besides being vehemently against declawing myself (our rescue has no declawing in our contract and I'm very wary to adopt to someone who even mentions it, even if they then say they won't do it), be aware that some declawed kitties have behavioral and/or litter box problems. It can be pain related in some instances from shoddy surgery... my parents declawed the kittens we got when I was a kid, and thankfully neither of them had any problems, but it does happen. That poor muffin's diarrhea could be stress related though. I feel so sad for older adult kitties, they sit in the shelters for so long. DH wants a kitten when we get a house and I'd like him to have the kitten experience at least once (I think everyone should!) but overall I want our adopted kitties to be older. (edit to add... oh god that teeny white mustache! ) It can also be pain related from prior shoddy owners. One of my sister's ex boyfriends couldn't be bothered to get the softer litter the vet recommended while the cat was recovering from surgery so the cat learned it hurt less to just not use the box.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Dec 17, 2015 10:20:13 GMT -5
On the plus side, we really don't have any fantastic furniture. The leather couch in the living room that I kept from the ex is getting up there in age and we have no chairs besides wood ones. No drapes to climb either. Well, it is the perfect time to get a kitten before you start replacing furniture . That way you won't be worried too much during the training stage. GET ONE, GET ONE, PLEASE GET ONE!
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Dec 17, 2015 10:21:15 GMT -5
Besides being vehemently against declawing myself (our rescue has no declawing in our contract and I'm very wary to adopt to someone who even mentions it, even if they then say they won't do it), be aware that some declawed kitties have behavioral and/or litter box problems. It can be pain related in some instances from shoddy surgery... my parents declawed the kittens we got when I was a kid, and thankfully neither of them had any problems, but it does happen. That poor muffin's diarrhea could be stress related though. I feel so sad for older adult kitties, they sit in the shelters for so long. DH wants a kitten when we get a house and I'd like him to have the kitten experience at least once (I think everyone should!) but overall I want our adopted kitties to be older. (edit to add... oh god that teeny white mustache! ) It can also be pain related from prior shoddy owners. One of my sister's ex boyfriends couldn't be bothered to get the softer litter the vet recommended while the cat was recovering from surgery so the cat learned it hurt less to just not use the box. Some people really should not own animals
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 10:58:02 GMT -5
Assuming I do break down and get one. Any ideas on how to break the news to DS? Keep in mind this will be the ultimate dream come true for him and he'd NEVER guess in a million years I'd do this. He is convinced I hate our cat (this is not true), and in fact when we took him to the vet the other day he insisted on coming along because he was sure I was having him put to sleep. Right now my plan (IF I do this) was to just pick him up from school tomorrow and take him down to the Humane Society for Kitten Fest as a treat and then casually start filling out the paperwork.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 11:02:05 GMT -5
I'm honestly really worried about how DS is going to deal with losing his cat which can't be too far down the line even though he seems healthy. That's the real driving force behind this. I know you can't "replace" pets, but I anticipate him getting really depressed and I'm hoping having another will make it easier.
I also think older cat is lonely now that our dog is gone. They used to be partners in crime.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Dec 17, 2015 11:10:46 GMT -5
I think that's a good plan. Videotape his reaction if you can! We just picked up our new kitty last night. She is a 6yo calico, super sweet girl. She was adopted out a few months ago but the owners returned her because she had a couple of accidents (owner's cats were ganging up on her ). DD's reaction was priceless, for the hour or so after we got home she just followed her around screaming "HI! HI CAT!" I had never actually adopted a cat before... this is the 6th one I've owned but the rest all just kind of showed up. Overall I was impressed with the process.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Dec 17, 2015 11:13:25 GMT -5
I'm honestly really worried about how DS is going to deal with losing his cat which can't be too far down the line even though he seems healthy. That's the real driving force behind this. I know you can't "replace" pets, but I anticipate him getting really depressed and I'm hoping having another will make it easier. I also think older cat is lonely now that our dog is gone. They used to be partners in crime. Has the older cat been around other cats? I would be a little concerned about older cat feeling "replaced" by a new cat. My brother brought a kitten into the house when his cat was 15 yrs old and he became extremely depressed because the kitten was getting all the attention. You could see the difference immediately. My cat likes dogs but I don't think he would do well at all with another cat.
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Dec 17, 2015 11:15:03 GMT -5
This guy was still available. He has a mustache. LOL He's saying "Bring me home MPL! Bring me home MPL!". He's so adorable and handsome! I'm looking at that picture and I keep thinking the words " Bond. James Bond"
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Dec 17, 2015 11:18:45 GMT -5
I'm honestly really worried about how DS is going to deal with losing his cat which can't be too far down the line even though he seems healthy. That's the real driving force behind this. I know you can't "replace" pets, but I anticipate him getting really depressed and I'm hoping having another will make it easier. I also think older cat is lonely now that our dog is gone. They used to be partners in crime. With what you said about the vet visit. I think you should discuss it with him. A younger cat might help keep the older one more active (or might hate the kitten) but if you surprise him with it, he may think that your are replacing the old cat. Preppeing to put it down so to speak. So I'd say " I was going to surprise you with a kitten, because I think it will help "old cat". But I decided you should help pick him out."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 11:30:54 GMT -5
I'm honestly really worried about how DS is going to deal with losing his cat which can't be too far down the line even though he seems healthy. That's the real driving force behind this. I know you can't "replace" pets, but I anticipate him getting really depressed and I'm hoping having another will make it easier. I also think older cat is lonely now that our dog is gone. They used to be partners in crime. Has the older cat been around other cats? I would be a little concerned about older cat feeling "replaced" by a new cat. My brother brought a kitten into the house when his cat was 15 yrs old and he became extremely depressed because the kitten was getting all the attention. You could see the difference immediately. My cat likes dogs but I don't think he would do well at all with another cat. Yes. We had Stinky first. Leroy we got when she was maybe 8 or so and they got along fine, she was put down in 2006 and it was just Leroy and the dog. I am a little worried that attention whore that he is he'll react badly. Stinky was more of a reclusive cat that didn't like anyone but the immediate family and Leroy loves EVERYONE. Most people that don't typically like cats, like him because he acts more like a dog. He just seems so lonely though. He's always standing by the door waiting for us and when we leave in the morning he sits on the steps while everyone gets their shoes on hoping to get a few more pets in before we head out. When we had the dog I'd come home and it would be like "oh god, what did you two do now?" The cat would open all the cupboards so the dog could get in and get the treats and food and the dog would rip open the containers for them. I'd come home and they'd both be laying there on a pile of dog food and catnip.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Dec 17, 2015 11:33:28 GMT -5
Has the older cat been around other cats? I would be a little concerned about older cat feeling "replaced" by a new cat. My brother brought a kitten into the house when his cat was 15 yrs old and he became extremely depressed because the kitten was getting all the attention. You could see the difference immediately. My cat likes dogs but I don't think he would do well at all with another cat. Yes. We had Stinky first. Leroy we got when she was maybe 8 or so and they got along fine, she was put down in 2006 and it was just Leroy and the dog. I am a little worried that attention whore that he is he'll react badly. Stinky was more of a reclusive cat that didn't like anyone but the immediate family and Leroy loves EVERYONE. Most people that don't typically like cats, like him because he acts more like a dog. He just seems so lonely though. He's always standing by the door waiting for us and when we leave in the morning he sits on the steps while everyone gets their shoes on hoping to get a few more pets in before we head out. When we had the dog I'd come home and it would be like "oh god, what did you two do now?" The cat would open all the cupboards so the dog could get in and get the treats and food and the dog would rip open the containers for them. I'd come home and they'd both be laying there on a pile of dog food and catnip.
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grumpyhermit
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Post by grumpyhermit on Dec 17, 2015 11:41:50 GMT -5
Just because your cat liked "his" dog, doesn't mean he necessarily wants another furry companion (especially a kitten). Sometimes you can kinda judge, though cats can be hard to read. One former cat I had loved other animals (cats included), and when I brought a new cat home was cool within a few days. Another still wasn't over it five years later. It really depends.
I'm not saying don't get a kitten, but I wouldn't let getting a companion for your current cat be a factor.
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cael
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Post by cael on Dec 17, 2015 12:02:22 GMT -5
I wasn't sure how our cat would like living with another cat, especially since my mom's cat is anxious and used to be aggressive with her other cat when anxious. Luckily my cat and him are a good match - he loves her and follows her everywhere, and when he pisses her off she puts him in his place and doesn't back down or run away. It's hilarious. They'll sleep in the same room or on the same bed together sometimes, look for each other in the mornings and sometimes chase each other around, but my cat pretends she hates him. Poor guy, he just loves her. once in a while when he jumps on her neck and she hisses and growls and kicks him away, he goes away crying, haha. (he isn't the sharpest tool in the shed) So long story short, I think even though my cat doesn't want to play and cuddle with him all the time, she enjoys having feline companionship in the house. She honestly though is a relatively mellow, adaptable cat, especially for a calico!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 12:06:15 GMT -5
It would really suck to get a new kitten and have the old cat be miserable with it. He is such a laid back cat though, nothing bugs him even now that he's old. He'll take toddler abuse forever...I think he even sought it out. But, if he thinks new guy is getting all the attention maybe he will hate him. Then again, DS does have another home. His Dad doesn't have any pets.
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cael
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Post by cael on Dec 17, 2015 12:11:25 GMT -5
Maybe just try to make sure he gets special or a little extra attention too? Play with them together and give them treats together.. I bet he'd be ok. And a sloooooww introduction. Keep new kitten in its own room for a few days if you can, let old kitty hear him and give him stuff of the kitten's to smell and get used to him.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Dec 17, 2015 12:24:20 GMT -5
Besides being vehemently against declawing myself (our rescue has no declawing in our contract and I'm very wary to adopt to someone who even mentions it, even if they then say they won't do it), be aware that some declawed kitties have behavioral and/or litter box problems. It can be pain related in some instances from shoddy surgery... my parents declawed the kittens we got when I was a kid, and thankfully neither of them had any problems, but it does happen. That poor muffin's diarrhea could be stress related though. I feel so sad for older adult kitties, they sit in the shelters for so long. DH wants a kitten when we get a house and I'd like him to have the kitten experience at least once (I think everyone should!) but overall I want our adopted kitties to be older. (edit to add... oh god that teeny white mustache! ) It can also be pain related from prior shoddy owners. One of my sister's ex boyfriends couldn't be bothered to get the softer litter the vet recommended while the cat was recovering from surgery so the cat learned it hurt less to just not use the box. It can also be from complications from the declaw itself regardless of how well the initial surgery went. I took a cat sight unseen from a fellow employee (cutest cat I'd ever seen once I got a look at him) who at two years old was coping with a sore paw - the vet said one toe had "regrowth" of the bone/whatever from the de-claw. We did some non-surgery options for 2 months but it didn't help. After surgery - I had a very cute, much happier cat with 9 front toes instead of 10. A friend's cat also had a rough time in the aftermath of the declaw surgery (for the other 2 cats done at the same time - it was like nothing had happened). And also had some additional surgery 3 years AFTER the initial surgery. Cats are really good at hiding pain.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 12:36:27 GMT -5
I don't think either of mine had any issues with the declaw. The one was so long ago and Leroy had it done at the same time as all his leg surgeries, so he wasn't running around for a long time because of that anyhow. After hearing all the anti-declawing sentiments years later, I found myself digging around in his toes trying to see if he flinched if I squeezed any and I don't think he feels anything. Then again, I saw his super rotten, nasty teeth that I didn't realize there was any issues with either.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 13:20:25 GMT -5
Isn't Leroy the same cat that thinks he's a chicken? No, that's the barn cat. They're all messed up out there. The mini thinks he's a goat, my rooster sleeps in the nest box, and I have a hen that crows! I think I need to cut back on the rat poison under the stall mats. Maybe they're getting to it.
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cael
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Post by cael on Dec 17, 2015 13:44:41 GMT -5
This thread makes me wanna go home and (forcibly) cuddle my kitty, while I sit under the plush kitten blanket I got from my rescue group's Christmas party yankee swap last night.
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gacpa
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Post by gacpa on Dec 17, 2015 14:53:13 GMT -5
Please keep us updated on the potential kitten adoption.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Dec 17, 2015 14:58:01 GMT -5
Please keep us updated on the potential kitten adoption. And post pictures!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 15:01:19 GMT -5
ROFLAO. I mentioned to a coworker friend I was thinking of getting a kitten. Her reply? "My kitten is psycho" Then she emailed me this pic. She said it's her favorite sleeping spot.
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cael
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Post by cael on Dec 17, 2015 15:05:06 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 15:06:36 GMT -5
I know right? I can't stop laughing.
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