cats....

[Phiber]

ok....eobard and prolly Pinky will respond for sure...lol

i want to get a cat....we have a really good animal hospital close by that lets you adopt kittens for free as long as you take care of it...they also give free care of it such as when it gets sick...and if at anytime you dont want it they take it back

now....questions......disadvantages and advantages?

i live in 3 story house....thats not a problem is it? is it hard to contain cats in an area....just by teaching them and not bounding them up?

another thing...about how much just uptake cost for a cat...food, toys etc etc and what else would i need?

[mookydooky]

Don't ever sleep with your arm hanging over the bed, unless you the cat using it for a scratching post.

[Phiber]

i will prolly never let it in my room....itll make my Lian Li a scratching post then

[Wa11y]

Ah, how I envy you! The simple joy a cat can bring!!

Training the cat won't be too rough, provided you get it young. The hardest part will be litter box training it. It'll take a lot of time investment on your part. If you can get a cat that's already litterbox trained and spayed/neutered, that just makes your job a bit easier. As for where the cat can and can't go: your best bet is doors. Cats are naturally curious, and will seek out spots to their liking wherever they be. If you wanna train it, a spray bottle with clean water in it is a good idea. Just use it sparringly, or the cat will learn not to fear it. Most can't also don't like the smell of various mint oils (much like what is in toothpaste) so you may also be able to discourage them with some mint (mint tends to grow naturally, so you may be able to find some fresh mint leaves to use).

But don't forget to reward your cat. They love catnip. Get a good scratching post, and cover it with catnip. Your cat will quickly learn that the scratching post is an okay thing to attack. My parent's cat had a problem scratching up EVERYTHING. So they'd put catnip on the scratching post. Soon enough, the only place it was scratching was the post, and the furniture was safe.

[Phiber]

thanks for the advice wa11y.....anymore? about the price and upkeep? i think the cats are neutered and given shots and such...but i dun kno about the litter box training....

[unclemojo]

I love my cat...he's sooo kewl. He's a pretty boy with a bad attitide. Almost had to toss him out the window from chewin some puter wires, but aluminum foin curbed that one with the quickness. Just look at him

http://www.mojo.apachego.com/graffix/zeus.jpg

Now tell me that's a face you can't just fall in love with

Maintenance isnt too high. He gets the Purina One all the time *$8 a bag for 2 weeks worth* Kitty litter, the dustless good smelly kinds with the crystals. Say $10 every 2 weeks. So for about 50 to 60 bux you have a good friend and a kewl cat. Cats are good for high blood pressure and ppl with stress. Pet your cat and try to stay in a bad mood...It just aint possible I tell ya

[Phiber]

WOW that cat is cute...i used to have a pet when i was way younger...but i dont remember....he was a black cat with some white on her neck....he was really nice....but i totally forgot how a cat really is.....i really cant wait!

[Phiber]

http://www.nsalamerica.org/index.html

that is the place where i will be getting the cat from...

[Jazz]

Originally posted by mookydooky
Don't ever sleep with your arm hanging over the bed, unless you the cat using it for a scratching post.

YES very very true mooky. Also if you do let it in your room make sure to keep your hands under the covers, Mel my cat loves to lick and bite till you wake up and pet him.

[Phiber]

my parents are being mad  about it....
there saying no............im so pissed

[Pinky]

I'm not going to post just because you thought I would...

damn! I just did! lol

Oh well, the advice so far has been great. I have never had a cat that got violent on me (scratching, biting, etc). They actually tend to develop very "cute" habits if they're raised right and loved often.

If you can avoid it, don't punish your cat unless it's something REALLY bad. A firm hand to the hindside is enough. I usually just pull my cat away from things and in 9 months he's learned to stay away from certain things without having to "punish" him. Cats are very stubborn when they want to be, and if you pi$S them off, you'll get their spiteful streak as well. They're little people and if you approach them in that way they can become great companions. Once you see them as a burden or toy then it's all over for both of you.

[cloasters]

If your folks put the kibosh on it, you're catless. More than the details of taking care of a cat, which are important to learn before getting one, commitment is paramount.

Pets are not toys. They have bad days, like people do. They puke once in a while, and leave "kitty mcnuggets" that you have to take care of. Taking responsibility is crucial. If you can't look the animal squarely in the eye and say, "I will care for you for the rest of your life. No matter what happens to you or me, I will always be here for you,"-- don't get a pet. It's similar to the "for better or poorer, through sickness and in health" wedding vows.

When I was a kid, we had lots of pets. For me to play with and enjoy, love and.... nothing else. The parents took care of the feeding, health, and poop and urine and vomit.

Now I take care of everything. Nobody else will. It's worth it!

[Phiber]

i told my parents that i would take care of everything...even money....i will be able to afford any type of therapy god forbig if he/she would need or anything....but i dont kno why they are saying no....the part i dont like about this is that....when i was like 8-11 i had a cat and it was during the time where i couldnt take care of it
and my mom did everything....but now im able to do all that but they still are saying no...oh well...maybe i should bring the kitten home and make them look into its eyes and see if they can say no then. . .

1) Why was I not informed of this thread?

2) cat happy smile love kissy-face good smile purr hugs love contentment silly funny good wonderful tranquility wonderful goodness funny-home-videos-finalist-guaranteed beauty

I don't think anything else needs to be said.

[unclemojo]

WOW that cat is cute...i used to have a pet when i was way younger...but i dont remember....he was a black cat with some white on her neck....he was really nice....but i totally forgot how a cat really is.....i really cant wait!

That cat up there is like a true member of the family. It was a bit difficult to stop him from getting into the computer wires and crawling around back there, but I wrapped a litle tin foil around the wires....needless to say, he no longer tries to bite them...

All in all, a cat is not only a great pet and a good friend, but they do soooo much good for your well being. I can't tell you how many days I've come home angry or just grumpy from work. Sure, my wife can talk to me and give me hugs and kisses, but there's something about the feeling you get when your kitty kitty jumps up on your lap, gives a nice meeeeeaoooooowwww and settles down for a good petting. Several doctors have also related owning a cat to severly lowering blood pressure and keeping a yourself thinking happy thoughts.

My daughter (almost 2) runs around and plays with him alll the time. He's got all his claws, but he never uses them with her...unless she tries to remove his tail

Phiber, I say bring the kitty home in a backpack. I did that for my mom when I was 10 for Mothers Day and, well...make a long story short, she said NO CATS.....till she saw the cute pink nose and felt the soft rumbling purrrrrrs. SHe was hooked... but it was MY cat. I had to feed it, take care of it, and even use some of my allowance for Vet visits. Well worth the investment. Cats are great companions (was that long enough you think? sheesh )

[Phiber]

I think im gonna do that....see its actually my dad who doesnt want it...my mom wants it kinda also.....so umm maybe ill take my mom and go get it and then my dad will kinda...just have to live with it

[unclemojo]

If your Mom's on your side, Dad will prolly bend. I have a daughter almost 2, and when Mommy says 'please daddy?' and makes that face she tought my daughter, I can't say no. Just remember that it's your cat. puke, turds and all. (its worth it though.. if you show it lots of love, it will come back tenfold)

[Phiber]

the only thing i worry about is the fact that cats are curious....and i dont want it coming to our second floor without us there... but ill figure something out.....

just another question i have is...how do cats like staying home alone?

[Pinky]

Originally posted by Phiber
just another question i have is...how do cats like staying home alone?

Depends on that cat, actually... mine starts to howl, but he's got such a squeaky voice my neighbors don't hear it unless they're in the hall... but some cats and REALLY cry while their owners are away... that's part of raising a loving cat, they ACTUALLY miss you while you're gone

As for limiting the cat's wandering... the more attention you place to "not" going somewhere the more that cat wants to go there, mostly because every unexlpored and secluded place in the house is exciting for them (as you could imagine if you were locked up 24/7). Does this mean you can't teach them NOT to go someplace? Well, yes... I have found it easier to close off spaces than to teach him not to wander there...

[Phiber]

hmm i guess well just need to block off the stairs....bah...ill figure it out once i GET the kitten