As far as getting a grown cat from a shelter, beware. Don't go by "cuteness". There will be some that have been mistreated and are there for that reason, and may be disturbed in a cat way. But usually there will be a description of any such traits on their coops.
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Question for the cat owners here
- Thread starter DudeistMonk
- Start date
I was gonna say that cat looked like Garfield but then I realized it probably ate Garfield.
Lol thats almost as crazy as the cats with wings.
Lol thats almost as crazy as the cats with wings.
Maine Coons rock.
+1000 on spay/neuter early.
Also I vote for indoor only cats. The vets always say they live longer, and I had a horrible experience with my son's FAVORITE cat where we had to put him down with basically no notice because he got into something outside which shut down his liver and kidneys quickly and completely. (Probably antifreeze the vet said). After that, our cats are indoor only.
+1000 on spay/neuter early.
Also I vote for indoor only cats. The vets always say they live longer, and I had a horrible experience with my son's FAVORITE cat where we had to put him down with basically no notice because he got into something outside which shut down his liver and kidneys quickly and completely. (Probably antifreeze the vet said). After that, our cats are indoor only.
Most shelters around here require it...and that was part of the plan anyway.
Also I live on the 13th floor of an apartment building (its a large 2 bedroom) so if the cat wanted to go outside it would need to learn how to fly first. He's not going to be allowed on the balcony either.
Have you ever seen a Maine Coon Cat?
My daughter's friend has 2 of them, one weighs 26 lbs and the other weighs a whopping 28 lbs - neither of them is particularly fat. These cats are gigantic.
My 2 cats are normal sized cats, the smaller one maxed out at 9 lbs and the larger one at 12 lbs. The Maine Coon is like the Mastiff of the house cat world. Like comparing a 200 lb Mastiff to a 60 lb Lab.
If this is a small woman, I think this is well within the realm of possibility for these monsters.
The place the wife and I worked at when we met has a branch in Newark... The Associated Humane Society http://www.ahscares.org/page3.asp?page=npets&style=3
Lots of pets looking for homes there. They can be a bit excessive in their paperwork, but with how many adopted pets end up coming back, it is a necessity. I've gotten 2 cats from the adoption corner at my local Petsmart.
Lots of pets looking for homes there. They can be a bit excessive in their paperwork, but with how many adopted pets end up coming back, it is a necessity. I've gotten 2 cats from the adoption corner at my local Petsmart.
We got one of our cats from a friend who couldn't take care of her any longer. She's got "issues." Another we got from a shelter, and she's a sweetheart. One we got as a kitten, she's "daddy's girl." More like I'm her human.
yeah, it seems like bassist really like cats for some reason. i hve one, and i have a couple bassist freinds who have like 4, so i guess were just cat people i guess
If you go to a shelter or PetSmart, look for a slightly older kitty (6 months up is fine)...your cat will pick you.
Absolutely get a male fixed before it even comes 'home'...otherwise, he'll spray to mark his territory.
I have 4 females right now...three of them are cats. All except my wife have been declawed, which is good for housecats, and very very bad for outdoor cats.
Absolutely get a male fixed before it even comes 'home'...otherwise, he'll spray to mark his territory.
I have 4 females right now...three of them are cats. All except my wife have been declawed, which is good for housecats, and very very bad for outdoor cats.
I got another question...If I don't have em declawed (I can deal with the occasional scratch) would I have to worry about the little bugger shredding my 1,000 dollar LCD TV to ribbons or anything like that?
Mark Wilson
Supporting Member
That's entirely up to the cat- DO NOT FORGET THIS.
On that note, you might try getting a nice scratching post-thingie, sprinkling it liberally w/catnip(that's feline for cocaine)and hope for the best. I can almost guarantee they will destroy something valuable to you. it's their way of testing your love...
Edit: On declawing, the process actually entails surgically removing the cats' fingertips, so to speak, to the first knuckle.
NOT cool, IMO.
[Opinion soapbox]
declawing is amputating the toes from the last knuckle... I've seen it completely change a cat's personality. Many still have it done, but I could never torture a cat like that.
(No offense to those that have it done)
[/Opinion soapbox]
And having your 'nads cut off isn't? (just kidding)
Actually, I have a son with kidney failure, and we can't risk the infection from a scratch, otherwise, they'd still have 'em. Couches are cheap.
Actually, I have a son with kidney failure, and we can't risk the infection from a scratch, otherwise, they'd still have 'em. Couches are cheap.
I always let the cats choose me. So far it worked fine.
If you get them as kittens, their future personnality will be altered a lot by the way you treat them. A dog will always love you whatever happens.
If you're bad to the cat, he will remember and will be worse to you. Don't play mind games with cats. They win.
If you get them as kittens, their future personnality will be altered a lot by the way you treat them. A dog will always love you whatever happens.
If you're bad to the cat, he will remember and will be worse to you. Don't play mind games with cats. They win.
+1 indoors. Had to spend $2K last year after my cat got an abcess, probably from fighting with another cat. Some cats seem to manage better than others. (Some humans, like my mother, seem even less able to stick with the program. 
)
My cat started out real wild, then after last year's fiasco (which involved some indoor confinement) she seems to have lost most interest in ever going out. That's cool, except I get to tend the litter box now.
Try turning the heat down during winter. When it's slightly chilly in here, I get all snuggles, all the time. Come summer, I lose all usefulness to kitty, except of course for filling the food & water dish.
Lili's great, love having her around, but if I ever get to pick out a cat again, I'm definitely steering towards a dude. (And I get to name him!
) IME the males are definitely more down for some quality mock combat - I miss that.
If you don't de-claw (I wouldn't), watch out for your carpeted speaker cabinets!
As for finding a good match, I've always done OK with first impressions. Sometimes a cat starts out shy and reserved but will gradually bond with you and warm up - that can be rewarding. Some are friendly from the get go - I've never seen that type go the reverse direction (i.e. withdraw). IME a lot of them will be eternally grateful just for getting them the #&@% out of that "shelter"!
)My cat started out real wild, then after last year's fiasco (which involved some indoor confinement) she seems to have lost most interest in ever going out. That's cool, except I get to tend the litter box now.
Try turning the heat down during winter. When it's slightly chilly in here, I get all snuggles, all the time. Come summer, I lose all usefulness to kitty, except of course for filling the food & water dish.
Lili's great, love having her around, but if I ever get to pick out a cat again, I'm definitely steering towards a dude. (And I get to name him!
) IME the males are definitely more down for some quality mock combat - I miss that.If you don't de-claw (I wouldn't), watch out for your carpeted speaker cabinets!
As for finding a good match, I've always done OK with first impressions. Sometimes a cat starts out shy and reserved but will gradually bond with you and warm up - that can be rewarding. Some are friendly from the get go - I've never seen that type go the reverse direction (i.e. withdraw). IME a lot of them will be eternally grateful just for getting them the #&@% out of that "shelter"!
That's funny - I have two female cats (approaching age 14, had since 8 weeks old) - as long as they are well fed, they are sweet and melllow. But, the male cats I've known have been nuts - running around, attacking things, being loud for no apparent reason.
IME, no, but I agree with others that mention the scatching post. Every cat likes different kinds. Mine did not use carpet ones, but when I got ones with corrugated cardboard, they were thrilled. My cats are indoors only and not declawed.
M
I have a female cat, and she's basically a tiny, extra-furry dog. I love her to death. She follows me around, begs for food, lays on the couch with me, etc. Not much of a lap cat, but she is always very close to my mom or I.
