Cousin offered me a kitten

I vowed after my last cat died that I wouldn't have any more pets. Getting a small kitten, if it survives, would probably outlive me and be a burden to my executor. I also have a much smaller house now which has an open floor plan. I'm concerned that the cat would have more opportunities to escape outside if I opened the door. To confine it to a bedroom or the basement wouldn't be very nice for it, anyway.
 
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debodun said:
I vowed after my last cat died that I wouldn't have any more pets. Getting a small kitten, if it survives, would probably outlive me and be a burden to my executor. I also have a much smaller house now which has an open floor plan. I'm concerned that the cat would have more opportunities to escape outside if I opened the door. To confine it to a bedroon or the basement wouldn't be very nice for it, anyway.
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Yes, Agreed! I don't know your age but I would ABSOLUTELY get another Persian kitten but nope. Not at my age.
People around here will take dogs but not cats, (if something happened to me).
 
Long haied cats also require at lot of grooming attention. I had a friend that had white Persians and their fur was all knotted in bunches. She never brushed them - too much bother. I felt so sorry for them.
 
debodun said:
I am concerned for it's health. He said it was very thin. Sounds like vet bills.
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Nah. Sounds like time to feed it to me.

The only expense should be a cardboard box with a hole cut out and a not-too-tall plastic tub of kitty litter. You could toss a piece of cloth in the box, but after that, all you have to buy is catfood and an occasional bag of litter.
 
debodun said:
Long haied cats also require at lot of grooming attention. I had a friend that had white Persians and their fur was all knotted in bunches. She never brushed them - too much bother. I felt so sorry for them.
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Grooming is necessary if they have a really thick coat, like Persians, but if it's long and not very thick, the cat will groom itself perfectly well.
 
Deb, I understand your concern about taking a kitten. I'd probably take it in a second if I had the ability. I still wish you would look into an older cat.

My last 4 cats, including the two bad girls I have now, have never attempted to get outside. As a large kitten, the calico did once when I came home from work in the dark. She darted out the door, froze. I think she scared herself. I scooped her up and she's never done it again. Even Daphne, my big grumpy torti who was almost a year old stray when I got her. I brought her to my apartment, indoors and she settled right in. She'd greet me at the door when I got home but didn't attempt to get out the door.
 
My other concerns is that I have a nice clean house now. Cats ruined my old house with their peeing on the carpeting and scratching the furniture despite having litterboxes in several rooms and a scratching post. Added to the fact I am getting more health problems now and don't know when it would become a real burden to take care of a cat when I can just take care of myself. Also the expense of food, litter and vet care.
 
If you want a cat maybe a foster situation would be best, because I think they would take the cat back if it became beyond your ability to care for it. Also you could insist on a tidy cat. Of the five house cats I've had, only one developed a peeing problem and that was when he was old. But my current cat gets constipated and then throws up, he is being a hassle, but oh well, not nearly as much mess as kids make.
 
debodun said:
My other concerns is that I have a nice clean house now. Cats ruined my old house with their peeing on the carpeting and scratching the furniture despite having litterboxes in several rooms and a scratching post. Added to the fact I am getting more health problems now and don't know when it would become a real burden to take care of a cat when I can just take care of myself. Also the expense of food, litter and vet care.
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You definitely shouldn't get a cat.
 
debodun said:
My other concerns is that I have a nice clean house now. Cats ruined my old house with their peeing on the carpeting and scratching the furniture despite having litterboxes in several rooms and a scratching post. Added to the fact I am getting more health problems now and don't know when it would become a real burden to take care of a cat when I can just take care of myself. Also the expense of food, litter and vet care.
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@debodun Mum had to rehome her cat because it became difficult for her to look after it and as the cat followed her around, mum nearly tripped over it a few times. Fortunately the cat went to a really good home and all ended well but, it's best to be sure before adopting a pet and if you have any doubts at all, don't do it. (y)
 
HoneyNut said:
If you want a cat maybe a foster situation would be best, because I think they would take the cat back if it became beyond your ability to care for it. Also you could insist on a tidy cat. Of the five house cats I've had, only one developed a peeing problem and that was when he was old. But my current cat gets constipated and then throws up, he is being a hassle, but oh well, not nearly as much mess as kids make.
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What do you do for the constipation? My tabby gets a little like that. I give her hair ball medications.

I think the litter box cleaning and throw up cleaning helps keep me limber. :D
 
Remy said:
What do you do for the constipation? My tabby gets a little like that. I give her hair ball medications.
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He gets a quarter teaspoon of Miralax twice a day in some canned food, plus hairball medicine every third day. He makes it hard by not being a good eater, I'm happy if I can get a tablespoon of food into him at breakfast and dinner. I've tried so many brands and flavors, and even giving him his favorites I'm throwing away the majority of the food each meal. He had a good bill of health from the vet, so I guess it is age-related. He was a good eater when he was young.
 
Never get a pet of any kind if you can't love it, spend time with it, get it medical care and medication as needed and be able to purchase food for it. An animal needs and deserves as much as a human. They are sometimes difficult to take care of, they can be expensive if they get sick, they can do damage to your home until they learn not to.

It seems to me that you are not ready to have a pet. I would never discourage anyone but as the owner of 3 dogs, house dogs, I know how much work and expense can be involved. Yet, I still find myself checking the shelters for a puppy! LOL
 
HoneyNut said:
He gets a quarter teaspoon of Miralax twice a day in some canned food, plus hairball medicine every third day. He makes it hard by not being a good eater, I'm happy if I can get a tablespoon of food into him at breakfast and dinner. I've tried so many brands and flavors, and even giving him his favorites I'm throwing away the majority of the food each meal. He had a good bill of health from the vet, so I guess it is age-related. He was a good eater when he was young.
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Maybe time to switch over to homemade food. Talk to the vet. I have dogs, no cats. I do add veggies to their dry food, carrots, green beans, sweet peas, pumpkin and rice when I cook it for me. There vet approves. They love it, you would think they were eating caviar. Maybe just cooked chicken with some veggies, ask the vet.
 
Blessed said:
Never get a pet of any kind if you can't love it, spend time with it, get it medical care and medication as needed and be able to purchase food for it. An animal needs and deserves as much as a human. They are sometimes difficult to take care of, they can be expensive if they get sick, they can do damage to your home until they learn not to.

It seems to me that you are not ready to have a pet. I would never discourage anyone but as the owner of 3 dogs, house dogs, I know how much work and expense can be involved. Yet, I still find myself checking the shelters for a puppy! LOL
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I have a dog that I absolutely love and she has a wonderful life with me. You're right when you say that an animal needs and deserves as much as a human. But I doubt I'll have another pet after her. They are a lot of love but also a lot of work and I think it would be too much for me when I'm older.
 

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