Let me start by saying that I can not believe I am about ready to do this, it is something I swore I was never going to do. I am going to buy a cat for my wife (both of us) for Christmas.

 

I have always considered myself a dog person, still do, but over the past year or so, I have gained some sense of tolerance for cats, I have no idea what it is? Anyways, my wife always had a cat growing up and begs all the time for one - I thought this might be a good suprise for Christmas.

 

I am not opposed to a pet, but we are always doing somethig or going out of town for the weekend, etc. and a cat would be much easier to look after.

 

Thing is, I have no idea where to begin? What is a good type of cat to have? I would prefer something that does not shed? Should I rescue a cat? How much are litter boxes, cat food, other maintenance costs, etc.? Does it need to be a male or female?

 

Help me out here.

If you want affectionate (sometimes overly so) a neutered male is the way to go. If you want independent (sometimes to the point of being 'aloof') spayed females. I would ABSOLUTELY recomend getting a shelter cat, young if you're a new cat owner I guess (although there are many wonderful animals that get passed up everyday because people can't raise them from the moment they're weaned, and I think it's a shame, especially in cats where it makes much less of a difference.)

 

Anyway. If you want no shedding, you'll have to get one of those freaky hairless cats. That's just the way it is. In my experience, the best kind of cat on hair management looks like this:

 

and the worst looks like this:

 

I've owned several of each variety, and the tabbys shed like crazy.

Oh!

 

BIG ADVICE:

 

Take. Her. With. You.

 

I know you want it to be a present, but she needs to be there with you to pick the cat out. In fact, if you go to the shelter and mention it's as a present, they might insist that she be there for you to select an animal.

Let me start by saying that I can not believe I am about ready to do this, it is something I swore I was never going to do. I am going to buy a cat for my wife (both of us) for Christmas.

 

I have always considered myself a dog person, still do, but over the past year or so, I have gained some sense of tolerance for cats, I have no idea what it is? Anyways, my wife always had a cat growing up and begs all the time for one - I thought this might be a good suprise for Christmas.

 

I am not opposed to a pet, but we are always doing somethig or going out of town for the weekend, etc. and a cat would be much easier to look after.

 

Thing is, I have no idea where to begin? What is a good type of cat to have? I would prefer something that does not shed? Should I rescue a cat? How much are litter boxes, cat food, other maintenance costs, etc.? Does it need to be a male or female?

 

Help me out here.

 

I always thought the hairball thing was weird

First thing you need to realize, is that you don't own a cat. The cat owns you.

 

I'd go with a short-hair tabby. Cat rescue would be a good choice. If you do this, you need to make sure you spend enough time with the cat to judge its temperment before you walk out the door with it. Gender doesn't matter as much as long as you get the cat fixed. Especially if its a male. Non-neutered cats will start spraying and you'll never get rid of the smell. They also become very aggressive when they smell heat.

 

Cat's do fine on dry food. Canned food is a waste of money. They don't like variety in their diet. Always have clean water for them. If you feed them canned food, they may not drink any water at all, since the canned food provides all the water they need. Cat treats are always a favorite.

 

Invest in a flea collar, especially if you let your cat out.

 

We kept our litter box in the basement to keep the cat smell down. Go with the clumping litter.

 

The cat barfing drives me nuts. They always puke on the carpet, never the hardwood floors. Our cat would eat, then when we sat down to eat, he would eat again. Then he'd leave us a gift to cleanup.

If you want affectionate (sometimes overly so) a neutered male is the way to go. If you want independent (sometimes to the point of being 'aloof') spayed females. I would ABSOLUTELY recomend getting a shelter cat, young if you're a new cat owner I guess (although there are many wonderful animals that get passed up everyday because people can't raise them from the moment they're weaned, and I think it's a shame, especially in cats where it makes much less of a difference.)

 

Anyway. If you want no shedding, you'll have to get one of those freaky hairless cats. That's just the way it is. In my experience, the best kind of cat on hair management looks like this:

 

and the worst looks like this:

 

I've owned several of each variety, and the tabbys shed like crazy.

 

The top picture looks kind of cool, what kind of cat is it?

I am honestly blind going into this whole thing, if I do rescue a cat, will it already have its shots, be fixed, etc. or will I have to do all of that?

That's a Russian Blue.

 

For some reason, there are several (mixed) versions of these cats near my parents' house, and we've taken a few as our own over the years. I say 'for some reason' because they can be expensive pure bred, but these aren't... I think someone lost their Russian Blue and she set up a very successful colony somewhere in Fern Creek. :lol:

I am honestly blind going into this whole thing, if I do rescue a cat, will it already have its shots, be fixed, etc. or will I have to do all of that?

I know at the Humane Society, that's all part of the deal.

I am honestly blind going into this whole thing, if I do rescue a cat, will it already have its shots, be fixed, etc. or will I have to do all of that?

From the Kenton County Animal Shelter:

 

Adoption Fees

Shelter Adoption Fees

Dogs/Pups $80.00

Cats/Kittens $80.00

* Dogs are given a DHLPP BOOSTER and a BORDETELLA VACCINE.

* Pups are given a DHLP-MEASLES, PARVO., and BORDETELLA VACCINE.

* Cats and kittens are given a FRV-CP VACCINE.

* We have a MANDATORY SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF ANIMALS ADOPTED and each new pet owner signs a legal adoption contract.

* Any veterinary services or medications, after the adoption, are at the expense of the new pet owner. An animal may be returned for any reason, BUT A REFUND BY MAIL WILL BE MADE ONLY FOR MEDICAL REASONS, IF A VETERINARIAN DOCUMENTS IT IN WRITING. You have 30 days to return an animal with a veterinarian's medical reason and receive a refund or another animal. You have up to 30 days, from the date of the returned sick pet, to choose another animal.

* All animals are also wormed.

I know I am going to catch crap for this but....

 

 

I do not like cats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The top picture looks kind of cool, what kind of cat is it?

 

The cat at the top looks just like the one I posted about a month ago that ran off and hasn't come back. In Frankfort I think the adoption fee is $60 and includes shots and being fixed.

I know I am going to catch crap for this but....

 

 

I do not like cats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

:thumb:

If you have a farm, a cat is a great mouse catcher, but so is a black snake. Other than this, I see no reason to ever own a cat.

I know I am going to catch crap for this but....

 

 

I do not like cats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Do you know what a "Flycat" is?

I would suggest a Maine Coon cat form a local kennel in Lawrenceburg. They are big cats but are the most even tempered, social cat I have every owned. THey are long haired, beautiful and a little pricey...but worth it. I have a male and female and they get along great. The male is very smart and much larger than the female..

 

Usually, at this kennel you can "purchase" the cat and then have your spouse pick it out from the kennel when you are ready to bring it home. they are grow very slow and have to be a little older at the adoption than a normal cat.

 

I have had cats for over 30 years and these are the best house cats I have had. They both had their front claws laser removed and never venture outside.

 

THey do have Funny voices though...