Howard adores his cats...thinking' of getting one..need real world advice

[DlistCelebutard]

And since I can't wait for Beth's O My Cat book to come out, thought I would ask here...
BTW, I've never had a cat..only dawgs..so I don't feel that confident being a cat owner..

1) I would like an affectionate kitty..I hear some are very aloof...how do I pick one?
2) that jumping on kitchen countertops..don't like that..can they be trained not to?
3) Do you really have to clean the litter box several times per day? (Beth says so, but I don't have a Conseula)
4) Do they really sleep all day then run around and keep you up all night?
5) Would not declaw a cat..but don't want them scratching up everything....can they be trained to not do that?
6) My dawg is confused by cats, he doesn't know what to make of them at Petsmart or the vet..he isn't aggressive..just confused, might chase them if they run...how do I insure they get along?
7) And why do they spray? Is that a male thing? Should I get a female?

Would tweet beth but I'm sure she would say 'hire a cat psychologist" or some such nonsense.

[chuk]

And since I can't wait for Beth's O My Cat book to come out, thought I would ask here...
BTW, I've never had a cat..only dawgs..so I don't feel that confident being a cat owner..

1) I would like an affectionate kitty..I hear some are very aloof...how do I pick one?
2) that jumping on kitchen countertops..don't like that..can they be trained not to?
3) Do you really have to clean the litter box several times per day? (Beth says so, but I don't have a Conseula)
4) Do they really sleep all day then run around and keep you up all night?
5) Would not declaw a cat..but don't want them scratching up everything....can they be trained to not do that?
6) My dawg is confused by cats, he doesn't know what to make of them at Petsmart or the vet..he isn't aggressive..just confused, might chase them if they run...how do I insure they get along?
7) And why do they spray? Is that a male thing? Should I get a female?

Would tweet beth but I'm sure she would say 'hire a cat psychologist" or some such nonsense.

Having read all of your questions, I can say you definitely should not get a cat.

[DlistCelebutard]

Having read all of your questions, I can say you definitely should not get a cat.

I accept that..

[Nemo]

Having read all of your questions, I can say you definitely should not get a cat.

this...

[harlock]

And since I can't wait for Beth's O My Cat book to come out, thought I would ask here...
BTW, I've never had a cat..only dawgs..so I don't feel that confident being a cat owner..

1) I would like an affectionate kitty..I hear some are very aloof...how do I pick one?
2) that jumping on kitchen countertops..don't like that..can they be trained not to?
3) Do you really have to clean the litter box several times per day? (Beth says so, but I don't have a Conseula)
4) Do they really sleep all day then run around and keep you up all night?
5) Would not declaw a cat..but don't want them scratching up everything....can they be trained to not do that?
6) My dawg is confused by cats, he doesn't know what to make of them at Petsmart or the vet..he isn't aggressive..just confused, might chase them if they run...how do I insure they get along?
7) And why do they spray? Is that a male thing? Should I get a female?

Would tweet beth but I'm sure she would say 'hire a cat psychologist" or some such nonsense.

I think you might be better off getting a kitten. If your dog isn't aggressive a kitten will most likely want to be his friend.

[DlistCelebutard]

I think you might be better off getting a kitten. If your dog isn't aggressive a kitten will most likely want to be his friend.

Having done dawg rescue, I kind of wanted to adopt an older cat b/c no one wants them...but if you think a kitten will be a better option..I will definitely consider that.

[harlock]

Having done dawg rescue, I kind of wanted to adopt an older cat b/c no one wants them...but if you think a kitten will be a better option..I will definitely consider that.

I know that you do the rescue thing, and it's really cool that you do. Cats are actually very trainaboe if they are taught at an early age. You will be able to keep it from walking on tables and counters, and be able to teach it to use a scratching post etc. if you raise it from a kitten. If you have only one cat, once a day is fine for the litterbox.

[DlistCelebutard]

I know that you do the rescue thing, and it's really cool that you do. Cats are actually very trainaboe if they are taught at an early age. You will be able to keep it from walking on tables and counters, and be able to teach it to use a scratching post etc. if you raise it from a kitten. If you have only one cat, once a day is fine for the litterbox.

So I need a kitten? I do love this brindle female that is a year old..she is a sweetie and and wants to be pet..but if you think a kitten would be better...I trust your judgment.

[knu3421]

So I need a kitten? I do love this brindle female that is a year old..she is a sweetie and and wants to be pet..but if you think a kitten would be better...I trust your judgment.

[harlock]

So I need a kitten? I do love this brindle female that is a year old..she is a sweetie and and wants to be pet..but if you think a kitten would be better...I trust your judgment.

I think it would be better because it's your first cat and you got your dog already. The cat people make good points too. If this year old is affectionate, maybe a supervised intro with your dog could be arranged.

It will also be important to pay some extra attention to your dog to head off any jealousy issues.

[knu3421]

I just inhaled cat nip while viewing this.

[harlock]

I just inhaled cat nip while viewing this.

cats are really funny with that stuff

[Double Blizz]

I'm insanely allergic to cat hair,so I've never had one. I know once I walked into my aunts house and was introduced to the smell of cat urine. I don't know how people can handle cats.

[Lou Cypher]

And since I can't wait for Beth's O My Cat book to come out, thought I would ask here...
BTW, I've never had a cat..only dawgs..so I don't feel that confident being a cat owner..

1) I would like an affectionate kitty..I hear some are very aloof...how do I pick one?
2) that jumping on kitchen countertops..don't like that..can they be trained not to?
3) Do you really have to clean the litter box several times per day? (Beth says so, but I don't have a Conseula)
4) Do they really sleep all day then run around and keep you up all night?
5) Would not declaw a cat..but don't want them scratching up everything....can they be trained to not do that?
6) My dawg is confused by cats, he doesn't know what to make of them at Petsmart or the vet..he isn't aggressive..just confused, might chase them if they run...how do I insure they get along?
7) And why do they spray? Is that a male thing? Should I get a female?

Would tweet beth but I'm sure she would say 'hire a cat psychologist" or some such nonsense.

1) Get a kitten, or spend time with the adult cats at Petsmart (without your dog) and you can tell pretty quickly which ones are affectionate.
2) No. Cats do whatever the fuck they want whenever the fuck they feel like it.
3) Once a day is fine, especially for a single cat (unless they make a huge, sick mess and it's all over the side of the box. That's fun.)
4) Sometimes. I keep my bedroom door shut.
5) No. See #2
6) Introduce them gradually and don't take your eyes off them! You want to be sure that they don't hurt each other (or worse).
7) I have males and they're all neutered and don't spray, but some will spray even after being fixed. I've heard that females can be bitchy, but I think it just depends on the cat.

[Thelma]

1) I've heard that females can be bitchy, but I think it just depends on the cat.

There is another category of female cat - scaredy! I've only had two females and they are both scaredy cats - which means visitors will rarely see them unless it is with a look of terror as they bolt for the nearest hiding place. There is no known cure for the scaredy cat so don't even try!

[Lou Cypher]

There is another category of female cat - scaredy! I've only had two females and they are both scaredy cats - which means visitors will rarely see them unless it is with a look of terror as they bolt for the nearest hiding place. There is no known cure for the scaredy cat so don't even try!

Aww, poor things. When I volunteered at a cat shelter, we had someone return a (female) cat after a week because she wouldn't come out from under a bed.

[DlistCelebutard]

Aww, poor things. When I volunteered at a cat shelter, we had someone return a (female) cat after a week because she wouldn't come out from under a bed.

I get that...animals need time to adjust..my dawg didn't truly trust me for at least 6 months to a year...he then realized I wasn't going to hurt him..I took care of him...but it took time to gain trust..I can put that time in..but I just don't want an aloof cat that I just feed and clean her litterbox, while she gives me a 'fuck you...' and shreds my furniture..

[Nemo]

There is another category of female cat - scaredy! I've only had two females and they are both scaredy cats - which means visitors will rarely see them unless it is with a look of terror as they bolt for the nearest hiding place. There is no known cure for the scaredy cat so don't even try!

I captured a feral kitten/young adult.


She is now 6. I'm her only human.
She is napping on a thousand dollar recliner
...I'm sitting in a tattered 10 year old recliner

[Lou Cypher]

I captured a feral kitten/young adult.


She is 6 now. I'm her only human.
She is napping on a thousand dollar recliner
...I'm sitting in a tattered 10 year old recliner

That's adorable. One of mine takes my computer chair a lot. I just roll it gently away from the desk and pull up another chair. Spoiled little things.

[Nemo]

That's adorable. One of mine takes my computer chair a lot. I just roll it gently away from the desk and pull up another chair. Spoiled little things.