Tell me about cats

[Anonymous]

If you’re getting it exclusively to rid yourself of mice problem, then don’t bother. It may or may not work. Sealing potentially entry points and setting mouse traps is much more effective.

[Anonymous]

This is not a rigorous study, but I've only ever had mice when I didn't have a cat. The cats were not mousers but I think the smell kept the mice away.

I also have allergies to both dogs and cats. I've fostered 12 kittens (in groups of 2-4) and was never allergic because they are so small. I wasn't allergic to the cats I adopted after fostering. Getting a kitten is kind of like getting a personalized allergy shot - you get used to the dander from a tiny kitten, so then you don't react when it grows up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are the funniest little creatures. Some are affectionate, some are not. Unfortunately I've heard of a cat or two that scratches and bites regularly, but they were cats that were initially raised by owners that didn't treat them well.

We adopted two cats eight years ago (down to one now) and they are so special with such interesting and funny personalities. Bonus that you don't have to walk them. And your kids can be responsible for cleaning the litter box, which is the only part of cat ownership I hate.

Beware that unlike dogs, cats are difficult, if not impossible to train, and have a tendency to scratch furniture.

You can absolutely train cats. I've trained plenty and most started as ferals. We train everything we train a dog to do.

The person with the cats who bite and scratch I can guarantee were ignoring the other signals (hair raised, tail, hissing, running away, etc). Respect the cat's space and signals and you won't have a problem. It sounds like they need to work with a behaviorist to help them understand and read their cat better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Their litter boxes can smell.

Sure. That is easy to fix and prevent, though.

Scoop once a day, wash once a week, use Nonscents/zeolite after you scoop or if it smells and you are in a rush, and use a litterbox that is metal so the plastic doesn't absorb the scent.

If you use plastic, let Biokleen soak into it for 5min and problem solved.

I'd get a clumping litter, biodegradable like OKO cat wood litter, because it is light to carry, easy to scoop, and already smells nice without heavy perfumes. Dr.Elsey's is also nice. Pretty Litter is just ok. Haven't tried Catalyst yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had the sweetest cat. (She died last year.) All she ever wanted was to spend time with the family and be pet. She never scratched or hurt anyone. When she was dying, before I realized how sick she was, she used what little energy she had left to scoot next to me. Can you tell that I miss her?

Aw. That made me sad for my sweet cat, who I lost after 17 years. My house felt empty without her. I have a new boy who is so sweet, but I still miss her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Their litter boxes can smell.

Sure. That is easy to fix and prevent, though.

Scoop once a day, wash once a week, use Nonscents/zeolite after you scoop or if it smells and you are in a rush, and use a litterbox that is metal so the plastic doesn't absorb the scent.

If you use plastic, let Biokleen soak into it for 5min and problem solved.

I'd get a clumping litter, biodegradable like OKO cat wood litter, because it is light to carry, easy to scoop, and already smells nice without heavy perfumes. Dr.Elsey's is also nice. Pretty Litter is just ok. Haven't tried Catalyst yet.

Says the person with a cat.

They stink and the smell stays. I’ve turned down homes because of the cat box lingering smell. Their urine is horrendous and the smell is in your walls, the flooring, ducts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had the sweetest cat. (She died last year.) All she ever wanted was to spend time with the family and be pet. She never scratched or hurt anyone. When she was dying, before I realized how sick she was, she used what little energy she had left to scoot next to me. Can you tell that I miss her?

I’m sorry PP.

This is OP. Isn’t it true that the smell of a cat will keep mice away? Even if they aren’t hunters?

OP, we never had mice show up until after our cat died. Perhaps just a coincidence.

[Anonymous]

Tabbies have the best disposition of any cat I've had both as a child and an adult. Male tabbies to be specific. They are sort of like dogs--love to hang out with you, follow you around, love to be pet, play, and are very loyal, like dogs. Some cats really just want to be left alone and don't want you touching them unless it's a very specific way. Not all cats are mousers, if that's specifically what you're looking for. We have two tabbies. One is a total hunter. I wouldn't have known we had mice coming in through a hole behind our stove had it not been for him sitting in front of the stove every night watching guard. I had no idea what he was doing until he actually caught one and we were able to solve the problem because of him. The other cat is useless when it comes to mice--a mouse could literally run past him and he wouldn't care. So, just be aware that not all cats are into mice. I personally wouldn't set out to adopt a cat just for that purpose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had a mouse infestation and we never want mice again. We are animal lovers and we have two kids - ages 14 and 12. We have a 5 year old mini Goldendoodle who we love. We are thinking of getting a cat (kitten?) both because of the mouse problem and because we'd like another animal, and we don't want to get another dog (money, walks). We don't know much about cats, and we think that raising from a kitten might be better than adopting an adult. We also have allergies, but I've read that there is such a thing as hypoallergenic cats.

Give me some advice (and I know I should be prepared to get blasted because this is DCUM, but please - if you don't have experienced-based advice to give just move on).

1. Your kids ages. You know you’ll have a cat for about 15 years (if it’s a kitten) — which is way beyond when your kids will have moved out. Something to think about.

2. Mice. Don’t count on your cat being a mouser. There is no way to know ahead of time. I caught mine one morning who had cornered a mouse. All my cat did was push his nose into the mouses cheek so far that it made the mouse’s eye squish shut. LOL. Worthless in the way of hunting.

3. Cat vs kitten. A kitten is likely to bond easier with a resident pet than an adult cat. Some adults are good with dogs though. Check with your local shelter. They can steer you based on what they have observed about the personality.

4. Allergies. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat. You’re allergic to their saliva, not their fur. So, yes, you can even be allergic even to a hairless cat. With that said, you might be LESS allergic to one cat’s saliva over another. Not allergy free though.

Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

My old cat caught a mouse once. All he did was bring it into the house and start playing with it. As soon as he picked it up again in his mouth, I chased him out of the house.

[Anonymous]

Some cats look for mice around the renovated rose garden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Their litter boxes can smell.

Sure. That is easy to fix and prevent, though.

Scoop once a day, wash once a week, use Nonscents/zeolite after you scoop or if it smells and you are in a rush, and use a litterbox that is metal so the plastic doesn't absorb the scent.

If you use plastic, let Biokleen soak into it for 5min and problem solved.

I'd get a clumping litter, biodegradable like OKO cat wood litter, because it is light to carry, easy to scoop, and already smells nice without heavy perfumes. Dr.Elsey's is also nice. Pretty Litter is just ok. Haven't tried Catalyst yet.

Says the person with a cat.

They stink and the smell stays. I’ve turned down homes because of the cat box lingering smell. Their urine is horrendous and the smell is in your walls, the flooring, ducts.

Utter nonsense. Take your pill Darlene.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had a mouse infestation and we never want mice again. We are animal lovers and we have two kids - ages 14 and 12. We have a 5 year old mini Goldendoodle who we love. We are thinking of getting a cat (kitten?) both because of the mouse problem and because we'd like another animal, and we don't want to get another dog (money, walks). We don't know much about cats, and we think that raising from a kitten might be better than adopting an adult. We also have allergies, but I've read that there is such a thing as hypoallergenic cats.

Give me some advice (and I know I should be prepared to get blasted because this is DCUM, but please - if you don't have experienced-based advice to give just move on).

They’re gross. Hair everywhere

[Anonymous]

My childhood cats puked and shit all over our house for 9 years and my parents ignored it. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had the sweetest cat. (She died last year.) All she ever wanted was to spend time with the family and be pet. She never scratched or hurt anyone. When she was dying, before I realized how sick she was, she used what little energy she had left to scoot next to me. Can you tell that I miss her?

This made me tear up! I have 3 Bengals and two are asses but one is going in my coffin with me.. Love her sooo much..