first time pet owner -- what do I need to know about having a cat

[Anonymous]

In truth, I would prefer to not have a pet. My children though are just filled with longing and have so much love to give. Given we will be home much of the coming year, now seems like the time.

We are having a cat door installed since I knew I'd want a litter box in the basement and wouldn't get a cat until that was possible.

So, next up seems like buy or adopt. We identified Russian Blue as a good breed for our family (independent, loving but not clingy, less shedding) but know we might also adopt a cat in need. Suggestions of where we should we consider adopting or buying from (we're in DC)?

Otherwise, What are good starter resources for learning what we need to know about homing a cat and making it happy? One question is how you decide if the cat will be indoors only or not?
I grew up with a cat that spent most of her time in the woods but am not sure if letting this cat outdoors would make sense or not. Our neighbors on both sides have cats. One family keeps them in, the other gives them freedom but calls them in at night.

[Anonymous]

You’re doing a great thing, OP!

I’d suggest that you really don’t need to go the pure-bred route to get a specific temperament; cats aren’t like dogs that way. Contact a good rescue and describe what you’re looking for; they will match your family with a cat or kitten who fits your needs. We had a great match experience with Nova SPCA, but there are many others.

Especially if you’re in DC, your cat is going to need to be 100% indoor; way too many dangers outside, and no rescue or breeder will let you take home a cat if you plan to let it wander.

Get a whole bunch of the cheap cardboard scratchers. Have them throughout the house to redirect kitty when it eyes the furniture. Bribe with treats and the learning will be fast! Also buy a brush and make it a point to brush kitty once a day. Kitty will love it and you’ll minimize the hair in your house.

[Anonymous]

Indoor only OP or you're going to have some heartbroken kids.

[Anonymous]

We live in DC and we had two cats. Both started out indoors but eventually we lost the battle and stopped fighting it. Our cats did not go far once they had the freedom to roam. Cats really do not go far. We kept them inside every night. One died of an illness at 14, the other continues to thrive and spends part of every day on our front porch when it is not the winter.

I would assume any place you adopt from will require you to commit to indoor only.

Have a strategy to protect your furniture before the cat comes home. The double sided tape worked well for us.

[Anonymous]

Do not let your cat outdoors! We had two that we let out just to our porch. The not too bad result was one of the cats just couldn’t decide if she wanted in or out, so she would whine whatever side of the door she was on. The worse result was that our male cat (neutered) got in the habit of running out when we opened the door and got in our backyard, wheeler an alley cat had wandered in and they got in a fight. He was sick after that and died two years later (at age 4) from a neurological issue. I guess I’m not sure, but I feel like he likely got something from that other cat.

Anyway, it’s bad for the cat, bad for birds, and annoying for you. Don’t let your cat outside.

[Anonymous]

If you go for a purebred Russian blue, you probably won’t want to let it wander around outside (they cost $$$). We had to wait for ours for a couple months because they’re not that easy to find and good breeders are few and far (ours is from Ohio).
Good luck! Cats are the best (especially RBs, not that I’m biased )

[Anonymous]

Ask the shelter to match you up with one that's cuddly.

[Anonymous]

Don’t buy a pure-bred cat. It’s a waste of money and, to me, sickening when so many healthy cats and kittens are euthanized every year. Personality in cats doesn’t really come down to breed as another PP said. Socialization is really important. If you want a kitten, pick one that has been around humans and handled since they were very little—like a foster situation. Those cats are more likely to be friendly lap cats and not skittish. Or look for an adult cat that already has a personality that works for your family.

[Anonymous]

I have gone the purebread route and the adoption route.

I agree that calling a reputable animal rescue organization like the ASPCA or the Humane Society is the best place to start. If you call now, they may still have kittens from the spring kitten rush. A slightly older kitten, around 4 months, is much easier for the pet owner if you can find one. They will be used to solid food, litter box trained, and big enough to not get lost in your house. No serious breeder or animal rescue group will be ok with you letting the cat outside at all. If they do not give you a big lecture about this and make you sign a form, that's a sign that you are working with a scam. You can avoid this by starting with ASPCA or HSUS and only using references from them.

Russian blues are very popular, but be aware that they are also very attention-seeking and can open cabinet doors. Most places selling RBs will not tell you this. I've had two and love them, but they are not for everybody. They are all over you all the time, and hate it when you travel. They are also prone to anxiety issues. They are a good option for a quiet house. If you have your kids' friends coming over a lot in non-pandemic times, this is not a good breed for you. Most other pet cats are friendly but a bit more independent and chill. Mixed breeds will have fewer peculiarities.

It may take time to find your kitten. Be patient and have fun!

[Anonymous]

Indoor only.

[Anonymous]

You have to have the right kind of home and cat to let them outdoors. Like a cul de sac surrounded by parks. Otherwise they will be hit by a car or catch disease from feral cat. No cat breeder will sell you a cat if you let it outside. Also there are NO purebred cats in shelters. Maybe a few old apple head Siamese.

[Anonymous]

My son is in vet school and last month he brought me a purebred Russian Blue whose owners had taken him to the clinic to be euthanized because they just didn't want him anymore and thought taking him to a shelter would be cruel. They didn't stick around the clinic and my kid refused to allow him to be euthanized. He says it was a "borderline catnapping" and he had to plead hard with his supervisor to be allowed to take the cat. I think they actually charged the owners for the euthanization, too.

Anyway, this is my second cat, and he's great. My other cat is a normal no-breed tabby, and I love her too, but the Russian Blue is MUCH calmer and never swipes me or claws me like the other one. And he's gorgeous.

[Anonymous]

Not sure where you live, but if you’re near Fairfax, you can go to this cat cafe and meet the kitties in person. All of them are available for adoption, so you can hang out with them until you meet one that seems right for your family.

https://www.patriotpawsabilities.com/

[Anonymous]

more general tips for a first time cat owner/staffer:
- don't bathe your cat, you'll end up bleeding, buy some wet wipes and use them VERY sparingly
- keep the litter box clean or your cat will find a new place to go (clean at least every other day)
- don't bother trying to keep him/her off any counters or furniture, you'd be wasting your time
- fun toys include laser pointers and anything you drag around (blanket, ribbon, scarf)
- the brush you want is a furminator, it will be your best bet at reducing hair left around the house and hairballs
- a cat showing you its belly is the opposite of a dog. do not touch unless you enjoy claws
- a happy cat will often sit in your lap and "knead" you, sometimes involving claws, you are meant to sit and take the pain, the cat is bestowing a great blessing upon you
- generally speaking, you exist to serve the cat and will be treated accordingly. You are it's staff, not it's "owner"

good luck and enjoy!

[Anonymous]

We had a lovely Russian blue for 18 years.

Young cats have a lot of energy and any bad habits they learn may last a lifetime. Cats can be retrained but it is a lot of effort and requires constant reinforcement. If you are annoyed by chattiness, you can’t train that out. We had a chatty Siamese for 14 years.

A female cat will tend to bond with one person. Orange make tabbies are the friendliest.

One box per cat plus 1 extra. One cat is two boxes.