Tell me about cats

[Anonymous]

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).

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Their litter boxes can smell.

[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).

Hi OP! Cats are wonderful companions. Based on your situation, I'd highly recommend contacting a local rescue group with cats in foster care and tell them your situation. You are looking for a single cat who gets along with older children, dogs, and hunts. I wouldn't recommend a kitten in your situation. They are adorable, but you have very specific needs, and a kitten's personality isn't developed, so you have no idea what you'd be getting. You need an adult cat who you know won't just run and hide from your dog (or your mice).

Some cat basics - they need playtime everyday, and the litter should be scooped everyday (cats are clean creatures!), and they like water sources away from their food (so put a water bowl in your bedroom or something.) You need scratching posts near any furniture that cats would be tempted to scratch (put a "yes" next to a "no"), and cat trees are a great way to keep your cats feeling comfortable in your house.

[Anonymous]

Get an adult cat known to like hunting. You don’t know that a kitten would hunt mice. Or an adult. Our current kitten would be very interested in a mouse but hasn’t progressed past the “pat it repeatedly and follow it around” stage of hunting. Of our previous adult cats, one calmly tore frogs, mice, etc. into little pieces and the other ran away from them.

[Anonymous]

Get an older cat. Their personality is set.

[Anonymous]

Agreed you want a hunter -- and not all cats are. Friends adopted an adult declawed cat from a rescue (they didn't declaw, it had already been done) and that cat is a master hunter. Our cat could care less.

[Anonymous]

I’d say that seeing as you have a dog, id get a kitten. An older cat is not likely to ever tolerate the dog whereas a kitten will grow up with it and they may even become buddies.

[Anonymous]

I have an active, loving, funny male cat. He would be completely useless when it comes to a mouse. Doesn’t even get bothered by spiders or flies. We got them as a kitten so had no idea what personality would be like. Luckily we don’t need him to be a mouser but because you do I would focus on adopting an adult cat who has some of the traits to catch mice.

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Their litter boxes always smell.

Fixed that typo for you.

[Anonymous]

We have a Rottweiler that is the bane of every squirrel, chipmunk, fox, deer, etcs', existence. Will also hunt mice.

Our cat doesn't.

You never know.....

[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?

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?

[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?

If that were true, no cat would ever catch a mouse.

[Anonymous]

Op - tell me more about your allergies. If they are severe I don’t think you are going to find a cat that doesn’t cause issues. If it’s more of a mild sensitivity you might be able to grow accustomed to a cat you live with.