2006-08-03 23:05:40 · 34 answers · asked by starvic7 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Mine does OK, and I work longer hours. He is also a great companion, as I am not really used to living all alone. I'd definitely recommend you to get one :) Good luck!
Oh, and make _sure_ you give your kitten enough attention while you are home. My theory is that pets and children misbehave to attract attention, when they don't get enough of it; I take care to play with my kitten and pet and groom him, etc., and he is so good - he even took up using that scratch post I got him, without having to resort to chemicals (even catnip).
2006-08-03 23:20:56 · answer #1 · answered by AlphaOne_ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with most of the comments here, you can definitely get a cat with an 8 to 5ish job! But do get two if you have the space! I do feel that they get lonely by themselves. Also, Sunshines advice on getting two adults is exactly right. Kittens do require a lot more attention, and when left alone for long periods, will attempt to eat, scratch and maul almost anything in your home. Adult cats are much more relaxed and easy to care for. It is a myth that an adult cat will not bond with it's owners as well as kittens do. In fact, I feel that the adult cats from shelters almost "know" that you have rescued them, and are more affectionate as a result! Plus once you get there you can see that they want a home. Kittens and puppies don't realise it when they are in a shelter, they run and play as though they were at home already. Adult kitties will gaze into your eyes, and throw themselves against the mesh to get a tickle and love. The other thing to remember is that if you do get two teen/adult kitties instead of kittens, you are saving a life that has a far greater chance of being put down than the kittens who almost always find homes quickly. My other recommendation for a good combination, if you do want the cuteness of a kitten, is to adopt mom and one of her offspring - that way you get the best of both worlds - plus mom will be looking after baby during the day!
Congratulations on wanting to add such a wondeful creature to your life!
2006-08-04 02:33:38 · answer #2 · answered by Karring Kat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely cats are OK being on their own all day. I've been a cat owner for 30 years and worked most of the time it just takes a bit of planning. I would suggest getting a pair of cats though, although my friends with one cat tell me theirs do just fine, I wonder if they get lonely.
Always keep the house stocked with some toys, like the odd paper wad is our household favorite. A paper wad in a box or bag left on the floor when you leave will keep them busy all day. Plan on having some cat time with them when you get home, they probably will greet you at the door! The advice regarding bring a kitten home and showing them the litter box is on the money. Show them their food too and try to kitten proof as much as you can. But being clever beasts they will show you something you missed within a few hours. If you can, adopt on a Friday night or a Saturday morning so you can have a couple of days of bonding time with your new roommate(s). Cats are great, they are the only pet I know of that can get up in the middle of the night, have a play,snack,go to the bathroom and not share the experience with you. A dog can't do that!
Good luck and have fun, take your time at the shelter and find the perfect match he or she is out there for you!
2006-08-04 02:14:36 · answer #3 · answered by Jane B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Adopt 2 adult cats from your local Animal Control or humane society. 2 cats aren't much more work than one, and they will keep each other company during the day while you are at work. Ask the shelter for 2 compatable cats. Lots of times they have sibling cats they want to keep together.
You will be saving a life by adopting at a shelter and the pets will be neutered, free of parasites and often times they are already microchipped. Don't get a kitten. Kittens are a lot of work and you might end up with a neurotic adult cat if that kitten isn't around you for the whole day. Get an adult cat with their personality already formed.
2006-08-03 23:10:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An adult cat will do fine as long as it has access to food, water, and a litterbox. Adult cats sleep a lot during the day anyway. If you're thinking about adopting a kitten, I would suggest adopting 2 of them together. They can keep each other company. A small kitten doesn't sleep as much during the day and it will cry a lot out when its left alone. Good luck with your search. Cats are so much fun.
2006-08-04 03:26:21 · answer #5 · answered by lena b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are independent types. They will adapt to this schedule much better than a dog will. Cat will probably sleep all day anyway. Get a scratch post and some toys. Leave out food and water and litter pan. I've and several cats and held down several jobs.
Sometimes when I get home the cat would rub around my legs doing the "figure 8 of welcome" sometimes the cat would be asleep on the sofa look up like "oh were you gone?"
That's cats.
2006-08-04 01:22:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely - - - Cats are territorial - - - YOU can be their territory or you can make it clear to them that Your Home is Their Home and that you must go away everyday and do what people do. The cat or cats will settle in, as long as they like the place - - - it will become their place and they will guard it with Love. Most Cats will accept the idea of living in a sealed environment such as a house or apartment but it is easiest breaking in a kitten or new adult. Oddly enough a cat from a crowded house adopts well & selflishly to getting a place to themselves. Introducing new cats can be difficult so plan ahead, And it doesn't hurt to say what rooms are o-k and what rooms are not and clearly estanlish if furniture clibing is o-k. Cats will mostly submit to human but I personally say hey if cats like to climb & explore let them. Others disagree. Peace.
2006-08-03 23:08:05 · answer #7 · answered by JVHawai'i 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the posts here give sound advice.
We have 2 cats that keep each other company while we are at work, and they are fine overnight, but just a bit fussey when we get home.
The only think I will say is if you don't want the cat to scratch things then don't get one!! Do not get a cat and get it Declawed as in my opinion this is cruel. Keep the cat to where it will cause least damage!!!
=^..^=
2006-08-03 23:39:10 · answer #8 · answered by j_piccioni 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was living in Spain I found a Kitten who was taken from her mum too early. I took her home and to the vet. While I was working my boyfriend at the time as I was working fed her constantly as she had to have her milk.
By the time she was about 6 weeks old she was fine alone. Still quite needy and cried when she was left but she was fine with enough food and water.
I usually found her sleeping when i got home.
Now she is 2 and a half and she lives in England and is find has adapted to her surrounding comes home at the same time each night. and is a joy.
Cats a hunters and survivors they are born to be fine
2006-08-06 05:22:27 · answer #9 · answered by Purple Princess 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cat will be fine. Just make sure that it has fresh food and water and a place to go to the bathroom. I recommend you not get a kitten, just an older cat.
2006-08-04 02:26:33 · answer #10 · answered by Chel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had cats all my life. They all have very different personalities, some are loving and some are standoffish but all are enjoyable. I have a couple of important things to add...One is that when you get a pet, any pet, make sure you keep it in for at least two months to establish the home as theirs ( they need to know the smells that i.d. their home), the other suggestion I have is that if you get two cats ( which I recommend) do not get two males ( you may have a spraying war in your home and you DO NOT want that. Good luck with your pets.
2006-08-04 01:20:25 · answer #11 · answered by norma h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋