Should I adopt a cat? My apartment is small.?

Question

A woman I know is pregnant and I said I would adopt her cat. He still has claws and I don't want to declaw him. She started keeping him indoors since last year, but he used to be and outdoor cat. My place is small and I don't have outdoor access. He has a lot of cat toys, but I don't want him to be bored and maybe get into my paints and poison himself. I can't lock him out of my art studio because there's only that and the bedroom, and I don't want fur all over my clothes either. I want a pet but I wonder if this is the right one for my situation, and what I should say to the owner if I decide no, so she will stop twisting my arm and find someone else...?

Answer 1

He may have been "sent" to you. One cat (i have many) that a co-worker really pushed onto me (she was getting dogs, instead) turned out to be my favorite, most loving cat of all time. I am very glad I finally agreed to take her, she was so dear.
It's really important to "cat-proof" your apartment (no pins, needles, dangerous liquids, and keeping the commode seat-cover down). Cats are the best pets in the world, and a male cat is usually very affectionate. It's also very cruel to de-claw. Good Luck.

Answer 2

It seems this cat has been acclimated to living inside. If there are sunny windows where he can lie in the mornings or on winter afternoons he will love that.

I have many "perches" that fit right into a conventional window and my cats lie on them to observe the outside. Even a pigeon roosting on a high rise apartment can offer them some interest. Of course you have to be absolutely sure that any screens are secure if you open a window. And you are aware of the poisonous nature of your paints. Neutered male cats are wonderful "lovers" and snugglers so you should be happy with him.

Talk to an adoption counsellor at a local humane society or shelter. They will be very happy to talk to you about having a cat -- the pros and cons. They can also educate you on what to expect behaviorwise if you take a cat into your home.

I can tell you right off that any animal has fur or hair and you will have some shedding. There is no way to avoid it. Cats on the premium foods do not shed as much and, of course, brushing and combing your cat can become a loving activity and you just do it when you are watching TV together.

Take your time. Don't let your friend pressure you too much. Many of us have gone through this and wanted to place our cats in loving homes so she has picked you out for that reason. She wants the best for her cat so forgive her for pressuring you. Do your homework on what it's like to own a cat. Then make your decision.

Answer 3

The most important thing is to keep the cat's best interests in mind. If you don't think you could handle fur on your clothes, then don't get the cat.

Plus, you do need to keep the cat out of any art supplies that are not tightly sealed. Cats are naturally curious and accidents do happen. Remember, this cat would depend solely on you.

If you do decide not to take the cat, let the owner know right away so she can look elsewhere. Be firm, but polite and let her know that you are declining only because you don't think it's in the cat's best interest. You could even offer to help her find another home for it if you'd like.

Answer 4

If you did not make her a promise then go with your heart and make the right choice. I am in a two bedroom apt. with a sister and we adopted three cats from three totally different places. The first one was about a year old and not used to others sharing her space, we then got a new baby from wild litter out of a campground and our first Abby took him in as her own and raised him. One year later we found another wild kitten and she also was raised by Abby and now we are three. They come and go out on the becolney through a cat door but we still watched them to make sure they never tried to jump and they haven't now we just let them do their thing and have no worries. They are all fixed but not declawed, I have never had a problem with out furniture, I made sure they had a carpet post or some carpet they could use to scratch. If they attempt to scratch anything other then are only have to hear a different tone to my voice and they stop. We got lucky, for none of our cats shed fur right on our cloths, it is on the floor and stuff so we wet mop daily but no one has ever complained of fur on their cloths and all three cats have very differnet texture to their fur. We feed then strictly dry food only, nothing out of a can and they get tarter treats for their teeth, plus bottled water as well. They are the best thing I could have done for myself and cats are very smart and learn very fast what they can and cannot do. It is up to you but so long as you give them lots of love and attention when ever you can they will learn from you what their boundaries are. I used a spray bottle of water for the first part until they got the message, it works. I could not be without them now. They ajust to new surroundings guickly and you just have to go with your heart. I hope this has helped you out to make the decission, you could just say "At this time it would not be fare to the animal to be locked up in such a small space where there is chemmicals and hazmat around" I am sure the woman would understand that you are just looking out for the animals best interests and safty. Good Luck.

Answer 5

you just listed a whole bunch of reasons to not have the cat, which tells me that you really don't think this is a good idea, at least not right now.

so, i would just simply tell the woman that you don't feel it's the best thing for you right now and leave it at that.
if she pushes for a reason, then tell her exactly what you told us. your apartment is pretty small with no outside access and you worry about the cat getting into your paints is a very valid reason! no one should try to strong arm someone into having a pet. i'm sorry that you are feeling that way, but she may be feeling a little guilty herself and is displacing it upon you.....

anyhooo,
just be up front with her and tell her you really don't want the cat and you appreciate her considering you, but it's just not the best opportunity right now.

nuff said.

take care!

Answer 6

At least file his claws so he can't ruin anything or hurt you. I'd place your paints under lock and key in a smaller room such as a closet. But lock your bedroom if you don't want fur in your clothes. So basically, lock the paints (but not your studio) unless you are there to supervise your cat; and lock your bedroom (and keep the breakable items inside it). If your bathroom is connected to your bedroom and you want the litter in there... you have to figure out what to do.

Answer 7

Cats don't immediately look for paints to drink when bored. :-)

Cats can be very happy in an apartment. Most adult cats spend their time sleeping anyway.

Can you take him on a trial basis?

It's a shame his current owner is dumping him. It's not necessary to dump a cat just because of pregnancy. The concern is about a germ in dirty cat litter. All she'd have to is ask her husband to handle the cat box for her. Or she could buy a LitterMaid which is set up so nobody has to touch soiled litter.

Answer 8

You could always put one of those child safety wall things that you put on the door so kids can't get into certain rooms in the door of the paint room. And cats do tend to shed so be very prepared for that. I wouldn't get it condsidering you live in such tight quarters because the litter box and the cat will most likely make the the apartment smell.

Answer 9

You cant declaw the cat
so just go to the vet that is the only way to do that,.I f the cat went to the bathroom in your house that would be bad.And if you have no outdoor access.Where would the cat go to the bathroom.But if you do decide yes make sure to nuder or spade it for sure it helps so much.If you want a pet i would recomend a fish maybe.good luck:)

Answer 10

It's not the size of your apartment, but whether the cat would be safe. The bedroom would be fine, but if you don't want "fur all over" your clothes....

I would explain to your friend that you've reconsidered and decided that for the cat's safety, she needs to look for another home. And then be willing to help the lady to find another home.

Why doesn't she keep him herself?