Are cats great pets?

Question

i have been in my apartment for 2 months, I want to get a pet, i am thinking about getting a cat, are there things I should know before I go out to get one? Any tips on picking on out and care instructions?

Answer 1

The very first thing I recommend is going out and getting yourself a reference book. Cats for Dummies is a wonderful starter guide. It handles picking out, bringing home, grooming, behavior problems, toys, common diseases, etc. I love it.

When picking out a cat, be sure it's healthy, and pick the cat that you connect with. Adopting a kitten is fine and dandy, but remember that kittens ALWAYS find homes. It's the adult cats that are often overlooked, and there are advantages to getting an adult cat....for instance, you can tell their personality right away rather than waiting for them to develop one like you would with a kitten. I've had my cats for 15 months (the male) and 3 weeks (the female).....they're both about 3 years old, and the sweetest, best-behaved cats I've ever known.

Really, there is way too much information for me to fit into one response here....but my basic principles are these; educate yourself, don't declaw, and get high quality food. High quality meaning try to avoid foods that have "by-products" and "corn" in the ingredients list. The first listed ingredient should be meat.

Good luck!

(Oh, and they can be VERY good pets. I like dogs, too, but living in an apartment, it's just hard to have one. Cats are self-contained and just as loving. Don't listen to the haters who seem to think cats are only good for dogs to eat.....sickos.)

And Teacher is lazy. Declawing to save furniture? Perhaps I should have my 7 year old son's hands cut off because he plays in the house and ruins things? God, people are so unnecessarily cruel. There are things called SCRATCHING POSTS and TRAINING to save your furniture.....but that would take WORK, right? God....

Answer 2

Cats are great! But you should make sure that you are prepared to be a good pet owner. I would check out a cat instruction book which I am sure you could find in any pet store, book store, library, or online. Just check out the responsibilities that come with owning a pet. Cats make wonderful pets but they all have different personalities, just like people. Some cats are very cuddly while others prefer to sit near you and be petted instead of held. It is hard to tell what kind of personality a cat will have when it is full grown just from watching it when it is a kitten. Sometimes the most energetic kitten in the litter can grow into a Garfield-ish fat cat! :)

As long as you make sure that your apartment is cool with a cat and you are going to have enough time and patience to care for the cat I say go for it! It is medically proven that pet owners have less stress, I think it is because of the companionship of a pet. Make sure you research the litter-box training before getting a kitten, there will probably be accidents but if you kind of know what you are doing it won't be bad. Cat pee is on of the most distinctive smells around, it is pretty gross and really hard to get out. So I would advise not leaving any clothes around on the floor during the training period.

I hope some of this helps! Cats do make great pets. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Yes they are.

But they are living creatures and live between 15 - 20yrs. That's a long time. Don't get one if you can't commit. They are great pet's for apt's, but what happens when you move? Some landlords won't let you have a pet, even a cat. What happens then? Does your apt allow them? You might have to pay a pet deposit. What if you travel alot, who takes care of it? If your always on the go & not home very much a cat might not be the best idea at this stage.

They are semi-expensive because of litter, food, vet bills. If the cat is picky about food & litter, it gets expensive trying to cater to the cat's preferences. & if the cat is not declawed & trained... your furniture is shredded till the cat gets trained. If you don't adopt one from a shelter you have to factor in nuetering/spaying which is running around $200 in my area. & you have to nueter/spay a cat, it's part of the responsibility.

Kittens are cute but a terror on anything & everything in your home. You won't believe what a kitten will get into. Cat's also require lot's of snuggling & decide where & when it will happen, some decide they want nothing to do with you at all spend their time hiding. If your ok with all of that & can commit to a lifetime a cat is a wonderful pet.

Pick out a cat at a local shelter. Shelter cats need homes desperately. They are loving devoted animals. As for temperment, look for one who seems to "click" with you. it might take several visits before you find your perfect match.

Answer 4

You should first check your lease to see if you can own a cat in the apt. Cats are great pets. However, there can be problems asssociated with owning a cat in an apartment.If the cat is not neutered they will spray around the house and make it smell bad.
I would also get the cat declawed so furniture is not damaged due to sharpening of claws. Have water available 24/7 and feed the cat once per day. Always have clean litter box. I sggest a large plastic storage box for use as a litter pan to avoid litter on the floor. Remember, once you have a pet you have to take care of it everyday. Also remember when you want to take a vacation you have to do something about the cat while you are gone. IE sitter

Answer 5

Cats are very independent for the most part, but neurotic as well. Some cats are maintenance free and a joy to have, some are a royal pain in the ***. They are great in the fact that they can be left for hours, sometimes days with enough food and water and a litter box and you don't have to worry. Maybe start small with something that's not a 20 year committment like a cat, like a ferret or a hamster or a fish even!

Answer 6

Cats are really good pets to have especially if you work alot, I say that because they don't need to be let out-side to go to the bathroom like dogs and because they don't need quite as much attention, of course they do like it. Do be careful though in choosing a cat, try to figure out if they're sweet or hyper or mean by asking questions. Also ask if they have flees or other bugs like that, so that you can take care of it before you get bit!
Good luck!!

Answer 7

They really are! I love cats. My cat now is 2 years of age and she is great and gets along with my dog. I think she thinks she's a dog because I will go and hide and she will find me. I will also run around the house and she chases me. My niece didn't believe it, til she saw it .I hope she will live as long as my other cat did. My other cat died 2 years ago, lived 16 years, was just like my baby. 16 years is a long time and she was so awlsome. Loved everyone.

Answer 8

cats are great pets! As long as your apt. is pet friendly, check first, broken hearts are often a result of no pet leases. my personal preference is an older cat (not a kitten-even though they are cute), I like older cats because you can see what kind of personality they have if they are friendly cats you will see it. go with an open mind, no gender or color in mind, one will probably just pop out at you and you will know he/she is the one for you.(older cats are also usually spayed or neutered already-some are already declawed as well, if that is an issue for you. Visit your local animal shelter or rescue group, they can usually guide you as to who is friendly, who is a lap cat etc., or check with your local vet office, they often have clients that cannot keep cats for whatever reason, and the staff their will know if it is a nice cat. I have gotten the best two cats I have ever had through the animal hospital that I worked at. PS-care and instructions: lots of love and pets, keep him/her indoors, keep a nice clean litter box, ceramic dishes and premium cat food, regular vet care-Make a very happy cat and a very happy pet owner. Good luck to you and your new feline companion!!

Answer 9

CAts are absoulutly wonderful pets! they don't stink as much as dogs do, they don't try to hump you like dogs do, they are usually quite, they can be very compassionate too. when getting a cat, make sure you get one that likes you and is not really loud. they love actoin and are cute play mates. you could leave a cat alone in the house but a dog would get lonly and be depressed. cats when left alone they sleep it out. harder to litter train though but still, check your sources and that part is easy. I have a cat and he is the best pet i have had in a while. WARNING feed your cat on time. It will cry if it wants attention. so early in the morning don't feed your cat, he will get used to the earlyness and wake you early in the morning to feed him. ug annoying. get a short haired cat, easy to to groom. cats are pretty independent. if you get it as a kitten, It could be somewhat hard to litter train, but if you get an older cat, it will be litter trained and will know what to do, cats are smarter than they appear. Overall, cats are great companions and don't require much responsibility.

Answer 10

Yes cats are great pets, especially in an apartment. Get one from the pound, there are many cats and kittens that need great homes.