I'm thinking about getting a cat, I would like to know some things from actual cat owners?

Question

First of all, my husband, myself, and our 18 month old daughter live in an apartment. Our daughter loves cats and is actually really sweet and gentle with them, so we would really like to get a kitten. And we would like it to be an indoor cat.

How do you litterbox train a kitten?
About how much do you pay a week for cat food and litter for one cat?
I am mildly allergic to cats. But usually only have problems in homes with multiple cats and if I touch my eyes. My friend washes her cats. Anyone else do this?
What age is a good age to get a kitten?
Do I have to get shots for an indoor cat? Cost?
Anything else I should know about owning a kitten/cat?
We have no other pets, and its been a long time since I have had one myself. I know I could just look this stuff up, but I prefer to get real-life experiences from people. Thanks so much!!!

Answer 1

I adore cats :o) I have several and take care of strays. I have always had a cat around me since the day I was born :o) They are a great animal.

How do you litterbox train a kitten?
usually the mother has shown her where to go. But, what you could do is get the litter box and put it in the bathroom and kind of like when you trained your daughter you taught by example. Cats can learn that way too.

About how much do you pay a week for cat food and litter for one cat?
Well I can't say how much I spend on one cat since I have 5. But I can tell you that I spend maybe $8 on food every two weeks and $10 on litter every two weeks or week it depends. TidyCat has a litter for small places it has an orange scent to it so I recommend that for an apartment.

I am mildly allergic to cats. But usually only have problems in homes with multiple cats and if I touch my eyes. My friend washes her cats. Anyone else do this?
I have known people who were only allergic to the kitten fur not the adult fur. I don't wash my cats they are a very clean animal. I would talk to a vet about frequent bathing of a cat it could be harsh on their skin.

What age is a good age to get a kitten?
not sure if you meant age of kitten or age of child. If it is child I had cat who was protective of me as a newborn. Kittens can leave their mom about 8weeks.

Do I have to get shots for an indoor cat? Cost?
Yes, all cats need the shots and will need to be tested for feline leukemia which is like AIDS to cats it does not affect us though so don't worry in that respect. The cost will depend on where you are. I would call a vet near you and ask some of these questions.

I love my cats. I have 3 children and they love the cats too. I think that pets are great for children because it teaches compassion and understanding. They learn to nurture another living creature and respect it as well. My son who is now 11 started volunteering at the Humane Society during summers because he wanted to be around cats and help them get homes. He has been doing that for several years now.

Personally I am against declawing animals. I don't believe it is right for us to inflict pain on an animal because we don't want our furniture scratched. There are ways of training a cat not to claw at things. Like be sure to give them a scratching post so they have their place to do that. Cats need to scratch and even declawed cats will instinctivly attempt to sharpen their claws.

Answer 2

How do you litter box train a kitten? Get an older one from a shelter, they are harder to place and will already be trained.
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About how much do you pay a week for cat food and litter for one cat? Food can run from about $3 per week to over $20, depending on the brands. Litter from about $1.50 to $5.00 per fill. Clean the litter frequently and discard at least once a week.

I am mildly allergic to cats. But usually only have problems in homes with multiple cats and if I touch my eyes. My friend washes her cats. Anyone else do this? Get a short haired cat, rather than a long haired one. Some breeds (Siamese, I think) are practically dander free and should not cause you a problem.

What age is a good age to get a kitten? You want one that's weaned and litter trained. But I suggest an older (1 -2 years) cat, as their personality will be known.

Do I have to get shots for an indoor cat? Cost? Yes, Shots. Not too expensive, but should see a vet at least once a year. Find a vet in your area and ask about costs.


Anything else I should know about owning a kitten/cat? Remember, to a dog you are the leader if the pack. To a cat you are household staff.

Answer 3

I have one indoor only cat.
I pay about $17.00 for a bag of litter but I use a sort of high priced barnd. Worlds Best cat litter. It is made from corn and very safe for kittens. Some of the clumping clay can kill kittens if they lick it off their feet. I use this and like it a bag lasts more than a month.
I feed dry cat food and pay about $15-20 for an 18 pounds bag and that lasts about 4-6 months as she only eats about 1/2 cup of food per day.
I give her shots and yes they need to have them even if they do not go out. Here in our area distemper is all over and they have had many cats die from it some were indoor only cats.
Shots are about $25 per year or so. Depends on what your vet charges.
I do not wash the cat and do not advise that you try it as it could be considered an olymic event. They are hard to bathe and they do not like it.
If you are allergic look at Sphynx cats they are hairless and cause less symptoms. If you have allergies cats really are not the best pets. As until you are around one all the time your reactions may be less and once you have one it may get much worse.

Answer 4

1) Try spraying the litter box with cat nip as this attracts cats. When litter training my cats I would take them to the litter tray every 1-2 hours (especially after meals and drinks) and gently scratch their paws around in the litter. Nature usually kicks in and they will dig themselves then. Once the cat has done their business praise is the best method.

2) I use science diet for my cats as they have skin problems. It is definetely on of the best foods around, its also one of the most expensive. You can expect to spend anything between $20-$30 a week (Australian $)

3) I only wash my cats when they have gotten themselves muddy etc, as washing them takes away the natural oils in their skin and might make them lazy/hesitant to do it themselves.

4) Anything from 10 weeks is a good age I think, although there are some dodgy pet stores out there who sell them at 6 weeks.
Or do you mean for your daughter? If thats the case my parents had cats for a few years before I was born, I grew up with them and in some ways they were like an extra set of parents. Always watching you and watching over you.

5) I haven't ever kept cats as just indoors cats...not sure about the shots you need

Enjoy your new addition to the family!

Answer 5

Litterbox training can be easy and hard. if your getting a kitten, please be very responsible on how you do it. always let the cat know were the box is, always keep the litter fresh and clean and change it at the most, 2 days depending on how much kitty mess is in there. get nice litter, you may think the more spendy brands are a waste of money but, Its worth it when your house doesn't smell like cat litter. if kitty doesn't know if the litterbox is it's potty, then put its paw in the box and make the cat paw at the dirt, the cat will get it. when the cat goes somewere else in the house, put it in the litterbox to let it know were it goes. I have had various times were pooping was a problem with kittens, they require a lot of attention. I have had to get rid of kittens cause I am too busy to keep an eyewacth at the kitten to make sure it doesn't make messes everywere. but then again all cats are different so sme are fast learners while others need to be watched. - I would recomend washing your hands aftere you touch the cat. if you are allergic- Agood age is about six weeks old is the best age, if you get them too young, they will be hard to take care of cause the requie tons of attention at a young age. Good luck!

Answer 6

1. How do you litterbox train a kitten?

MAMA teaches them long before they are old enough to be adopted. When you first bring kitty home, keep it enclosed in a small room with food, water, bed and litter box; until he knows that THAT is HIS box....2-3 days tops. Set kitty in the litter box and take his paws and scratch in the litter....he'll remember what mama taught him.

2. how much do you pay a week for cat food and litter for one cat?

My one 22 pd male goes thru a 31 pd bucket of scoopable litter a month $12; keeping it scooped EVERY DAY; food is one 3.5 pd bag of dry, $4; plus 1 small can of wet a day $10 ( DON'T forget shots & vet care ! Advantage once a month in the flea season !

3. My friend washes her cats. Anyone else do this?
I started washing Pete, clipping his claws and cleaning his ears once a week, from kitten age, just to get him used to water. Now he will climb in the tub or shower with ANYbody !

4. What age is a good age to get a kitten?
Don't get one before 8 weeks old...they need that time with mama.

5.Do I have to get shots for an indoor cat? Cost?
There is controversy on this with TOTALLY indoor cats. Pete ONLY goes outside in his carrier & NEVER socializes with outside cats; but even so, I get him all his boosters, simply because I would hate to lose him. He's 10. Call the vet and get prices, and then call a different vet to compare...they really stick it to us sometimes' and especially on "fixing" them.

Anything else I should know about owning a kitten/cat?

An indoor cat MUST be spayed or neutered ! A female in season WILL drive the entire household CRAZY, try to escape, and succeed.
You CAN NOT live in the same house with a whole male cat ! They will spray EVERYTHING with urine and you can NOT break them of it once they start. The smell will permeate the ENTIRE house and you can NOT get rid of it...

Males are cheaper to neuter then to spay a female. Just be SURE it's done BEFORE 5-6 months old. My vet was a "big cat" vet and he fixed Pete at 2 months old...he said there's NO reason to wait...that if you can "feel them", you can neuter them. Pete never knew what he had and has made a wonderful companion.

Answer 7

Kittens need to be at least 8 weeks old before leaving their mom preferably 10 to 12 weeks. Kittens are trained to use the litter box by then. For one cat figuring wet and dry food.Kitten food for the first year around $8.oo weekly.One large bad of clumping litter should last you a few weeks. So about $20..00 per month for litter.
Cats can have baths but not often as it drys their skin out. And usually cats hate being bathed.But if you start bathing them at a young age they do get used to it.
Any cat inside or out needs their shots.Virus's are air born and can be brought into your home on your clothing. Feline distemper etc.As to cost check with your vet as it varies so much. Petco has vaccination clinics at a low cost.
I have owned cats all my life and have 4 Siamese and 1 Persian now. I really feel males make for a better pet. More lovey and people oriented. females tend to be more aloof and independent. Either sex you will have to have spayed or neutered. Between 4 to 6 months old.
Kittens play hard and sleep hard/ they are active and dislike being held at a young age . There curious and like to explore and play. They scratch pushing away when they want down!you can clip their claws so they don't dig to hard.Just teach your daughter how to play with a kitten and respect it not wanting to be confined for long and they should be fine.
Cats make wonder full pets!

Answer 8

when a kitten is 8 weeks old it is ready to leave its mother. when you first get the kitty you want to keep it in one room in the house for a week or so to get used to it's surrounding. plus this will help you with litter training. they actually kinda train themselves from my experience because they like to scratch and play in the litter a little before going. Yes you have to get shots for an indoor cat. It cost about $60. If you get one from the shelter than this is already done for you. If you take a Claritin OTC if you feel syptoms that will help your allergies. I have always had a cat and they all have had distinct personalities. They are low maintinance and can be left alone with cat food and clean litter if need be for a couple days. So you never have to worry about someone taking care of it. As for cat food a $5 bag of good food will last about a month. Also you can get your cat to listen to you with a shaking tin of treats. They quickly learn that sound after a few calls and few treats. A scratching post is a good idea to keep them off the furniture. Oh and spray bottle of water never fails at getting your cat's attention when they are doing something you don't want. They run at the sight of the bottle once they figure it out. If you start your kitty with baths then start early so they get used to it. And if it ever gets fleas you can wash it in a mixture of joy soap and rubbing alcohol (1/2 cup per gallon of water). It gets the fleas every time. Hope I have helped.

Answer 9

If it's your first cat, you might want to start with an adult that is already trained to the litterbox and all that. Check out www.petfinder.com for organizations in your area that have animals for adoption. Tell everyone that you're looking for a good-natured, sweet cat because you have a toddler.

I am also mildly allergic to cats, but love them. I brush mine regularly, so any of the loose hair ends up in the trash, not floating around on the furniture and all that. Get a soft cat brush. Most cats love the attention, too. I've never tried washing them. Hmmmmm.... Shots are recommended for indoor cats, too. I don't know costs.

I'd still suggest an adult cat. That way, you already know what kind of temperament it has.

Answer 10

1. Some apartments are not pet friendly, have you checked with your landlord.

2. Your allergies would be a concern for me, I understand that you say they are mild, however, you will be living with this cat 24/7, mild may turn in to constant.

2. Cost a premium cat food, would probably cost at most about $15.00 every two or three weeks, depending on what you choose. Clay litter is also inexpensive, clumping is somewhat more and the feline pine is somewhat more expensive as well.

3. Again, depending on where you live, a kitten needs a series of vaccines and well care visits, as well as spaying or neutering. In my area, the average initital first year for medical care including spaying or neutering is probably between $600.00 and $800.00 Yearly well care after: about $120.00 for vaccines, check up and stool check for parasites. Remember: in most states whether your cat is indoor our outdoor they are usually required to have a current rabies vaccine.

4 Litter box training is simple, cats have a pretty good instinct for using the cat box, just show them where it is, put them in it a few times and most of the time that is all you need. Keeping a very clean litter box is a must for a cat, I have two cats and I use clay litter, I scoop the poop daily and change the entire box every 3rd day, cats are funny about having a clean box.

5.. I work in a boarding and grooming facility, and we do groom both short hair and long hair cats regularly, however, some cats will not tolerate regular bathing and it can be quit stressful for them.

6. You may want to check into the Devon or Cornish Rex Breed as they may be your best bet for allergy concerns.

I hope I helped you, cats are great and make wonderful companions. Good luck to you.