Some tips on getting the first pet-cat?

Question

Should I buy one from PetSmart? Should I get a kitten or an adult cat? How much does it cost to feed it? Is it possible to train an adult cat? Can I train it to use the toilet? Would it be OK by itself in the house when I am not there? Is it hard to take it back to PetSmart in case I have to move and can't take it? What else should I take into consideration?

Answer 1

If you wouldn't take a pet when you move, don't get one in the first place. That is the biggest reason pets end up in shelters, and once there they have really bad odds of getting out alive if they are adults. PetSmart will not take it back for you, unless there is some kind of 24hr clause in the adoption agreement. Adoption is a ~20 year committment on your part.

Cats train themselves to use a litterbox, usually by the age of 6 weeks old. They are fine alone in a house for the work day(provided that you leave out food, water, and ideally a few toys), but do prefer company. Cats are good in pairs. PetSmart does not sell cats, but they do have ones up for adoption through local agencies.

An owner has to budget for litter (and scoop it out once a day), food, vet care (which is pricey), emergency vet care (which is really pricey), and the occasional toy or treat packet. Check out the humane society website for an estimate of the costs, but expect it to be in the hundreds per year. There are also initial investments like spay/neutering, collar&ID, scratching post, etc.

If you are not used to pets or are not sure you can make a long term committment, maybe you would like to start out with a finch or other type of short-life span bird since they are easier and cheaper to care for.

Answer 2

You might consider two additional options, just as a suggestion....

1) Adopting from a shelter. There are always loads of kittens available.

2) Adopting more than one cat.

More than one cat is good because if you are gone all day, a cat will have a companion. This can actually be a very important psychological factor for a cat. An ideal situation is to adopt two kittens that are litter mates, or who shared a cubie in a shetler together. Then you can be assured they have a strong bond and will be friendly to each other.

Having kittens is so much fun. It is also a bit wild and unpredictable at times. But, trust me, you will never forget it. If you don't have the energy for that, then consider an adult cat of at least two years in age. There are some really awesome cats out there who have lost homes for unfortunate reasons.

I would only suggest that you get a cat with the intent to keep it until it dies. If you think you may have to give it up later, that isn't fair to the animal or you.

Cats are very easily trainable. There have been those who have been taught to use the toilet but a cat box is also a good option and is really easy.

Cats are pretty cheap... even two cats are reasonable. A big bag of premium cat food like science diet will cost you around $30. This should last from six weeks to two months. Our two cats cost less than a dollar a day in food. I buy 30lb bag of kitty littter at walmart called "special kitty". It is the clay clumping kind and that 7 dollar bag lasts an entire month.

As long as you dont' need to go to the vet often your cat expenses should be mininmal. Actually, that is another great reason to get a cat at a shelter. They are already neutred and have their shots. That can costs literally hundreds of dollars each. It's a bargain.

Answer 3

The cats and kittens available at PetSmart are homeless animals that need adoption. It's a great source of wonderful pets. You also might check out your local animal shelter or humane society.

As far as whether to get a kitten or an adult cat, that just depends on your lifestyle. Kittens need more attention and training, whille adult cats are OK with less attention. If you are going to be gone for a significant portion of the week, it might be best to get an adult cat, since they really do require a lot less attention. Adult cats are the least likely to be adopted from the shelter because everyone wants a kitten, so by adopting an adult cat, you really will be saving a life. Also, with an adult cat, you know exactly what their personality is like. With a kitten, you can't really tell how their personality will turn out until they get older. The good things about kittens are that you can mold their personality somewhat as they grow, and they are so darned cute! They are more playful and more adaptable than adult cats.

It will cost you about $20 a month to feed one adult cat. You can purchase cheaper foods, but $20 a month will buy a 20 pound bag of a pretty decent food. If you want to feed your cat cannned food, that will cost more. Don't forget about the cost of litter, accessories such as a litter box, scratching post, and yearly vet visits and vaccinations.

Adult cats are trainable, it just might take a bit longer. Most adult cats are already litter box trained, and it's just a matter of training them not to jump up on your countertops or scratch your furniture. If you make a loud noise or spray them with a bit of water when they do something you don't want them to do, they will learn pretty quickly.

You can train a cat to use the toilet, but I don't know how. There are lots of people who have sucessfully done it, though.

Most cats are perfectly fine in the house when no one's home. They usually sleep all day, anyways. The possible execption might be a young kitten, which might be best confined to one room until he or she learns the rules of the house. Kittens are really good at getting into trouble if left unsupervised!

No, you should not take it back to Petsmart if you can't keep your cat. Cats are not used cars! You can't return it if you get bored with it, or if you are moving. They are living, feeling creatures that have feelings. Would you abandon a family member if they became a bit inconvenient? The vast majority of adult cats are euthanized when their owners no longer want them, because there are very few homes that want an adult cat. Most people just want kittens. If you give your cat to the shelter, the odds are very slim that the cat will find a new home.

Before you bring any pet into your life, make sure you can commit to keeping it for it's entire life.

Good luck!

Answer 4

i would get a cat from the shelter because it might be healthier since they give the cat shots. you should get a kitten becuase it would probably live longer than an adult cat. and a kitten should cost a little more than an adult but prices are different everywhere....and and as to how much the price for the food is, it really depends on which type of food you get it...the better type, the more expensive it is i guess....and some cats are born to go in the toilet but some needs to use the litter... but i tihnk its possible to train a cat to use the toilet. and yes it would be fine if u leave the house a just a while- like at work, or when u go out for a day... make sure it has food and water though. but dont leave the cat in the house when ur on vacation of course. find a friend to take care of it.

Answer 5

The one thing in your question that stands out like a huge red flag is the possibility of having to move and not being able to take the cat. Don't get one unless you can commit to keeping it. You cannot return it or trade it in. It yours, for 12-20 years. That includes food, litter and vet bills. If you can't say "no problem", then a cat is not for you.

That said...
Get a mutt from a shelter. They tend to be the most well rounded and appreciative cat you can get. Shelters often have a large number of cats as well. Hang out with them and see which one is yours. "Your cat" will somehow let you know. Kittens are playful, and their eventual adult behavior may be influenced by their owner but it is a tossup as to what their adult personality will eventually be. An adult cat, what you see is what you get. Your preference, bonds form either way. Cats cannot be trained like dogs, but you will develop routines. This more or less just happens, you don't decide what the cat will do and train it to do it. Some cats can be "trained" to use a toilet, most won't. It's more of a suggestion than training. Cats are better at being left alone than dogs, but they don't like it. Being away for work and an occasional weekend is ok. You do not take cats back, so toss that idea. Also consider that you will need to clean a litter box daily, cats don't like mess and will let you know by putting it right where you don't want it. Only occasional multi-day lapses in litter cleaning is acceptable.

Answer 6

I would not get a cat from the pet store, they are notorious for being sickly and unhealthy. Go to your local humane society/ SPCA and look for a cat there. It is up to you whether or not you want an adult or a kitten. An adult will be mellower. Kittens can be wild and unruly, so depends on what you have time for. I think you can train both an adult or a kitten just fine, they are intelligent animals. A cat should be fine alone in the house during the day while you are at work. If you get a kitten leave it with lots of toys to keep it occupied. I would not leave a cat alone for any long length of time however, if you need to go away for the weekend, you need to board the cat or hire a cat sitter. If you get a cat, you should be willing to make a commitment to keep it. Consider where you will be a few years down the road and if you will still be able to have a cat.....cats can live for up to 20 years. Also, please get your cat neutered, they live longer, healthier lives, and if they get outside will not contribute to the already out of control pet overpopulation problem. Happy Catting!

Answer 7

if anything, get a kitten from a shelter. yes they can be alone when youre gone. an adult cat is better if you are gone long hours in the day. a kitten requires training not to chew the wires or fall in the toilet. also, rabies shots can be from 20 to 60 dollars. i cant answer the taking it bak 2 petsmart question. but cats are very hard to train to use the toilet, (trust me, i've tried). food can cost from 4-10 dollars a bag. depending on the brand. kittens are good because they grow up in YOUR care, and are attatched to YOU. and YOU know their special likes and dislikes, and they can make a really good friend for you. youll be forever bonded. i still have a cat was my first cat. i got him as a kitten. im 12 now, and hes still my best friend.

Answer 8

Adopt one from animal shelta.
Get a kitten so that you can train it your way. Some adult cats are good, too, however, nobady know it's histroy unless you get it from somebody you know, so you cannot tell what kind of bad habbit it has already developed.
Most cat doesn't need to be trained to use a litter box, they have an instinct of using it. And if you have a lot of patient, you could probable train it to use the toilet, too.
It is okey to leave it alone at home for a 2-3 hours a day, but don't leave it too long, if it gets boared, it starts to pull things from your closet, or drop off everywhere it wants, expert says this is because it wants to draw the owner's attention.
If you are already considering taking it back or abandon it, don't even think of getting one.
Good luck!

Answer 9

I would suggest adopting an adult cat at a shelter.
An adult cat would be a better choice because you have never had a cat before and kittens take up alot of your energy.
It is possible to train an adult cat.
You might be able to train it to use the toilet but they might completly refuse.
Cats are fine in the house alone as long as they have food and water and are not left for very long periods of time. also look at this website http://cats.about.com/od/newtocats/New_to_Cats_Getting_Your_First_Cat.htm

Answer 10

I was visiting my local Petsmart last week and I met Rosie.She was this three year old Turkish Angora.When I first saw her she was sitting in the front of her cage behind glass.She had her back to me.She turned her eyes toward me and I saw the biggest green eyes I ever saw.As she looked at me I could tell she was not happy to be there.I really wanted to bring her home to my family.Unfortunately
I live in a no dogs no cats apartment.There was a little card attached to the front of the cage It said like,(My Person had to move into a home and the kids could not keep me.I am very upset about being here.I want to go home to a loving family).That just about broke my heart.
There are awsome cats and kittens at Petsmart that need a home with some T.L.C.If you are looking for a cat you can find one there.You may also want to look into your local shelter.either place is likely going to have felines that need a home and people who are willing to help guide you in the right direction.

Best of luck: )