what are the disadvantages of getting a cat and how do i solve those problems?

Question

i was thinking of getting a ragdoll cat but my parents aren't to sure if they want an animal like a cat around the house. They say that they would damage the furniture and draps in our house. are there any methods in preventing a ragdoll cat from scratching things?.....im thinking of declawing but i no that that is inhumane, but i have no other choice beacuse i really want a cat..

any ideas?

Answer 1

Please DO NOT DECLAW your cat.
Trim Claws every 10 days to two weeks.
http://www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing...
http://www.softclaws.com/
http://www.purrfectpost.com/

Declawing is NOT Just Nail Trimming
Declawing Does Nothing to Benefit the Cat
Declawing Robs a Cat of His Chief Weapon of Defense
Declawing is Painful Surgery
Declawing May Lead to Litter Box Problems
Declawing Sometimes Leads to Biting Problems
Cats Need the Exercise Their Claws and Toes Provide
Altered Gait May Lead to Later Joint Problems
Cats Need to Be Cats for Their Entire "Nine Lives"

Answer 2

Well cats will claw furniture and drapes...you can try getting a scratching post. Also a ragdoll is a longhaired cat...that will need to be groomed daily. With cats I don't think declawing is too inhumane as long as you keep the cat in the house all the time..and never ever let it out..which is ok..mine never go out..Plus remember litter boxes..

But I can't imagine not having my cats. They are wonderful friends. Always there when I need a lift..making me laugh..and just loving me for being me. What they give me is way more important than having a spotless couch and nice curtains.

Answer 3

OK let's get one thing perfectly clear - cats do not have 'problems' that need 'solving'. Cats are what they are, and if you don't like it, you don't get one. You don't alter animals to make them more convenient to you - it's not just inhumane, it's a disgrace.

Not all cats claw things. In fact few I've ever known do - you let them have access to the outside world if you live in a quiet area, and you get them a scratch post. These are things you do for the cat, not for yourself.

Don't even think about 'not having a choice' whether to declaw - there's always a choice, and you make the one that benefits the ANIMAL not yourself.

Think very carefully about getting a cat. You're worrying about the wrong things - you need to be wondering if you can afford vaccination and neutering, regular fleaing and worming and any large vet bills that may arise from illnesses or emergency situations. Getting a pet is, or should be, similar to having a child - it's a large responsibility.

Chalice

Answer 4

Things I don't like about my cats:
1. They shed. I can't keep up with vacuuming the furniture. Just don't sit down with dark clothes on!
2. The litterbox. I can always kind of smell it in our apartment.
3. They're pukers. Hairballs, too. I have to have carpet cleaner on hand at all times!
4. They're on prescription food (crystals in urine). It costs more. By the way, do you know how I figured out they had crystals? They start peeing outside of the litter box. Have you ever tried to clean cat urine out of carpet?
5. Taking them to the vet for check ups is an ordeal. One is extremely claustrophobic, and it is almost impossible to get him in a carrier. It's also impossible to carry him (he's skittish).

But I love my kitties, so all of this is worth it to me. Not everybody feels the same way. Make sure you're willing to deal with all of this. Also, remember a cat could live for 20 years or so. Make sure you'll be able to see this responsibility through.

Note that I didn't have any complaints about scratching. Please do not declaw a kitty. Some cats experience lifetime pain from this procedure.

Answer 5

A lot of people have already commented on the De-Clawing So I wont go into that. And the person that said Just say NO to the cat is stupid because that has never worked. I have also tried to use a water-filled spray bottle and sprayed that cat when it was doing something bad, after a while it gets used to it. I have tried those sprays to that keep cats off with a smell, those don't work either. Some people on this site have also suggested covering your couches and drapes with plastic which is also stupid, I don't want to sit on plastic, I want to sit on my couch.


The Only way I found is a HUMANE little tiny surgery that Vets have been doing for 10 years now (NOT DECLAWING). They snip a small tendon in the paw that prevent the claw from retracting. I can't think of the name right now but all they do is shave the top of the paw and make a tiny incision (smaller then the incisions used for spay and neutering) and snip a tendon and a couple stitches later they are as good as new.

They keep their claws, they just can't use them. Scratching PROBLEM solved.

Answer 6

Shedding is a big one. There's pretty much no way to keep a cat from shedding, as even brushing a long-haired cat daily won't stop 100% of the hair from coming out. Spraying too, if it's an unneutered male. Be sure to keep the litterbox clean as well.

As for scratching, if you're getting a kitten, try training it to use a scratching post with catnip or treats. There are SoftPaws, little plastic nail coverings that can be glued on to keep the nails from being sharp enough to scratch. Otherwise, you can try using a chemical spray (available at a pet store) that is supposed to keep animals from getting on or scratching furniture because it smells bad to them.

Answer 7

Keep in mind that getting a cat--or any pet--is a huge commitment. Perhaps as long as 20 years! If you live with your parents and the cat will be partly their responsibility, you'll really need them to commit to caring for it too.

There is the litter box, the scratching, the shedding, as well as finding someone to care for them when you go on vacation, taking them for regular check-ups, and monitoring their health. I have diabetic cat, so that adds a daily shot into the mix as well.

If you're ready to make that commitment, you will find that having a cat can add immeasurable joy to your life. I didn't grow up with cats or spend any time with them before rescuing a stray who became my pet 15 years ago, and I am now a huge cat lover!

Also, consider adopting a cat from a shelter instead of going for a pure-bred from a pet store or breeder. There are thousands of beautiful animals who need homes waiting at your local animal shelter.

Good luck!

Answer 8

You can train a cat not to scratch. Tell the cat NO when you see him/her scratching. Clip his/her nails each week or so. This will help reduce the urge to scratch. Put scratchers around the house (you can find them at pet stores).....most cats like the cardboard ones that have a little climbing section. Kittens will scratch things when their little, but I have 4 cats, all with claws, and they all outgrew that and were trained to not scratch furniture. They love to play on the scratchers I leave around the house since they were trained it is okay to play on them. If you do declaw, please only declaw the front. They need their claws for balance, especially the back.

Cats are fun and are trainable and will bring you so much unconditional love. It is so worth it!!

Answer 9

The basic problem of the cat scratching everything can be solved. Mostly the cat is scratching to stretch mucles. Our cat does it every time he gets up after sleeping. However if you have a scrating post or a scratching pad that he/she can use to scratch you can train him/her not to scratch furniture, be steady with dicipline when he scratches furniture or drapes. You could also spread a little catnip on the scratching post or pad which will attract the kitty to that instead of your furniture.

Answer 10

I have two cats, and neither of them scratch the couches. They sometimes scratch the carpet, but I don't care, so it is okay for me. You can teach your cat to use a scratch post. It is kind of like training a dog, but take a lot of time and patients. If you see your kitty scratching the couch, curtains, or carpet, do something they don't like to get their attention. For my cats I touch their butt, they stop, then I take them to a scratch post. Any time they scratch on the scratch post I praise them with pets on the chin, so they know this is desirable to scratch on the scratch post. If the training isn't going to work you can look into something like Soft Paws. They are soft rubber caps that go over your cat's claws, kind of like when girls where fake finger nails. That way the cat won't damage anything in the house.

http://www.softpaws.com/