Cats, good idea or not?

Question

I really want a cat, but my dad says that if we get one it will scratch the furniture all the time and jump on the counters and we will regret it. I try to explain to him that having a cat reallyisn't a big deal, but he makes it seem like we would be adopting a lion or something. Could somebody tell me whether getting a cat would be a good idea or not?

Answer 1

If you get a cat, and are afraid that it might scratch up stuff, then have it declawed. Just make sure it doesn't go outside after that, because it would not be able to defend itself against a dog or another cat. An alternative to declawing is getting a scratch pad and keeping the cat's claws trimmed. I just bought new living room furniture and my cat hasn't scratched it up once. Good luck.

Answer 2

Cats can be easily taught not to scratch furniture etc. If you grab them softly from the neck like their mum and say No every time they are naughty, and then give them an equally appealing alternative, like a toy or scratching post, they will learn. And trim their nails every 2 weeks. However, they will be naughty for the first year, that's for sure. They will get more serious as they get older.
As for being a big deal or not, well, it depends on how much you want them. You need to buy them food and litter every week, make arrangements for their vaccinations and regular parasite treatments, clean the litter every day, wipe their hair from all the furniture, etc. For me, doing these things doesn't seem like much trouble, because I love my cats. If my mum had to do it, she would see it as a lot of trouble.
And now, be very careful. The most important thing is that cats get sick. Some times more seriously than others. But when this happens they must be taken to the vet, sometimes pay expensive bills, and then receive a lot of care at home, as if they were hospital patients. We keep seeing questions here like "my cat is bleeding but I can't take her to the vet because I am only 15". No matter how much you promise to your parents that the cat will be your responsibility, it won't. They will have to deal with these problems. So, if they are not willing to do that, don't get a cat. She will become a burden and end up unwanted, abandoned or dead from lack of care.
Oh, and you need to know what you will do with teh cat when you go away on holidays or sth.

Answer 3

I have had cats all my life and the behavior of a cat depends on how you treat them when they're kittens. Which is why my first piece of advice to you is: Make sure you get it as a kitten so that it is still easily influenced by the way you treat it!
For example, when the cat jumps up on the counter spray it with a spray bottle. It will learn to associate this spray bottle with bad behavior so that whenever it is doing something wrong, even if you just point the spray bottle at it, it will stop.
If you're worried about furniture get the cat declawed. There is a solution to almost every problem cat related.
But keep in mind that cats are animals and they will always have their little neurosis regardless of how well they're trained. Good luck and whatever you do just make sure you give your cat lots of affection!

Answer 4

Me being a cat lover will say "YES! Get a cat!" Sounds like Dad was the victim of an untrained cat. takes time and patience but cats can be trained. Soft caps for nails work and keep them from digging into furniture and the best defense I found for counter jumping is aluminum foil on the edges and squirt guns for about everything. Also using a soda can with a few pennies in it to deter will work. Cats hate loud noises and if jumping up on a certain spot makes this noise it will stop.
Good luck.

Answer 5

yes, a cat is a good idea. not all cats scratch things up and if it likes to scratch stuff get it a scratching post. as far as the jumping on the counters if the cats jumps on the counter just scold if and put in down on the floor if you do the enough times it will most likely learn not to do it.

Answer 6

you're both right- but things can be done to solve your dads concerns- you could get the cat de-clawed or clip his nails once a week with cat clippers that are really like clipping your own nails. you can also train your cat to not jump on the counters buy putting those plastic mats with those sharp bumps on the bottom to grab the carpet ( you know like those mats for under desk chairs?) upside down on the counters every night and thumping him every time he jumps up during the day- the sharp bumps will deter him and eventually he wil have no desire to jump on the counters.
but having a cat has sooo many good things to it- being able to love an animal, having him cuddle with you, watching his silly antics, and just the companionship will make everyone fall in love with him soon enough...
it just takes being a responsible cat owner to alleviate your dads concerns...

Answer 7

Here's Riverclan. The whole Riverclan. Btw, made this up. Leader-Woodstar Deputy-Mintmouth Warriors- Dogpelt-dark brown tom Evergreenpelt-very light brown she-cat Treeclaw-gray tom with a tree shaped mark on his chest Cloudheart-Calico she-cat with caring heart Forestpelt-forest colored tom, brown, red, and gray Marshcloud-black and white tom Ivyleaf-red she-cat Apprentices (didn't add them to the warriors and I am sorry) Applepaw-red she-cat mentor-Treeclaw Starpaw-Bright cream colored she-cat Mentor- Marshcloud Windpaw-gray tom Mentor- Forestpelt Wavepaw- Blue tom Mentor-Evergreenpelt Queens- Cloudheart-kits are Pebblekit, Wingkit, and Bushkit Ivyleaf-kits are Growlkit, Lightkit, and Creekkit Med- Clawpelt

Answer 8

Cats are the best pets of all. They clean themselves, entertain themselves, and never bark.
They also guard the house from vermin like lizards and mice.
Some people have issues with cats because they are smart and independent.
They DO rip furniture to shreds, but they are so cute, cuddly, furry, and just plain beautiful 24-7, who cares?
If your parents refuse to let you have pets, you can always have all the pets you want when you are an adult----that is one of the best things about being an adult, too.

Answer 9

mine came declawed so that wasn't a problem, you would need a scratch post and hope the cat uses it however, they do jump up on everything but you can train them not to. maybe a book about cats and what they need, etc would help you

Answer 10

cats are great. They dont scratch up anything most of the time. You do need 2 keep it occupied thou. otherwise it could scratch up something. giv it toys and a bed. plus food and stuff 2 keep it occupied.