I really want to get a cat but I probably won't have a lot of time for it?

Question

I want to get a kitten. But in a few months I'll be starting school and I'll be working too so I don't know if I should get one.

I read that if you aren't going to be around a lot you should get two so they have company.

What do you think? Should I get none? 1? 2?

walkinglady, its not selfish. Cats are anything but a rare commodity. I would provide it with a loving home, I just wouldn't be there all the time.

Answer 1

If you think about it a bit more, you'll likely realize that it's very selfish on your part to want even 1 cat you won't have time for. Doesn't make too much sense to want to add a second cat you also don't have time for. Some cats do enjoy the company of other cats, but they need their human companionship. Get a cat when you actually have time for one.

Answer 2

I think if you are going to get a cat, get an older one from a shelter, not a kitten. There are a lot of wonderful cats out there who need homes. Sometimes you can even find cats who come as a pair (siblings or raised together), and that might be a good option for you. That way you would have two cats who can keep each other company while you are gone and you would be saving four lives (the two cats you save plus the room you make to save two more at the shelter).
I think it would be a good idea for you to get two older cats who know each other. Cats are truly wonderful pets and are very self sufficient. They will give you love when you're around but don't need as much time as dogs do. Also, by getting older cats, you can avoid some of the high energy (and sometimes destructive) antics of younger cats and kittens.

Answer 3

I'd suggest an older cat who doesn't need a lot of attention. If you go to a shelter, they usually have a good idea about the personalities of the cats for adoption, and can help you find a suitable one.

I have a cat who would love to live alone, if only she could open the cat food cans herself. She's very self-contained and self-centered. It wouldn't bother her a bit to be on her own all day and half the night.

The alternative would be to get two kittens so they can give each other companionship and a playmate, but it still would be rather unkind to leave them alone most of the time.

All in all, I think it would be good for you to get an older cat who isn't a lap-cat...and those are the hardest cats to place. You might be literally saving a life to take a cat like that, because most people want cute kittens or lap-cats.

Answer 4

Getting a kitten probably isn't the best idea since kits need a lot of socialization (interaction with their humans). If they get too bored, they start to get destructive just to test things (if I chew on this plant, will it taste good? Oh, look, it falls over, now isn't that great fun?? Let's try this thing here to see what happens....). Cats are curious, young ones are real curious since they have so much to learn. Two cats will be twice as much work--more litter to clean, more food to get, twice the vet bills, etc. And not every cat gets along with another cat (our 2 tolerate each other but you never see them sleeping together or interacting other than hissing and swatting at each other), and there have been fights where one had to be hauled to the vet so 2 cats isn't necessarily the answer.

If you really want a cat (some of us actuall NEED cats), go to the SPCA and talk to someone who can match you with an older cat who is already set in his/her ways and may not need a lot of attention to be quite happy but like a certain amount of together time with their humans. Or you can try fostering--again probably not kittens since they need a lot of care and attention. Usually you'll only foster for a certain amount of weeks or months, until the cat is ready to be adopted out. And you can choose to take on a new fosterling or not depending on your school and work schedule. I work 12 hour days 6 days a week (and then 3 hours commuting) so I don't get to spend a lot of time at home but every day I do give each cat (2 of them) some quality time when we just play and snuggle, and spend a little more time with them on my day off and they are both happy and well-adjusted--they got used to my schedule and seem to accept it without any problem. Before these two, I had only one cat and he was fine--grown cats sleep a lot (20 hours average). You can also volunteer at the animal shelter (SPCA) and get the satisfaction of being among those soft cuddly balls of fur, making their lives better by being there to help out, letting them know that humans are nice to be around, etc.

Answer 5

My two cats play alot together. But to be honest, indoor cats that are not allowed outside will sleep 19-21 hours a day. Cats that are allowed outside, will sleep around 16 hours a day. Cats are a good pet for someone with no time

Answer 6

I think that you can get a cat and not a kitten. Kittens are great but they need lots of attention. You can rescue a cat that is one or more years old and although they need attention, they are easier then kittens. I think that you should not be even thinking about adopting a kittem because they need to be watch and they get into LOTS of trouble when left alone.

Answer 7

I think you are in a good situation for two cats. I too am in school and work, so I am working M/W and I am gone for six hours, and TUE/THU I am at school for seven hours. I knew I couldn't get a puppy because of how long I am gone, but my cat does just fine. But I have had to adjust other things. I no longer spend the night out and I make sure I head straight home after work and school. She is definately always on my mind.

I think you have the opportunity to provide a safe, loving home for a cat or two. Good luck!

Answer 8

If you'll have enough time to feed it, give it water, and a little attention, you should get one. Yes, you should be able to spend time with the cat, but you don't have to spend hours and hours with it. I mean, let's face it, cat's are not nearly as needy for attention as a dog or another pet would be. They are very independant animals.
I do think that if you can, get two, so that they have someone else to play with and keep themselves entertained.

Answer 9

Great thing about cats is they pretty much take care of themselves, so you being gone all day at school/work really wouldn't be a problem with a cat. As far as your other question, I think that two cats are happier than just one. They keep each other company, out of mischief, and from being bored.

As long as you are able to provide a loving home, and you can afford to take care of the cats, then I would say go for it!

Answer 10

get a cat not a kitten, because they require less attention and will ignore you most of the time anyways, unless they are hungry. Getting 2 cats is ok, but make sure they get along first, or think about getting them declawed.