I'm Thinking of getting a cat?

Question

I thinking of getting a cat, but i heard that cats have fleas and ticks- fleas go everywere! i Hate fleas (everyone does) but i'm not sure of getting one if it has sickness and stuff~??? I like clean-so is a cat a good pet for me? (if there's any other pet i can get-please tell me) =) THANKS!

Answer 1

You have a lot of research to do before you can get a cat.

Yes cats can get fleas, so can dogs, rabbits, ferrets, hedgehogs.... As pets go, cats are very clean, You don't ever have to bath them, they wash themselves, and they smell LOVELY!

As for fleas, there are preventative treatments you can buy, but make sure they're from a vets - never fall for any of the junk you see in pet stores! You can get these things called spot-on treatments; Frontline, Revolution, Advantage are the names. These are pipettes of liquid that you apply to the skin on the back of the cat's neck, and she'll be safe from fleas for at least a month. Often you have to spray your house as well because fleas set up home here.

You can't catch illnesses from cats by the way - the only thing is if you don't worm the cat (treat for internal parasites) you can catch toxoplasmosis from the poo - though this is only really dangerous if you're a pregnant woman, and you only catch it if you lick your fingers after changing the cats litte tray, really.

If you decide to get a cat, phone a vets to ask how to look after it. There are certain fatal diseases cats can catch that need to be vaccinated against - feline leukaemia, enteritis, calicivirus etc. You will also need to get the cat neutered, for it's own health, and to stop it adding to the already vast overpopulation of cats.

Having a pet cat is fabulous, but it does involve work- and if you can't afford it, don't do it. Don't become one of the people who posts on here saying 'my cat hasn't eaten for 3 days and is being sick, don't tell me to go to a vet because I can't afford it"

Chalice

Answer 2

All pets can have fleas. Not just cats. Are you planning on an indoor cat, an outdoor cat or one that can be both? You will be less likely to have fleas if it is strictly indoors. Cats do not have to taken for walks and "potty" breaks since you will have a litter box inside and they have the run of the home while you are gone. yes, you will have to clean and empty the box. but you will be able to go to school/work all day knowing that you will not come home to a "mess" to clean up. just make sure that when you pick one that it picks you as well. that will help to make sure that you will have a loving cat that will be happy to see you when you get home. get one with a personality so that the both of you can live together happily.

Answer 3

I was at the pound and they have a lot of cute kittens and cats and the cats get shots and can be registered in your name in case it gets lost.You can take the cat to a pet store they can shampoo the cat and use something that will kill fleas.Also i would recommend not using a flea collar my cat had one and almost died from the collar the pet stores can recommend things that will kill fleas if you keep it in doors all the time you would not have a flea problem i hear fleas live in the grass and jump to the pet.

Answer 4

so you don't like fleas or animal's that may get sick.. cats are basically very clean they use litter trays to pooh and pee in.. only problem is that you will have to clean the tray out after they have used it..
cats don't need washing they lick themselves .. long haired cats will need brushing daily to stop the fur getting all tangled and cats will shed fur all year around.. not great amounts but a black cat can turn your white bedspread quiet Grey..

if your cat is allowed outside or has contact with another pet that has fleas then your cat will need to be treated to get rid of the fleas.. the cat will also need regular worming.cats can also get ear mites and ticks. sickness is something we cannot predict but odds on during its life time which can be anything from 10-20 years a cat WILL get sick and you WILL have to deal with that and it WILL cost you money..

So don't like fleas, or sickness or dirt..
I think you had better stay well clear of a cat ..In a perfect world the perfect pet for you would be a cuddly cat toy,.. no fleas no mess and no sickness.

Answer 5

The easiest pet is anything that will live in an aquarium:
fishes, turtles, crabs, frogs, snails...

The problem is that you won't feel affection from any of these creatures. If you want someone to love and love you back, you will need an animal that can roam around the house like a cat or a dog.

I chose to adopt cats because of my work schedule. They are not as demanding of your time as dogs. They do not need to go out for walks. If you adopt two cats, they spend the day entertaining themselves. They play and sleep together. My kittens are indoor cats. They have freedom to roam most of the house. I feed them 3 x daily, change their litter box once daily, provide ~3 ten minute human interactive playtime in the morning and in the evening. The playtime involves either learning tricks for treats, chasing a laser pointer, chasing "da bird". They are not allowed in the bedroom during their parent's bedtime (our sleep time). Each morning when I come out of the bedroom, my kittens are waiting outside the door to greet me. They greet me when I come home from work. They sit or sleep either on me or next to me while I watch TV or work on my laptop. They talk to me ever so often and more often when it is feeding time. They do the same with my bf. If we are downstairs, they sleep and play downstairs. If we are upstairs, they choose to play and sleep upstairs so that they can be close to us. This level of affection you will never get from any pet that lives in an aquarium or a cage.

I have never had or live with a dog, so I have no experience to share in that regards.

My 2 kittens have lived with my bf and I for about 10 weeks now. They entered our lives at 4 months of age from a shelter home-pet store. Unfortunately they both came home sick but we did not know until spending the first 24 hours with them. We gave them antibiotic and eye ointment twice daily for about 3 weeks. We discovered worms and had both kittens dewormed. At about 4 weeks, we learned that they had fleas. We had taken them to the vet about scratching but no fleas were spotted. Luckily we decided to put them on an monthly Advantage treatment and within 2 treatment the fleas were no where to be seen.

Chances are good that any larger animal that you adopt/ purchase will have some illness and/ infestation but don't let that deter you. The new companionship you receive is well worth the troubles. My bf and I love our two kitties tremendously. They are great entertainment.

My only complaint is the litter tracking.

BTW, dogs can get fleas too and will need Advantage/ Frontline treatment. Cats clean themselves a lot. They are cleaner than dogs by far.

Answer 6

Actually, cats are VERY clean creatures. Yes, they can have fleas, but so can anything with fur. Keeping them inside will help, but you should also keep them on a flea preventative (it's usually a monthly medication that goes on their fur, it's really easy to use, and you can get it from your vet.) I have 2 cats and they're great - I've never once had a problem with fleas either. Also, cats are usually going to be litter trained already, especially if you adopt from a shelter. They'll usually ONLY go in their litterbox, which means less pickup. Good luck, cats make great pets :)

Answer 7

Cats are way cleaner then any other pet I have heard of. And they only have ticks and fleas if you don't take care of them. You have to buy flea meds once a month..from a vet, not that crap at walmart. Other then that they are self sufficient and come already house broken(litter box).

Answer 8

Did someone say they were thinking of getting a cat?

I think that is an excellent idea.

Cats are gentle, lovable creatures. And humble too like me! They don't take up as much space as a dog, don't eat as much as a dog. They know how to use a litter box, and they don't slobber on you. What's not to like?

As far as fleas, there is an all encompassing bug killer that you apply to the skin behind the neck and it will kill fleas, ticks, bedbugs, earwigs, etc., etc. So you don't have to worry about "fluffy" bringing in any unwanted house pest guests. You have to get that from a Vet because it is potent stuff and don't buy the dog type bug killers to give a cat, or you will be digging a hole to bury "fluffy".

That's all for now.

HMMM where did I put that lasagna?

Answer 9

Yeah you should definitely get the cat and if you find out that you don't like it you could give it to somebody that you can trust and that you know will take good care of it. Also cat's barely ever get ticks or fleas or even get sick that often. And also don't keep it as a house pet. Let it be outside if it wants to because if you keep it inside it's almost like your holding it hostage in your own house because trust me cat's love to be outside and run around and they would rather play outside than inside. Hope you get one and best of luck!

Answer 10

yes! cat is a the perfect pet for u. maybe it fleas but cat is friendly and loyal. Maybe he can be your good friend when u feel alone and sad.