So my dog died quite awhile back and I don't plan to get another because I can't get out consistently and walk one for exercise. But I miss the companionship, especially when hubby is out of town.
My hubby suggested we get an indoor only cat. So cat owners, my questions for you are: do you have advice or know of anything I should think about before making this leap?
Thanks for your help, grannie
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
I have a cat that adopted us. It is working out well. She is sweet and smart.
But, I did have to let her out at night when she first started hanging around us.
She thought my bed and body were a race track in the middle of the night. I was not a happy camper.
I tried putting her in a room and closing the door but that did not work either.
Now, she is fine staying indoors at night.
She does want to go out in the early morning and at dusk.
You might want to check out the Animal Channel or on line.
I recall watching animal channel wehn she first started coming around and learning more about her breed.
This was normal for her breed...the wanting to get out at dawn and dusk.
So check out the other breeds. I know several of the people here at the apartment complex i live in have indoor cats and they dont' use their bodies and beds as a race track in the middle of the night.
Age might be a factor too. I don't know who old she was when she started hangin around us.
I think still very young.
I have read on a vet's web page how it is better to not let your cat out as there is too much that could happen to them outdoors.
Mine stays very close to home...within about 10 feet est radius.
She is a comfort.
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
If I did not have my power chair, I would not be able to get my service dog outdoors
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
I call it dog therapy and cat therapy...they help me get up and get out on those days that I am not sure I will even be able to get up and move the body.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- If you don't have a cat now, I would not get one until you are in a solid remission.
However, they can be very good company and encourage the "owner" to dance, play and cavort about - all good things - with LOVE being the best benefit. We just FEEL better around good-natured pets.
But, if you are to choose a new pet - get to know both its breed tendencies and its individual personality FIRST.
But first ask your LLMD. There are some serious health considerations for those with immune issues. Still, with training (for yourself AND the cat) those may be overcome.
And - from the start - never let any pet kiss your face, especially near your mouth. But that is really nearly impossible as cats and dogs just love to play kissy face -- but they can infect us with serious microbes doing so.
Never let them lick a dripping water faucet.
Never share your pillow with any pet -- and they really should not get under the covers with you, either (which is totally unavoidable, in my past experience). Worms can be transferred in this manner, though, so it's not a minor issue.
Also to consider with a cat: LUNG HEALTH challenges from the dust and debris with a litter box. Teaching a cat to literally use the toilet has been done but you'd never want to use that same toilet yourself.
STARTLE REFLEX ? If you are likely to be easily startled, you probably don't want a cat that jumps up on cabinets and tables (and that's really best to avoid anyway, for hygienic reasons - but jumping is just what most cats "do" so that can be tricky).
All things considered, I would consult with your LLMD and with a good veterinarian and see if the issues could be managed and if you are strong enough (or have others) to be sure claws are always smooth so as to help prevent scratching, etc.
Would the cat be happy just being indoors and could you (or others) offer it necessary exercise as a playmate or ball thrower?
If not - or if not for now - perhaps some pet therapy with some you already know would help, on a regular basis so you can look forward to it often (just no kissy face - it can spread Bartonella or other infections).
Still, your LLMD should first weigh in on safeguards. -
Posted by granniela (Member # 17134) on :
Thanks for your thoughts Kam and Keebler,
You both brought things up I haven't considered. Nighttime races wouldn't be at all good!
It's been easy to focus on what I'd like about having a pet and not consider the downside like what I can catch from one.
Thanks for giving me more to think about and cautioning me to ask my LLMD first.
grannie
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
The last cat we had turned out to be feral. Got him as a kitten and he was wild from the start-spraying, scratching me, etc.
If I was to ever do it again, I would get an older cat, one that someone has had in their home. That way, I would know what I was getting. Even a one to two year old would tell a lot.
Just my opinion.
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
They taste real good.HE HE HE HE HE !!!
MADDOG
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Oooooooooohhhhhh !!! (she proclaims, running off into the night!) -
Posted by granniela (Member # 17134) on :
Bad dog, Maddog!!! But you made me laugh, thanks for that.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I have a cat I rescued for euthanasia. He has 3 legs and countless surgeries.He is a special guy. when I am at my sickest, he lays right next to me purring away.
Start with a cat that has already been indoors its whole life. Once they get a taste of the outdoors, you can almost never keep them in.
Once you get the cat, bring it to the vet. make sure you have a full exam, and it doesnt have fleas of GI parasites. Have it dewormed and start your happy life!
There will be kitty litter to clean daily.
If you are super worried about it have hubby clean it or wear gloves and/or mask.
Its really not bad! My cats do not race aound the house. I would suggest a mature cat for you. There are so many adult cats that get killed everyday. They would appreciate a nice warm home! I say go for it. Posted by twicebitten (Member # 5412) on :
I have 2 cats and they keep me company when everyone else is at work or school. They seem to intuitively know when I feel bad. I don't have to tell them. They come and lie down by me and comfort me. Really, they aren't as much work as a dog. Some people train cats to walk on a leash if you wanted to walk it, but they get exercise by play. As long as you play with them some, have scratching posts and things for them, they usually are pretty good. The litter box is heavy for me (of course we use a huge storage container having 2 cats) but hubby does the box. Feeding and watering doesn't take much time. I try to brush them once a week. They play with each other for exercise most of the time, but having a feather toy on a stick is a great toy for them as they jump and sneak up and pounce on it like it was prey.
Just be sure they have shots and are "fixed" because going through "heat" and the male stuff isn't fun if wild cats run through the neighborhood. Both our cats are fixed and have all their shots.
We get good ideas about cat behavior on animal planets "My cat from Hell" show. Jackson is what some may call a cat whisperer, but really just a cat behaviorist. He has lots of good ideas for problem behaviors. Usually it has more to do with the humans behavior than the cat, but sometimes there are legitimate health concerns that once they are taken care of the behavior issues go away.
We just clean out the kitty box once a week, but we get the old type litter, not scoopable. The box holds plenty of litter for the week. Like I said hubby does that part, and we installed a "kitty door" so our cats can go into the garage to use the box. It helps not having it in the bathroom or laundry room (other places we've tried in previous houses) with them tracking litter out of the box. This way it keeps the smell out there too. I've had no trouble with them going outside of the box either.
Make sure if you do get one that you get a cat tree or window bed, something they can climb up higher on and look out a window. They love that. My little cat coo's at the birds outside from the window sill. My 20 lb cat likes looking out the screen door outside too.
Best of luck, hope it works out for you
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I would not let the litter sit for a week simply due to toxoplasmosis. I would scoop every 2-3 days min.
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
I always seem to have 4 cats, and wouldn't trade them for the world. They're all rescues, and each one adds a different, but special personality to our household.
But NOTHING makes me appreciate having my health back more than watching my tiniest little cat wobble up to me and stretch out, showing me her belly and crooked little legs.
She was born with contracted tendons, and when I first saw her, her front legs bent inward at a 90 degree angle and she walked on her elbows. A rescue group had found her and was keeping her in a small playpen - she was going to have spent her entire life that way, had I not stepped in.
I could not let her spend the rest of her life that way - I literally cried when I first saw her. For all she wanted me to do was rub her face - she had a runny eye at the time, and her paws were floppy. She endlessly rubbed her face on my hand and was the happiest little cat I'd ever seen. After much digging, I found out what to do for her, they tried it (splinting her legs), which got her up on her feet and walking for real.
They let me adopt her after the taping showed she could walk (albeit a little different than other cats), and she is a daily reminder of how grateful a pet can be to someone that is kind to them. It kind of forces me to put things in perspective a bit.
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
Maddog,
I have told you a thousand times
Wean off of eating those cats
If you EVER need to get a cat scan it would turn positive in an instant.
Besides it can lead to a cat-tasrophy,,,,for you
Besides you might burp a meow and that just would not be right for a pup of your stature!!!
Bet you can go cold kitty (Oops , turkey)on your non feline diet!!!!
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
Just don,
I am getting cat-a-tonic reading this.
Perhaps you have catalepsy? (yes, there is such a thing)
Hiker53
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
There is a good thread in "medical questions" about how to treat pets for parasites.
We have cats. I love them so much, but when you have pets, they can carry things.
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