Current Events > So im getting a cat. What should i know?

(+) Yeah! (+)

What to buy, what to know in general that will help etc.

@Asherlee10
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laser pointer
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Very cute.

Very snuggly.

Make sure it's a male.

Females are bitches.
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Make sure they're chipped.
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Cats are selfish and evil.
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You definitely want a scratching post, and some toys to help distract it from destructive tendencies.

If it's a kitten, try to spend time with it as much as you can, so it can get used to social interactivity. Cats are about as varied as people, though, so even if you do this, your cat may grow up to be a loner, and not really want much attention. If this happens, then don't force it; he or she will come to you when and if he/she wants attention.

Really, be prepared for anything. Your cat may be a loner, or it may crave your attention day in and day out. There's really no telling how a cat'll turn out in the end!
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scratching post
laser pointer
maybe a few other toys. depending on the cat they might like feathery toys or something that bounces around a lot
save some amazon boxes
pick out a place for a litter box, someplace where the cat can feel safe and away from commotion
a few water bowls, and a food bowl, spaced away from the litter box
set aside money for vet trips, those can cost a bunch even for a checkup
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that you have to post pics
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Designate a space the cat can reach and always have water and dry food available. Feed it wet food once or twice a day. Place a litter box in a suitable area. Preferably away from yourself. Laundry room if you have one, or your bathroom if it's large enough.

Scratching post, and cat treats can help. They love boxes.
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If the food you are buying for it has corn as the first ingredient, it's bad. Your cat's coat and health will reflect in it's diet. There are cheaper quality foods that you can get, try to avoid the junk even if it is a popular name brand. Ideally look for whole beef, chicken, or fish as the first ingredient, they are carnivores and corn is literally just a filler with little nutritional value.
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I'd recommend not having the food and water bowls right next to each other. Some cats won't eat if their food is right next to water. Something about a kill contaminating nearby water in nature. My cat barely ate anything for a while, then I heard this somewhere and moved her food bowl like a foot away from her water bowl and she started eating a lot.

Also, make sure you keep the litterbox clean. Clean it every day or every other day or something like that.

She's from a shelter and she's 9.

So litter box
Water and food bowls
Scratching post
Toys

MabusIncarnate posted...

If the food you are buying for it has corn as the first ingredient, it's bad. Your cat's coat and health will reflect in it's diet. There are cheaper quality foods that you can get, try to avoid the junk even if it is a popular name brand. Ideally look for whole beef, chicken, or fish as the first ingredient, they are carnivores and corn is literally just a filler with little nutritional value.

How does feeding a cat work? Give them a set amount each day? Or just fill the bowl and they eat what they want?
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As CE's resident domestic cat expert...

Where are you getting the cat from? How old?

Litter box and non-clumping litter of course. (Maybe get like clay litter as well, just in case he/she doesn't like the other kind.) Scratching pad/post is pretty hit or miss, and many cats won't use it.

Depending on the layout of your home, you may want to limit the cat to a small room for the first day just so they can get used to being in a new environment. Don't force the cat to interact with you. Let them explore and smell everything and if he/she solicits affection then you can engage.
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secure all the expensive shit that are on your shelves
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KnightofShikari posted...

set aside money for vet trips, those can cost a bunch even for a checkup

Is pet insurance useful?
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emblem boy posted...

How does feeding a cat work? Give them a set amount each day? Or just fill the bowl and they eat what they want?

I just filled the bowl halfway every time I saw it empty. My cat ate when she felt like it. Some cats will stuff themselves, so if you notice your cat gaining weight, you may need to cut back on food.

Make the water bowl as large as you can, will make a big diff.
Not all cats are the same.
The allergens are in the saliva not hair.
Get a short hair cat, less maintenance and clean up.
Get a animal waste removal spray thing (special enzymes)
Clean the litter box as often as you can.
Make sure they have high places to walk around on and explore.
Don't overfeed. Don't buy food with grain.
I find scratching pad works better than post.

Most importantly, if you love them, they will absolutely love you back and not be an asshole.
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1) Do not declaw your cat. Declawing a cat is similar to removing the top segment of a human's fingers.

2) Get two litter boxes. The rules is always n+1, where n is the number of cats you have.

3) Feed your cat something better than Special Kitty or Meow Mix. I feed mine Science Diet, personally.

4) Feed your cat at least one can of wet food a day. Kitty needs taurine.

5) If your cat wants to hide under the bed, let them. They'll warm up to you eventually.

6) Scratching posts. Toys. A cat tree would be fantastic, but if you can't afford one, make sure there are elevated surfaces for the cat to climb on.

7) Don't spank or hit your cat if they do something bad. Cats DO NOT understand this and will only associate the pain with you/not what they did. Try clapping or spritzing them with a spray bottle (of water) when you see them doing something wrong. Ultimately accept that they will likely only learn to not do the bad thing when you are in the room.

8) Don't put their water and food dishes next to each other. Don't put either near the litterboxes.

emblem boy posted...

She's from a shelter and she's 9.

So litter box
Water and food bowls
Scratching post
Toys

MabusIncarnate posted...

If the food you are buying for it has corn as the first ingredient, it's bad. Your cat's coat and health will reflect in it's diet. There are cheaper quality foods that you can get, try to avoid the junk even if it is a popular name brand. Ideally look for whole beef, chicken, or fish as the first ingredient, they are carnivores and corn is literally just a filler with little nutritional value.

How does feeding a cat work? Give them a set amount each day? Or just fill the bowl and they eat what they want?

Tagging you as a nice man for adopting a senior shelter cat.

Probably a can of wet food a day (6 oz) split into two meals. Dry food, personally I just use a feeder where more drops out as they eat.
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Also, cats can and will starve themselves if they don' like their food, so find a food it actually likes to eat.

Aw, that's nice to know that you're giving an older shelter cat a home. I hope she will enjoy the rest of her years with you ^^
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Say goodbye to your furniture
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Because of another topic right under yours, i read your title as "I'm getting a Racist cat, what should i know?" Lol
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Mikablu posted...

Also, cats can and will starve themselves if they don' like their food, so find a food it actually likes to eat.

but they wont do it quietly
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toxoplasmosis
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Your local animal shelter is a good place to start, and so are your local pet supply stores (PetCo and PetSmart usually partner with local private animal rescue organizations). The adoption fees are cheaper and you don't have to worry about your cat coming from a "puppy mill" or... whatever the equivalent is. You can also get a fancy breed if you want to pay $600+ for a younger kitten.

There are lots of tips out there and conflicting trains of thoughts. I'll try to be comprehensive based on my experiences and what's worked for me...

How many to adopt:

If you're getting an older (1 year or older) cat, you'll be fine to get just one. He or she should already be fairly well socialized and his/her behaviorial quirks will have "matured" so to speak. 12 months is still kinda young, but still you should be fine.

If you're getting a younger (less than 1 year old) kitten, it is often advised that you get two or more together. They have a lot of energy and they need the socialization with other cats to develop good habits and behaviors. If it's just you and a tiny kitten, they can still develop well, it just means they're going to need a lot more of your time and attention and you're going to have to learn how to communicate with them so they don't tear your legs and arms up when they're playing. Some rescue shelters will not even adopt a lone kitten out unless he/she is going to a home with another cat.

Breeds:

If you're getting a cat from a rescue shelter, it should be pretty much "plug and play" so to speak. If you're getting a specialized breed, you'll have to pay attention to things like... grooming needs (some cat breeds develop a lot of oil and need to be bathed regularly, or if they have particularly long fur they will need to be brushed regularly) and exercise needs (larger cats like Servals and most hybrids [wild cat and domestic cat hybrid] basically need to go on walks like dogs. They use the litter box still but they are more territorial and want to control more territory). Some breeds are hypoallergenic like the furry ass Siberian cats... Idk man, there are some fancy breeds out there but we have two rescue cats and they look fancy as hell even though they're "street kittens", so...

Food:

Whatever you do, never get Whiskas and Meow Mix for your cats. I recommend at a minimum Science Diet (we feed their wet food to our cats and they have really nice coats and maintain a good weight). Wellness is another good brand (we use their dry food >_>). Basically, at the pet food store you'll see three aisles in the cat food section... stay out of the really cheap aisle and you'll probably be fine.

Some people say wet food is better, some people say dry food is better, I think a combination is good.
Wet food is more hydrating and can be fresher / more natural depending on how fancy you go.
Dry food is good for helping keep a cat's teeth clean (you can also buy pet wipes and teach your cat to let you brush his/her teeth), but then it doesn't have the same hydrating properties and you have to give your cat more water.

Toys:

Invest in lightweight mobile toys (small mice, feathers with bells on them if you can find those, small fabric balls) and stringed "fishing rod" style toys that you can drag on the ground and pull through the air to play with your cat. Stay away from catnip for young kittens (also only 50% of cats really respond anyway to catnip), laser pointers (if you have a smart cat, he/she'll figure it out in a week anyway, plus I don't like the potential danger of accidentally reflecting a laser into an eye), and "static toys" (things that just dangle off of door knobs, the infamous ball in a plastic tube, etc.). Your cat might like those, but... I've never had good results from them, and the cat wants to play with you, not just hit a toy around.
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They poop
They pee
They shed
They scratch
They bite
They get under your feet when you're trying to walk
They claim your lap when you're trying to sit
They either beg for attention constantly or want nothing to do with you, often at the same time

C_Pain posted...

Tagging you as a nice man for adopting a senior shelter cat.

WindMouseHanpan posted...

Aw, that's nice to know that you're giving an older shelter cat a home. I hope she will enjoy the rest of her years with you ^^

To be fair my gf picked it. I've mentioned getting a cat for a while and my gf decided to get one for me while I'm out of town this week. So she picked it out today and will help me with getting the stuff. I won't see the cat for another couple days
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They'll also drag "presents" up and leave them in plain view for guests to see

Man i typed way too long on that, the moment is over.

I don't believe that statement that "cats will starve if they don't like their food" - cats have a very strong natural survival instinct (moreso than us millenials rofl) - they'll eat if they get hungry enough. If your cat's not eating it could be indicative of a cold or other issue you might want to get checked out with at the vet.

I guess I should say that they won't necessarily gobble down what you give them if they don't like it. But they'll still eat it.
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JustMyOpinion posted...

Mikablu posted...

emblem boy posted...

How does feeding a cat work? Give them a set amount each day? Or just fill the bowl and they eat what they want?

I just filled the bowl halfway every time I saw it empty. My cat ate when she felt like it. Some cats will stuff themselves, so if you notice your cat gaining weight, you may need to cut back on food.

Yeah, definitely wouldn't work with mine. When I had one cat he ate enough, but his bowl was never empty. Now with two they sprint to see who can finish meals first and then eat out of the other's bowl when the first one finishes.

Yeah, this is good advice. I free feed about a cup in the bowl until eaten and then another in the evening to keep it fresh and not sit for a while. I never had a cat go obese from deciding when it wanted to eat and having food offered at all times, but it can definitely happen.

Also if the cat is 9, like another poster said you can feed some wet food, usually this isn't advised for younger cats because dry food cleans their teeth and wet food does not.
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Main thing is never give them leftover human food. Extremely bad habit. Youre dealing with an older cat so just be gentle and realize the motherfucker is gonna sleep a ton.
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Be sure to throw away any wet food she doesn't eat after about an hour. It can make her sick if it sits out for much longer.

Try to feed her at the same time every day. My cat knows when he's supposed to be fed and will whine LOUDLY if it's past time. He's also very bad to wolf down his food if he's been waiting for too long. He's old, like your new kitty and has a sensitive stomach, your new kitty may too, and usually throws up as a result.

Pet insurance?
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buy one of those water fountains that run continuously, my cat loves it
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Don't ever spend money on overpriced cats toys

They are content with bottle caps and old cardboard boxes. There's probably already a dozen things in your house that they will be happy to bat around
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Get their claws trimmed every 6 weeks or so
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John_Galt posted...

Don't ever spend money on overpriced cats toys

They are content with bottle caps and old cardboard boxes. There's probably already a dozen things in your house that they will be happy to bat around

we bought the cat a little stuffed mouse tied to a string on a stick and the cat is beyond obsessed with it.

every day when i come home from work he walks up to me and starts meowing until i play the mouse game with him, and continues to meow when i stop until he decides he is tired and goes to take a nap. but i give in and play with him nearly every time because he's so damn cute
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Train your cat to use the toilet, and avoid a litterbox entirely. Took me 1.5 weeks to train mine, worth every penny.

There are a million different videos on youtube teaching you how, and urging you to buy their product. You really only need a bowl that will fit inside your toilet and a cardboard box that you can cut up in order to make it work. Look for videos that use like, a salad bowl for the easiest results.

Also, nine times out of ten, a good cat is one that will let you hold it. At least in my experience.
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My advice: Buy a Ragdoll from a reputable breeder.
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Cats are jerks.

Which is why it sucks that they're cute as fuck.
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Don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but make sure the first thing its paws touch out of the carrier is the litter box.

Get a scratching post, preferably multiple scratching posts spread about. If you see kitty scratching something you don't want it to, pick it up and take over to the post and rub its paws on it. They eventually get the hint. Putting some nip on it sometimes helps too.
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Cats are fucking stupid
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Don't get a cat if you consider declawing to be an option. It's mutilation.

Get multiple scratching posts.
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