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Al...wants a kitten?

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Alright, so everyone knows how much I want a dog, right?

Well, I realized that I might have to put it on hold because there's a chance I could get a CAT before a dog. Why? Because my parents were already saying earlier we could get a cat as long as I were to manage it. Therefore, right now I think I'm honestly just going to get a feline friend until I'm ready for a dog.

Pros:
Cats can be alone longer
Are not loud (they don't bark)
Don't need to be taken often on a walk

Cons:

This is where i need your help!

Since I haven't owned a cat in a very long time, I don't know the downsides to owning one. I would like to know what cat owners have to say would be the downsides of owning a cat.

If this were to help, I'm hoping to get either an all black cat, or a Tuxedo cat. I'm hoping for a male cat because I have experienced that female cats are more attitude-y than males. But I am planning on neutering the male as to avoid any breeding with the strays that are around campus.

What I will do for the cat
-I will wait until I have an apartment to bring the cat with me, but if there is a chance that I will have the cat with me at home.
-Provide lots of social interaction with it
-I might even try to teach the cat how to go on walks and I can attempt (ATTEMPT) to take it on campus
-There is a vet and pet store within walking distance of the campus

Questions I have:
-What are the cons of owning a cat.
-What is the average cost of having a cat for the first year?
-Is the price more money if you start with a kitten?
-Any other vital information I need?

And on a personal note, please don't harass me with "oh, are you sure?" or "You're such a terrible person for choosing a dog over a cat" or whatever else. I'm just being indecisive right now because it's such an important thing to me. I want to make the right decision, and feel like getting a dog, as everyone said, might not be the bet thing at the moment. Especially since I have my maltese still, and he won;t be leaving my family as I thought he would a few months ago.

So, please help me :)

05-26-2012 at 5:49 PM

Edited by mods

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2012-05-26 18:04:48 by #1511

05-26-2012 at 5:44 PM

Edited by mods

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2012-05-26 18:04:42 by #1511

05-26-2012 at 5:40 PM

Edited by mods

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2012-05-26 18:04:36 by #1511

05-14-2012 at 6:30 PM

yea, I HAVE to look for an apartment that allows pets. But all the apartment complexes around here to allow pets, and require a deposit. The ones that don't, are closer to the borders of this town others.

05-14-2012 at 6:04 PM

Then you make sure and move into an apartment that accepts pets. That's what I did!

05-14-2012 at 2:43 PM

What if the apartment doesn't allow pets?

05-14-2012 at 11:15 AM

Oh, I know, I completely understand. :) I'm hoping that that doesn't happen either, to be honest. The good thing is that if I have my own apartment at this time (which my dad is going to pay for), I only have to worry about one dog mainly, unless the cat goes home with me. AND that's if I bring my dog with me. There might be a chance that my dog doesn't come with me at all (which is an entirely different matter) and it will just be me and the cat, and my roommate(s). But still, I won't neglect on the fact that the dogs and cat need to get along.

05-14-2012 at 11:12 AM

Just because a dog may be a-okay with one dog or a rabbit or a bird doesn't mean he's a-okay with all of them. That's the trouble with introducing a new cat or a new dog to a pre-existing dog/cat. The dog needs to be kenneled while the cat roams the house until he doesn't react when the cat walks by. A dog may be fine with a cat but the second the cat walks fast, the dog is on his heels, nipping at the cat and sending it under the bed. I've seen it happen many times with dog vs dog, dog vs cat, cat vs dog, etc. It's not a pretty sight when the dog rules the house and the cat lives under a couch. Not to mention, some dogs will NEVER be trained out of small animal aggression, some cats will NEVER be unafraid of dogs.. and there's nothing you can do in this situation that doesn't involve dumping one off somewhere or the more inhumane method.. keeping them secluded to rooms.

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2012-05-14 11:14:40 by #5484

05-14-2012 at 11:09 AM

oh okay, that makes sense. I know that there's that whole Dog vs. Cat kind of thing that EVERYONE should know, but I never fully understood. Well, ironically we do have a small dog and birds in our hourse >.O She chases my small dog, but only in play. And as for the birds, she doesn't care. She would rather sleep by the cage then go after it.

05-14-2012 at 11:06 AM

Now, why does a dog react differently to a cat then it does another dog...? Cats are seen as a prey animal to a dog, same with rabbits, rats, gerbils, etc etc and sometimes even small dogs.

05-14-2012 at 11:03 AM

I definitely feel that the biggest hinder would be with a cat and my maltese, but from what I know from previous experience, he is okay with cats, and kittens. It's my other dog that I'm a bit wary of because she has never been around a cat before. However, there is a chance she just won't care, considering she has mellowed out a lot since a few years ago. She's going to be 11 this year and she has lost a lot of her oomph, so I don't know if she'll have the energy to go after a cat... Now, why does a dog react differently to a cat then it does another dog...?

05-14-2012 at 2:24 AM

It hasn't been said, Ehm.. but very good point. If the cat just doesn't like dogs plain and simple, you will have to put up with the decision of dumping your cat off at the shelter like a disposable object or trying to control a dog + scared cat household.

05-13-2012 at 4:31 PM

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but some things to consider: Cats live a long time. So even if you end up adopting an adult cat, be prepared for it to be part of your live for 10 to 20 years. That's a long time, and something to be especially aware of if you plan to have other indoor animals in the future. If you plan on getting a dog down the road, you'd better be sure not only that the dog you get is okay with cats, but that your existing cat is okay with dogs. It's something to keep in mind if you get an older cat, and a training/conditioning thing you may want to take care of if you get a younger cat. Likewise, cats can vary in personality... a lot. Males don't always have less attitude. Whatever cat you end up with, you're going to want to get to know it and its personality just as much as you would a dog's. If you live in an apartment, it'll be priority that you find a cat that enjoys being an indoor cats -- lots don't, and this can cause problems which endanger their lives. Not all will be egging to get outside all the time, but many will take the chance when they get it. Similarly, some cats are more comfortable with another animal companion, so you may want to consider two compatible cats, or a cat that specifically prefers to be solitary.

05-13-2012 at 2:58 PM

weiirrd.. now theyre not working

05-13-2012 at 2:44 PM

Petsmart doesn't seem to like any of the links o.O

05-13-2012 at 1:31 PM

Petsmart doesn't like those linkys

05-11-2012 at 7:28 PM

nice! Your cat might like these: http://www.petsmart.com/product/indexp?productId=12602763 http://www.petsmart.com/product/indexp?productId=4313503 I wanna get one of these: http://www.petsmart.com/product/indexp?productId=3592903 http://www.petsmart.com/product/indexp?productId=4017038

05-11-2012 at 6:19 PM

Weird the link broke... Whisker City® Jumbo Two Compartment Litter Pan <img src=http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-7931863t300x300.jpg> Whisker City Jumbo Cat Pan features two compartments to store your litter accessories! Corner-less design for easy scooping Made of durable heavy-duty plastic Storage compartments hold litter accessories Designed for large or multiple cats High sides help contain litter Holds up to 30 lbs of litter Made in China. Dimensions: 34.5”L x 19.5”W x 10”H. Our Price: $25.99

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2012-05-11 18:19:36 by #42

05-11-2012 at 6:00 PM

I can't see the purdy litter box :( I just have a plain ol covered one and a plain ol $2 uncovered

05-11-2012 at 5:49 PM

The only problem with that one is they used like industrial strength adhesive to stick the label on INSIDE the box...I gave up trying to get it off and left it on... xD My cats don't like covered litter boxes so my covered box is my 2nd litter box with the lid taken off and it turned around backwards so the high side is in front for my litter box challenged kitty so when he squats he doesn't squat over the edge...I think it's genetic his mom did the same thing..

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2012-05-11 17:54:37 by #42

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