this post was submitted on 15 Jan 2024
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A friend of a friend has a cat up for adoption, it's pretty cute. I'm being pushed into going to meet this cat so that I fall in love with it and adopt, which will probably happen if I go. This cat and stuff for the cat will be my birthday present from a group of friends.
I've wanted a pet for ages but never bit the bullet. Not sure what's holding me back, it's just never felt like the "right" time but I'm not sure if there is a right time. What to do? How high maintenance are cats? Seems like there's a lot of cat owners here so thought this is the place to ask!
Oh and you will need to up your cleaning rota. Fur gets everywhere, and some cats kick litter astonishing distances. “Buy a lint roller” says the Goth who had a white cat.
Don't currently have a kitty but I'd say it depends on the breed and personality (and age) of the cat.
My last Abyssinian was very low maintenance. She was the sweetest kitty. but my old bengal just wouldn't stfu from 5am->10pm. my old british blue really didn't do much except for getting its head stuck in the gravy jug all the time.
I think in general it's safe to say they're much less maintenance than dogs.
Just goes to show. Abbys are one I’d usually consider highly active. Got a gravy jug pic?
Cats can be very very different. One of my current pair is instant best friends with everybody, the other growls when he hears the front gate. Some are very fussy about food, some demand a very specific type of litter. They can be expensive, my last big vet emergency cost 4 grand.
How old is this cat, and is it a specific breed? Some types are extremely active and require much entertainment or they get bored and destructive.
I don’t find the tinfoil thing to work.
It’s a tabby kitten, about 3 or 4 months old I think. Maybe I should ask more questions about its personality to get an idea of how high maintenance it is? All I’ve got so far is that it’s super affectionate and loving. Aww.
Ah, very much still a kitten then. You’ll get to enjoy some of the batshit crazies and they should be very trainable Re sleeping on beds, getting on benches etc. Then will come the teenage bit where they appear to be constructed entirely out of legs and ears.
Have fun😺
Aw post pics when you see the cat, love to see it too!
Depends on the cat really, the younger the more hyper, but not heaps like a dog (some dogs). I grew up with a crazy cat lady for a mum, every stray she'd adopt. They're easy to take care of imo, they will come to you when they want attention. You could splurge on toys (or in this case will be gifted from friends lol), but most cats are happy with a few wine corks (they roll randomly), and some boxes. Our cat loves it when we get new boxes from a grocery shop, or even a case of beers box lol. Some cats like bells and others hate them, mine just doesn't care about bells. Play with them with some string and something soft, small, and a bit weighty on the end, and they'll love you forever.
It may take some time for the cat to warm up to you and trust you, so patience is key. I wouldn't expect them to start sleeping on your lap immediately though it isn't unheard of. You may need to learn how they communicate too, as it's mostly tail and ear gestures, but you'll learn your cats quirks quickly.
I recommend Jackson Galaxy on YouTube for how to read your cats mood. He's amazing, and really helped my "not-a-cat-person' partner to understand what our puss is thinking or feeling.
One thing: tin/aluminium foil will always, 100% freak a cat out and make them scram lol. If your new cat starts jumping on tables or counters, lay down some foil (look it up on YouTube, pretty funny vids out there) and they'll stop quicksmart.
There's so much more, but most of the fun is from learning with your new furry family member!