Quote:
Originally Posted by OilersBaby
Okay, so I've owned a few dogs, but now due to some sad and unfortunate circumstances, I'm dogless. I was considering getting a cat....this might sound like a dumb question, but since I have never owned a cat before, I wasn't sure.
How many hours can a kitten/cat stay home alone for and its okay? With a dog, you have to walk it every few hours unless you have a yard....
Ive always liked cats but havent gotten one, now I think it's time and there's one at the shelter that was so cute and just touched my heart......
1) I want to make sure it will be okay staying at home if I'm out of the house 8-9 hours the days I can't work from home. Is it?
2) I read somewhere that it's not a good idea to have a kitten/cat if you're going to be pregnant as it can be harmful to a fetus. I also read that those are just rumors. What is the truth? I am not planning on having kids right away but it could happen in a couple of years
Thanks CP!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Puxlut
If you get pregnant: you can't clean the litter box while you are carrying. It's something in the feces (mostly found with outdoor cats, toxoplasmosis (sp?) that can cause complications with the pregnancy.
I don't think I would want my cats roaming around outside (I have 2 cats and 2 dogs) I would be too afraid of them getting run over or catching some sickness from another animal (dead bird, another stray cat...)
Even when I only had one cat, he was fine leaving in the house alone.
Whatever you do: GET YOUR CATS SPAYED OR NEUTERED! Boy cats will spray EVERYWHERE (and it stinks) and girl cats HOWL when they go into heat.
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That's it exactly. It's cleaning the litter box while you're pregnant that harms the fetus. The cat itself should do no harm.
Cats are fine at home alone for extended periods. I just left for an entire weekend and I came back and they needed attention, but otherwise suffered no ill side effects. Although any longer than 2 or 2.5 days and it's good to get a cat sitter.
My friend has Himalayan cats and they are just about the calmest cat you've ever met. They're the fluffy white ones.
And it's soooo true. Get your cat spayed or neutered. The only problems I've ever had are with un-fixed cats.
Also, if your cat is an indoor cat, it is NOT okay to let it out just for a taste of the outdoors! Once they get a taste they will always want out and they will irritate you no end until you let them out. And then they'll get run over.