Cats - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

OilersBaby · 06-02-2008, 01:33 AM

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!

Hack&Lube · 06-02-2008, 01:37 AM

Cats are great creatures that are independant and take care of themselves. Cats don't need to be walked or ever let outside. Some people have outdoor cats that simply let them out in the day when they goto work. Most of the time that's okay, the cat just explores the neighborhood and comes but but rarely they don't come back. Some people never let their cats out in their lifetimes.

The problem with one cat at home, especially a young kitten is that it probably needs some company. Get two kittens and it'll be fine. Solitary cats that are indoor versus outdoor cats might develop some destructive behaviors if you are going to be gone all day.

OilersBaby · 06-02-2008, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Thanks for the advice and I LOVE the cartoon you posted! So true,dogs are dependent on their pack and cats are much more independent it seems. I don't know if my husband will be ok getting 2 cats. So getting 1 cat that will be indoor only and home alone 2 to 3 days a week for 8-10 hours (the other days I will only be gone for 4 hours or not at all) is not going to end up good?

Caged Great · 06-02-2008, 01:55 AM

They get bored, make your furniture a scratching board etc when bored. They need a playmate whether it's you or another cat.

OilersBaby · 06-02-2008, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caged Great

They get bored, make your furniture a scratching board etc when bored. They need a playmate whether it's you or another cat.

Any reccommendations on cat breeds? Ie is there a certain breed that will be better for someone that works full time and will be away 8-10 hrs 2 or 3 days a week? I don't want a cat that's too hyper.....I don't want the Jack Russell equivalent of a cat.

Caged Great · 06-02-2008, 02:26 AM

none of the cats I've experienced would be the jack russell equivalent, but I'm not really experienced with many breeds of cats (I've only had 4 cats in my life only with 2 breeds)

Hack&Lube · 06-02-2008, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

Thanks for the advice and I LOVE the cartoon you posted!

Here's my favorite comic series from Sinfest that I pasted together

Cheese · 06-02-2008, 06:38 AM

Cats are great...independant creatures all the way. Having a single cat at home is not an issue. I suggest making it an indoor cat and never letting it out. There are too many issues with outdoor cats that end up costing thousands at Vets, unless you are looking for a mouser or to rid your property of other pests.
All you do when you go to work is leave out a bowl of water and a little food..Cats arent like dogs when it comes to eating..they only eat what they need...rarely gorge. You can go away for two or three days as long as you leave enough water and food...maybe have someone check in once a day.
If you are worried about it "possibly" scratching furniture you can get it declawed, though many think thats cruel....I dont IF and ONLY IF they are indoor cats only.
You can buy some pretty cool scratching posts that Kittens love to play on and that will save your furniture...especially IF its set by a window where they can sit and watch the world go by.
Cats are great...no issues with babies...either in the oven or out.

When you get a kitten and set up the litter box...all you have to do to train it to use the box is take it to the box every 10 minutes for the first hour...if that. Thats it .....trained for life.
Go get that Kitten....rescue it, you and your family will LOVE it.

bigtmac19 · 06-02-2008, 07:06 AM

Definitely one cat is not a problem. They mostly sleep while you are gone from the house. It's much better to have them as a strictly indoor pet. It's safer and healthier for them, as they are not exposed to dangers.

06-02-2008, 08:13 AM

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.

Bobblehead · 06-02-2008, 08:44 AM

I got my cat from a rescue foundation. That worked out well because they have looked after the cat for a bit and have an idea about the nature of the cat. They knew which cats are OK alone (or prefer to be alone) which can handle dogs, which should be adopted as a pair, and so on.

My cat is alone all day, and other than demanding to be fed when I get home, he seems to have no problem with it.

FireFly · 06-02-2008, 08:44 AM

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!

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.

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.

BuzzardsWife · 06-02-2008, 09:34 AM

Himalayans are the best cats! I don't have any pets right now, I don't like animal hair in my house. The downside to cats is the clawing of furniture and litter boxes!!! I HATE litter boxes and that is the ONLY reason I don't have a cat. That, and because I love my furniture. For the best Himalayans around go to www.oceanpurrls.com

Drunk Skunk · 06-02-2008, 09:34 AM

There is something you must understand about cats. They are pure evil. Cats are constantly plotting on mankind, and eventually they will rise up against their owners. I feel the need to warn you about this, because if you get a cat, you will be on the front lines of the war that is coming.

Resolute 14 · 06-02-2008, 09:47 AM

Better to be their ally than their enemy, I suppose.

Dogs suck.

Top Shelf · 06-02-2008, 09:50 AM

Cat hair is a big issue, it gets everywhere and on every piece of clothing you own. Scratching of everything is also an issue.

Fozzie_DeBear · 06-02-2008, 09:58 AM

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!

The problem with pregancy and cats is that their feces has something that can mess up a fetus pretty bad if the mother gets it in her system...so if you stay away from their litter boxes (NEVER clean them while preggo) you should be fine...

IMO Cats are very independant but can/will 1) Puke on a regular basis 2) May piss on things if they get stressed

Have you considered a low maintenance dog?

bigtmac19 · 06-02-2008, 10:02 AM

Speaking of cats, the humane society in our area is having an ad campaign right now for people to adopt a cat, because they have large numbers right now. I drove by there yesterday and their sign says "Come in and see our large selection of pre-owned cats". I thought that was pretty funny.

About the scratching, my cat is declawed which solves that problem pretty easily.

I have a shorthair, the shedding problem is not as bad. I would not get a longhair cat if the shedding will bother you.

Resolute 14 · 06-02-2008, 10:11 AM

I can't stress strongly enough how opposed I am to declawing cats. Unless, of course, you enjoy torturing your pets.

If you keep your cats' claws trimmed and provide them with a decent scratching post, clawing furniture won't be an issue.

Boblobla · 06-02-2008, 10:26 AM

I didn't know this until my g/f and I adopted our first cat (we now have 2) but declawing is an amputation. It would be like taking a finger off at the first knuckle so the nail doesn't grow any more.

As far as low maintenance they are very self reliant but having 2 is great. We noticed a big change in our first cat when we got our second.

I am a dog person and I love our cats :P.