Adopted a Cat today....

[meanmachine13]

That is so true.

My cat loves plastic bags, shoe boxes, and christmas present bows.

[Deuce Bigalow]

For litter boxes get this http://www.litter-robot.com/

I have one and its amazing.... Kinda expensive at first, but over the life of a cat, its dirt cheap! I swap out the bottom tray one every 3 weeks, and thats it! Total life saver

If you have a spot next to some plumbing you can get this one, and not even have to empty the tray every 3 weeks.

http://www.catgenie.com/

[Coys1882]

Guys - thanks so much for all the advice!!

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by meanmachine13

That is so true.

My cat loves plastic bags, shoe boxes, and christmas present bows.

The caps off the small bottles of Pepsi, too. My cat loves them. The more money you spend on a cat toy, the less they play with it.

Oh, think about a 'cat tree', too. I've yet to find a cat who doesn't like to have a 'high' hangout spot that is pretty much strictly their own.

[Stumptown]

Originally Posted by WhiteTiger

The more money you spend on a cat toy, the less they play with it.

This is a very good rule of thumb for cats. Paper bags, twist ties, random bits of plastic, old shoelaces, etc. Also, the scratching posts made out of corrugated cardboard and infused with catnip are a must! They can make a bit of a papery mess when the claws get going, but it's better than scratching furniture.

Originally Posted by WhiteTiger

Oh, think about a 'cat tree', too. I've yet to find a cat who doesn't like to have a 'high' hangout spot that is pretty much strictly their own.

High and/or near a window, especially if they're going to be indoor only. Cats need a fair amount of visual stimulus, so make sure he has a spot where he can comfortably keep an eye on interesting things going on outside.

[darockwilder]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I'm not a cat person; but I think it's a good sign that he is laying on your chest. I seem to recall that shows a level of trust. (or plotting against you; as was already mentioned.)

I will recommend going to the dollar store and buying a laser pointer. Not for shooting at the cat, but for giving it something to chase. Drives most cats I know bonkers trying to get the dot.

(Of course, I only recommend this for the exercise value for your pet.)

Our cat went bananas the one (and only) time I used a laser pointer to play with him. It was funny when we were playing but after we stopped we went nuts trying to figure out where the 'dot' went for about 10 minutes, and then he hid in the basement and cried. Needless to say I haven't pulled out the laser pointer since.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by darockwilder

Our cat went bananas the one (and only) time I used a laser pointer to play with him. It was funny when we were playing but after we stopped we went nuts trying to figure out where the 'dot' went for about 10 minutes, and then he hid in the basement and cried. Needless to say I haven't pulled out the laser pointer since.

In the days before laser pointers . . . . . . . laying on the couch, using the sun's reflection off the face of your watch, dancing the light spot across the ceiling and walls, worked just the same. Probably still does and would be less expensive.

I agree per above . . . . . if you're spending money on cat toys, you're crazy. Common household items work just as well.

They like to tunnel into newspapers on the floor as well.

We have four rescue cats.

If it hasn't been said . . . . . . indoor cats live an average of about 11 years. Cats allowed outdoors live an average of about two years.

Good luck on your new, amazing adventure.

Cowperson

[C-Four]

Originally Posted by Deuce Bigalow

For litter boxes get this http://www.litter-robot.com/

I have one and its amazing.... Kinda expensive at first, but over the life of a cat, its dirt cheap! I swap out the bottom tray one every 3 weeks, and thats it! Total life saver

If you have a spot next to some plumbing you can get this one, and not even have to empty the tray every 3 weeks.

http://www.catgenie.com/

Do you know if there's anywhere local(ish) that sells these? or did you order yours online?

Thanks for the recommendation Been looking for something like this but I've heard that some of these automated ones are hit/miss... CP recommendations help

[Sliver]

Is there any service out there that requires homes for kittens for short periods of time? Wouldn't mind a kitten for a bit, but I don't like cats.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Coys you should post pictures of your ##### on CP.


I love cats but I always seem to get a bit stuffy when I'm around my sister's for too long (although that thing is a friggin furball), even though I had cats as a kid without issue. Is there a way to get tested? I've been wanting to get another cat but I'm kinda afraid I'll be all stuffed up and not be able to keep it.

[C-Four]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Is there any service out there that requires homes for kittens for short periods of time? Wouldn't mind a kitten for a bit, but I don't like cats.

http://www.calgaryhumane.ca/page.aspx?pid=278

[TheGrimm]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

In the days before laser pointers . . . . . . . laying on the couch, using the sun's reflection off the face of your watch, dancing the light spot across the ceiling and walls, worked just the same. Probably still does and would be less expensive.

I agree per above . . . . . if you're spending money on cat toys, you're crazy. Common household items work just as well.

They like to tunnel into newspapers on the floor as well.

We have four rescue cats.

If it hasn't been said . . . . . . indoor cats live an average of about 11 years. Cats allowed outdoors live an average of about two years.

Good luck on your new, amazing adventure.

Cowperson

2 years longer? Or two years? I had an outdoor cat who lived to 13.. Of course I grew up on a farm.

[Nyah]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Is there any service out there that requires homes for kittens for short periods of time? Wouldn't mind a kitten for a bit, but I don't like cats.

As someone mentioned, the Calgary Humane society are always looking for foster homes. Also, look into Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS). They deal mostly with dogs but they have the odd litter of kittens & (sometimes) the mother who need temporary homes every once & a while. That being said, if you don't like cats, I wouldn't look into fostering a kitten.

http://albertaanimalrescuecrew.com/fosterparent.php

[Deuce Bigalow]

Originally Posted by C-Four

Do you know if there's anywhere local(ish) that sells these? or did you order yours online?

Thanks for the recommendation Been looking for something like this but I've heard that some of these automated ones are hit/miss... CP recommendations help

I ordered mine online, haven't seen it anywhere here... had it for about 4 years now without a problem. Such a live saver, Especially when I have people to come take care of the cat while I'm away... no need to deal with the litter box. Keeps smells to a minimum since they are locked away in the receptacle below.

I wanted to get the cat genie, but had no suitable spot for the plumbing.

[Russic]

To piggy-back on the spray bottle thing... spraying a cat with water works very well as they hate it and it doesn't really harm them, BUT it works much better if you can do it in a way that they can't see you. If they know you're spraying them they'll just continue the behaviour when you aren't around. If they think scratching the couch actually elicits a spray of water from whatever cat god they believe in, they won't. Results may vary.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Nyah

As someone mentioned, the Calgary Humane society are always looking for foster homes. Also, look into Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS). They deal mostly with dogs but they have the odd litter of kittens & (sometimes) the mother who need temporary homes every once & a while. That being said, if you don't like cats, I wouldn't look into fostering a kitten.

http://albertaanimalrescuecrew.com/fosterparent.php

Thanks.

It's not that I don't like them...more that I get tired of them. I'm a great cat owner for a couple years then I lose interest. That's why if I can look after kittens then give them to somebody else as cats it would be a good fit.

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Thanks.

It's not that I don't like them...more that I get tired of them. I'm a great cat owner for a couple years then I lose interest. That's why if I can look after kittens then give them to somebody else as cats it would be a good fit.

I'd just like to take a moment and thank you for being a responsible non-pet owner, then. So many people get a pet because they love it in it's "kitten/puppy" phase, and then don't want it any longer when they get older. Thank you for recognizing that, and dealing with it in an appropriate and mature manner.

[socktape]

Originally Posted by Nyah

As someone mentioned, the Calgary Humane society are always looking for foster homes. Also, look into Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS). They deal mostly with dogs but they have the odd litter of kittens & (sometimes) the mother who need temporary homes every once & a while. That being said, if you don't like cats, I wouldn't look into fostering a kitten.

http://albertaanimalrescuecrew.com/fosterparent.php

If you are interested in fostering I would try these guys as well... they just got a whole bunch of cats in their shelter recently.

http://www.oopsadazy.com/

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Thanks.

It's not that I don't like them...more that I get tired of them. I'm a great cat owner for a couple years then I lose interest. That's why if I can look after kittens then give them to somebody else as cats it would be a good fit.

This is just strange to see you post something like this. You don't like dogs because they crap outside everywhere/bark/attack everyone, but you're willing to get a kitten that craps inside your home, walks all over counters/tables/other furniture afterwards, and also claws up said furniture?

[rohara66]

You will soon understand....