Looks like I'm getting a cat...

[Sliver]

Dude, it's a standard method of discipline that works well. http://pet.tips.net/T004001_Discipli...ith_Water.html

[Yasa]

I really don't see how this is trolling... I think you're being a bit hyper-sensitive, RedMile.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by RedMileDJ

Yah. I'm done. Biggest troll on CP. Beyond help and always seeking attention.

Holy overreaction dude. You're just wrong on this.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Sliver

A sphinx sounds dope. I'll check that out. I'm also looking at Russian Blues. The teacup cats can have inbreeding problems which could be a pain to stay on top of. Probably have a shorter life span as a result, which isn't the worst thing in the world.

Dissentowner: What's the temperament of your sphinx like? Is it cool with being left alone all day? Good with kids? My daughter is a bit apprehensive around animals so I want to make sure the cat I get is mellow around her.

She spends good amount of time alone and sleeps under the bed covers until someone is home. She is an extremely friendly cat who is very tolerant of my 3 year old who pulls on her and grabs her, she just takes it and never gets aggressive or tries to scratch him. Just an awesome cat.

[redforever]

Usually the ones who groan the loudest about how this will "not" be their pet are the ones who fall the hardest. Bet you will end up loving that cat.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

She spends good amount of time alone and sleeps under the bed covers until someone is home. She is an extremely friendly cat who is very tolerant of my 3 year old who pulls on her and grabs her, she just takes it and never gets aggressive or tries to scratch him. Just an awesome cat.

I'm totally sold on a sphinx based on what you've said. There are even a bunch available on Kijiji. I'm getting an unexpected amount of pushback from my wife on that, though. Crap!

[Yanda]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Blue Russian

First of all I dont think you should be getting a cat in your household, I thing something else would better suit your situation. That being said Blue Russians although can be quite cuddly, they have the mindset of a sassy black women. However like I said earlier, I think a Hampster would be a better fit for your family.

[Peanut]

If you go to the humane society, get an adult cat for sure. My now 12-year old cat was adopted as a kitten from the humane society and he's kind of a jerk cat, honestly. I just don't think he's particularly domesticated. Adult cat is a safer bet, you can get a sense of their personality.

Also, cats live for a long time. Like 20 years long. Which I'm sure you know already. But still. Huge commitment.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Yanda

First of all I dont think you should be getting a cat in your household, I thing something else would better suit your situation. That being said Blue Russians although can be quite cuddly, they have the mindset of a sassy black women. However like I said earlier, I think a Hampster would be a better fit for your family.

I didn't know blue Russians were sassy. I'm actually starting to notice the breed write-ups all tend to focus on the positive and ignore the negatives so they're of limited value. I think the blue Russian might grow up to be larger than I want after researching them further tonight.

There is no going back on the cat thing now, though. This is happening.

[Bunk]

I used to be a total dog person, now we have a cat. Totally sold on cats - terrific animals. I'm also pretty lazy so I enjoy not having to take it for walks. Self cleaning and its bathroom is a box. Seriously, what's not to like?

We have a Tuxedo - great personality (not aloof like I was worried about with a cat).

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Peanut

If you go to the humane society, get an adult cat for sure. My now 12-year old cat was adopted as a kitten from the humane society and he's kind of a jerk cat, honestly. I just don't think he's particularly domesticated. Adult cat is a safer bet, you can get a sense of their personality.

Also, cats live for a long time. Like 20 years long. Which I'm sure you know already. But still. Huge commitment.

I'm totally scared of how long they live. My vote is for us to stay petless. We have a fish and I don't even know its name. It's 3. I've never fed it or anything. I couldn't even tell you what colour it is, although I do know it's one of those fighting fishes. I'm just not an animal guy.

I told my wife we're going to have this thing well into our 50s thinking that would scare her, but she remains undeterred.

If you don't like your cat, why don't you get rid of it? Or do you love it, but just not really like it?

[To Be Quite Honest]

If your family is dead serious about an animal I would HIGHLY suggest a hamster or gerbil and see how that fairs first. I understand your hesitation and just so you know, the cat will know that you don't like it. Animals understand tone and body language. You and the cat will bump heads, most likely, and the cats personality will suffer because of it. My family were breeders of animals for faaaaar too long. I know what I speak. Baby steps and be fair to all creatures great and small.

Basically, would you have a child and treat it this way?

[DoubleF]

Declawed, doesn't bite, doesn't shed like insanity... probably the cat for you.

This is a cat, not a chia pet. Even if they annoy the snot out of you, they are still a living creature to take care of. You stay out late less because you have to get home to take care of the creature. You have an extra to do list when going on vacation. Just keep it in mind.

Biggest pain IMO is finding a pet sitter (unless you already have that covered with great pet friends). If your pet isn't social with other animals... might be a problem. My dog is like that. Got bullied all the time and dislikes the company of other dogs. This of course is ignoring the complete rest of the time necessary to take care of the pet which on some days is fine and other days, a royal pain.

Pets are great. But unlike children, they will always be dependent creatures that will never leave the nest so to speak. This isn't necessarily a good or bad thing about them, but something to always keep in mind.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by sliver

my daughter is a bit apprehensive around i've instilled an irrational fear of animals in my children so i want to make sure the cat i get is mellow around her.

fyp

[T@T]

Make sure you get a breed that likes to cuddle.

Spoiler!

[bigtmac19]

I really wish you would reconsider, this is going to end up badly, with the cat being the one to suffer.

At the very least, I agree with everyone that says get an older cat. The Humane Society will match their personality to your family, they are quite often declawed, spayed, etc.

Plus they won't live as long, which obviously is a criteria for you.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

I was dead set against getting a cat. I didn't want one, no way, no how. My (then) fiancé (now wife) desperately wanted a cat. So we compromised and got a cat.

Turns out our cat is awesome. She's not very vocal, but does meow when you see her first thing in the morning. She stops what she's doing to watch sports (loves hockey and baseball, is memorized by the puck). She's also very sooky when things are bad which is nice (she followed my wife and cuddled with her contantly after my father in law's heart attack).

If you get a good cat, they are awesome. I love my cat just like I loved my childhood dog.

This is the best comment in this thread so far and there has been some gold. I lol'ed. Litter-aly.

[terminator]

I'm going to go with most epic troll job ever on this forum award be given to Sliver.

Starts a thread about hating cats and how he's had them put down for being ugly or something.

Few weeks later starts a I'm getting a cat thread.

Hey-o.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by T@T

Make sure you get a breed that likes to cuddle.

Spoiler!

I really do marvel at how big these cats are. The sheer size of their paws. Knowing my cat and as much as she likes to cuddle and get pet she still has this wild/promal side to her which is why I think people are crazy to take their chances being in close proximity to such large cats.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by bigtmac19

I really wish you would reconsider, this is going to end up badly, with the cat being the one to suffer.

At the very least, I agree with everyone that says get an older cat. The Humane Society will match their personality to your family, they are quite often declawed, spayed, etc.

Plus they won't live as long, which obviously is a criteria for you.

I don't want an old cat, though. The best shot I have at making this work is getting a kitten, loving it, and then still loving it as it grows up into a cat. A full-grown cat will just gross me out right out of the gates. Plus I don't want a cat from the SPCA. They come with too much baggage (e.g. they were probably dropped off for a good reason in the first place) and I'd be concerned about all their exposure to diseases and stuff while in the SPCA.