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Adopting a Cat
Hello,
I'm looking to solicit some advice concerning adopting a cat. Here's the situation I am currently in. -I have never owned a cat before in my entire life. We've always had dogs, and I always thought I wouldn't have the patience to walk something every day, I don't think the other tenants in the building would appreciate the barking, and most importantly, I'm allergic to dogs (but not cats, I checked) - I live by myself in a fairly roomy apartment, which is essentially the top floor and attic of an old house, so there would not be any shortage of room. - My dad is deathly allergic to cats, he never does visit anyways, but my concern is when I go to visit them, if any residual allergens may stick to my clothes etc. - I have a terrarium with a reptile in it, although I'm quite sure that the lid is secure. It's a metal cage that even I have trouble getting off. - I'd like to adopt a cat from a nearby shelter, mostly because I doubt I'd have the time to properly litter train a cat, coupled with the fact that I don't know How to litter train a cat, which I could see posing an even larger problem. My questions are as follows... Is there anything one needs to do to train an adopted cat, like show them the litter box, leave them in the room with it overnight etc.? I hear a lot about having two cats at the least, so they don't get bored, any thoughts? Is there any benefits to adopting over raising from birth? If one gets an already grown cat declawed, is that especialy cruel, or is that just an opinion thing, because I've heard both sides to that story. There was an incident in this house several years ago where the previous tenant had a bunch of cats who peed all over the place in this little room in the attic, is that going to cause problems, with males especially, or would I need to stick to a female to avoid additional stink. and finally, Is the allergen risk to my dad too high for me to even consider this? Any help that can be provided would be greatly appreciated -dorje |
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Adopting a Cat
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#3
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Adopting a Cat
wrote in message
ups.com... Hello, I'm looking to solicit some advice concerning adopting a cat. Here's the situation I am currently in. -I have never owned a cat before in my entire life. We've always had dogs, and I always thought I wouldn't have the patience to walk something every day, I don't think the other tenants in the building would appreciate the barking, and most importantly, I'm allergic to dogs (but not cats, I checked) - I live by myself in a fairly roomy apartment, which is essentially the top floor and attic of an old house, so there would not be any shortage of room. - My dad is deathly allergic to cats, he never does visit anyways, but my concern is when I go to visit them, if any residual allergens may stick to my clothes etc. I'm not sure what you mean by "deathly allergic" but I've spent time with friends and relatives who are normally allergic (can't be in the same house as a cat) and they have no problem with me. You can always take a shower and put on fresh clothes (not accessible to the cat) and not play with the cat before going to visit your dad. It's the dander that produces the allergic reaction. My sister, who is sufficiently allergic to cats that she can't own one, has stayed at my house but I kept the cats out of the guest bedroom and ran a filter in there, and vacuumed religiously before she arrived. - I have a terrarium with a reptile in it, although I'm quite sure that the lid is secure. It's a metal cage that even I have trouble getting off. If the terrarium is large enough that a cat can't knock it off a shelf, and the lid is as secure as you say it is, I wouldn't worry about it. I have tropical fish tanks and two of my cats love to "chase" the fish and will dip their paws in the water if I leave the lid up, but they've never figured out how to open the lids. - I'd like to adopt a cat from a nearby shelter, mostly because I doubt I'd have the time to properly litter train a cat, coupled with the fact that I don't know How to litter train a cat, which I could see posing an even larger problem. Cats take to litter like ducks take to water. If you were adopting a neighborhood stray, you might have to "train" the cat, to an extent, but I wouldn't worry about a shelter cat. They already know how to use the litter box. A stray I adopted Dec. 2005 used my rose beds as a litter box. To transition her to cat litter, I put some mulch on top of cat litter. Over time I scooped out the mulch until only litter was left. She adjusted just fine. My questions are as follows... Is there anything one needs to do to train an adopted cat, like show them the litter box, leave them in the room with it overnight etc.? See above. As another poster noted, it's a good idea to put the cat's food and water a distance from the litter, even in different rooms, if possible. I hear a lot about having two cats at the least, so they don't get bored, any thoughts? It really depends on the cat. As another poster mentioned, the shelter staff will have a good idea of which cats or kittens do well alone, and which do better with a companion. You can always adopt a bonded pair - siblings or even non-related cats that get along famously. I prefer having two or more cats even though I'm retired and home a lot. I do think they can be good company for each other. Is there any benefits to adopting over raising from birth? If you've never had a cat before, raising one from birth would be an absolute nightmare, and there's no reason for it. Heck, I've had cats for 40 years and I wouldn't attempt it! There are tons of adoptable kittens and cats at shelters already trained, tested, vaccinated, and often spayed or neutered. The adoption fees are usually quite the bargain. If one gets an already grown cat declawed, is that especialy cruel, or is that just an opinion thing, because I've heard both sides to that story. I would personally never declaw a cat, but then I put a much higher priority on my cats than on any piece of furniture I own. Declawing IS mutilation, and that's not a matter of debate. So it depends on how you feel about mutilating a cat for your convenience. Providing scratching and climbing posts helps with the furniture clawing, but not entirely. Again, I speak from experience. There was an incident in this house several years ago where the previous tenant had a bunch of cats who peed all over the place in this little room in the attic, is that going to cause problems, with males especially, or would I need to stick to a female to avoid additional stink. If those spots are in your living quarters, and in areas where any cat you adopt will be, you need to do what you can to treat the spots. Petsmart has a small Stink-Finder brand light that will help you find old (or new) urine stains. I have one and it's really useful. Treating the stains is a different issue. Here are some links to read: http://www.catsofaustralia.com/urinestainremoval.htm http://www.nilodor.com/caturine.html?cat=1 Not all cats will "misbehave" just because another or previous residence cat sprayed. Again, I speak from experience. Gender shouldn't make a difference. and finally, Is the allergen risk to my dad too high for me to even consider this? You might want to consult with an allergist about that. Any help that can be provided would be greatly appreciated My first two cats were given to me by other people - not by my choice. That was 1967. Both cats lived into their late teens, and I've never been without cats. -dorje When I adopted two kittens at Petsmart, I was given a bunch of literature (and coupons) on cat care. I didn't need the literature, but I did look it over and found it rather thorough. You might ask the shelter people if they have any literature handouts. You've asked really good questions, which is the best kind of start. Good luck. Gail F. Owned by Minya, Lao Ma, Ephiny, Melosa, Marcus, Gabby |
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Adopting a Cat
Getting a cat to use a litter box is so easy it could hardly be called
training. We've had, probably, a dozen cats over the years. I'll put the cat in the litter box, hold the front paws and make digging motions. We've never had a cat yet that took more than this. It's instinctive for them. Don't know where you live but there are hundreds of no-kill cat shelters around the country with cats of all ages, temperaments, colors, etc. The people running them will have a good idea of their temperaments and will help match a cat to your expectations. Cats make wonderful, loving and easy-care pets. Enjoy yours! -- D&L Trost http://members.toast.net/trost wrote in message ups.com... Hello, I'm looking to solicit some advice concerning adopting a cat. Here's the situation I am currently in. -I have never owned a cat before in my entire life. We've always had dogs, and I always thought I wouldn't have the patience to walk something every day, I don't think the other tenants in the building would appreciate the barking, and most importantly, I'm allergic to dogs (but not cats, I checked) - I live by myself in a fairly roomy apartment, which is essentially the top floor and attic of an old house, so there would not be any shortage of room. - My dad is deathly allergic to cats, he never does visit anyways, but my concern is when I go to visit them, if any residual allergens may stick to my clothes etc. - I have a terrarium with a reptile in it, although I'm quite sure that the lid is secure. It's a metal cage that even I have trouble getting off. - I'd like to adopt a cat from a nearby shelter, mostly because I doubt I'd have the time to properly litter train a cat, coupled with the fact that I don't know How to litter train a cat, which I could see posing an even larger problem. My questions are as follows... Is there anything one needs to do to train an adopted cat, like show them the litter box, leave them in the room with it overnight etc.? I hear a lot about having two cats at the least, so they don't get bored, any thoughts? Is there any benefits to adopting over raising from birth? If one gets an already grown cat declawed, is that especialy cruel, or is that just an opinion thing, because I've heard both sides to that story. There was an incident in this house several years ago where the previous tenant had a bunch of cats who peed all over the place in this little room in the attic, is that going to cause problems, with males especially, or would I need to stick to a female to avoid additional stink. and finally, Is the allergen risk to my dad too high for me to even consider this? Any help that can be provided would be greatly appreciated -dorje |
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Adopting a Cat
I have a dear friend who is DEATHLY allergic to cats and does have a serious
(asthmatic) reaction when seated near someone who has cats--even as far away as the next table in a restaurant. She can never come visit me because of it. She came to visit in a city nearby, and I showered, washed my hair and washed and dried my clothes vigorously (machine) and scrubbed my shoes down, did not touch the cats before I left to go meet her and dressed in the laundry room on the way out of the house. She was fine. I think the playing with a cat at a shelter, then going for a visit is a good idea.... -- ie ride fast, take chances. wrote in message ups.com... Hello, I'm looking to solicit some advice concerning adopting a cat. Here's the situation I am currently in. -I have never owned a cat before in my entire life. We've always had dogs, and I always thought I wouldn't have the patience to walk something every day, I don't think the other tenants in the building would appreciate the barking, and most importantly, I'm allergic to dogs (but not cats, I checked) - I live by myself in a fairly roomy apartment, which is essentially the top floor and attic of an old house, so there would not be any shortage of room. - My dad is deathly allergic to cats, he never does visit anyways, but my concern is when I go to visit them, if any residual allergens may stick to my clothes etc. - I have a terrarium with a reptile in it, although I'm quite sure that the lid is secure. It's a metal cage that even I have trouble getting off. - I'd like to adopt a cat from a nearby shelter, mostly because I doubt I'd have the time to properly litter train a cat, coupled with the fact that I don't know How to litter train a cat, which I could see posing an even larger problem. My questions are as follows... Is there anything one needs to do to train an adopted cat, like show them the litter box, leave them in the room with it overnight etc.? I hear a lot about having two cats at the least, so they don't get bored, any thoughts? Is there any benefits to adopting over raising from birth? If one gets an already grown cat declawed, is that especialy cruel, or is that just an opinion thing, because I've heard both sides to that story. There was an incident in this house several years ago where the previous tenant had a bunch of cats who peed all over the place in this little room in the attic, is that going to cause problems, with males especially, or would I need to stick to a female to avoid additional stink. and finally, Is the allergen risk to my dad too high for me to even consider this? Any help that can be provided would be greatly appreciated -dorje |
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