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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / May 2004Two cats is better?
We are considering getting a cat. Will a cat be happier with companionship of 2nd cat. Is there an issue getting two cats? Does it matter if they both male or female or a mix when both are nuetered and spayed? We lost our cat and to have enough cats for everyone in family to share I thought 2 cats would be good. Thank you for any thoughts > We are considering getting a cat. > Will a cat be happier with companionship of 2nd cat. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Thank you for any thoughts Two is ALWAYS better. I've never heard anyone say different. If you get them at the same time, you have an even easier time of it. If you can find it in your heart to adopt two who have always been together and were turned into the shelter it is even a bigger blessing. Karen > > We are considering getting a cat. > > Will a cat be happier with companionship of 2nd cat. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Two is ALWAYS better. I've never heard anyone say different. From the perspective of what the cat likes, while I believe this is often true, I don't think it is universally the case. It depends upon the particular cat involved, especially if you're thinking of adopting adult cats who are not already buddies. When I was looking to adopt last year, I decided I wanted two adult cats. There were cats at the Cat Clinic which the people handling adoptions told me definitely had to be "only cats"; there were also a pairs that were buddies and would only be adopted out together. The two guys I adopted were'nt buddies at the shelter. They tolerate each other and occasionally play, but to be honest even though they are generally very happy, I think if they could have the best of all possible worlds each would probably would like it even better if they were "only cats". IMO, if you want to adopt two or more cats and be *really sure* that they enjoy being with each other, you should adopt adults who are already bonded or adopt them while they are still kittens so that they grow up together. Probably the surest bet is to adopt kittens from the same litter. But in the end, even if you adopt more than one cat and they don't turn out to be best friends, as long as they at least tolerate each other they can have a great life because they have a home where they're loved and cared for. If you get them > at the same time, you have an even easier time of it. If you can find it in > your heart to adopt two who have always been together and were turned into > the shelter it is even a bigger blessing. > > Karen (...) > Two is ALWAYS better. Unless they hate each other. Which can happen. > I've never heard anyone say different. If you get them > at the same time, you have an even easier time of it. If you can find it in > your heart to adopt two who have always been together and were turned into > the shelter it is even a bigger blessing. Adopting two who have always been together is the safest bet. Steve. > We are considering getting a cat. > Will a cat be happier with companionship of 2nd cat. Having lived for years with an only cat, and then later with two, I think so. It is particularly nice when you a are at work, because they have one another for company. I would recommend having things arranged so that each cat has his or her own territory--in my case this is a three-level house, and one has her box and food in the utility room, the other in a third-floor bedroom. This gave them safe space and a middle floor to meet on and get to know one another. Now they are the best of friends. Good luck, it sounds like whatever kitties you get will be very happy. > We are considering getting a cat. > Will a cat be happier with companionship of 2nd cat. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > We lost our cat and to have enough cats for everyone in family to share I > thought 2 cats would be good. I had serial only-cats until a few years ago. Then I had two for a while and now three. It makes *such* a lot of difference to the cats to have a companion. They play, snuggle, groom, chase etc., which is great fun to observe, while still having plenty of affection left over for me. And it's almost no additional work to have greater than one cat rather than just one. Gender mix depends largely on personality, although my limited experience with famales (one, currently my all-time favorite, but a royal bitch to the boys) says go with altered males. ;-) OR if you can adopt two cats who have lived with each other for a while or are litter mates, either of those options is the absolute best. Premium best is two older cats whose human has died or gone into a nursing home. That wins you big stars in your crown in heaven and also guarantees two grateful bonded cats. Priscilla >We are considering getting a cat. >Will a cat be happier with companionship of 2nd cat. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >Thank you for any thoughts I understand the repeated effort to get people to adopt cats already together; I'm all for that. I think the absolute best thing in the whole world is to adopt two kittens at the same time. Doesn't matter much male or female as I'm sure you'll neuter them when they are at the right age. They will love each other, play, etc. You'll have the absolute joy of watching them grow up when they are the most fun and most amusing. They will be companions for life and keep each other company when you are away. Yes, two is awesome for you and them. Yes, a companion cat is frequently, eventually, a really good thing for a cat. It just isn't always peerceived as a good thing by the recipient right away. Generally, said lucky cat who just got a friend will think he/she is being replaced, that tne new cat will either kill them or steal away their home and human, and that they better drive it off right away. They will find it totally maddening that you tolerate, or God forbid, show some affection to the tresspasser. Expect this to be the dominant mood for the first couple of months of coexistence, if you don't get two already-bonded cats. It doesn't mean that you've hopelessly screwed up the introduction or that the cats are permanently incompatible. It's just how most adult cats are. They will end up on reasonably friendly terms, usually around 90 days or so, and maybe even better than that. Just be prepared for the initial negativity and don't get discouraged too quickly..... It's so great that you are able to adopt 2 at the same time because you can either get litter mates or 2 older cats who need to be together. You will not feel guilty leaving one cat alone all day or going on vacation and having a pet sitter come in once or twice a day. Two is as easy as one. Good luck! -- Barb Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time. Yes, two cats are better than one, especially if you work during the day. They will keep eachother company and won't depend on you for attention as much. -- L. > We are considering getting a cat. > Will a cat be happier with companionship of 2nd cat. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Thank you for any thoughts I've been thinking about getting a companion for my cat too as I work all day and I think she's a bit bored. I thought about maybe getting a kitten (my local shelter has just rescued 7) to try to bypass the territory issues that I'm sure my present cat will have with a newcomer. I am working on the assumption that my (adult) cat will not see a kitten as a threat and therefore that they will get along. Is this correct? It was so much simpler when I was young, when the cats just lived in the barn, caught mice and made friends (or enemies) on their own :-) Jeannie > Yes, two cats are better than one, especially if you work during the day. > They will keep eachother company and won't depend on you for attention as [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > > > Thank you for any thoughts We got a kitten about a month ago, and at first, we contemplated getting two because we both work all day. We ended up going for just the one, and she's fine, a very happy kitten. She does crave attention and affection though, but I think that is nice. Why else would you have a cat? Two cats sounds like a good idea, but you have to think about the financial aspect - two courses of vaccinations, two neuters/spays, two lots of food, two different litter trays (cats don't like to share) not to mention watching two kittens all the time you are home, to make sure they aren't getting into any mischief! Mollie is bad enough, and we are both glad we just went for one. > I've been thinking about getting a companion for my cat too as I work all > day and I think she's a bit bored. I thought about maybe getting a kitten [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > > > > > Thank you for any thoughts >Two cats sounds like a good idea, but you have to think about the financial >aspect - two courses of vaccinations, two neuters/spays, two lots of food, >two different litter trays (cats don't like to share) not to mention >watching two kittens all the time you are home, to make sure they aren't >getting into any mischief! Two courses of vaccinations, only for the first year. Most indoor cats never get any other vaccinations. Vaccinations can be gotten cheap, or even free, at some clinics and shelters. Yup, more food, but you will get larger bags and save on bulk buying. I figure it cost me about one dollar extra per day, so that's $365 on the year. Who said kitties don't share the litter box? Mine do. Yup, you will have to clean it more often, and it will cost a bit more each week. Watching to kitties all the time, not to see if they get into mischief, but to enjoy how amusing and fun they can be together. Double the fun. Yes, you are right that two are a bit more responsibility than one. I just gotta tell you that having two is a really great joy to behold. I hope you do it. > We got a kitten about a month ago, and at first, we contemplated getting two > because we both work all day. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > getting into any mischief! Mollie is bad enough, and we are both glad we > just went for one. Well, although I'm sure Mollie is relatively happy, Imagine how happy she would be if you brought her a playmate! What does she do when you guys go to work. She must be dead bored. And yes, when you get back home, she will crave for attention and affection, because she got none during the day. She will want to play with you, because there is nobody else to play with. She will want to be with you, cos there s nobody else's there to be with. Yes, 2 cats mean 2 sets of vaccination. That is extra wot ?35 a year! That's nothing. Those ?35 will get you joy beyond your imagination. Nothing ever made me laugh more then watching my cats chase each other through the house, playfight, climb their cat tree, then settle to lick each other clean. My QT even found her soulcatmate in QT, and two of them were simply inseparable including sleeping together. She grieved for months when he died. But the point is, they were happy together, and their happiness made me happy too. No amount of money can buy happiness. I personally think 2 cats are actually less responsibility. You can just lie back relax and watch them enjoy each other. Everything else is the same: U still fill in the food dishes and clean the litter tray. You just put a touch more food, and change litter more often that;s all. No biggie. And most cats DO share letterbox. Dunno where you got the idea they don't. Finally if you cat proof your home, just like you child proof it if you have a kid, then there is no reason to "watch over them" like a hawk. Yes they will get into mischief but less if they play with each other. I started off with Tiara. My heart broke everytime I went to work and she stayed home alone. She was desperate for a company. we got Shadow. Then QT. Then QT died. Tigger came in. Then Charlie a stray moved himself in. Finally we are currently having a guest Sparkie, who will be my neighbours cat, but will probably be half of the time here. And all I can say is the more the merrier. They all use one food dish, one litter tray, one water bowl. Shadow might be wee bit tense with Charlie and Sparkie and will give them a hiss and even a punch but boyz just look at her as if to say "chill Shadow I didn;t do nothing" and continue doing their own thing. They always have someone to play with , and mostly sleep for hours exhausted. Yeah they do give me some attention on occasion as well :) Especially when hungry he he. So no I am not rich financially, but I smile and laugh everyday with them, and that makes me richer then many people. Do yourself and your cat a favor and get them the little playmate. Gee, Tiara, Shadow, Tiger and Charlie with QT in our hearts I would rather know that we can take care of Mollie properly, without stretching ourselves too far financially. She will be an indoor cat, but she will still have her regular vaccinations, like any other cat! Because, if she ever escaped, we would never forgive ourselves if she picked something up!! Anyone who doesn't keep up regular vaccinations is just irresponsible, whether the cats go out or not. Mollie IS happy, and my Fiance cycles home every lunch hour to spend time with her and feed her. I refuse to believe she is "bored" as she has plenty of toys to play with and places to climb. She sleeps when we aren't around anyway, we can tell she does, as she is full of energy when we return. I do not "watch her like a hawk," I just prefer to know that she isn't eating anything she shouldn't, tying herself up in cables, or getting shut in places she shouldn't. And no matter how much you kitten proof your home (and believe me, we have) they will still find something to cause mischief. You cannot beat the level of enjoyment gained by actually playing with your cat yourself, instead of just sitting back and relaxing, watching someone (or something) do the work for you. It's so nice to know she relies on us for everything, including enjoyment. Plus, our house is not big enough for two cats. We shut her in the kitchen when we are not around, and that is where her little area is, and all her toys, and there is nothing that she can harm herself on. Could you imagine two poor cats shut in a kitchen all day? And there is no way we could let them have the run of the house, because our front door opens straight onto the street, so we'd risk letting them out every time we came home!! OK, so two cats (or more) may suit some people, but one is fine on its own as well. It isn't like Mollie is missing out on everything. Perhaps she benefits more from not having other cats around. At least she doesn't have to fight for attention or share her toys. I will not have someone say that my little cat is only "relatively happy." Who knows whether a cat is happier with another cat for company, or whether they are happier when they are on their own? Or, because of the extra company, can your cats talk?! :o) Oh, and a cat is unhappy about sharing their litter box - Catlopoedia. Good book. Enough said... Jo Damen <Keendrinker2@aol.com> quoth: >Plus, our house is not big enough for two cats. We shut her in the kitchen >when we are not around, and that is where her little area is, and all her >toys, and there is nothing that she can harm herself on. Could you imagine >two poor cats shut in a kitchen all day? And there is no way we could let >them have the run of the house, because our front door opens straight onto >the street, so we'd risk letting them out every time we came home!! You shut your cat in the kitchen when you're not there? Ick. Priscilla What's "Ick" about it?! She is too small to get on the work surfaces (they are cleaned every evening anyway) and we never eat at the table, so there is nothing "Ick" about it!! As explained before, she cannot be allowed to roam through the house all day because the FRONT DOOR OPENS RIGHT ONTO THE STREET. No porch, no second door. If we did that, bye bye Mollie.... > Jo Damen <Keendrinker2@aol.com> quoth: > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Priscilla Jo Damen <Keendrinker2@aol.com> quoth: >What's "Ick" about it?! She is too small to get on the work surfaces (they >are cleaned every evening anyway) and we never eat at the table, so there is >nothing "Ick" about it!! I wonder how the cat feels about being confined that way. >As explained before, she cannot be allowed to roam through the house all day >because the FRONT DOOR OPENS RIGHT ONTO THE STREET. No porch, no second >door. If we did that, bye bye Mollie.... Then you need to figure out a way to reconfigure your entrance or something. Keeping a cat confined to one room when you're not there is mean. Priscilla Well, she seems fine about it! Everyone I know with cats keep them in one room. Please tell me, how would you "reconfigure" a metal door without it not shutting properly? I would prefer my house to be secure so that the cat stays in, than for her to get a tiny bit more fun out of the day! I wonder how all the cats get on in shelters, catteries and the suchlike. You people need to see others circumstances. It isn't like she is shut in there for days at a time, a few hours tops, and overnight. If she was in distress, she would cry, right? And guess what, she doesn't. You should own your cats, not the other way around. > Jo Damen <Keendrinker2@aol.com> quoth: > >What's "Ick" about it?! She is too small to get on the work surfaces (they [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Priscilla Sounds damn boring to me. I know of no cats that are confined to a kitchen for many hours of the day. Even if my cats need to be in the bedroom for a couple of hours if something is going on, there is a big window, toys and two cat trees and a catnapper in the window. I don't know. It sounds very boring for her to me. Karen > Well, she seems fine about it! Everyone I know with cats keep them in one > room. [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > > > Priscilla OK, she has a huge sliding patio door to look out of, and other cats come to visit in the day, a normal window, a scratching post, a carpetted scratching pyramid, 8 balls, countless numbers of toilet rolls, 4 comfy chairs to sleep on, and a comfy bed to sleep in. I wouldn't leave her in there with nothing. What did you take me for?! She's shut in there for 5 hours tops in the day, as my Fiance goes home to play with her at lunchtime. She's also shut in there overnight. Again, she doesn't cry, the only thing that wakes us up is her batting one of her many balls against the door of the kitchen! > Sounds damn boring to me. I know of no cats that are confined to a kitchen > for many hours of the day. Even if my cats need to be in the bedroom for a [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > > > > > > Priscilla WHew. Oh good. Well, you've seen some of the posts in here, haven't you? When you said the place isn't big enough for two cats, I imagined a tiny little windowless kitchen. That kind of kitchen sounds plenty big enough for two. Karen > OK, she has a huge sliding patio door to look out of, and other cats come to > visit in the day, a normal window, a scratching post, a carpetted scratching [quoted text clipped - 58 lines] > > > > > > > > Priscilla Oh well, I wouldn't feel right having two in there. Perhaps once we're married and I am on maternity leave sometime.... :o) I'm quite new, so haven't seen many posts here. Rest assured, Mollie is very well looked after, and VERY spoilt!! > WHew. Oh good. Well, you've seen some of the posts in here, haven't you? > When you said the place isn't big enough for two cats, I imagined a tiny [quoted text clipped - 79 lines] > > > > > > > > > > Priscilla circa Wed, 14 Apr 2004 22:01:52 +0100, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Jo Damen (Keendrinker2@aol.com) said, > She's shut in there for 5 hours tops in the day, as my Fiance goes home to > play with her at lunchtime. She's also shut in there overnight. Then why bother having her at all? Laura  SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. >circa Wed, 14 Apr 2004 22:01:52 +0100, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, >Jo Damen (Keendrinker2@aol.com) said, [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >Laura I so do not understand. I must be missing something. Fix the door, train the cat, whatever, but shutting it up in one room isn't a long-term solution. I do the quarantine thing, shut rescues up in one room when I have to..and I always feel sorry for them. The room also starts to smell funky. It's just not good. Especially a cat alone without a buddy. Sherry > >circa Wed, 14 Apr 2004 22:01:52 +0100, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, > >Jo Damen (Keendrinker2@aol.com) said, > >> She's shut in there for 5 hours tops in the day, as my Fiance goes home to > >> play with her at lunchtime. She's also shut in there overnight. > >> > >Then why bother having her at all? Because we are home all weekend and holidays. Everyone has to work. Are you all telling me you don't have jobs just because you have cats?! Sorry, but we aren't lucky enough to be able to stay at home all the time just to play with kitty, when most of the time, she's sleeping anyway. She is most active in the evening, when we are both home. How do I know this? Well, at weekends, she mostly sleeps through the day (she may wake for a few hours) but then after 5pm, she goes crazy. We are home at this time every working day, ready to play with her and give her all the attention she needs. She has enough to keep her amused during the day and at night. > >Laura > I so do not understand. I must be missing something. Fix the door, train the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Sherry And Sherry, I am not going to risk losing the kitten I love dearly just to try and train her not to go out the door. For all anyone knows she will run off never to be seen again. To me, that is more cruel than her being confined for a few hours each day. Anything could happen to her. Even if she didn't go far, we live on a housing estate with cars going by every so often. What if she darted out and one of them hit her? Even if she wasn't confined to one room when we weren't about, she would only have one other to go in, as our house is a two up, two down job. The kitchen is a fair size for her anyway! Hmm, that's funny, the kitchen doesn't smell "funky" as you put it. It is kept clean, any toilets are removed from her litter tray as soon as they are spotted (this is checked 4 times a day), and the window is open when the weather is nice and we are at home. Wow, it isn't like she is left alone for long periods of time! AND SHE DOESN'T CRY OUT, ANYWHEN. She is pretty happy to be with us or on her own. How do you all know that your cats are happy with other cats? I am not arguing about whose cat is happiest, I'm merely asking a question. I would have thought if she was unhappy she would howl through the night. She has never done this. I did not post a message on here to be attacked by everyone and to be made feel like a "bad kitty mother," I was merely giving my opinion. I thought that was what these boards were for, and not attacking individuals just because they do things differently to you. There is no law to say that if you have cats, you must have two together, is there? Or is that something else I have done wrong? I will enjoy my cat, whoever told me to do that, and will not be made to feel unfit to look after a cat again, just because she is confined to one room when we aren't around. Jesus, it isn't like she is left there for days at a time, and it ISN'T like she is poorly looked after. Thanks all.. > > >circa Wed, 14 Apr 2004 22:01:52 +0100, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, > > >Jo Damen (Keendrinker2@aol.com) said, [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Are you all telling me you don't have jobs just because you have > cats?! Well, most of us just don't keep them in one room only. It is a little strange. > And Sherry, I am not going to risk losing the kitten I love dearly > just to try and train her not to go out the door. This is unclear to me. Why is she going to run out the door? How old is this kitten? It really isn't hard to teach them to stay away. IF you are bringing in groceries or something, then you put her in a room so that she doesn't get out. I still don't understand why she isn't allowed to be out in the rest of the home at night. You have to bear with us. This is simply pretty unusual for the rest of us. It's clear you love this cat, but just not clear what is so disasterous in the rest of the house that she can't be out at least at night when you are sleeping. >For all anyone > knows she will run off never to be seen again. To me, that is more [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > weren't about, she would only have one other to go in, as our house is > a two up, two down job. The kitchen is a fair size for her anyway! A change of scene is a change of scene. Why are you so certain she is going to get out? > Hmm, that's funny, the kitchen doesn't smell "funky" as you put it. > It is kept clean, any toilets are removed from her litter tray as soon [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > no law to say that if you have cats, you must have two together, is > there? Or is that something else I have done wrong? I think we are just trying to understand why the cat is in the kitchen even at night, which then amounts to the majority of the day. It's unusual to us. I don't doubt she sleeps while you are at work. Mine do too. Having the full range of the one bedroom apt. gives them some choice though. People are a little harsh, I agree, but it is not usual to not let kitties have free range. Unless this is a small kitten, then I guess I see more of where you are coming from. Though I would still keep her with me at night then, but maybe you have allergies or something. > I will enjoy my cat, whoever told me to do that, and will not be made > to feel unfit to look after a cat again, just because she is confined > to one room when we aren't around. Jesus, it isn't like she is left > there for days at a time, and it ISN'T like she is poorly looked > after. No, it does sound like you love her. It just sounds like you are a little overprotective possibly. If you could fill in the blanks it would help. Karen >> And Sherry, I am not going to risk losing the kitten I love dearly >> just to try and train her not to go out the door I'm not criticizing you..I just don't understand. I've had cats a long time and I just don't feel that the risk of having one dart out the door warrants keeping them confined to one room so much of the time. I do have a friend who rings the doorbell before she comes in...she says she knows the cat runs under the bed and won't be trying to get out the door if she has an armload of stuff and can't control the situation. But I've never had a cat who is so determined to get outside. Sherry > > >circa Wed, 14 Apr 2004 22:01:52 +0100, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, > > >Jo Damen (Keendrinker2@aol.com) said, [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Are you all telling me you don't have jobs just because you have > cats?! If nobody is home while you are at work, how is she going to get out? My cats have the whole three-story house to hang out in while I am out. Why can't yours? What exactly do you think she is going to do? circa 15 Apr 2004 05:54:56 -0700, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Jo Damen (j.e.damen@dorsetcc.gov.uk) said, > > >> She's shut in there for 5 hours tops in the day, as my Fiance goes home to > > >> play with her at lunchtime. She's also shut in there overnight. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Are you all telling me you don't have jobs just because you have > cats?! No, we're telling you that our cats aren't locked in one room while we're not home. Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. Why on earth would you lock her up in the kitchen all night as well as for half the day? That's 17 out of 24 hours each day. Just train her not to run out the door when you open it up. Has she even tried to do this? Even if she did, she'd most likely run right back in. And how is she going to escape out the door in the middle of the night? Sounds like major overkill to mne. circa Wed, 14 Apr 2004 21:44:16 +0100, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Jo Damen (Keendrinker2@aol.com) said, > Well, she seems fine about it! Everyone I know with cats keep them in one > room. I don't know a single person who does so. Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. <SNIP> I have no intention of arguing with you. It is a good thing that you want to give this kitty a happy home, and I wish you and the kitty many years of joy together. I hope your kitty never accidently gets out, because he will be very much unprepared for what is out there. I think you should do some research on the Internet regarding vaccinations. It is universally accepted that the first series of shots when he is a young kitten are a must. It is not as accepted that he will ever need any others, in particular, if he grows up indoors and away from other animals. Some view repeated yearly boosters and rabies shots as a cash cow for veterinarians. In any event, no more pleading with you to get another cat. Have fun and give each other much love. I'm happy for you and kitty. circa Wed, 14 Apr 2004 20:29:50 +0100, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Jo Damen (Keendrinker2@aol.com) said, > Anyone who doesn't keep up regular vaccinations is just > irresponsible, whether the cats go out or not. Actually, you might want to research vaccination protocols and long- term research on the subject. I'm not saying that cats shouldn't be vaccinated, but there's just something about your phrasing that makes me think you believe in yearly boosters and a full complement of vaccines, and those are both mistakes for indoor cats. Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. circa Wed, 14 Apr 2004 20:29:50 +0100, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Jo Damen (Keendrinker2@aol.com) said, > Oh, and a cat is unhappy about sharing their litter box - Catlopoedia. Good > book. > > Enough said... No, *some* cats are. Some aren't. Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. | circa Wed, 14 Apr 2004 20:29:50 +0100, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, | Jo Damen (Keendrinker2@aol.com) said, |> Oh, and a cat is unhappy about sharing their litter box - Catlopoedia. |> Good book. |> |> Enough said... | No, *some* cats are. Some aren't. Hence the rule of thumb: number of litterboxes = number of cats + 1. > circa Wed, 14 Apr 2004 20:29:50 +0100, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, > Jo Damen (Keendrinker2@aol.com) said, [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > > No, *some* cats are. Some aren't. Yeah, my three share one box with no problems. Priscilla > Anyone who doesn't keep up regular vaccinations is just > irresponsible, whether the cats go out or not. Yeah, I have been quite religious about it for years, although always wondered how come cats need boosters so often, when human's vaccinations dont. Low and behold, lots of articles have been written recently about pet vaccinations (boosters) not being needed as often as it is thought. My vet said the same. People here and other cat groups wrote about it too. So the jury is still oput on this one. In the meantime I booster mine every 15-16 months now, not a year exactly. > Mollie IS happy, and my Fiance cycles home every lunch hour to spend time > with her and feed her. I do believe that she is. Esepcially when you guys are around. I can see from your various posts that you are both making a lot of effort in keeping her happy and safe and occupied, and Millie is a lucky cat to have such devoted humans. Many cats don;t have half of love or things Mollie does, so I know she is happy. We are here just trying to explain why would it be even better if she had feline company. > I refuse to believe she is "bored" as she has plenty > of toys to play with and places to climb. She sleeps when we aren't around > anyway, we can tell she does, as she is full of energy when we return. Cats are hunters. They like to chase things that move. Toys don;t move by themselves. Toys will be interesting to a cat for about 5 minutes. A cat will feel much more loneliness and boredom after it's played with all her toys for the 100th time.You would. She will also sleep more, and eventually probably put on more weight as a consequence of not being active enough. Of course she sleeps when you are not around. There isn;t much else to do. > You cannot beat the level of enjoyment gained by actually playing with your > cat yourself, instead of just sitting back and relaxing, watching someone > (or something) do the work for you. Perhaps. But watching two of them run around like mad, playfight, go bananas..well I cannot discribe you that enjoyment. They are clearly extaticly happy and that makes me happy. They are also funny, so I laugh a lot. So yeah, playing with them myself is great, watching them play is just as. it's not about watching someone "do the work for me". it;s about selflessly enjoying others happiness even when I am not the one creating it. >It's so nice to know she relies on us for everything, including enjoyment. OK this comment I must say is worrying me a little. I am sorry and I don;t want to be mean to you, but this comment makes you appear very selfish. This is probably why you are not having a second cat as well. As a responsible owner, you need to put the needs of your cat first, just like you will one day with your child. Your love for them should only make you want to do things FOR them. Even if that means they can be happy without you. I hope you don;t go all defensive on this statement, I am just trying to point out something you may not have noticed, and knowing now how much you love Millie, it may make you recconsider some of your decisions in the future. > Plus, our house is not big enough for two cats. Even a studio flat is big enough for 2 cats. > We shut her in the kitchen > when we are not around, and that is where her little area is, and all her > toys, and there is nothing that she can harm herself on. Could you imagine > two poor cats shut in a kitchen all day? Yes. Two of them would have fun with each other and forget they are shut anywhere. >And there is no way we could let > them have the run of the house, because our front door opens straight onto > the street, so we'd risk letting them out every time we came home!! I understand why you lock Mollie during the day. I lost QT when he run out on the road and got run over. I wouldn;t wish my 3 year grief and depression over it to anyone. So I think that is the only option you have probably. It will be hard training her to stay away from the door when she is so excited to see you after being alone all day. I dunno if it's possible for you to build a second door either inside or outside the front door, maybe a partition wall or something, like an extra hallway. > I will not have someone say that my little cat is only "relatively happy." > Who knows whether a cat is happier with another cat for company, or whether > they are happier when they are on their own? Mollie being "relatively happy" was not an insult, it still means Mollie is happy, becuase I can see you love her and will do a lot for her, I said it because I know from the experience with mine and other ppl's cats that Mollie could be even happier with a playmate while you are at work or at sleep. It's brilliant that you have provided everything a cat needs such as toys and tree and safe enviroment. All I am tryin to say (watching Charlie and Sparkie run after each other and playfight) is everybody needs a friend, and there are things cats can give to each other that we cannot. Also becuase you lock the cat away alone for long periods of time, day and night, the cat will get lonely and kitten at that age shouldn;t be alone while you ar at home. I understand you need a rest for work, but try not to lock her in the kitchen at night all alone. > can your cats talk?! :o) Of course they can. Just because we don;t speak their language or they English, it doesn;t mean they dont talk! I've learned through the experience lots of their "words" or actions and what they mean. They have learned a lot of mine. I know exactly which sounds mean happy, which mean unhappy, which mean warning or I'll bite. So yeah, you learn with them. > Oh, and a cat is unhappy about sharing their litter box - Catlopoedia. Good > book. > > Enough said... Not at all. Catlopedia you are reading (never heard personally of) is not be all end all. It;s once again just an opinion of 1 or two people. Here you get the opinions of many, all cat owners, all very experienced, all knowledgable on cats snd most importantly all loving cats and wanting to learn about them more everyday.. I have personally leared a helluva lot about why-s and how-s here, on alt.cats and alt.pet.cats. I wish I found the groups earlier, so I wouldn;t let my QT out to get run over. Bad decision I deeply regret to day. The point is, get more then one opinion before you decide. Everybody here is advising on having more then one cat. Perhaps there is a good reason for it. And true, you have your reasons against it, which is perfectly fair, but just think about it. At the end of the day, if you can;t have another cat, you can;t, and maybe one day when you have a bigger place, or more money, you might have a second one. Although I don;t reccomend getting a new cat at the same time as having a baby. Like you said, it's better to look after this one properly. Best wishes to you and Mollie. Gee > > Mollie IS happy, and my Fiance cycles home every lunch hour to spend time > > with her and feed her. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > toys for the 100th time.You would. She will also sleep more, and eventually > probably put on more weight as a consequence of not being active enough. Erm, I think she gets enough exercise when we're around! OK this comment I must say is worrying me a little. I am sorry and I don;t > want to be mean to you, but this comment makes you appear very selfish. This > is probably why you are not having a second cat as well. As a responsible [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > something you may not have noticed, and knowing now how much you love > Millie, it may make you recconsider some of your decisions in the future You've taken this comment completely the wrong way. She is put first, in everything we do, hence the reason why we do shut her away when we aren't around. She is an extremely energetic kitten, and is a vacuum - she will try to eat anything, including cables, rugs, plastic, cardboard, wood etc. I would let her roam the house at night, but there are too many things she can come to harm with. That's why she is confined to the kitchen, as we have completely kitten proofed everything in there, there is nothing that can harm her. She is only 13 weeks old, so she's pretty curious. When she's older, perhaps she WILL be allowed the run of the house at night, but not while she is so curious. > I understand why you lock Mollie during the day. I lost QT when he run out > on the road and got run over. I wouldn;t wish my 3 year grief and depression [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > build a second door either inside or outside the front door, maybe a > partition wall or something, like an extra hallway. There is NO WAY we could build a second door either inside or outside. Builders don't accept shirt buttons as payment ;o) She is on her own for a maximum of 12 hours per day, not 17, as someone has worked out. We do care a lot for her, hence the reason why we are at home for most of the day at the weekends. It breaks my heart to leave her on her own, but I've gotta work!! > At the end of the day, if you can;t have another cat, you can;t, and maybe > one day when you have a bigger place, or more money, you might have a second > one. Although I don;t reccomend getting a new cat at the same time as having > a baby. Like you said, it's better to look after this one properly. Another cat just isn't an option for us, it may be cruel, she may be missing out, and they are not selfish reasons for not having one. You have all made me feel like a very bad person (especially for calling me selfish, for which I will not get defensive for, as, if you knew me you would know that isn't true) but there's nothing I can do about it, except continue giving Mollie the best home we can. All we wanted to do was give a little kitten a good life, and that is what we shall do. All her litter mates went seperately. I want to thank those of you who have understood, and not attacked me for "locking" Mollie away. And I will research vaccinations. > Another cat just isn't an option for us, it may be cruel, she may be missing > out, and they are not selfish reasons for not having one. You have all made [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > I want to thank those of you who have understood, and not attacked me for > "locking" Mollie away. And I will research vaccinations. Jo, I am sure and feel that you are not a bad person. I think everybody here has realised that you really love Mollie and are doing your best to give her a happy home. In fact from all your posts we can see you have made a lot of changes in the house for her, and provided her with the best of everything. We here love cats so much that we do tend to be trigger happy and jump into assumptions and heavy words, even name calling, if we feel someone is not treating the cats right, even a tiny bit. I know your head got bitten off quite a bit, but you have taken the tame and love for Mollie to explain your every point, and knowing your thoughts (and you) and your love for cats a little more now, I can see that you are not doing anything at all wrong. So appologies from my side for calling you selfish, I have clearly misinterpreted your comment. As for locking the cat, come to think of it, all of us who have indoor cats "lock" them in the house anyway. I guess when you first said it, we all just imagined this tiny kitchen with nothing in there for your cat to do. Now that we know you have created a little heaven there for your kitten, adn also cat prooved it, I hope that everyone will agree that you have done a great job, and protecting your kitten from harm in other areas of the flat is of your first concern, which is really how every cat owner should be thinking. I hope that we have not upset you too much and that you will stay in the group and give your input here in the future as well, and help newbies who don;t know much about cats. I satarted off in a similar way and changed quite a few of my opinions here, by reading what others say and think, and getting advice, aslo learning more about cats and why they do what they do. Now I mainly give advice, although occasionally I still run into problems which I have no idea how to solve, so I just ask. Finally wanted to say thank you for "arguing" your points like an adult. We get far too many heads like Bob Brenchley and co, who the second you disagree with him, will call you names, and I don;t mean words like "selfish". That would too far too mild for him to use. He goes all the way. If you stay you'll get to meet him-and killfile him shortly after, we all did. Best wishes to your and Mollie, and don;t let this experience make you feel bad, cos you have prooven us wrong. Idealy we'd all be rich with 7 bedroom houses and big fenced up garden for our cats to roam without getting out. But life is not ideal, so like you said, we all try to do the best we can. At the end of the day, we all love our cats, and really are here for their benefit. Enjoy the kittenhood. It flyies away too quickly :) Gee > Jo, I am sure and feel that you are not a bad person. I think everybody here > has realised that you really love Mollie and are doing your best to give [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > at all wrong. So appologies from my side for calling you selfish, I have > clearly misinterpreted your comment. I'm from the UK, I guess you all do things a little bit differently in the US! > As for locking the cat, come to think of it, all of us who have indoor cats > "lock" them in the house anyway. I guess when you first said it, we all just [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > is of your first concern, which is really how every cat owner should be > thinking. Exactly. There are so many cats and kittens out there who are poorly treated, abused and even killed. So, really, what we do is nothing. > I hope that we have not upset you too much and that you will stay in the > group and give your input here in the future as well, and help newbies who [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Now I mainly give advice, although occasionally I still run into problems > which I have no idea how to solve, so I just ask. I must admit, after these last posts, I was reluctant to stay. I'm no cat expert, and was hoping to be able to post here whenever I had concerns, but I don't want to do that if I am going to be attacked for everything I do!! > Finally wanted to say thank you for "arguing" your points like an adult. We > get far too many heads like Bob Brenchley and co, who the second you [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Gee If I could guarantee that she would come to no harm, she would be allowed to go wherever she wanted!! I'm sorry if I got defensive at any point, but you all really did make me feel very bad. It was frustrating, because there is nothing I can do about the situation. Thank you very much for understanding. If anyone wants to see Mollie, let me know, and I'll email a pic. I'm very proud of my little baby :o) Frankly Jo, I don't think you should have to defend yourself. Everything you do for Mollie seems to be in her best interest. Mollie is lucky to have a friend who cares for her. Cheers! Now about the food you're feeding her... ;-) >> Jo, I am sure and feel that you are not a bad person. I think everybody here >> has realised that you really love Mollie and are doing your best to give [quoted text clipped - 63 lines] >let me know, and I'll email a pic. I'm very proud of my little baby >:o) circa Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:19:49 +0100, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Gee (Gee@canttellya.com) said, > Yeah, I have been quite religious about it for years, although always > wondered how come cats need boosters so often, when human's vaccinations [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > jury is still oput on this one. In the meantime I booster mine every 15-16 > months now, not a year exactly. Cornell's recommendations are based on a twenty- or thirty-*year* study. Rather than paying for the vaccines every 15-16 months, you'd be better off paying to have the cat titered for antibodies and then determining if the vaccinations are actually necessary. You'll probably find that they aren't. Cornell's three-year recommendations were made as the result of a *lot* of research. Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. "Laura R." <UseFirstInitialPlusRobinson@technologist.com> wrote in message > Cornell's recommendations are based on a twenty- or thirty-*year* > study. Rather than paying for the vaccines every 15-16 months, you'd [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Laura Thanks for info Laura. How much do you think titering would cost? Do vets do it anywhere at the moment? Do you happen to have any links where we canread more about this study, or any other study about vaccinations? Gee > Thanks for info Laura. How much do you think titering would cost? Do vets do > it anywhere at the moment? The major analysis laboratories (Antech, etc.) will all do a *vaccine* antibody titer and a *disease* antibody titer for the major bugs. > Do you happen to have any links where we canread more about this study, or > any other study about vaccinations? > > Gee Go to pubmed.com search for "cat vaccination duration immunity" Read abstract after abstract showing antibodies for 3 years and I believe resistance to challenge by street virus after 7 years... -Alison in OH |
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