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Cat Forum / General Topics / September 2005List of what i need for a cat.
Trying to come up with a list of things i need for a cat i'll be getting soon. Let me know if i'm missing anything. Litter box Litter scooper for litter box food (probably try iams heard it's the best) Canned food Brush/comb for cat scratching post (will that help to ensure cat will not scratch furniture up) cat toys food dish most importantly the cat (spade and all shots) Plus the cost of maintaining a cat is next to nothing, plus i can work 40-50 hours a week and not worry about the cat, cause cat will take care of herself just fine whne i'm at work. I bet i can get all my startup for cat, including cat for 100-150 bucks. Then figure 20 bucks a month (less than that even) unless i gotta bring to the vet for something. I am very excited i never thought in a million years i'd find an apartment that would allow me a cat (in fact landlord was excited when i mentioned it because she loves cats too). What a rush! Bryan > Trying to come up with a list of things i need for a cat i'll be getting > soon. Let me know if i'm missing anything. [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Bryan oh yeah can't forget lint brush > Trying to come up with a list of things i need for > a cat i'll be getting soon. Let me know if i'm [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > cat (in fact landlord was excited when i mentioned > it because she loves cats too). What a rush! Sounds like you've got it well planned, Bryan. I can't really think of anything you've left out except, possibly, cat treats. It's nice to be able to give her something to nibble on when you're playing with her. One recommendation is to use either ceramic, pottery, or stainless steel bowls for all food and water. Cats can become allergic to plastic bowls and develop severe cases of cat acne. It's not a pretty sight, and it can be quite painful. By eliminating plastic bowls, you will eliminate the possibility. You may prefer the clumping litter, as it's easier to clean up and it also leaves the litterbox dryer than the regular type. Also, you cat should be given some canned food in the morning and again at night. She should also have dry food available most of the time, especially since you're away during the day time. HTH  SignatureWayne Boatwright *¿* ____________________________________________ My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four, unless there are three other people. : Also, you cat should be given some canned food in the morning and : again at night. She should also have dry food available most of the time, : especially since you're away during the day time. I don't free-feed dry food for many reasons: Canned is better, feeding twice a day is sufficient, some cats can overeat if free-fed and develop health problems later on just like people do. The only time I leave dry food around is if I am going to miss her mealtime by 4-8 hours. Less than 4 hours she can wait; more than 8 I should find someone to feed her. I buy a high quality brand, small size bag so it will remain fresh. I find Friskies (32 cents for a 5.5 oz can, more than enough for one day) to provide best "value" for me. I saw Walmart has its own "premium" brand (27 c for a 3 oz can, compared to 40 c for Fancy Feast), but I am not sure of the quality. Science Diet, Fancy Feast etc are good but expensive. If your cat will eat IAMS, mine doesn't like it, you are in luck because they offer they offer premium quality food in 14 oz economical cans. Cats can be picky, so don't buy a whole case of any kind of food before discovering what she will and will not eat. Individual cans sold at stores such as Petsmart are good for experimenting. Finally, manufacturer's recommened amounts tend to be on the high side. I was feeding 1/2 a can (5.5-6 oz cans) per day and she was beginning to look a tad overweight, so I switched to 1/3. This also leaves room for a spontaneous treat without worries. My cat is indoor-outdoor. If yours will be indoor only, you should learn some ways of "exercising" her everyday. Stll, no matter what you do, she will get less exercise than she needs, so don't make things worse by free-feeding her (leaving food out all day). Have several scratchy rugs available throughout the apartment. Mine loves an old "welcome" doormat the best. :-) Be sure to cat-proof your apartment and lifestyle as much as spossible. They will try to play with, sniff, taste whatever seems interesting. They can get into smallest spaces, they can open cabinet doors. You will have to safeguard all the cleaning chemicals, knives, etc.. Trash cans should be secure too, she might be able to smell old cat-food cans and those edges can be like blades. I started rinsing empty food cans after I caught her trying to lick the lid I had carelessly forgotten at the counter. Basically, you can't leave her for 8 hours in potentially unsafe situations. >: Also, you cat should be given some canned food in the morning and >: again at night. She should also have dry food available most of the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > twice a day is sufficient, some cats can overeat if free-fed and > develop health problems later on just like people do. I don't really free-feed all the dry food they can possibly eat during the course of the day, but since I'm gone on average 12 hours each workday, they are left a measured portion. Since we have five cats, there may or may not be equal consumption of either the canned or dry food. Most cats are not like most dogs who will bolt down everything in sight as soon as it's offered. Of our five cats, only one is slightly overweight, not grossly obese. The other four are of normal weight. We must be doing something right. :-) SignatureWayne Boatwright *¿* ____________________________________________ My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four, unless there are three other people. : I don't really free-feed all the dry food they can possibly eat during the : course of the day, but since I'm gone on average 12 hours each workday, [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] : grossly obese. The other four are of normal weight. We must be doing : something right. :-) You are obviously doing many things right! :-) I am sorry that I misunderstood earlier. It is free-feeding that worries me, but there is nothing sacred about 2 meals, 3 is fine too. If you are leaving a measured portion as one of their meals, that's fine. >: I don't really free-feed all the dry food they can possibly eat during >: the course of the day, but since I'm gone on average 12 hours each [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > nothing sacred about 2 meals, 3 is fine too. If you are leaving a > measured portion as one of their meals, that's fine. My original post might not have been clear on those points. lol! I have my own weight problem to deal with, so I sure don't want to make it a problem for them. :-) For the most part our cats are "nibblers", so tend to manage their own weight to some extent. Even with the portions they get, there is often little bits that they leave. SignatureWayne Boatwright *¿* ____________________________________________ My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four, unless there are three other people. > : Also, you cat should be given some canned food in the morning and > : again at night. She should also have dry food available most of the time, [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > the counter. Basically, you can't leave her for 8 hours in potentially > unsafe situations. The can't my parents have now would not eat Iams. They tried feeding her it because it's such a nutritious cat food but she wouldn't touch it. I'm trying iams when i get my cat, if she don't touch it i'll try the next best thing. > The can't my parents have now would not eat Iams. > They tried feeding her it because it's such a > nutritious cat food but she wouldn't touch it. > I'm trying iams when i get my cat, if she don't > touch it i'll try the next best thing. The oldest two of our five cats wouldn't eat Iams. In fact, they turned up their noses at most of the super premium brands, but finally were willing to eat Fancy Feast. Now that we have five cats, we simply can't afford to feed them food at that price. We tried every popular brand of food, and found that they like 9-Lives the best. We buy only the "chunky" varieties, and they each get half a 7oz. can in the morning and again at night. They seem to be thriving on it. With one cat, Bryan, I would also start with the best. If she won't eat it, you'll need to just keep trying other brands until you hit one she likes. SignatureWayne Boatwright *¿* ____________________________________________ My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four, unless there are three other people. : The oldest two of our five cats wouldn't eat Iams. In fact, they turned up : their noses at most of the super premium brands, but finally were willing to : eat Fancy Feast. Now that we have five cats, we simply can't afford to feed : them food at that price. We tried every popular brand of food, and found : that they like 9-Lives the best... Is 9-Lives that much cheaper than Friskies? The consensus appears to be that Friskies is the best quality among cheaper brands. Another point which you may have already explored is that smaller cans are more expensive per oz (I think of Fancy Feast as one of the worst culprits). You may be able to get the same economy by buying larger 14-oz cans of better brands. With 5 cats you such options are clearly open to you! >: The oldest two of our five cats wouldn't eat Iams. In fact, they >: turned up their noses at most of the super premium brands, but finally [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Is 9-Lives that much cheaper than Friskies? The consensus appears to be > that Friskies is the best quality among cheaper brands. In the stores where I shop there is a negligent price difference between the two, however, none of our cats seems to like the Friskies which we tried first. They would always leave significant portions of the Friskies, but the devour every morsel of the 9-Lives. > Another point which you may have already explored is that smaller cans > are more expensive per oz (I think of Fancy Feast as one of the worst > culprits). You may be able to get the same economy by buying larger > 14-oz cans of better brands. With 5 cats you such options are clearly > open to you! You're right, and I have to admit that I haven't tried the 14-oz cans. I think I'll look into that when I shop next Saturday. Thanks, Kiran. SignatureWayne Boatwright *¿* ____________________________________________ My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four, unless there are three other people. : The can't my parents have now would not eat Iams. : They tried feeding her it because it's such a : nutritious cat food but she wouldn't touch it. : I'm trying iams when i get my cat, if she don't : touch it i'll try the next best thing. Iams is good, but so are Science Diet, Nutro, Fancy Feast, Pro Plan, and a few others. Systematically experiment with meat-type (beef, chicken, tuna, etc) and texture (paste, loaf, chunks-in-gravy...) and you will soon know what is acceptable to her. Best of luck. > Trying to come up with a list of things i need for a cat i'll be getting > soon. Let me know if i'm missing anything. [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Bryan thanks Wayne and Kiran. you both give very wonderful insite on the topic. I am sure to post more in the upcoming weeks it will probably be 3-4 weeks before i actually get my cat. Bryan >> Trying to come up with a list of things i need for a cat i'll be getting >> soon. Let me know if i'm missing anything. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Bryan You're certainly welcome, Bryan. You seem to have a good handle on it, but please do ask further questions you have. Someone here will be sure to have an answer. SignatureWayne Boatwright *¿* ____________________________________________ My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four, unless there are three other people. > Trying to come up with a list of things i need for a cat i'll be getting > soon. Let me know if i'm missing anything. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > apartment that would allow me a cat (in fact landlord was excited when i > mentioned it because she loves cats too). What a rush! kitty treats (like another poster said) dash of catnip on the scratching post (for the first couple days) so he/she's more attracted to it than the furniture. You might consider getting 2 cats instead of one; then they can keep each other company when you're not around. pat >> Trying to come up with a list of things i need for a cat i'll be >> getting soon. Let me know if i'm missing anything. [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > pat And my landlord would probably even alow that. I am moving into a small one bedroom apartment though? >>> Trying to come up with a list of things i need for a cat i'll be >>> getting soon. Let me know if i'm missing anything. [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > And my landlord would probably even alow that. I am moving into a small > one bedroom apartment though? I knew somebody who had 4 cats in a one bedroom... I think that was a little overkill. pat > Trying to come up with a list of things i need for a cat i'll be getting > soon. Let me know if i'm missing anything. [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Bryan I'm starting to realize this is a little more planning then i thought. I wanna do this right, do this perfect, and give the cat a perfect home, and do all the steps necessary to train it too not scratch furniture (or if all possible to stay off leather sofa) Thought i had that covered by declawing. Now i'm convinced not to do it, and there are alternatives, ways to train your cat, clipping nails, and the things you can put over their nails. Two cats wouldn't be a bad idea but i got my work cut out with one cat, and my apartment is small. This may require some thought though. Bryan >> Bryan > I'm starting to realize this is a little more planning then i thought. I [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Bryan You seemed to have it all sorted Bryan, make sure pet insurance is in, and declawing out! Good luck!! : I'm starting to realize this is a little more : planning then i thought. I wanna do this right, [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] : there are alternatives, ways to train your cat, : clipping nails.. Declawing is absolutely inhumane. Think of simpler solutions: how about a sheet/throw on your couch? In the end, pets are family. I can try to influence family members but sometimes they do what they do---the cat scratches, kids write with lipstick, my SO gets absorbed in TV and the meal burns---and they are more important than material things. You have to know that going in. Your home is not a museum. A fully lived life leaves its marks. You shouldn't mind them, treasure them instead. A runner's shoes, a mountaineer's jacket, artist's brush, musician's instrument, camper's tent, none of them look like what they did in the showroom. I often think that if God chose to take away any of my family members, cats or kids or SO!, what would I not give for them come back and make their mess just one more time? Then I look at the mess and everything seems just perfect. I don't invite destruction, of course, but I do happily accept "marks of life". If my friends are at any time more interested in new furniture than me, they should visit a furniture store instead. Later they can stop by and sit on whatever I have. :-) Declawing is out... getting a cat that's already been declawed is an idea. Can't help you with keeping kitty off the furniture, but I've found that sprinkling catnip on the scratching post trains them that that's where the exercise their claws. pat >> Trying to come up with a list of things i need for a cat i'll be >> getting soon. Let me know if i'm missing anything. [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > Bryan > > Bryan > I'm starting to realize this is a little more [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Bryan Whoa. I wish everyone who is considering acquiring a kitten was as conscientious as you are. Good luck. RE: Two cats. Honestly, as long as good health prevails, it's not any more trouble than one cat. Actually, it's less because they occupy each other. There *are* cats who do better as "only cats"--don't play well with others -- but the majority enjoy other feline companionship. Sherry I would buy a little bag of catnip and rub some of it all over the cat's scratching post. I've found if you rub catnip all over it, the cat will understand it is his and will use it. I personally prefer the disposable cardboard scratching pads to the wooden scratching posts. One of those laser pointers is a very good cat toy; cats seem to respond to them and they'll chase the red dot all over the house. Another thing you may want to have is some of that spray on carpet cleaner designed for pets for when the cat throws up or accidently does his business on the carpet. As far as a discipline item, I bought a cheap little plastic squirt gun, and the first time the cat disobeyed my orders and did something bad, I squirted her with it. After that, you'll never have to use the squirt gun again. If the cat is acting bad and won't listen to you, all you have to do is show her the squirt gun and she'll cease and desist the bad behavior and go hide.. >I would buy a little bag of catnip and rub some of it all over the > cat's scratching post. I found that catnip only works at a certain age, when they reach maturity... > >I would buy a little bag of catnip and rub some of it all over the > > cat's scratching post. > > I found that catnip only works at a certain age, when they reach maturity... >>I would buy a little bag of catnip and rub some of it all over the >> cat's scratching post. > > I found that catnip only works at a certain age, when they reach maturity... Mine are from 3 to 13 years old and they all love catnip - fresh and dryed. http://members.aol.com/larrystark/ http://members.aol.com/larrystark/strays.htm >> I found that catnip only works at a certain age, when they reach >> maturity... [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > http://members.aol.com/larrystark/strays.htm Doesnt work on kittens though, must be a sexual maturity thing I suppose Be sure to have a hard carrier on hand - for trips to the vet, travel, and heaven forbid, evacuations. Keep plenty of food and litter on hand at all times - ya just never know. Line up a petsitter asap - > Be sure to have a hard carrier on hand - for trips to the vet, travel, > and heaven forbid, evacuations. Keep plenty of food and litter on hand > at all times - ya just never know. > > Line up a petsitter asap - Another good pointer...don't leave the bowl full of food out at all times. That's how I wound up with a 1 year old that is 40% overwieght! I measure it out now for weightloss and have her chase the laser for exercise. Start out measuring it as directed for her weight. Also, get her a toothbrush and toothpaste! I also use oravet, but your vet has to put on the first dose. Poor oral health can lead to major...MAJOR...problems. Mine actually loves her kitty toothpaste. As for the litter box - get one with a cover (it's like a little igloo). They don't stink nearly as much and they prevent pee on the floor. With a regular tray or box the kitty sometimes doesn't realize that his hind end is hanging over the side. Also if I had to do it over I would look to adopt a adult de-clawed cat (if they were indoor only). I know it's cruel, and I WOULD NEVER DO THAT to a cat, but if it was already done... If your cat has claws get several of those cardboard scratcher boards. They seems to like them a lot. My cats tear them up, along with other things. You will hear that it's possible to train a cat to use a toilet, to not scratch the wrong things, stay off the counter tops, etc. It is my experience over many years of cat ownership and numerous cats that these things are not likely to happen. mort >Trying to come up with a list of things i need for >a cat i'll be getting soon. Let me know if i'm [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > >Bryan > As for the litter box - get one with a cover (it's like a little > igloo). They don't stink nearly as much and they prevent pee on the > floor. With a regular tray or box the kitty sometimes doesn't realize > that his hind end is hanging over the side. I put the cat's litter box in the bathtub, so if the cat does accidently whizz it can be easily cleaned up by running the shower once I remove the cat box. > You will hear that it's possible to train a cat to use a toilet, never tried it though I'm always tempted. > to > not scratch the wrong things, my cats don't scratch the wrong things. > stay off the counter tops, and they stay off the countertops (one cat requires reinforcing every couple months the other 3 are fine). > etc. It is my > experience over many years of cat ownership and numerous cats that > these things are not likely to happen. well, you can't count on it, of course. Pat I agree with rpl-2 cats are good. The one will have a playmate. But, if you can't do that, one is better than none! >Trying to come up with a list of things i need for >a cat i'll be getting soon. Let me know if i'm >missing anything. <snip> That's a pretty complete list, except for shots, spaying or neutering, chipping and occasional boarding, since you seemed so concerned about costs. You shoudl also get more than 1 scratching post - mine has 4 and she uses all of them - it helps keep her from scratching things she shouldn't. Please don't even consider mutilating him or her by declawing your cat. If you're worried about your furniture, wait and see. If you raise it from a young age and take the time to make him or her comfortable, clawing shouldn't be a problem - that's been my experience anyway, When I got my cat, some of the costs were a bit unexpected, although when I compare it to what I spend on myself, it's insignificant. I'm currently waiting to see if boarding costs will be approved on my expense reports. I used to work for a company that did software consulting for Ford Motor Co., and they did NOT cover kennel expenses for a co-worker's dog and he was kind of pissed off about it. If they refuse to cover boarding, that will be one more nail in the coffin for my position there and will probably be the straw that breaks the camel's back as far as incentivizing me to find a better job - not that boarding expenses are breaking me, but on top of all the other BS that I put up with, it could be that straw that breaks the camel's back. ($7 and change per day, compared to $80 or so for my hotel). >Plus the cost of maintaining a cat is next to >nothing, plus i can work 40-50 hours a week and [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >than that even) unless i gotta bring to the vet >for something. You're either pretty hard up for cash or you pay way too much attention to your expenses. >I am very excited i never thought in a million >years i'd find an apartment that would allow me a >cat (in fact landlord was excited when i mentioned >it because she loves cats too). What a rush! Really? My current apt. is the first one I've ever lived in where a dog wasn't allowed. I've lived in way too many and cats were always acceptable. >Bryan |
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