Best Hunter Recommendations

Believe me Rexes are not emotionally ready to leave. They are pretty fragile at a young age. I would never think to adopt a rex kitten at even 10 weeks old. If you raised them, you would know why.

Most rex kittens don't even start eating solid foods till around 6 weeks old! And many of them are nursing up to 12 weeks old; so the breeders won't let them go before 16 weeks. I got a 14 week old rex kitten from a breeder (was supposed to be my first breeding cat). She was under too much stress in the travelling (by car) when delivered to me. I only had her for about a month when she died.

Long story short - she stopped eating and I believe she died of heart problems - didn't know the breeders lines had heart problems till later and it was my fault for not doing an autopsy.

I have a Sphynx. She loves to HUNT! She will battle cry and then kills and eats any bug that happens to get into the home. Flies are her personal favorite. But any insect will make for a lot of fun.
They tend to be on the expensive side though, and definitely inside kitties. But full of energy, antics, and mine lives with three dogs and welcomes new people and dogs into her home like long lost best friends. They require bath time and ear cleaning, sometimes once a week, sometimes can go a bit longer.

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Oci's like more on top of the covers when sleeping with you.

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My 4 would disagree with you on that They all sleep under the covers each night, even on Malika's first night out with the big cats she buried under the covers with them right away.

I don't know much about pure breed cats but I have to add: I feed crickets to my Bearded Dragon and yesterday, one of my cats pulled the plastic bag they were in down from a chair, pulled the bag of crickets out and opened the bag to let them roam free-- so she could chase them all over the house and eat them.

I know you have had a bad experience with non pure breed cats but I must add, there are rescues with plenty of kittens who may need homes. Not all rescues are established adults.

Good luck finding your perfect companion!

Amanda, must be the difference in North and South hemisphere, cause neither Jackie or Charlie will get under the covers. Jackie did at first, but doesn't any more....lol

The Sphynx sounds ultra cool and would be something *I* would want as far as looks goes, but my daughter wants one that "looks like a wild leopard"

The ears -- don't think I want to have to do that. I have a LOT of animals to look after already and, although it would be my daughter's responsibility, I do not want to have to oversee ear cleaning or make sure that it's done.

That's another reason why I want a shorter-haired cat this time, too

Eileen, Mother Of:

1 Lipizzaner horse (hopefully two of them next year. I saw a nice young mare I want)
3 rough coated collies
8 hooded rats (awesome pets!)
9 gerbils (mostly food for . . . )
2 ball pythons

and also helps out on the farm here. There are approx 33 horses and ponies. I only help out here and there as a favour, but that's more than enough for me

One caution - most Oci's are born "hunters" and may want to play with your rats. IMO they have a pretty strong prey drive. You should see my Oci's "kill" any rabbit furred toy.

I'm going to suggest (surprise surprise ) a British Shorthair.
They are known as an easygoing breed that gets well along with kids, dogs etc. They do like human company a lot, but are not clingy or 'in your face' type of cats. The coat doesn't need any extra care, and they are bred in almost all colors and patterns.

My own Brits are also good hunters when it comes to insects. Flies, spiders, ants, anything small that moves and they'll get crazy. One of them makes the 'battle cry'..
It's not an expensive breed, don't know what the prices are in US, but a lot less than here where pet quality will cost you 600€ (approx. $800).

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

One caution - most Oci's are born "hunters" and may want to play with your rats. IMO they have a pretty strong prey drive. You should see my Oci's "kill" any rabbit furred toy.

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We're hoping that they will get along *crosses fingers* at least for a while.

My daughter has had rats as pets for the past 5 years and they do not live very long. Three years is pushing it for a rat and hers generally get to 4+ years of age before they pass away. She looks after them *very* well.

Just this year we had to bury Pluto and Satern, two of her favorite rats. Coal, her most favorite, isn't long for this world, either. She's lost most of her fur off her hind end and she's moving much, much slower now. Sigh. Lots of death for a 12 year old to handle and I can't bear to think of how she will be when Coal passes. After Coal, Little Grey and Two Socks will be the only rats left.

We've already told her that there will be no more rats. She's okay with that, because she's always wanted her own cat.

She is VERY excited about this

Eileen

ETA: the other rats and the gerbils on my list are breeder animals that are kept in a remote section of the house. They're not pets at all and I doubt kitty will come face-to-face with them.

2 of my cats are GREAT bug hunters. I am the ultimate spaz when it comes to bugs and usually end up annoying everyone around me with my fear lol.

Capone and Bonnie take their Bug Hunting very seriously. Capone mostly just kills them, Bonnie will kill and eat her bugs and eat whatever Capone kills. They are rescue cats, both Tuxedos, no specific breed.

Originally Posted by Roan

We're hoping that they will get along *crosses fingers* at least for a while.

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Farley's brother (not my cat)

Yeah Yeah, but I KNOW what he's really thinking.....

"when they least expect it - you guys will be dinner"

What was it they said about Angel Ocicats.......

their halo's are titled from the horns getting in the way

Yep....... And Jackie is the #1 Angel too.

You want your bugs gone in your house? Get a bengal. They never tire of hunting bugs and will spot it way before you do.

You won't find a bug in our house, unless it finds it's way into a room where the cats aren't allowed.

I do think you might have to keep your rats out of harms way, some bengals have a bit higher prey drive due to the small amount of wild blood they all have.

I also think that ALL cats are potential rodent killers. It just takes the right time, right place and the rodent making the wrong move.

My American Wirehairs are both fierce and tireless hunters. They are also very "doglike" and like to be in on the action. They are smart and CUUUUUUUTE, too.

My neighbor has kittens available right now (12 weeks old now, so should soon be ready to go!) PM me for more info.

Cally

Originally Posted by Kai Bengals

You won't find a bug in our house, unless it finds it's way into a room where the cats aren't allowed.
.

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sometimes I find my cat in that room too!

Originally Posted by cococat

sometimes I find my cat in that room too!

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I think we all have at one point or another.

Originally Posted by missymotus

Farley's brother (not my cat)
. . . .

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Awwwwwwwwwww! Those are precious! My daughter loved looking at those and both rats are the same color as Satern, one of hers that recently passed.

Thank you!
Eileen