Potential first time cat owner, has some questions

Hello all,

I'm a first time poster here on the forums. So first I'll just say hello to all fellow cat admirers .

So, I'm heavily debating adopting my first kitten. However, I have some real concerns about doing so and was hoping some of the experienced users of this forum could provide some insight.

First, my biggest fear is having cat hair inundate my life. I can't help but imagine a scenario where I have a job interview and I go to leave my house only to notice my outfit is totally covered in cat fur. Is it possible to have a cat and live "fur free". Or, is it just a matter of limiting the amount of hair as much as possible?

Second, I have a lot of technical equipment in my house (computers, tvs, gaming systems, etc...). With this, comes lots of cords and other devices. I'm worried a curious kitty may get behind my tv or computer and start chewing away. He may not only destroy expensive equipment, but may hurt himself in the process. Is this avoidable or is it another one of those things where it's always possible, you just have to mitigate risk?

Third, I have a concern for my couch. I think I might get really upset if I came home from work to find my couch shredded to bits. Any tips?

Last, I'm worried about litter box smell. I live in a 1000 sq. ft. apartment so it's not exactly the most spacious living area. I'm just wondering if it's possible for me to completely eliminate kitty litter odor if I am forced to put the litter box in a semi-public area.

Sorry for the wall of text. Anxious for your advice.

Oh how exciting!

I've had to tackle a lot of the worries you've addressed so I'll give you my input.

Cat hair on your clothes will most definitely happen. I keep one of those sticky pet hair rollers in my house and I normally go over my self with it right before I walk out the door. I also keep a mini sticky tape roller in my car. So far it has kept me looking hair free when I'm out and about.

We also have a alot of computers, gaming, tv ect type things. Our 3 have all at one point or another squeezed their way behind our set up to investigate. We've stayed firm with our discipline and make them get away from it as soon they start to go back there. With consistently making them get away from it as soon as they start, we've got them trained to know that behind the computers and tv is a no cat zone. Kitten can be pretty tenacious though and it may take some time.

Keeping a scratching post near the couch has saved my couch from intentional scratching. They need to have something to scratch on so it is important to give them something they can go to town on. I had one cat who was going after the couch but then I got her a post that I kept right next to the couch. She left the couch alone after that and always uses her post. I find it helpful to keep a post near something I don't want scratched up. If the post is there, a lot of times they will ignore the couch and go to the post. That has been my experience anyways.

I've got 3 cats in a 980 sq.ft. apartment and we've got the smell under control. Make sure you scoop the boxes everyday and keep the litter fresh. I also put down a pet oder carpet deodorizer that I sprinkle over the carpets in my place before I vacuum as well. It's helped a a lot with keeping the smell away.

Do you have a "safe room" you can put kitty in if you have to leave for a few hours? Like a room with food and water,littler box, kitty toys, a place to sleep and where kitty can't cause too much trouble? I've heard a lot of members on here like to use the bathroom for that. If you have a kitty safe room, you wont have to worry about kitty doing too many naughty things while your away and you'll have less worry about kitty hurting himself.

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. A lot of it was very reassuring.

I think I could probably use a bathroom as a safe room as you suggested. But that brings up a good point. Considering I work full time and can be not home for as long as 8 hours a day.... do you think this would be an issue? When the cat was a baby id be able to come home on lunch breaks to check on it, but id imagine they'd become more independent as time goes on. Am I right?

Yea they do grow out of it and become more independent. I used a safe room till I was sure they knew the rules and would not be tearing things up or getting into things they should not be. Just make sure the kitty has everything they could need while in the safe room and kitten proof the room. No electric cords, medicines or jewelry left on the counters. Stuff like that. Try to look at the room form a small cats perspective and think about what they might get in to or find fun to play with. They can surprise you with their ingenuity.

If you're worried about the kitty being lonely while you are at work there is the option of adopting two kittens around the same age and raising them together.

Hola y bienvenido a TCS, ...Catulina

Milky

:te saludan!!!........

(Translate: Hi and Welcome to TCS, Catulina ,Milky say hello to you!!!... )

Please feel as you home here, we can learn so much and deep about out kittys in this marvelous site, I just only please ask you read the rules and other stuffs that can help you to feel as you Real home!.. here you have the link my friend.
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82565

Please ask whatever you need to know, there are plenty of good members and of course our tireness Mod´s to help us here!....

About your directly questions about Groom of a kitty... firts to all, Thank you for think in adopt a kitty, our world is plenty of kitty without home and we need souls like you full of love to give to those lonely souls in a cage in the shelters... .......there are in the site here a forum called CARE & GROOMING,...I think you should to put this questions and a Expert will going to help you!...

One more time, thank you for think in ADOPT a lonely soul!...





See you on the forums!, Glad you join us!

to the site!! This will be the place to be if you do get a new kitten. All your questions can be answered here on one of our forums.

I, too, keep a pet hair tape roller in almost every room. They work on clothes and furniture, just about everything. I have not had a problem, ever, with my cats chewing cords. I have LOTS of cat toys and LOT of very large scratching (have to sturdy and tall) posts. Spend time each day playing with your kitten using those interactive wand toys. BUT DO NOT leave those toys out. Put them in a secure cabinet when done because kitty could get tangled in the string or eat the string. I always like to get kittens in pairs, because they have eachother to play with when you are not home. But it is not necessary, you just have to play a bit more with your kitten then. Good luck

Welcome aboard!!

It's really great that you're putting so much thought and consideration into what needs to happen prior to bringing a kitty or kitties home! Great job!

I would recommend 2 kittens or an older cat (adult) who may need to be in a one cat only home. I say 2 kittens because the younger they are, the more rambunctious they are and the more interaction and distraction from people they need. They can keep each other company and hopefully entertained and won't become bored and then start chewing on things, destroying furniture, and other not nice behavior. An adult cat on the other hand would probably sleep all day while you're at work and enjoy your company in the morning and evening.

I was kind of thinking an older cat would be good too. You know, one thats out of the wild, annoying, curious kitten stage lol. One that you could leave at home knowing it will probably just lounge around. If you look at shelters, maybe they can match you up with a cat that suits your lifestyle.

A nice, tall scratch post should help your clawing worries.

We have 3 cats in our apartment and the smell is minimal...however we do have an abundance of fur. A good deshedding tool, such as the furminator will reduce much of the fur, followed by a wipe with a damp cloth to get any missed, loose hairs.

If you do laundry and vacuum often, it shouldn't be too bad at all. I too am glad you're considering everything before getting a cat. There are too many people who bring them home then want to get rid of them shortly after.

Oh! And welcome to the forum. Hope you find all the information you need.

Welcome, and bless you for thinking about how adding a kitten or cat to your life might change it - and how far you're willing to change. Reading a book like Cats or Kittens for Dummies will give you a start on life with felines - and may answers questions you don't even know you have right now.

I adopted my cats about four years ago now - and looking back, don't know why I waited so long! First, you mention the size of your apartment. Please make sure your lease allows for pets...a reputable agency will ask to see your lease or condo by-laws as you apply. But, that said, I have two cats in a 880, two bedroom, two bathroom condo and it's fine. I too worried about smell. But modern litter and scooping twice a day helps with that. I change out the litter completely about once a month.

Cat hair? Frequent brushing or combing, which you and your cat may really come to enjoy as a bonding time, helps with that...and tape or sticky rollers help make sure you leave the house hair free.

I adopted a slightly older cat (3 years old) because I had no experience with pets, and was, truthfully, nervous about raising kittens as I also work away from home. I then added another three year old to keep the first one company. What I found was that these kitties were young enough to be playful, and maybe mature enough to not swing on the chandeliers (although I've found both of them on top of the fridge). They also seem very happy to have a forever home - they greet me at the door when I arrive home, follow me from room to room, and sleep with me.

One thing you will find yourself doing is baby-proofing your home and being very neat. You won't want to leave cables out in enticing areas, and you will find yourself making sure string, rubberbands, floss, certain toys, etc are put strictly away behind closed doors. Kittens especially like to taste things. Also, you'll find yourself always keeping the toilet lids down, and checking that no one is in the dryer or washer before turning them on. Yes, it's less carefree than when you're single - but the love may be worth it all to you.

I would suggest, if you decide to move forward, to interview vets in your area...it's always good to bring your baby to the vet immediately on adoption or purchased from a qualified breeder if you go that route - and vets often have lines on available cats/kittens themselves.

Will your life change? Yes - you're taking responsibility for the welfare of another being, perhaps for 15-20 years. Is it rewarding? Yes. Is it right for you, at this moment - only you can know that, but again, bless you for even thinking about it.

You've already gotten great advice and ideas. I just popped in to say my hubby and I live in an RV full time with 8 indoor-only kitties. (We rescue - we adopt out the easy ones. )

We work from home so can give them a lot of attention, but we have oodles of tech in here. Hepa filters and a lot of vacuuming do the trick, because cat hair is inevitable. With one or two cats in a small space, it's not too much of a problem - especially if you do get him/her/them used to a brush (Most cats end up LOVING being brushed!) so you can use a deshedding tool. (We use the Furminator - it is AMAZING).

We do keep a full size roller in the car and use it fairly frequently. But if you don't let the cat(s) in the closet, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Your couch... is it leather? Leather furniture is more attractive to cats. Something about the smell. Just remember that cats love to stretch and scratch when they wake up, so having a number of scratching options near where they like to sleep should do the trick. They definitely need more than just one scratching post. And offering them multiple options in terms of vertical vs. horizontal scratching is also good. (Ours LOVE those cardboard things that lay flat or slope up). It may take a little training, but having a cat definitely does NOT mean ruined furniture. I'm allergic to cats, actually, so we cover the "fabric" furniture with throw blankets. That way they can sleep on it, and when I want to sit on it, I just fold up the throw... and I have a cat-hair free space. Turns out I no longer have to vacuum the furniture - just wash the throws weekly. (Great for having company over - your furniture is ready without a vacuum in a jiffy).

The one thing I haven't seen anyone mention is vertical space. Cats live in a very 3D world, and especially when you're in a somewhat smaller space, having places for them to go "up" - where they're allowed and encouraged to go up - is important. We took out the "dining room" area of the RV and put in cat trees. You can do all kinds of things to create vertical space. Cheap plastic boxes with holes cut out stacked in a pyramid. Cheap (but sturdy) shelving. If you're allowed to put shelves on the walls, stuff like this is really cool: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=201467. But before you bring kitty home... take a look around, and think 3D.

Hello, I'm a newbie here too, but have been a momma to many kitties over the years. This site is great, isn't it? So many people here with the best advice and info! I love it.
Besides all of the awesome practical advice everyone has mentioned, I also believe a huge part of owning a cat is communication. I talk with my pets all of the time...one would be surprised at the words that they learn. Hopefully it doesn't sound bat crazy, it's not like I'm trying to carry on conversations with them. Rather it's building on associations to objects, situations, etc., and it also serves in the discipline arena. We all know that dogs are very adept at learning tricks and commands, but I'm sure most devoted and seasoned cat lovers will agree that our feline friends can learn just as well.
My cat Blondie understands a host of words! For example, he knows which areas around the house that are off limits. I've taught him from when he was a kitten that jumping up on the kitchen counter tops (especially on the stovetop side) is an absolute no-no. Sometimes, he'll have one of those 'cat fits' where he runs around the house at break neck speed, howling and jumping onto and off of furniture. Most every cat does this, I've read it's something related to their hunting/chasing instincts; that they need to expend extra energy that's pent up daily. It's funny to watch! Anyway, Blondie will "test" his boundaries with me by jumping onto an off-limits area. I simply tell him in a firm voice "no" and "get down", and he will listen. Since he knows these words I can use them at anytime for any situation. Besides discipline, he knows that when I say "birdies" it means to go to the window and see if there are any outside to look at! Another good one is when I ask him "do you want some crazy?" He knows that this means it's time for cat nip or valerian root. I've taught him tricks too. When my husband or I say "circus kitty!" he will raise up on his hind legs with his front paws up like a rabbit!
So in all, I'm a huge believer in training cats much the same way as I train my dogs. Sometimes it takes longer than it would for a dog, but it's well worth it. It also strengthens the bond between each other, for I feel that we both are happy that we really can understand one another!

Best of luck to you!
Mitzi

A cat is a great apartment animal. Keep in mind that at our shelter, we have cats that have lived for months in a fairly small cage. Cats are very adaptable, and to them, a 1000 sq.ft. apartment is huge. To them, being locked in a bathroom, for example, is an annoyance but not a catastrophe.

If you haven't had a cat before, advice from the adoption group can be very helpful. If you came into our shelter and expressed an interest in a cat, I would try to find out exactly what you're looking for and introduce you to cats that seemed to match it. Just like people, cats can vary a lot in their personality. Getting a kitten is a crapshoot, but the adult cats are more set in their ways.

Do you wear a lot of black? If so, I would show you black cats. (And since black cats are way over-represented in the euthanasia statistics, adopting one is very likely saving a life.) Do you like cuddlers? Are you getting a cat because you really wanted a low-maintenance dog? We almost always have one or two that match that description, following you around the house like a dog. Do you want a shy cat? A friendly one? We have cats that you don't have enough hands to pet as much as they want. We have others that like a stroke or two, then will go and sit on the other end of the couch.

And just in passing, we almost always have a cat or two that are declawed.