Wanting to get a cat and need information from actual owners.

I prefer kittens as they are fun and moldable and you only get to experience that once.  Kittens should not be adopted before 12 weeks of age IMO.   Kittens are more work.

 

Cats will scratch up the place if not trained, not just comforters.  Couches, computer screens, carpets, you name it.   You may not even be allowed to have cats there, as they can potentially cause a lot of damage so check if you need an extra security deposit if its even allowed.   Have your roommates had cats before, and are you sure they aren't allergic?  Are you?   Some cats can be very noisy when you're out, and it may disturb not only your roommates but the neighbors if the walls are as thin as mine were up at UT and end up getting you evicted.

 

Breeds are far less important with cats and there are far fewer purebred cats.   In fact, less than 1% of all cats are actually purebred, whereas with dogs the majority are or you can easily tell which breeds their recent ancestry likely included. 

 

Shorthair shedding will be less obvious.

 

I would recommend a rescue organization if possible even one that was fostered over a local animal control shelter.   The cats get more attention and are presocialized.    Most say "let the cat pick you", which means go for a cat that is outgoing and affectionate if you want a lap cat.   Sometimes the great kitties are just tired because you caught them at naptime though, so take that into account.

 

For a single cat, no there are no reliable differences between males and females.  If getting multiple cats, there is a slight trend for male+male or male+female pairs to get along better than female+female.

 

Personally though, I would recommend you not adopt a cat in your present situation.

 

Having a cat is pretty much the same as having a child and they absolutely hate change, and in college your life is in too much flux.  

 

You're not in a permanent residence yet, people around you will change a lot, most end up having loud parties with strangers (at least we did) and that scares the bejesus out of most cats, you may switch schools and will graduate soon enough hopefully and likely move again to find a job, and there's just going to be a lot going on and in the later years of college at least for me it became to stressful I'd end up neglecting the cats.   I would strongly advise waiting until you're more stable and in a more fixed routine.    Only you know your situation, but cats live 15-20yrs, so its a really big commitment, so no need to rush it.  

BTW, if you did really want a pet, as a college student in a shared apartment I think a small outgoing dog would make more sense honestly.    They generally don't care about a fixed routine, moving around, strangers everywhere are just exciting and fun.   Something like a Terrier for example.    I know, probably not the answer one would expect on a cat forum, heh!  

Ah, with any luck, the cat will pick you. Obey this!    :)

Otherwise, the staff can probably recommend you.

 

In a well kept shelter / rescue, they shall be healthy when they leave.

Otherwise?  If you wants to have so few troubles as possible, you do of course pick up a cat who looks healthy.   And let a vet do check up.

But if you are anxious to be helpsome, you CAN do the opposite: ie pick up a cat who does need extra help.

Say, some 3 legged one (oh they manage entirely OK).  Or deaf...   Or  needing medical attention...   They need good homes them too.

 

Ducman gives good advices.  

Most importantly, I tend to second his objections about you having cat now, before your situation is more stabile.  And the risk big you perhaps will change the university or something.  Lots of students cats gets abandoned...   Filthy doing.   Grrr.

So IF you adopt a cat, preferably a rescue, make sure you do have a plan B.  Some relative or friend who can adopt him, or at least, have him at least one year when you are doing this your new course or such...

 

If you cant quarantiee such a plan B, you can perhaps instead volunteer with some nice rescue group or shelter, and do your voluntering with them.  Perhaps even doing some fostering at your place, if your room-mates are quiet and animal friendly people.

Such a fostering is shorter in time. 1-12 month...  The risk for abandoment is practically null, for even if you must leave in a hurry, the rescue group can take the cat back.

 

 

Good luck!

 

ps  Welcome to the TCS-site, and our Forums!

 

I was just recently a college student and I know what it's like to want a pet. I ended up waiting nearly 7 grueling years without getting a cat but I went slightly crazy studying in my last semester and got a cat. Oops! I think it's fine if you want one now IF you can swear that this little guy/girl will be like your child. You would not move to an adult only building if you had a kid...you have to be willing to look hard for a pet friendly place to live. This IMO is the hardest part. No one wants to rent to a pet owner. I still got my cat knowing this and I'm currently in a tenuous situation due to it.

 

I also agree about the allergy thing. Seriously check out the "to give or donate" pet section on Kijiji...99% of the animals there are being let go due to allergies or moving.

 

All that aside...cats are wonderful. They are colourful and full of personality.I can spend hours just watching them do their thing. I decided to go with a cat as my first non-childhood pet and not a kitten. I just didn't have the time to dedicate to helping a kitten develop the way I wanted. I also needed something that was less dependent. Cats are a lot of work and kittens are even more. As StefanZ said...the cat will pick you. Don't go in with too many expectations and try not to force it. I found Loki when we were leaving and I saw him through the glass and said to my bf...that is my cat. I really don't know why it was him, but I've never regretted it. I've been to shelters plenty of times since and have never had that same connection.

 

 

Replace dog with cat

 

***Edit*** Don't forget the vet bills either or the adoption fees. Here it was $175 for the cat adoption (tons of perks!) ~$200 for the first shot and followup shots, $100+ for toys, $100ish/month for food and litter. Loki had a recent health scare $270. Just something to consider (I really thought cats were cheaper lol)

Hi, welcome to TheCatSite,

I see that some of our members have already given you some excellent feedback.

It sounds like you have a loving heart and would thrive having a kitty as a companion.
Until that time is right, as suggested above, maybe you could donate your time at a shelter, they always need volunteers to help.I have a couple of friends who walk dogs at shelter a local and feel a great personal reward for doing so.

Once you are settled, and in a place you feel is your own,
that would be the time to bring a cat into your life....
for it's full life span.

Of course you know your situation best. If you can provide food, vet care, a long term stable environment, a cat in your life would be wonderful. When you and a kitty who needs a loving home, come together. that will be one of the most joyous times of your life.

Hang around our site....
make yourself at home here,
you are welcome here.

Honestly, I had cats throughout my college years without any issues. If you are committed to the animal, you will make it work. 

 

I prefer older cats and in your situation I would definitely recommend going that direction. Older cats are calmer and certainly less destructive. if I were you, I wouldnt hesitate to look at kitties that are 5 or older. And I would go through a rescue group as those kitties are typically fostered and the volunteers can help you find the best fit for you and the kitty. 

 

Good Luck!

Hi and Welcome to the Cate Site! I'm going to move your thread to the Cat Care and grooming forum. You've gotten excellent replies so far and I think you'll get even more there.

Hi and welcome. I certainly think you are being very sensible and researching thoroughly before you decide on a course of action. remember that if you get a kitten you could be responsible for its welfare for up to 20 years, a big chunk of your life at a time when you will be changing in all kinds of ways. So you must be sure you are doing the right thing. Having a back-up is a good idea - I know I had to park my cats several times with my parents when I was young and my circumstances changed ( they took me in too at times!). I think you will get more idea of what it is like to have a catr companion byt reading through the posts here, in all the different forums - the fun, the comfort, the joy but also the expense and the agonising worry and heartache at times. Good luck with what you decide.

Aw, bless your heart! You've already been given excellent information to consider. Just adding some more. In direct answer to your questions:

-I've been told NOT to get a kitten as my first cat. Instead, I should get a cat that is about a year old? Is that true?

Kittens, like babies, are a LOT of work. They're time-consuming. And they are best adopted in pairs, because in the end, they're less work on you as they have each other to play with. Kittens are both a delight and a nightmare. You can always add a pair of kittens if you adopt a one or two year old now, and once you've graduated college, at four or five, your existing cat won't be a Senior, and a couple of kittens might drive him or her nuts, but won't put him or her over the edge.

-I've read that cats and down comforters don't get along... is this true? Umm... depends upon the cat. For us, it's not true. Cats love playing blanket wars with any comforter or blanket, and if you don't want your legs, hands, or feet attacked during the night, it's best not to play that game (though really, it's so darn cute it's kind of irresistable).

-with dogs, breed is very important in terms of personality and behavior... is that true with cats too? If so, are there any breeds I should avoid? No. Different breeds do have different personalities... but most cats are just "domestic short hair" or "domestic long hair," and it's nearly impossible to tell what's in them.

-do any breeds shed less than others? (the less, the better) Not to my knowledge (unless you get a hairless cat). This, in my experience, really depends upon the cat. We have one cat that seems not to shed much at all - another, you touch her, and you have a handful of hair.

-When I go to a rescue or shelter, what should I be looking out for when picking out a cat? (in terms of behavior, disease, etc.) Given you're going to have a number of roommates, you're in college and there'll probably be a lot of people in and out, potentially lots of noise... I would definitely look for a really social cat that loves people. I get Ducman's point about kittens... but with older cats, the people that have fostered them or that shelter them typically have a real good feel for their personalities. With kittens... while you can sometimes get some kind of feel for what their personalities are, it's the difference between adopting a 3-year old and a 12 year-old or a 20-year old (not in terms of maturity, but in terms of knowing what kind of personality you're getting). And I'm pretty sure you'd like to have a cat that doesn't mind people and is outgoing. You don't want a scaredy cat that's going to hide under your bed, or want to when things get a little noisy or busy.

-Also, are there any major differences between males and females? (after being spayed/neutered). Well, just like with people, there are generalities, and there are plenty of exceptions. In my experience, and in seeing the cats of TCS, I'm going to have to say that generally males are more outgoing, more social, and more accepting of new cats if you decide to enlarge the family. Females tend to have a jealous streak and often are more pissy with other cats. That said... there are lots and lots of females that are really social and love other cats. And our Sheldon has a jealous streak a mile long. In the end, you'll see what everyone means about the cat picking you, and I'm not sure you'll have much choice whether the cat that adopts you is a male or female.

*****************************

Lokilove brings up really good points about the cost of a cat. And some shelters and foster networks do ensure the cats they adopt out are healthy, and have been treated for parasites, etc. Others say they do, and then people turn up here wondering how to treat giardia, or coccidia. The realities are that there are so many cats in need of homes, some shelters/foster networks are really busy, often at max capacity, and you just cannot guarantee the health of an animal. What I recommend you do is find the vet you want to use, and whether the cat is "guaranteed" to be healthy or not, you take kitty to the vet, and unless you have the schedule of when what parasite medication was given to the cat you adopt, you assume kitty has internal parasites that need to be treated.

I don't know what your financial situation is, and you obviously don't need to tell us. But some food for thought.... My husband and I rescue, and things got tight for us financially. What we do is make payments whenever we can to the vet - we generally build up a credit balance. You might want to discuss this kind of arrangement with a vet. That way for any emergencies, the money's already there if you need it.

******************************

Pets are a big responsibility. Are you prepared to play nurse if necessary? To clean up pee, poop, and vomit, if need be? Is it going to drive you insane if your cat chews wires, is fascinated with gravity (dumps drinks, for instance - I've already had one laptop ruined and another close call), or scratches the furniture? You going to be able to clip claws?

I am NOT trying to talk you out of adopting a kitty! Just making sure you're sure you're ready. Because as Lokilove points out... pets are for life. When you're a parent, you don't adopt out a child when life changes up on you.....

Please keep us posted! And if/when you do adopt a kitty, remember, we love pictures!

Good luck - and have fun!

The only thing I can add here is about shedding.

Shorthairs and longhairs both shed about the same, however, with longhairs, fur tends to come out in small 'fuzzballs' generally concentrated in the areas the cat tends to spend the most time.

Short haired cats' hairs come out individually, hence, not as noticable, but more widespread.

Long haired cats do require more grooming than short haired though, so really, it's just a matter of preference.

 

I would not deal with getting a kitten unless you plan on adopting a pair of them so that they will keep each other occupied instead of being terrors ;)

A lot of shelters only adopt kittens out in pairs or to homes that already have a cat.

Male or female doesn't much matter, generally males tend to be more of the love bug type, but my girls are pretty intense about wanting to be loved on.

I think this depends more on early socialization.

I got another though.  You plan to take in one (perhaps even two?) from a rescue.  Nice and good.

 

You will also live with "room-mates".  Thus, unless they are really quiet, there will not be much stillness. and rest for the cat.     As already said.

 

Most rescue cats are either fostered semiferales, or long-time homeless after beeing dumped.  And thus - most are more or less shy!

 

They DO become wonderful pets for their owner and usually for a whole family owing them.  But lotsa strangers coming in and out, wild fests, shouts, slamming doors, high music etc etc - nay. No.

Exactly like some already pointed out.

 

So you must have sociale cats,as already said.   How to find them at a rescue? 

Perhaps cats where owners died.  If the owner was old and alone - it should be a young cat...   And freshly dumped cats but found and rescued.  They had hopefully didnt learned yet the best way to survive as homeless is to be shy.

They perhaps got rescued because they did seek actively to come inside, to be rescued.

 

A big group are cats who simply do seek a new home. Not even abandoned, but where the owner do advertizes after a new home. Or asked this shelter to help her.

Say, one of the childrens got allergic, and the family doc ordered they send the cat away...  SUCH a cat could be a hot candidate for you!

 

The staff will suggest you. Or the cat will choose you.  But good you shall have an idea what to look after.

 

Good luck!

Edited by StefanZ - 12/15/11 at 4:09pm

 

Check with your roommates and make sure that no one has allergies. If they don't know, take them with you to visit a few cats. I would also suggest having the cat's litter, food/water in your room and not to put that burden on your roommates. Really think it through - if your course load is heavy, think about whether you will have time for the cat and if things are going to get busier with your schedule as your program progresses. Really think about the financial side of things too - do you have a job now or are you living off of student loans? If you're on student loans, I would suggest you reconsider. There is no guarantee of a job right out of college/university anymore and what would happen if you couldn't/didn't get a job and couldn't afford your cat anymore? It's extremely difficult to get a cat into a rescue/shelter that is not a kill shelter, and it's still hard to get them into kill shelters. Rehoming a cat yourself is also incredibly difficult - just take a look on Kijiji or Craigslist and see how many people are giving up their pets. Cats seem cheap until something comes up, vet bills can be huge. What kind of food are you going to feed it? Your cat will survive on cheap food, many of them do just fine, but in the long run they may end up costing you more in the long run. Do you have the budget for a food that is not a grocery store brand? 

Here is a break down of the costs of pet ownership in the first year from the ASPCA. These are for 1 medium sized dog or 1 cat. I believe some of these are higher than they say, I'll put my comments beside in red. 

 

 

One Time Expenses

Spaying or Neutering: Dog: $200 / Cat: $145
Initial Medical Exam: Dog: $70 / Cat: $13 Depending on your vet and your area, this can be a lot more. Just to see a vet here it's at least $60, anything else is more. 
Collar or Leash: Dog: $30 / Cat: $10 Include tags in this and it's about $10 more, add a microchip and you're looking at another ~$50 plus exam fee for the vet
Litter Box: Cat: $25 Basic litterboxes can be as low as $2, more expensive ones can go up into the hundreds.
Scratching Post: Cat: $15 This would be your most basic scratching post, a tree will likely cost you around $100 or up. 
Crate: Dog: $95
Carrying Crate: Dog: $60 / Cat: $40
Training: Dog: $110
Total One Time Costs: Dog: $565 / Cat: $365

Annual Expenses

Food: Dog: $120/ Cat: $145 I find this to be very low. My cat's dry food is $20/bag that lasts about 2 months, wet food is $3 for the large cans. Assuming I buy 5 cans a month (I don't know how many I go through), that's ~$25 month for food alone, which is ~$300 a year, and I'm pretty sure I'm underestimating how much wet food I feed. I spend roughly $50/month on all my pets food, which is about $600 a year. Just something to consider. 
Annual Medical Exams: Dog: $235 / Cat: $130 This would be if your cat only has to go in for shots and an exam once a year - most go in more than that. 
Litter: Cat: $200 
Toys and Treats: Dog: $55 / Cat: $25
License: Dog: $15 Most places also require cat licenses. Where I live, cat license are around $20 for a neutered cat. 
Health Insurance: Dog: $225 / Cat: $175
Miscellaneous: Dog: $45 / Cat: $30
Total Annual Costs: Dog: $695 / Cat: $705

 

 

Something else to add to expenses is flea meds.  Even if your kitty does not go outside she can get fleas just from you coming in the house.  I get Revolution and get the "quantity" discount.

 

There are many programs to help with spay/neutering so I don't think that figure is accurate.  Most cats that are adopted are fixed before coming home or you get a voucher.  Many places also offer microchipping at a discount.

 

Toys can be as cheap as you want.  Mine love to play with the rings off milk containers.  They also love DaBird although replacement birds can get costly at times.