When you consider getting a new cat...

Can I ask what types of things you consider? What goes through your mind when you consider whether you should get another one or not? What are the top few things that really weigh the decision? If you were financially pretty stable, with a large enough house and 1 child who was very good around cats, would you get a 4th cat?

I fell in love with a 7 year old black and white baby at the shelter named Gilligan. I just adored him and hes great with kids and cats. But Im not sure I should go for it. I always have this problem. Each time before I got 1 of my 3 it was this huge battle within myself on what was right and how my family would react (they arent big animal lovers and think the house is gross because of the cats ) So getting another cat would cause more chaos amongst them... but I dont know that it really matters what they think in the long run.

And each time Ive gotten one of my kitties I have been very happy with the decision. The only main thing that keeps me from doing so without much hesitation is the vet thing. Whenever theres worry about 1 of the cats being sick, I worry that all will become sick and leave me with a huge vet bill. And while it wouldnt be financially devastating, I can think of a lot of other things I could use the money for. But considering theyre all basically healthy, I can handle the regular costs of checkups and shots. Food and litter wouldnt cost me much more. Though Id have to get 1 more pan, as 2 is just doing the job now.

Does anyone else go through inner turmoil as they weigh the ups and downs of getting another cat? Ive been wanting another for a few months now but made myself promise to at least wait until after Christmas. So now that thats done... Im making myself NOT get the cat yet. Am I just being ridiculous?

I'm a bad person to ask (cause I'm a sucker for a fuzzy face), but really do think thru new additions long and hard. It took us over 2 months to decide whether to keep our fosters Spanky and Little Oscar. Some of the factors that went into our decision:

1) Is there enough room in your house to handle all the cats? Do they have enough space to escape from each other when they need their own time?

2) What are the ages of your existing cats, how long have you had them and how old is the addition? Cats that are older and have been lone or paired cats might now adapt well to a youngster.

3) Is there harmony in your house today between resident cats? Will that harmony be challenged with the new cat? Are you willing to commit if harmony isn't restored for a long time? Do you know how your alpha cat will react?

4) Will all the cats reach old age, with potential health problems all at once? If you are concerned about vet bills, they will get larger when they reach their golden years.

5) Do you have room for that extra litter box?

6) How will your family react? Everyone has to live with the addition. If there is animosity within your human family, then it just isn't worth it.

7) Do you have enough time to spend with each cat individually?

8) If heavens forbid you lose your job, are you financially stable enough to care for all your cats?

Having a big heart just isn't enough sometimes. I struggle with big-heart disease and my husband is my reality sounding board. He and I always make the decision together.

Good luck with your decision!!

You just want to ask yourself a few questions:

1. Do you have the room to accomodate another cat without inviting an all out cat brawl with your resident cats?


2. Do you have more than enough funds to cover emergency vet bills should they arise?


3. Do you have a safe place where the new cat can hang out away from the other cats until they can be properly introduced?

4. Is your entire family also willing to take on another furry friend?

MamaKat, I know what you mean!! I am on my third cat and I too have gone through inner turmoil. My mother has allergies to cats and I am a 36 year-old adult full-time college student who owns a part-time pet-sitting business. Basically the money I earn goes for gas, car/health insurance, tuition, clothing/personal items, and cat care.

If I had to pay rent to my parents (I live in a very nice apartment in their basement) I would be screwed!! I would have NO money to live on let alone money to pay for cats. Two years ago, I had a string of bad luck with the two cats I had at the time. One had recurring anal gland abscesses which cost alot to fix, and the dusey: anal gland removal surgery at a whopping $450!!! I spent about $1500 on her alone. THEN, my other cat first developed a nasty URI and two weeks after that cleared up, someone tried to harm her and she came home without her Harley-Davidson collar and a severely broken tail that cost $300 to amputate. I must have spent $2K that year on the cats. Luckily, I also have a pretty hefty savings and I am not in debt.

The third cat, I just got this past Nov. (I had to euthanize the broken-tailed cat due to severe aggression and got a replacement 2nd cat). The way I figure is that I still have half the amount I started with in my savings, my parents are STILL not charging me rent, I graduate with my degree in a year, I am running my pet-sitting business to make some extra cash and I might move in with my ex-fiancee if I find a job near where he lives. I feel reasonably secure in my ability to provide for my cats. I will do whatever it takes. If I have to work another job before I graduate, so be it. I made it clear to my parents that I will not give any of my cats up for any reason.

I think you should do what you feel you are capable of handling financially and otherwise. I know I am probably over my limit financially but I have a support system for awhile longer yet. Good luck with your decision and I hope you get the new cat

Originally posted by catlover67

The third cat, I just got this past Nov. (I had to euthanize the broken-tailed cat due to severe aggression and got a replacement 2nd cat)... I made it clear to my parents that I will not give any of my cats up for any reason.

Click to expand...

I really, really tried biting my tongue but my activist blood just wouldn't let me take a pass on this contradiction. Poor Broken-tail could have gone to a no-kill shelter or as a last resort to one of the sanctuaries that take non-adoptable rejects.

Originally posted by MamaKat
I always have this problem. Each time before I got 1 of my 3 it was this huge battle within myself on what was right and how my family would react (they arent big animal lovers and think the house is gross because of the cats

) So getting another cat would cause more chaos amongst them... but I dont know that it really matters what they think in the long run.

Click to expand...

Do these family members that you're talking about live in the house?? If no, then I would say it's none of their beeswax and is entirely up to you. On the other hand... why do they think the HOUSE is gross because of the cats??

No they dont live in my house. They just think cat hair and the occasional scattered litter right outside the box is gross. I dont get it. I live pretty cleanly, and have a cleaning lady come once a month for a major overhaul on everything, so its clean. Theyre just picky people who think animals make everything dirty. This is mostly just my dad, but he really gives me a hard time about it. He is anal about his house He is convinced we are going to die from eating in the house because of cat bacteria I just dont get it!

But anyway, he is the extreme. He doesnt live with me, but comes to visit a few times a month. Same with the rest of my family, only most of them are allergic as well.
I shouldnt let what they think influence me, but it does.
Im still considering the whole thing...

If I could properly care for another cat then I would get it if I wanted to.If none of these family members live with you then it is none of their business.If I listened to some of my family I wouldn't even have one cat in the house let alone 11.LOL.I tell people that I have cats and if they don't like it then they don't have to come to my house.If I know that someone is coming I try to make sure the litter boxes are well cleaned and that there is no litter in the floor.Plus I will NOT put my cats in a different room just because someone don't approve of them being in the house,unless we are eating and they are being a pain.

Anyway,good luck and if you really want this cat and can properly care for it then I say go get it and tell your family that it is none of their business.

My family thinks I'm nuts and particularly my anal-retentive sister wondered why I would live with the hair and litter. Then she got 2 dogs, and she now understands.

Ignore them. Mine eventually decided that I was eccentric and if they wanted me in the family, they had to live with my quirks. The important input is from family members that LIVE with you, not just visit you. If they are allergic, they are already having problems coming over with 3 cats. One more isn't going to hurt them.

btw....I have had allergy friends stay overnight in my house. I close off a bedroom and put an air purifier in there. They don't sneeze when they stay over.

You know what , you need to focus on you and not on your family and lieve your own life . That is just IMO . I think they all have given you enough info on what to think and to consiter if you would get one more cat in your home . Just don't make a desition based on your family . Good luck

"I really, really tried biting my tongue but my activist blood just wouldn't let me take a pass on this contradiction. Poor Broken-tail could have gone to a no-kill shelter or as a last resort to one of the sanctuaries that take non-adoptable rejects."

2Tame, very good, sweet cats often times get PTS at shelters. Who is going to take in a very unpredictible aggressive cat? We live were there are NO "sanctuaries" that take in non-adoptable cats. I wouldn't want her to spend the rest of her days alone in some cage either. That is no life for a cat. Trust me. I SPOIL my cats, give them the absolute best care and love them to death. I couldn't risk this cat attacking a visiting child and wind up with a lawsuit on my hands. Not to mention this cat nearly took my eye out a couple of times. It is possible for a person to be a LOVING, caring, responsible owner who makes a justifible decision that seems wrong in the eyes of everyone else. BTW, the vet and vet technician both reccommended euthanasia as a humane thing to do for this cat.

If it were a dog that repeatedly and unpedictably attacked people, I would be urged to have it PTS. Why are aggressive cats viewed differently?

The main things i would worry about would be....am i financially able to care for this cat
and what it would do to my other cats..
If you have very laid back cats then it probably wouldnt be a problem...
but be aware that your cats may change their affections towards you for awhile when you aquire another...
it may go back to normal or it may not..
as far as your family goes...they dont live there...so it really isnt their bussiness...
I constantly get flack for feeding my cats on the kitchen table...which i do because of the dogs...I wipe it down before we eat with disinfectant...but people still cry about it...
I say go for it if you have the two main things covered...if left up to me i would have lots of cats but unfortunately my hubby says two is enough...

Its a shame too...because they have a beautiful himmy at the humane society right now that iw ould love to have He was found in the snow
Lorien

Originally posted by MamaKat
No they dont live in my house. They just think cat hair and the occasional scattered litter right outside the box is gross. I dont get it. I live pretty cleanly, and have a cleaning lady come once a month for a major overhaul on everything, so its clean. Theyre just picky people who think animals make everything dirty. This is mostly just my dad, but he really gives me a hard time about it. He is anal about his house

He is convinced we are going to die from eating in the house because of cat bacteria

I just dont get it!

But anyway, he is the extreme. He doesnt live with me, but comes to visit a few times a month. Same with the rest of my family, only most of them are allergic as well.
I shouldnt let what they think influence me, but it does.

Im still considering the whole thing...

Click to expand...

Your dad sounds just like my father-in-law. We have lived very near my in-laws for 22 years, and with one exception, when we were without a pet for a few months, he has steadfastly refused to eat in our house, despite the fact that he agrees with my husband that I "clean too much"! So we have backyard barbecues when we want to invite them over, and nobody mentions the fact that the potato salad, coleslaw, etc. are prepared inside the house!