Getting a cat, but have never had a pet before?

Hi...

Okay, so let me just start from the beginning. I'm a 21 year old female, who just finally got a place of my own, and have always always wanted a cat. My mom has always been allergic (I'm not though) and therefore we have never had any pets even though we all would love to. All the cats in the neighborhood loved me though, so I feel like they were mine sort of xD  

Anyway, I live in a smaller apartment and would love love love to have a little company with me. I suffer from severe anxiety and depression, and I think that getting a cat (or pet) would help me a lot, like it has so many others. I have always felt more calm and generally happy and comforted by cats. But the thing is.... I can't just get a cat. Because I have never cared for one before (who wasn't an outside cat) I don't know how to start. I am fully committed  to having a cat for as long as it lives, so it's not just some impulse thing for me. It has been my dream since I knew they existed. I have had dreams at night where I got a cat. 

But how do I start? What cat do I get? What shots etc should they have?
I was thinking of a Ragdoll breed, because my friend has one, as an indoor cat, and they are very laid back and social. But I don't think I have the money for a pure breed. And there's also a lot of people, who are almost giving their kittens away(mixed race), and I was thinking of doing that. But I don't want the cat to be unhappy being inside. I'm so confused. I want the cat to be happy as well as me. 

I don't know what stuff to get either and what food a kitten would eat. I want to do the best for the cat but I obviously need help. So I hope someone in here can help me with what to do. If I even SHOULD get a cat, even though I want to. I won't get a cat before I know these things since it would be very irresponsible for the poor little kitten.  

Cat-kisses from DinaZ

Hi DinaZ!

I think just the fact that you are asking these questions means you would be a great cat mom.  I too have had depression and anxiety issues in the past but honestly hasn't everyone?? All I know is that I have 3 cats that I cannot imagine my life without.  They bring so much joy and happiness into my house.  I could not love them more if I had birthed them myself! I would say that if you were going to get a cat please look into adopting first.  I know when I adopted mine they had already had their shots and had been spayed.  I look at my kitties and think about how at one time nobody loved or cared about them and it breaks my heart. I mean these are the best cats ever born! How could no one want them??  Now they rule the house..I look forward to going home every day so I can spend time with them. I know you would feel that way too

DinaZ said:

 
Hi...

Okay, so let me just start from the beginning. I'm a 21 year old female, who just finally got a place of my own, and have always always wanted a cat. My mom has always been allergic (I'm not though) and therefore we have never had any pets even though we all would love to. All the cats in the neighborhood loved me though, so I feel like they were mine sort of xD  

Anyway, I live in a smaller apartment and would love love love to have a little company with me. I suffer from severe anxiety and depression, and I think that getting a cat (or pet) would help me a lot, like it has so many others. I have always felt more calm and generally happy and comforted by cats. But the thing is.... I can't just get a cat. Because I have never cared for one before (who wasn't an outside cat) I don't know how to start. I am fully committed  to having a cat for as long as it lives, so it's not just some impulse thing for me. It has been my dream since I knew they existed. I have had dreams at night where I got a cat. 

But how do I start? What cat do I get? What shots etc should they have?
I was thinking of a Ragdoll breed, because my friend has one, as an indoor cat, and they are very laid back and social. But I don't think I have the money for a pure breed. And there's also a lot of people, who are almost giving their kittens away(mixed race), and I was thinking of doing that. But I don't want the cat to be unhappy being inside. I'm so confused. I want the cat to be happy as well as me. 

I don't know what stuff to get either and what food a kitten would eat. I want to do the best for the cat but I obviously need help. So I hope someone in here can help me with what to do. If I even SHOULD get a cat, even though I want to. I won't get a cat before I know these things since it would be very irresponsible for the poor little kitten.  

Cat-kisses from DinaZ

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First of all, please allow me to welcome you to TCS! We are very glad that you are here!! 

Second, I agree 100% with @fearlessbenjamn  - the fact that you want to do everything right tells me that you will be a great cat mom. 

What I would suggest you do first is visit a local shelter or rescue. Most have a website that you can go to that has pictures and bios of the adoptable cats that they have. If one "speaks" to you, go visit. I'd go with a bag of treats but some shelters will give you some while you are meeting a cat. You will not choose your new feline family member, he or she will choose you. That's how cat servitude works! 

I always suggest going to a shelter or rescue first because these cats really need homes. Adopting a cat from a shelter or rescue actually saves TWO lives. The cat you bring home and the cat that the shelter takes in to fill his or her place. Many cats are euthanized simply because of a lack of space. 

You might find that you do find a lookalike to a particular breed in a shelter too. I found a pair of Persian sisters at the Humane Society. Do they have papers? No. Who cares? A blind man could tell that they are Persian but I couldn't care less about that. They are my babies and I love them with every fiber of my being. 

If you do decide to go to a breeder, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do your research and find one that is reputable. You can find lists of recognized and reputable breeders from the Cat Fanciers Association http://secure.cfa.org/Search.aspx  or the International Cat Association http://www.tica.org/find-a-breeder

Please do NOT get a purebred cat from Craigslist. The vast majority of cats listed there are from backyard breeders. These are the feline equivalent of a puppy mill. You will not get papers. The cat could very well be inbred as these people see their cats as breeding machines and do not take their health into consideration. They will let a queen have litter after litter to make money. A reputable breeder knows the breed, cares about their animals health and safety and chooses carefully who mates with who. You will pay more for a kitten but you get what you pay for and the breeder will stand behind the kittens they sell in case, God forbid, anything bad happens. The BYB will not. With them,there will also be no guarantee that the cat will actually be fully what they tell you it is or that it is even healthy. These people need to be stopped not encouraged. A reputable breeder will interview YOU to see if you are worthy of one of their babies and will encourage you to visit while the kitten is still with it's mama. The BYB more than likely not let you visit at all because you would probably not like what you see when you got there. 

Cats are magnificent friends and companions and are especially fantastic for anyone suffering from depression. I adopted my 2 girls not long after my DH passed away. My dog was a daddy's girl and she was terribly depressed. When she met the girls for the first time, she had a grin on her face that I thought might break it. Their silly playfulness and loving presence brought much light into a dark place- for her and for me. While you are searching, please do not count out an adult or even a senior cat. I found my Henry at a local no kill shelter after seeing his picture on the website- I was not looking to get another one (famous last words of a cat person  ). I saw on his bio that he had been there for 6 years (which turned out to be 8 in reality), I had to go meet him and get him out of there. He is a wonderful boy and fit in with the girls, the dog and us like he has been with us forever. I think that the adults and seniors know that they are being given a second chance at love, friendship and family and they appreciate it just a little more than their younger counterparts. 

Good luck in your search. We are here to help you with any advice you need. When you do find your new family member, please post LOTS of pictures!! 

You will know when you meet the right cat. He or she will let you know. 

Kat0121 just gave some of the best advice there is.
I too recommend a shelter cat for your first kitty because they are older and have already developed their personality, so you can find a kitty that best meets the laid back and calm demeanor that you're looking for (not all kittens grow up to be this way).

As far as what to do? Wet food is better over dry, but in my opinion it's good to have dry food out for them to graze on in between two wet food meals a day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon/night). Try and find food with real meat as the first ingrident.
Litter boxes, you need two for every one cat you have. I too live in a small apartment though, and my one litterbox is fine for my one cat, it's just a big box. Get clumping litter, most people on here prefer wheat or corn based litters because they don't have as much dust as clay. What brand you like best though depends on your cat and such.
When you bring the kitty home it would be advisable to keep it in a small room with its litter box, food and water for around a week until it can get used to being in your home. Some cats take right to new homes, other take weeks to get adjusted from shelter life. During the first week, you can go in as much as you want and sit in the floor and bond with your kitty, and you can slowly wean it into the entire apartment as it gets more relaxed.
Play time is very important in bonding and I think toys are always a good investment [emoji]128522[/emoji]
Shots wise, your shelter should give you his current vet records, and you take them to a trusted vet in the area (read online reviews) and the vet will know what to do.
Best wishes on finding your new best friend and we hope to get updates as you go!

I think you would be a good cat mom. It sounds like the ones you have been around so far liked you and you obviously like them.

I would just hang out at the shelter or wherever else you decide to adopt from and play with the cats. After awhile one of them will just click with you. That's kind of what I did before I adopted my current cat Bodhi. I was sitting on the floor 5 or 6 kittens  and when I looked at him he walked over and tried to swat my face.. then he climbed up on my lap and gave me a head butt and started to purr....I though...wow...this cat has attitude...I like that...lol... I would be willing to bet something similar will happen to you. One of the cats will do something that makes you notice them and you'll  think....ok....this cat is really cool.

Cats are amazing little creatures, I seriously cannot imagine my life without a cat in it. I am just a tad bit older than you (23) and I have asthma and kidney disease which can keep me homebound often, but having a cat really does help me on my bad days. Your life will be so enriched with a little feline friend. I suggest going to the shelter there are so many animals just waiting to be loved. Take some time to see some cats, play with them, and let your cat choose you. I adopted my newest kitten from my vets office as they have a rescue; she's spayed, vaccinated & tested for diseases before being able to be adopted. As for what to get every cat is unique the basics for an indoor cat would be litter, litter box, carrier/crate, a bed, a scratching post, treats, quality cat food (wet or dry), and some toys. I use pine pellet litter because it isn't as dusty and it is biodegradable. Make sure you have a great vet to keep your kitty healthy, they can give you advice and help keep your kitty current on all vaccines.

I hope your cat finds you soon!

You should adopt/get a cat
I have aspergers syndrome and since I've adopted my feline friend (Martha) i feel so much calmer and happier.
Good luck

@lovefive  @mommy2torties  @bodester413  @haleyds  @Kat0121  @fearlessbenjamn

Thanks SO much for all your answers! I have been thinking for a few days and looking up shelters. Because you have definitely convinced me to buy a shelter cat. Thing is in my country we don't have many local shelters (at least not in my area), so it's not easy for me to access one or visit regularly, but I'll figure something out.  Otherwise I might have to get one of the kittens from my friends cats. But I rather want to rescue one and also know that they have all the shots etc. I will probably not get a cat before at least 6 months since I need to prepare and save up money, so I can actually afford to take good care of it! I was wondering about one thing though? How small of an apartment is suitable for a cat, because I really do not want the cat to feel smothered or not have enough space. My apartment has one bigger room, a kitchen, a bathroom and a small hall. 

Hi ,
Good for you on your decision in getting a cat, Ive never looked back. Except when martha wakes me up at 4am for fuss lol. I live in a top floor flat with no outdoor access but i have 4 big rooms all of which are hers to explore. She has a bed in each room ,even though she likes sleeling on the carpet and her favourite place is my pantry and because she's nosy ,the window sill. I work 13 hour shifts back to bavk on the weekend but shes absolutely fine on her iwn as she has lots of toys and food and double the cuddles when I get home.
Enjoy your new friend

DinaZ said:

 
@lovefive  @mommy2torties  @bodester413  @haleyds  @Kat0121  @fearlessbenjamn

Thanks SO much for all your answers! I have been thinking for a few days and looking up shelters. Because you have definitely convinced me to buy a shelter cat. Thing is in my country we don't have many local shelters (at least not in my area), so it's not easy for me to access one or visit regularly, but I'll figure something out.  Otherwise I might have to get one of the kittens from my friends cats. But I rather want to rescue one and also know that they have all the shots etc. I will probably not get a cat before at least 6 months since I need to prepare and save up money, so I can actually afford to take good care of it! I was wondering about one thing though? How small of an apartment is suitable for a cat, because I really do not want the cat to feel smothered or not have enough space. My apartment has one bigger room, a kitchen, a bathroom and a small hall. 

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Cats can and do thrive in small apartments. What a lot of people do is provide the cat with vertical space. This can be done with cat trees similar to this one (just an example- there are MANY kinds out there)


Some people put shelving or walkways on the walls that the cat can climb up on. Cats can adjust to smaller living spaces easily. Space is not the most important thing. Your cat will be happy wherever YOU are My cats have lots of room to roam yet they usually stay within certain places within the house. They all have their favorite hiding/napping/relaxing spots. Yours will too. The cat tree that is in the link is one of the ones that my cats have. I put it by a window so they can watch the world go by while they relax. 

I agree with that, Martha has lots of space but she 80% of the time stays in the same favourite places. Cat trees are a great source of entertainment. I got one today for £20 from Home bargains and she loves it.oh yes and she loves climbing up the sgelve and sleeping the middle shelves. [emoji]128580[/emoji]

And just to add on, I noticed that on your post you mentioned about having suffered/ing from depression and anxiety. SNAP ,same here. I had a nervous breakdown a few years ago and I ended up losing the plot somewhat. I don't care who I tell this to,im a very open person with nothing to hide. Anyway I digress, Im ok now but like every human being I do get days when i feel like crap but I work a lot of hours which maybe nice come payday but when youve been on your feet for 10 hours a day at work I do get down. But what keeps me going is my new friend Martha. Its so nice to come to someone that will run up for a cuddle or a stroke and she'll sit by me and purr and you know what? It makes it all worthwhile. Getting martha has helped me so much and I speak from new found experience,getting a cat is the best thing that you can do . I really hope you manage to find your special feline friend and make him/her happy and vice versa. All the very best with whatever you'regoing through and NEVER ever be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. The people on here all seem very nice and they be behind a vomputer screen but at the ripe age of 35 I can tell good decent people from bad. Anyway im of to assemble a cat tree for Martha. Again all the best. Be proud of who you are and trust me ,deep down life is good. [emoji]128512[/emoji][emoji]127775[/emoji]

I lost my significant other and after months of living in the large house by myself, I finally got my three boys. You do not need a lot of money to own and raise your cat. My boys have brought light where there was darkness. There are many who have wonderful cats that are spayed/fixed and ready to go. They are ready to bond with who ever gives them the attention they need. You will be so happy when you and your furry friend spend time together. Best of luck and keep us posted.

dinaz I live in a smallish one bedroom apartment and there is plenty of room for my girl to do whatever she pleases. I agree with others that providing vertical space is a big help. Cat trees are great but my girl loves to nap and hang out on top of the refrigerator (I've made it cozy with a blanket and a box) so vertical space can be made out of all kinds of nooks and crannies. I'm excited for you to find your new forever friend. Like others have already said, a cat will be a wonderful addition to your life [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

lovefive I'm looking forward to seeing a photo of Martha on her new tree!! Don't be surprised if it takes her time to get up on it and use it. Let her explore it in her own time. I remember being so excited when I got my tree for my cat but she did not initially share my excitement [emoji]128580[/emoji]. It took her a day or two to figure out the tree was hers and all the fun places in it to explore. Now, of course, she lives on it it but that was not the case initially. If Martha seems hesitant of it, putting treats on the tree for her to find on her own is a great way to get her to explore the tree.

Martha took to her cat tree straight away which surprised me , she loves perching on the top and gawping out the window .

lovefive said:

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• lovefive
• Jun 24, 2016

Martha took to her cat tree straight away which surprised me , she loves perching on the top and gawping out the window .

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She looks quite at home on her tree [emoji]128571[/emoji]!!! Perfect to put it in front of the window...that will be a favorite spot for her. Thank you for giving her such a lovely home and life [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

Nothing nicer than a furry friend or two or three!

jaxtabby your boys are stunning...the picture of health and happiness. I am more than a little in love [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

OP, like everyone else said, the fact you are asking these types of questions to yourself show that you will be a great cat mom!
I'm so glad you decided to get a cat from a shelter! Best way to go, you can really get a cat that is the perfect personality match for you.

As for what sort of stuff to get ready, I can give you a general list of things for you to think about. You said you might not get one for a few months so you can be fully prepared, but I find at least, it helps to have a list. Even if you aren't coming home with your companion tomorrow, you can slowly work on accumulating the things your furry friend will need. PLUS, you have time, so you can chill, wait for things to go on sale, and get good deals/save money.

To start, some basic things you should get:

- Cat food. Others have said it here, pretty much any wet canned food is better then the best dry food. But  each have pro's and con's and a combo of both wet and dry. Just hop on over and browse a few threads in the Cat Nutrition section... oh boy! Lots of info there. Before you know it, you'll have tons of info on all the different diets.

- Cat Litter

- Litter pan & Scooper

- Cat toys (there's tons of variety available, its great to get different toys to keep your cat active and stimulated, and give them something to do while you're not around or at work).

- a scratching post / cat tree. I think at least one is essential, to provide a place for your cat to do its natural instinct/behavior of clawing/sharpening its nails, and bonus so you don't end up with your couch in shreds hopefully.

- Nail clippers

- cat brush/comb to groom

- a collar and ID tag (hopefully it never happens, but incase your cat gets out of the apartment, you want people to know the animal is loved and how to get it back to you!). Bonus points for microchipping your cat I think. 

Just some stuff I thought of, I'm sure I'm being silly and missing things but I hope it helps!

Hi DinaZ! It's a great sign that you want to start off knowing as much as you can before you even bring your kitty home, so I think you'll make a great cat guardian.

As many have mentioned, a mostly or completely wet diet is best for a kitty. They have low thirst drives, so making sure their food is moist will help keep their kidneys and urinary tract in good working order.

My kitty usually eats raw, except when she randomly decides to stop doing so (little princess!), in which case she eats wet. She gets a handful of dental kibbles between meals, as she is prone to plaque. But her main meals are always high in moisture. There are cat feeding calculators online that give you a recommendation by weight and activity level. You can also ask the shelter staff, or a vet.

Personally, I am preferential to clumping cat litter. It's easier to keep clean, since the waste clumps together. Absorbant cat litter needs changing much more often. Also, my cats have prefered clumping because it tends to be smaller grains. Most cats seem to like smaller grains better than bigger ones.

If you have house plants, be sure to look up if they are safe for cats before you bring kitty home! There are many plants that are safe for humans, but toxic to cats.

Look up nearby vets and reviews for them. Kitty should have a check-up relatively soon after taking them home.

As a first pet, I would suggest you go a shelter and look for a cat with the following characteristics:
- Has lived inside
- Is older than a kitten (1 year and above)
- Has no significant medical or behavioral issues

The good news is, there are TONS of cats like that in shelters! But I'll explain my reasoning for each.

A cat who has always lived indoors will, of course, be easier to keep indoors, without displaying problem behaviors or a longing for their previous lifestyle. That one's fairly straight-forward.

Kittens are very high maitnence. They need to be fed 3 to 5 times a day, they are danger maniacs so you need to think of everything: keeping stuff unplugged, blocking any hole their tiny bodies could get into and get hurt, etc. They need to be litter trained, post trained, etc. A cat who's a teenager or older will be much easier to adapt to. A 1-year-old cat is roughly equivalent to a 16-year-old human, so still fairly high energy, but not quite as insane or naive as a kitten, and not so high maitnence. They'll come accustomed to using a box, and probably also a scratching post. They can be fed morning and evening just fine, if you have a work schedule to consider.

Getting a cat with medical or behavioral issues is a lovely thing to do. But that's jumping in at the deep end, and you could much more easily feel overwhelmed with a cat who has a complex condition requiring frequent vet care, or who needs to be retrained to a litter box after developing an aversion from declawing-related pain, for example.

A cat could, of course, develop a medical condition at any time. But with a teenage-plus kitty who is healthy, you will likely continue to have a healthy cat for a while, allowing you to focus on just getting the basics down.

Also ask the shelter workers about cat personality. Since you seem to be looking for a chilled out cuddler, look for one who meets that description. Spend some time with them. Some cats don't show their best with strangers, or in a multi-animal environment. Pay attention to your gut, and what the shelter workers know about the cat.

A chilled out cuddler is also a great choice for a smaller apartment. With a cat tree and some toys, they should be able to have plenty of fun in your apartment.

Now, getting to know a kitty...

A lot of people think cats are aloof because they don't care about people. Not true! Cats are aloof because they're paranoid, and lots of people don't factor that into the equation when getting to know them, so they stay that way. Unlike dogs, cats are BOTH predators and prey. So they tend to look around with shifty eyes more than dogs do. With gentle introductions, a cat can become just as affectionate as any dog.

Getting to know a cat is a practice in patience and respect. It is likely they'll just hide a lot when you first take them home. It's not because they're not interested in you. It's because they don't yet know if you, and your environment, are safe.

Set them up in a single room to start out with. Don't try to pull them out from their hiding spot. Put their food and litter nearby, and close them in the room for the first couple days to just let them decompress. Hang out in there with them, just talk quietly to them. When they come out, nod their way in recognition with a slow blink (this is a long-distance kiss to a cat), and continue whatever you were doing.

When they come your way, give them a pet, moving slowly so they can always see your hand. Stick to just the head at first, as this is a safe spot on almost all cats. Some cats don't like their backs or bellies stroked so much.

You're telling kitty that you both respect their space, and also that when they come within yours, you only do nice things. Given a bit of time, they will quickly come to bond with you. For some cats that takes only a couple days, and for others it can take weeks.

Good luck on your kitty adventure! Do share pictures if you adopt a lovely fuzzball.