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One of the many changes I’m making to my life is starting to consider adopting a Kitty. Whilst I’d much prefer a lovely slobbery idiot Doggo, lifestyle and work pressures prevent me being a sufficiently decent Dog Dad.
But, whilst not exactly low maintenance, tiny adorable murderous kitties fit the bill, and my landlord has said I can have one.
Do any Dakkanauts have salient, relevant, sensible, fact based advice on what I need to become a Proper Awesome Cat Dad? Home wise I have a front and rear garden, don’t live on a main road, and can easily have a Catflap installed. I can easily and willingly afford food, toys, equipment and insurance/insurance excess. So it’s more the super fine print of how to ensure my prospective feline minion has a proper happy life that I’m interested in.
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In general pay attention to his things like having high up areas for the cats and structured things like playtimes and the "pay off" after play to end the hunting cycle stuff.
In general a LOT of what he's dealing with are full house cats who are indoors all the time and might only go outside on a harness. So some of the elements might not manifest as bad in cats with company and/or cats with access to the outside where they can do a lot of normal cat things.
Eg a good few of the issues he tackles, we never had when we owned cats because they did have totally free access to the outside. Even to the point where each cat had their own territory (although one cat had decided that her territory was wherever my dad was at the time).
You do want to keep the cat indoors for at least the first few weeks before letting them outside so that they become comfortable with the idea that your home is a safe space and that you are part of their social group and so forth. So some cat amenities and such would help out a lot in reinforcing to your new feline overlord that this is their home and such.
Letting your cat outside or keeping it indoor only/outside with enclosure I'll leave to others. Where we are it was never a consideration to keep them indoors all the time so we never dealt with that thinking; but we've a big garden; a lightly used road and we are a good distance off it. So many risks just weren't a factor for us.
BBC did a great documentary about how cats "work" a few years ago; unfortunately doesn't seem to be available to stream at the moment, but the handy companion book is still available:
One thing I remember them talking about is that when put in a new place cats will immediately go to the most secluded, sheltered, corner they can find and then work their way out from there as they build confidence, so don't be surprised if they immediately disappear as soon as you let them loose in the house!
Cats will scratch; it's instinct and they need to do it to keep their claws under control, so give them a place to do it, or they'll find their own (and I guarantee you won't like their choice!) One mistake people make is getting too small a scratching post, needs to be about as tall as they are long so that they can do the funny back-arching stretch.
There's probably loads of other stuff too, but cats are very individualistic, so you'll just need to learn how your cat works.
Zed wrote: *All statements reflect my opinion at this moment. if some sort of pretty new model gets released (or if I change my mind at random) I reserve the right to jump on any bandwagon at will.
I am looking forward to your forthcoming crossover with HBMC where you build an entire cat sanctuary, climbing frame and high level viewing perch entirely out of Sector Mechanicus terrain. I can wait...
Please excuse any spelling errors. I use a tablet frequently and software keyboards are a pain!
Thankfully I have a box room I don’t really use which I’m happy for Kitty to retreat to, and indeed adopt as it’s Very Own Space permanently as needs be. And it is literally a box room at the moment.
So for the early days, my home is decently suited.
The place Upstairs above my place have a Cat, and I think Up Upstairs also have their own psychotic bird mincer. But half the back garden is mine.
I can only hope they form a cat based 50’s greasers gang between them and terrorise all the small rodents together. Like a serial killer Famous Five.
No it doesn’t matter there won’t be five of them, because Cats can’t count.
Fed up of Scalpers? But still want your Exclusives? Why not join us?
1) Once a cat enters your life, you cease to own things. The cat now owns all, you are simply minding and taking care of the cat's property
2) Cats allowed to roam will draw their own territories and regions that most likely won't correspond to yours.
Also the other cats might not get on with yours, and chances are even if they do in the end there will be a period of friction going on. So making sure that your cat has your home as a safe space is important. Keep an eye on it in case you have to consider things like a magnetic cat flap (opens for your cat on a magnetic collar - won't open for other cats).
I picked up my little void murder machine a couple years ago from a local shelter. She literally spent 3 months and a day hiding from me, coming (mostly) out at night go go catting about the place exploring. I spent my afternoon breaks from WFH just talking to her while she hid under my bed and stared at me. Until she was comfortable, came out, and demanded pettings. Very loving, but huge scaredy cat.
Izzy is a 100% indoor cat. Has shown no interest in escape thankfully. I think cats are 3rd after humans and beavers for animals that will devastate the local environment. Fuzzy little murder machines. Also being allowed outside does really bad things for their life expectancy. Like 1/4 or thereabouts. Something to keep in mind.
You will buy them toys. More then you should. Their favorite will still be a crumpled wad of paper and/or a bottlecap. Even knowing this, you will still buy toys.
I got an automatic feeder and a fountain. In theory this detaches you somewhat from the food chain, so they don’t beg. Still give wet food. Hydration is important.
Cats are like toddlers with a 6” vertical leap. They will get up there. You cannot stop them.
They will scratch. Give them targets. Tinfoil taped to the sofa stopped my kitty from attacking it.
Love the kitty. Pet the kitty. Obey the kitty. Gaze unto the void, and the void will gaze into you. And then demand pettings.
Black cats are the best cats.
Gingers are hilarious, and collectively share one brain cell.
I heard that black cats and lady cats generally have fewer health issues.
If the cat sits on you you are required to stay put until the get up.
If you don’t regularly post pictures, you forfeit your rights to the internet.
I’m probably forgetting a ton of stuff. Good luck.
I as a smelly hooman am not adverse to unannounced visitors. But for hypothetical kitty’s peace of murdeorus mind and secure lair, that’s a definite yes.
For the Catflap installation I’ll ask my landlord to nominate an approved handyman. That way if the installation is wonky it’s not my fault.
As for Cats and property? I’ve read Pratchett. I’m fully aware that Cats used to be worshipped as Gods, and that they’ve not forgotten that.
Also, here’s a pic of the idiot I was sitting, when the delightful creature in the second pic changed my mind on Cats. There’s a story behind the why I won’t bore you with. Just admire the aminals.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Oh, and Kitty *will* be named Bunghole. Because I’m a simpleton with a simpleton’s sense of humour. And on work calls I can legit say “cut it out, Bunghole” without getting into trouble.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2024/01/25 23:27:02
Fed up of Scalpers? But still want your Exclusives? Why not join us?
If you can work the cat into a miniature/hobby related picture, you can post it here. I’ve managed to do that once, but it’s not a very good picture.
Black cats do not photograph well. Any light that hits them is theirs and they are loath to allow any to escape to reach the camera. That said, black cats in sunbeams is my favorite photographic genre.
Nevelon wrote: If you can work the cat into a miniature/hobby related picture, you can post it here. I’ve managed to do that once, but it’s not a very good picture.
Black cats do not photograph well. Any light that hits them is theirs and they are loath to allow any to escape to reach the camera. That said, black cats in sunbeams is my favorite photographic genre.
My primed pile, with special guest.
Spoiler:
Right. I don’t know much. But that Cat is clearly photoshopped in, on account the models aren’t on the floor, and the Cat isn’t taunting you do actually do something about it 🤣🤣
Fed up of Scalpers? But still want your Exclusives? Why not join us?
Nevelon wrote: If you can work the cat into a miniature/hobby related picture, you can post it here. I’ve managed to do that once, but it’s not a very good picture.
Black cats do not photograph well. Any light that hits them is theirs and they are loath to allow any to escape to reach the camera. That said, black cats in sunbeams is my favorite photographic genre.
My primed pile, with special guest.
Spoiler:
Right. I don’t know much. But that Cat is clearly photoshopped in, on account the models aren’t on the floor, and the Cat isn’t taunting you do actually do something about it 🤣🤣
Fair assumption. A few points.
My hobby room is closed at all times unless I am in there . One time when it was left open (by people tending to Izzy while I was out of town) one of the trays was knocked to the floor. Presumably making a huge amount of noise.
Izzy is a giant scaredy cat. Her flight/fight response is set and stuck 100% on “flee for your life”.
Put these together makes for a very cautious kitty. While she does explore my hobby room while I’m working, it’s not really a safe space for her that she’s comfortable in. So she’s not inclined to do disruptive things.
Not that she generally does. She doesn’t scratch/bite/knock stuff over. Pretty sedate reasonable cat. Just enjoys naps, playing about, zoomies, and pettings. But she’s also a full adult cat with an unknown past.
A few things to add on my end. So we have two little kitten cats that we keep indoors because we live near a fairly busy road and people drive like pricks.
I'd keep buys to a minimum to start with, see what the cats interact with in your house and buy stuff that they seem to enjoy. A nice cat tree is a must because all cats like being high up to stare down at all they own. We got a couple of decent ones from Amazon.
Keep their water bowl and food bowls separate as cats don't really like the two together.
Our cat trees have scratching posts attached that they merrily destroy. But we have a couple round the house that stops some rascally behaviour.
I’m genuinely not adverse to adopting. But, as a novice I think a kitten or young cat from a known comfortable background is the best option for both parties. Teach and learn from each other and that. Maybe adopt a second cat after, or later down the line.
Fed up of Scalpers? But still want your Exclusives? Why not join us?
I’m genuinely not adverse to adopting. But, as a novice I think a kitten or young cat from a known comfortable background is the best option for both parties. Teach and learn from each other and that. Maybe adopt a second cat after, or later down the line.
Shelters are full of cats. One of my friends’ daughters works at one. She’s like a cat connoisseur. She knows the cats, their personalities, and how they would fit into different homes and with different people. Check your local; someone can hook you up with the right kitty for you.
And at least around here it’s easy. Friends of mine adopting dogs needed to jump through hoops, prove they had a good space, etc. You want a cat? Just one? Can we interest you in a crazy cat lady starter kit? Bonded pair? 6 pack? You can never have too many…
Don't totally discount shelters as a source for kittens and young cats. Ask around because they will get young cats from good backgrounds that people can't keep/take care of or rehome themselves.
Also on the whole "cats knock things off surfaces" got to admit we never had that with any of our cats over the years. If anything they were insanely delicate around the house. I think in some ways the whole "cat knocks a thing of the shelf" is possibly partly a "I'm bored" and also a "this is my territory I want to define it as mine I'm a bit insecure." King of behaviour at times.
As for the whole "calling my pet a stupid name" remember
One day you will have reason to be running somewhere chasing your pet calling out their name. Or in the case of a cat standing under a tree calling out to them because its raining and wet and they are NOT listening to you
So just remember - the whole neighbourhood will be watching you (possibly in your dressing gown and slippers) standing under a tree in the rain calling out to Buttermunch Fartknocker the 3rd to please come down from the tree. You've got Tuna and its really wet out here and please come down from the tree"
Fully experienced cat expert here. All but one of my cats is still alive (his kidneys stopped functioning).
Hard rules:
1. Evaluate your living situation. Do you live alone? Do you have kids? Is the home empty for long periods? All of this will be relavent to how many cats, and what breed to get .
2. Not all cats are equal. This goes for both the breed, and the individual. Bengal cats, and mixed breeds including Begal DNA are SUPER active, and require tons of attention. Siamese also require more attention, and can be VERY vocal when bored or distressed. Other breeds tend to have certain health issues pop up.
3. Picking your kitty. Don't just walk into a pet store, point, and say "box it up". Get in there and interact with the kitten. You'd be surprised how much you can learn about a cat's attitude in just a few minutes.
4. Long fur vs. short fur. You WILL need to brush your cat. Get used to having hair on your stuff. The only questions are "how much fur" and "is it from shedding or included in a pile of vomit". I love super-fluffy cats, but they have a TON of upkeep. The exception being those descended from Maine [see forum posting rules], who are somewhat less maintenance intensive for their fur length.
5. Litter pans. How ever many you think you need, get another one, and make them king-sized, preferably with either high walls or completely enclosed. It will keep the piles of stray cat litter at a minimum.
Would absolutely second the suggestion to keep your hobby room closed. I didn't, briefly. I mean, what's the worst that could happen, right? Turns out the worst that could happen is that boy cat climbs the 6' Ikea Billy bookcases, and slips down the gap behind the diagonal corner unit. Needed to unbolt the connections to the neighbouring bookcases, clear all the crap off and heave it up off the floor while my wife coaxed the little bugger out. Door now kept shut.
On a more serious note - keep the water bowl somewhere different to the food. Cats are buggers for not drinking enough at the best of times, and supposedly they don't like to drink where they eat. Noticed ours drinking far more once we shifted the water bowl. We now keep a few dotted around.
Also beware of keeping food in front of anything important, as they often instinctively scrabble against the nearest vertical surface to 'bury' their food after eating. We've picked up a few knackered dust jackets on the wife's cookbooks that way!
Cool, so as someone whose entire career is based around caring for other peoples' animals...
Catflap, magnetic or not, is a good call...but do not have it just open into the yard. Look at doing a "catio": an enclosed space, specifically for the cat to use. Don't just settle for a mesh screen or something like that either. You want something that can help protect the animal from a predator while they're just outside enjoying their space. The one kitten I care for has a catflap that lets out into what is effectively a chicken wire & mesh shed with a putting green and foilage in it.
That is something that you'll probably have to discuss with your landlord however and to an extent will depend upon where you were planning on setting up your catflap.
Nevelon wrote:Also being allowed outside does really bad things for their life expectancy. Like 1/4 or thereabouts. Something to keep in mind.
This seems like an incredible difference! Was a bit of a shock to read, as neighbours growing up had outdoor cats that all lived into their teens. I wonder if this varies by country and type of locale. I grew up in rural England, traffic was very low, and we have very few critters than can reasonably threaten a cat, really just foxes and dogs. No wolves, no coyotes, no cougars or bears.
cuda1179 wrote:
4. Long fur vs. short fur. You WILL need to brush your cat. Get used to having hair on your stuff. The only questions are "how much fur" and "is it from shedding or included in a pile of vomit". I love super-fluffy cats, but they have a TON of upkeep. The exception being those descended from Maine [see forum posting rules], who are somewhat less maintenance intensive for their fur length.
My grandmother had a fluffy ragdoll housecat. The amount of fluff to hoover up was intense! Lovely cat though, absolutely no malice and would bat balls back towards you. Looked beautiful too.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Kanluwen wrote: Cool, so as someone whose entire career is based around caring for other peoples' animals...
Catflap, magnetic or not, is a good call...but do not have it just open into the yard. Look at doing a "catio": an enclosed space, specifically for the cat to use. Don't just settle for a mesh screen or something like that either. You want something that can help protect the animal from a predator while they're just outside enjoying their space. The one kitten I care for has a catflap that lets out into what is effectively a chicken wire & mesh shed with a putting green and foilage in it.
That is something that you'll probably have to discuss with your landlord however and to an extent will depend upon where you were planning on setting up your catflap.
I think this is much less of an issue in the UK. In the south east where MDG lives, there are only foxes and dogs. UK foxes very rarely attack cats (they are typically not much bigger under the fluff) and dogs usually lack the agility and rarely get good opportunity in urban areas.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2024/01/26 16:38:53
ChargerIIC wrote: If algae farm paste with a little bit of your grandfather in it isn't Grimdark I don't know what is.
Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios
Well, the only recommendation I have always done is if you get a kitten you should get 2.
Cats can in fact get lonely so having a friend to play with is helpful if you aren't home 100% of the time. And since cats are fairly low maintenance having a second isn't a massive additional investment. If your landlord is ok with you having 2 I would get 2.
Catflaps sound like a good idea. Till your friend brings home little critters in various states of alive/dead and inevitably gets bored of them once they've got them inside. We've always done the manual letting them in/out. Yeah, it can be tedious and they do love to change their minds but it allows for a proper baggage check.
Unless you build a full on cat-io for them, do not expect any fence to hold them. They won't limit themselves to your yard, they will explore further. The key is just that they know where home is. Keep them inside at least till they are close to adult size, and then let them go outside while supervised till they are confident about being outside. Obviously get them microchipped in case they get picked up somewhere.
Oh and don't make them wear bells so they "can't hunt the birds". It won't save the birds and just creates a snagging/choking hazard.
Yes I know those have rude definitions, but for this purpose is mostly funny things to say when your pet is being a pain 🤣🤣
Oh give your pets a proper nice name.
The rude nicknames will come later.
We have a cat named Blair. Her official nickname is Princess Twitface.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2024/01/26 16:57:38
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
Names ending on I have better recognition value seemingly.
Darn i Miss my Cat now....
Also also, considering your hobby, models et all, you will still need to teach the Cat a degree of manners.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2024/01/26 17:07:17
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/766717.page A Mostly Renegades and Heretics blog.
GW:"Space marines got too many options to balance, therefore we decided to legends HH units." Players: "why?!? Now we finally got decent plastic kits and you cut them?" Chaos marines players: "Since when are Daemonengines 30k models and why do i have NO droppods now?" GW" MONEY.... erm i meant TOO MANY OPTIONS (to resell your army to you again by disalowing former units)! Do you want specific tyranid fighiting Primaris? Even a new sabotage lieutnant!" Chaos players: Guess i stop playing or go to HH.
Crispy78 wrote: On a more serious note - keep the water bowl somewhere different to the food. Cats are buggers for not drinking enough at the best of times, and supposedly they don't like to drink where they eat. Noticed ours drinking far more once we shifted the water bowl. We now keep a few dotted around.
Question on this one - how far apart would you suggest between food and drink?
Gamgee on Tau Players wrote:we all kill cats and sell our own families to the devil and eat live puppies.
Kanluwen wrote: This is, emphatically, why I will continue suggesting nuking Guard and starting over again. It's a legacy army that needs to be rebooted with a new focal point.
Confirmation of why no-one should listen to Kanluwen when it comes to the IG - he doesn't want the IG, he want's Kan's New Model Army...
tneva82 wrote: You aren't even trying ty pretend for honest arqument. Open bad faith trolling.
- No reason to keep this here, unless people want to use it for something...
Don't know if there's a hard and fast rule. We've got one water bowl a metre or two away from their food in our kitchen, then another across the other side of the kitchen (got a big open kitchen-diner type setup), then a third bowl on the upstairs landing. They all get drunk from.
Oh, and one of our cats loves to sit in the bathroom sinks and drink from a dripping tap. The other doesn't do this but is fascinated by the bath! If you're having a bath he will always come and check it out, popping up on his hind legs to have a good nose at what's going on...
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2024/01/26 17:36:40
Crispy78 wrote: On a more serious note - keep the water bowl somewhere different to the food. Cats are buggers for not drinking enough at the best of times, and supposedly they don't like to drink where they eat. Noticed ours drinking far more once we shifted the water bowl. We now keep a few dotted around.
Question on this one - how far apart would you suggest between food and drink?
We keep the water bowl in one room and the food bowl in another.
1) Indoor cats have a longer lifespan. I don't think it averages four times longer, but it's noticeable. Outside are various predators, both legged and winged - yes, hawks and owls can and will take cats. Outside are people, some of which hate cats, and others whom like to take things that aren't theirs. Outside are cars, some of which are used by people who hate cats. Outside are other cats, who may decide to beat up your cat. Or worse, share various diseases, some of which are fatal. Also outside are things like bats and skunks, which (among other things) can carry rabies which will also hasten your kitty's trip to cat heaven.
It's just plain safer to keep the cat indoors.
Of course, some cats do not appreciate your concern for your safety....
2) There is an immense disconnect between polite behavior in humans and cats. Among humans, it's considered polite to maintain eye contact and undivided attention. For cats, that' not polite; that's a threat. Two cats maintaining eye contact are five seconds or so from a fight. Polite behavior in cats is to look, give a slow blink, and then look away. This is saying "I see you, I'm not planning to fight you, so I don't need to watch you."
This is why the cat walking into a room full of cat lovers tends to make a beeline for the one cat-hater. The cat-lovers are all staring at the cat, which the cat finds uncomfortable. The cat-hater looks at the cat, and then looks away. The cat interprets this as 'that bunch of vaguely intimidating people, and the one person who actually has manners!' and seeks pets from the one person who is 'polite in cat'.
3) As was mentioned upthread, take some time to get to know the cat before deciding to take it home. Introduce yourself politely (look, blink, look away). It works better if you're sitting rather than standing, it makes you look smaller and less threatening. Dangle a hand where the cat can comfortably get to it for petting, but don't reach for it. Let the cat decide if they want to come to you, or not. And be patient. Some cats are extroverts and come right over. Others are more introverted and will need some time. Just... sit, maybe read a book for five to ten minutes while watching the cat in your peripheral vision. Kitty will make it's own decision if you are the person for them.
4) The general rule for litterboxes is you want, as a bare minimum, one per cat plus one extra.
5) Unless you plan on breeding your cat, spay or neuter. Unspayed females go into heat and make an unholy amount of noise trying to attract a male. Unneutered males tend to spray EVERYTHING to mark it as 'theirs'.
6) Do NOT declaw.
Cat's claws are remarkably hard to eliminate. The only way to do it... is to cut off the entire last joint of the toe.
Look at your hands, at your fingers. Imagine them ending at the last knuckle instead of the fingertip. That's 'declawing'. It's brutal and inhumane; do not do it. If you can't handle a cat clawing at stuff, DO NOT GET A CAT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
But if a cat that likes you has been declawed, don't hold it against them. It wasn't their choice. So if they're compatible, don't be afraid of taking them in. Just... by the gods keep them indoors. All the issues I pointed out in point 1? They're an order of magnitude worse for a cat without claws. They can't defend themselves very effectively, and they are not as nimble as their unmaimed 'full traction control' counterparts.
7) Having said that, furniture with loose-weave fabric will survive a cat's attention far better than leather. If the cat starts clawing at furniture, put double-sided tape where the cat is scratching. It sticks to their paws and they don't like it. Get a nice, large scratching post or three to minimize temptation as well.
8: Cats talk as much with posture and body language as with their voice. Narrow eyes and a tail lashing back and forth show anger. Wide eyes and ears laid back is often fear. Turning sideways and arching the back is trying to be intimidating, making itself look as big as it can.
9) To discourage bad behavior, I've found a hiss works better than any amount of yelling in human. It lets the cat know in it's own 'language' that whatever it's doing, you don't like it. Save it for major issues, like going after your food or making a mess outside the litterbox. As with any other discipline, overuse brings contempt on the cat's part.
10) Likewise, learning to purr to your cat can be very reassuring. Especailly if you can learn to 'pull it down' and get it to reverberate in your chest, instead of all being in your throat.
11) Before adopting a cat, ensure there are plans in place in case something happens to you and you can no longer take care of your cat.
Thankfully in the UK declawing is illegal so it would be exceptionally rare to get declawed cats. If you did, it would be more likely the result of other medical issues that necessitated an operation.
(same as debarking, docking tails and cropping ears)
Oh I’d never de-claw, any more than I’d crop or dock a Doggo.
The only medical stuff would be essential medical. I’m free to modify my meatsuit, because my tattoos are a conscious decision made by myself. Animals can’t consent, so nothing unnecessary ever.
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Also thankfully, we don't have rabies in the UK. Plenty of other hazards, but not that one.
We had a cat when I was growing up and it was pretty much split between Indoor and outdoor. My dad built a little wooden nest thing for him in the back garden. Made it to 16 or so.
Please excuse any spelling errors. I use a tablet frequently and software keyboards are a pain!
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