Cats?

[Erbear]

The boyfriend/fiance guy and I are moving with the ladies in february.  We’re going to be moving to a place where they love our buns and we can also have a cat.  My question is….. what kind of care do cats need?

I’ve always had dogs and my parents swear cats are evil.  (they showed dogs for years and my big burly dad is afraid of cats…hilarious!)

I don’t know anything about cats.  So fill me in with any tips you can spare.  We’re planning on getting him a cat for his birthday/earlier.  I just want to be prepared.  I’m sure the ladies will do great with a cat, Josefina has lived with one and Radar will kick its butt if it comes near her.

Annual vet visit?  Declawing, is it necessary?  Litterbox training… how hard is it?  Introducing a cat to the rabbits, how did you do it?

 

By the way… Radar is currently running back and forth through the room doing forward binkies… they kind of look like long jumps.  She’s excited we’re moving.

 

[Aspens mommy]

I have always had cats they are pretty easy to care for and sleep alot. (well my cats do) Vet visits consist of: kittens getting vaccinations every 3 to 4 weeks till they turn 12 weeks old, yearly check ups and vaccinations like rabies, and spay/nueter. They need flea and heartworm prevention just like dogs. ummm…. they are pretty much self sufficiant animals. mine come to me when THEY want to but they are fun too! With the declawing it isnt necessary, its up to you. If they scratch your furniture alot then you might want to , but there are other things to stop the cratching of the furniture to like scratching posts ( sold anywhere). Litter training is so easy! Put a litter box in an quite, less traffic area, show them where it is. Just keep putting them in the box every so often and they learn that thats were they are supposed to go.  I was lucky and when i brought my rabbits home for the first time they and the cats fell in love right away! i have never had a problem. so i dont know about the bonding between the rabbits and cats. I personally think it is easier to introduce cats to bunnies then bunnies to bunnies. Hope some of this helps. Also here is a website about caring for cats. http://www.cfainc.org/caring.html

[PeppersMama]

i have never declawed any cats i own, nor will i. I am pretty sure (not positive!) that declawing a cat is actually amputating their toes off to the first knuckle. Im not positive on this though. but i look at it as, i dont want someone cutting my fingers off to the first knuckle, so i wont do it to them. I am getting a kitten soon so i will keep an eye on this thread, as i havent had a cat for some time thanks!

Edit: Yeah here it is, i grabbed it from the article above. it explains it all

The most common surgical procedure, onychectomy, or “declawing”, is amputation of the claw and the end toe bone joint. The surgery has a reputation for causing pain for a week or more and the possibility of postoperative complications, such as infection, hemorrhage, nail regrowth and altered feeling in the toes for some time after surgery. There is disagreement as to whether declawing leads to behavioral problems in cats. There is concern for the welfare of cats who can not defend themselves or climb to safety if they are able to go outside. A declawed cat will still scratch but without damage to furnishings.

[Lightchick]

I am NOT a cat person. I am also a dog-person, and my parents also swore cats are evil! And then my mother got sick of her ferrets getting awful diseases and dying, and got a crazy killer cat, and turned traitor…if she’d waited a year I could have converted her to a bunny-person!

Anyway…

BF has 2 bunnies, and shares a house with a roommate, who has a cat. The cat’s name (lets see if the BB site edits it!) is Punk-Ass-Kitty-Kitty. Punk-ass is a young cat, and thinks that jumping on things/humans is SO MUCH FUN! BF called me whining yesterday, because Punk-Ass likes to ride on shoulders. Punk-Ass was perched on a ladder (I don’t know why there was a ladder in the living room…I don’t live there!), and BF walked by on his way out the door, and Punk-Ass decided she wanted to be on his shoulder. So she jumped! And missed, and left nasty claw-marks on his neck, which his co-workers then made fun-of and blamed me for…although I’m 90 miles away…sigh…

Anyway, Punk-Ass is in love with Thumper the bunny. She slinks into the room, and stares at Thumper-bunny, who is generally in his pen. And Thumper could care less. Sometimes they get into staring-contests. And then Thumper will hop over to the edge of the pen to see what Punk-Ass is all about, and Punk-Ass RUNS AWAY VERY FAST! She’s not very brave.

Again, I’m not a cat person. The BF likes cats, and has been informed that I like dogs, bunnies, ponies, fish, and maybe reptiles, but keep the felines away from me. He has taken this proclamation with all the grace that a BF condemned to live 90 miles away from his girlfriend is apt to do. And maybe Punk-Ass’s litter box doesn’t get emptied as often as it should. But Punk-Ass’s litter box is in the bathroom of their house. And I’m a bratty girlie-girl, and enjoy my morning shower. And I am AFRAID of their bathroom. Peee-yeuw!!! Mostly he comes up here, rather than my visiting down there. There are other logistical reasons, but the stinky litter-box in the bathroom doesn’t help.

I’m sticking with bunnies!

[Danmers]

…I love cats. They’re the sweetest things. I got my cat when she was like 4weeks old and she was alredy littertrained. usually when you get a cat they’re already litter trained so no hard work there.

Annual vet visit: as mentioned before this is to just do a general check up and voice any concerns you may have as well as getting the vaccination. This is really not that expensive. The costly part of getting a cat is if its a kitten it will need a three course shot of vaccinations and of course desexing. I didn’t realise that female cats go into heat so young so didn’t desex my cat before her first heat. It was horrible. Don’t put urself through it.

Declawing: I feel it’s wrong and highly recommend you do some googling on the issue so you can make your own informed decision. It’s unecessary I feel… You can always clip a cats nails? If you’re really worried about the furniture then a cat might not be the best pet choice.

Cats are really easy to look after. Probably the least maintenance out of all my pets! Just feed the dry cat biscuits in the morning and canned wet food at night. You can buy special kitten versions. Provide a litter box and water. I bathe my cat once in a while and brush her abit when she moults but thats about it. Oh and worming, deflea-ing and heartworming but they’re also pretty straightforward.

Sorry for the rant, but I hope I helped lol. Good luck with the cat!!! (please post pics)

[ScooterandAnnette]

I’m a cat person. I grew up with cats, and to me having a cat around is a natural state of being. Depending on how old the cat is when you get it chances are extremely good that it will already be litter trained. Cats are very clean animals and don’t like their litter being dirty so make sure that you scoop it out on a regular basis – if you don’t then the cat will start to find other more hospitable places to use as a litter (like the sink, or your bed). Cat nails are super easy to trim, much easier than bunnies. I personally would never ever declaw a cat, I can’t see a reason to inflict that kind of pain on them.

My cats are up to date on their vaccinations although I have to say that I’ve never had to give them anything for fleas or heartworm. Being in MN you’re not likely to either, if you intend on it being a strictly indoor cat (which again I highly recommend). And please consider adopting one from a shelter – you can go and look over the MANY cats they have there until you find one that matches well with your personality.

Introducing cat to bunny – we left the bunny(ies) in their enclosures for a bit and let the cat wander around and sniff at things, get to know the bunny(ies) through the bars, and then after a while we let the bunny(ies) loose and stayed closeby watching the interactions. For the first little bit with each cat we closed the door to the room the bunny(ies) were in at night so the cats couldn’t get too close to them until they’d learned how to properly interact with them.

– Annette

[bunnytowne]

OH I just love cats. They will talk to you too. they aren’t as much work as buns I don’t think.  Kittens like to play and sleep. Older cats don’t play as much. 

A fav cat toy is the fishing thing. It comes with a short plastic stick like a fishing pole and has an elastic string on it. I get the one with the shiny aluminun ribbon looking stuff on the end. All cats love that one the most.  the ones with feathers on the ends not so enticing. But the shiney ribbonlike stuff oh my. Never saw a cat who didn’t like that one.

They tend to approach you for pets and a cuddle. They like to sleep with you. Are way easier than dogs to toilet train.  They do 2 sheds a year.  Unlike rabbits with 4. Hehee.

I would give  Feda a bath.  I did more often with her cause hubby was allergic.  I have never met a cat I couldn’t bathe.  Claws or no.  IF you want declawed cat you can find one already declawed at humane society.

With Feda she would claw on the furniture. When her claws started getting stuck in it then I knew was time to trim her nails. That cuts down on the wear and tear on the furniture from cats stretching their claws out on it.  

They show more affection than rabbits. Gosh I just love cats.

Hubby started having wheezing asthma from Feda so we had to part. OH that hurt so bad. I am telling hubby when he says get rid of the rabbits. No way I won’t loose another pet. No. Deal with it. I will keep them for the duration of their natural life. 

HE likes HB anyways.

Oh rambling again.   Go and enjoy your cat.  You knwo the only time I noticed a smelly litterbox was when I fed a cat tuna from the can and stuff like that. Peew. And Feda would not approach sardines in a can. If a cat won’t eat it neither will I.

I would clean her litterbox everyday. The litterboxes with the top on it and a filter on top those kinds are the best. Hold odor in.  Also if you are littertraining a kitten you will need to take the top off the litterbox til kitty gets it. Sometimes the top scares them at first. And the flap door too. Once they get the hang of everything then you can add the top and door too.

[Erbear]

WOW! Thanks for all the info.

Don’t worry… I’m still on the fence about the declawing thing, I think it’s wrong but I also hate being stabbed. Probably won’t pay to have it happen though. The most important part is that the cat is speutered. If I can put up with Radar snipping cords everywhere, I can put up with a cat scratching the couch here and there. If it’s insane, we may talk mittens! (just kidding!)

We’ve been looking at the shelter cats and on petfinder. It’s such a great deal, I don’t understand why anyone would get a free cat… those cats end up costing like $500. I’m thinking an older cat just so I don’t get attacked by a kitten at every chance they get. I had a run in with a kitten this morning that cemented this idea… (friend’s kitten latched onto my ankle when I walked past the closet…OUCH!!!)

The boy has had cats all his life and sometimes comes home from work and says “I want a kitty….” with a pouty face. That’s how I got rabbits so I guess it works for cats too. I was just wondering if he was sugar-coating the ease of having one. It sounds like they’re way easier than rabbits and just as cuddly.

One last question: What’s the best type of litter? (or at least, what do you use?)

[hooty22]

I had a kitty for about two months before I gave her to my parents. (my roommate hated cats, and wouldn’t let me keep the stray I found outside) She was very very young and very playful. She and Felony got along pretty well.

I would suggest getting a younger kitty because I would imagine it would be easier to get a younger cat used to a rabbit than an older cat who is more set in her ways.

As for litter, you have to be careful if the cat’s litter box is where the bunny can go. Mine was, so I had to use a natural, non-clumping, non clay based litter just in case Felony decided it was new food.

Declawing is not something I would do to any of my animals, but if you are afraid that the kitty might scratch you, your bun, your furniture you can either keep them clipped. (Felony and the kitty would both get their nails clipped on teh same day) If you don’t feel nail clipping will be enough you can try softpaws nail covers. http://www.softpaws.com

[Danmers]

You could always compromise on the cats age and get an “older kitten” lol if that makes sense? They’re less likely to try to kill you with their needle sharp claws but still young enough to learn respect for rabbits lol. to be honest I think bunny bites are more painful and frequent (I have a demon bunny) than cat scratches. Oh and they really are that easy to look after. their first love is sleeping. the second love is food… handy tip if you’re on a budget lol. don’t feed your cat all the fancy brands coz then they wil only eat them!!

Litter: If you’re bunny won’t have access to where the cats litter will be, you can try this cat litter which looks like blue and white crystals. I find that the best for odour and although its more expensive I think it lasts longer too. I think I would avoid clumping cat litter just incase bunny finds a way in. that could be really bad. it’s also quite harsh on the respiratory tracts. hehe makes me cough.

Oh and don’t feed kitty milk. =) it makes them sick. they can only have lactose free milk lol.

[ScooterandAnnette]

Of our 3 cats the one with the least interest in having anything to do with the bunnies is the oldest. He was 9 when we adopted him and he’s terrified of the bunnies – which they know so they chase him. He’s not as much of a cuddler as the 2 younger ones, but he’s still very affectionate. I think the lack of cuddling is more his personality than his age though.
– Annette

[Erbear]

I don’t know if I’ll try the soft paws cover things… I don’t know much about cats but I am thinking that I would be laughing so hard that I couldn’t hold still enough to finish putting them on.

So… 1. Sleep 2. Eat 3. Look for ceiling cats… I think I can handle this.

I can’t have milk either… ewe. So I have tons in common with cats! I’m still going to be that crazy rabbit lady though… but cats sound like great pets.

[PeppersMama]

lol dont forget to look for basement cats too

[MimzMum]

lol….Be prepared for some of the funniest times of your life. And if the cat is going to be outdoors, some of the scariest as well. (Nothing is worse than kitty taking a stroll one evening that lasts overnight or into the next few days and you bemoan ever letting it out the door when low and behold it turns up next week curling around your legs like it never left!)
I have had cats all my life and love them. They are almost as addictive (in wanting to home them) as rabbits. My two get along very well with my bunnies, one likes to snooze near them all day and the other is smart enough to leave them alone…as long as they aren’t out in the xpen, in which case, all bets are off and the poking begins if I am not right there to supervise. >.< I am glad they like the bunnies, but I keep an eye out without fail. ^_^

Declawing, I am sorry I am very strong on this, is cruel. The animal needs to feel as though it has defense, otherwise it either becomes a target, or it can sometimes turn angry and offensive. I was furious with my mother for declawing my Siamese while I was away at camp in sixth grade, “because she was clawing my priceless furniture.” Bish! I never forgave her for that and the only way Mitzi survived in our neighborhood after that was for me to take a bb gun and pepper any cat that harassed her. She was the cat who waited for and followed me home from the bus stop every day after school and washed the hurt and angry tears from my face because I’d had a bad day.
She lived to be ten, and even that was not long enough. She passed from FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) which they had no vaccine for then. Keep in mind that cats can carry quite a few illnesses now and they need their shots. No exceptions. (I have my vet put them in the back leg so that in case of vaccine related sarcomas, instead of losing the cat an amputation can be performed. It is rare, but does happen.)

Claws can be kept trimmed, front and back, if you are concerned about scratching or getting hooked by them. My cats don’t mind me doing this at all, in fact they are easier to snip than my bunnies.

But to get away from the dark side of catdom, they are wonderful beings that enrich your life. They are funny and loving and yet also more independent than dogs or bunnies and they do like their alone time. If your bf has had cats before, he knows what he’s in for. But like bunnies he should be able to choose his own I would think. Is it possible for you to get one from a rescue? (If that’s your plan, bravo!)

It is sad for me that, at my time of life, I have to admit I have had enough wonderful furbabies and will not have any more after the ones I have now. I hope whatever your decision that you find that perfect kitty….or he/she finds you!

[Erbear]

I am totally against having my cat outside… I also am a birder so I know the impact that they can have on songbirds. Also… I hate not knowing what happens to them when they leave. I’m just curious that way.

We’re going to stop by the rescues and meet some furry friends. We’ll get whatever cat catches our fancy. We’re thinking of a short haired male cat as a start. The grooming for a long haired cat sounds a bit much to start out with. Matt wants to name the cat “Steve” so he can yell “Steve get off the counter!!!” He’s a little funny sometimes.

If the cat is already declawed then so be it but after hearing about it, I’ll never have it done. If there was a reason to do it other than my own convenience then okay… but it sounds horrible.

We’re okay with adopting any age of cat/kitten. I’ve already talked to my vet and know how much the checkups will cost… oddly enough they’re just slightly lower than the rabbit checkups.

Thank you so much for all your help! I love this forum, everyone has such good insights.

[Thearina]

I have cats, ferrets, and bunnies and I have to say that my cats requires less time and care. Since you do have rabbits my advice would to look more for a male cat than female. BUT I still wouldn’t rule out a female. Male cats are usually more laid back and lazy than females, but not always. My cats range in age from 9 months to 3 1/2 years old. I have to say that my older ones are WAY more laid back than the younger. I would advise you to get a cat that is at least 2-3 years old, because they are out of the crazy, nutsy, kitten stage. When you go to the shelter to look at the cats what I would do if it was me is look at all of them reguardless of gender, because there are some females that are really laid back and easy going. Go for the more laid back and even tempered cat. Look at what the different cats/kittens are doing in their cage. You may see some that are just kinda laying around and just looking at you and then some that are trying to play with anything and more in your face. I would go more for the laying and less in your face cat because in my experience it would be more likely to get along with your bunnies. I would even advise advise you to may look at an older cat, 5 years and older because they usually are more easily going and laid back reguardless of gender just back because they are more mature. They still want affection and will play, but would be less likely to be getting into everything especially the bunnies. Plus if you adopt an older cat it is more rewarding, because they are ALOT less likely to get adopted simply because of their age. Kittens and young cat are adopted more than the older ones and in my experience the olders ones seem to know that and appeciate it. I would NOT get a siamese! I have 2 and they are more active and predator like and try to get my bunnies more than my other cats. The time ONLY they are ever allowed by the bunnies cages is when I’m there. When I’m not home or the bunnies are out playing the cats are locked out of the room.

Now for the vetting, if its an adult cat (1 year or older) that only need their fvrcp, felv, and rabies. Some vets will recommend that you do 2 rounds of the fvrcp and felv if you cat doesn’t have any history of shots. I STRONGLY advise you to have the cat tested for feline leukemia (Felv) & feline aids(FIV) if you ever think that you may ever get another cat. Most vets have the combo test that will test for both. If you don’t have the cat tested now make sure that your cat and any other cat(s) you bring home get tested before EVER being introduced. Because if one cat has it and the other doesn’t that it can give it to the other. With feline aids (FIV) it requires a deep scratch or bite to infect the other cat, but with feline leukemia (Felv) is just takes being around another cat. With FIV a cat can live usually as long as any other cat just that it has a lower immune system and can get sick easiler that most other cats. With Felv MOST but not all cats that have it will not live longer that 5 years once they get it. So again I would strongly recommend you have the cat tested if its not been already and if it tested negative get the felv shot to help prevent it.

As for declawing, I would STRONGLY recommend against it because when it is done the docter does in fact remove part of the cats toe. If you even think about having it done please look up pictures of the surgery first so you know what it will be like for you cat. I’ve seen the video and pictures of the surgery because I’m studying to be a vet tech and declawing is probably going to be one of most difficult surgeries that I will have to assist the doctor with. If you do want a declawed cat please adopt one instead of having it done. There are TONS of cats surrendered to shelters every year because of how their attitudes changed after their owner had them declawed. But really who can blame the cat because how would you like having to walk and put pressure on you toes when the tips are missing?

Littertraining is usually very easy. If the cat/kitten is not litterbox trained that here is what I would do. First put the cat/kitten in a small room like a bathroom for a few days. Put at least 1 litterbox, 2 are better, and its food and water. If the cat/kitten goes out of the litterbox put the poop in the litterbox and make sure to clean up the pee with clorox spray or water and vingar to remove the smell. It may only take a day or two weeks ,but keep with it. When you go the shelter to adopt make sure to look at their litterboxes and see which ones use the litterbox. If the cat/kitten is litterbox trained I would keep 2 litterboxes, because some cat like going pee in one box and poop in the other. I personally free feed my cats because they don’t all like to eat at the same time plus 2 are leaner than the others and I don’t want them to loose any weight. But it really up to you on the feeding situation.

Where ever you do get a cat make sure to ask what they are feeding the cat and see if they will give you a little bit of its current food when you adopt. Because it will help the cats stomach if you slowly switch it over. For some cats its okay and others not so much. If it does effect the cat expect some diarrhea.

As for introducing the cat and bunnies, I would start off with the bunnies in their pens/cages and see how the cat reacts. I would do this for a week. What I’ve found to help is to have a squirt bottle handy if the cat tries to get the bunnies through their pen, then say, NO and squirt the cat so it knows that its not suppose to do that. If after say a week the cat doesn’t bother the bunnies through their pens or even seems to get along with them then try having the bunnies out to play with the cat there. I would make sure to have at least another person there and your squirt bottle in hand. If the cat tries to get bunnies make sure to say, NO and squirt the cat. Another person there is helpful just incase one of you needs to block or grab the bunnies and the other grab the cat and get it out of the room. Some cats will ignore the water being sprayed at them and keep going after the bunnies so having another person is helpful. The water doesn’t hurt the cat at all. Now one thing to watch for when the bunnies are in their pens or out running around is if the cat is staring and/or staying low to the ground and stalking the bunnies movements. If the cat is doing that than make SURE to watch that cat VERY closely because that in most cases means that cat is in fact hunting those bunnies. Kittens and young adult cat are more likely to do this behavior so that is why I would recommend a cat that is at least 2-3 years old, but I would go more for 5 years and older.

I know that you talked only about getting one cat, but if there are 2 cats/kittens that came in together I wouldn’t rule them out. Because they could also be a good choice because they would have each other to play with and entain and less likely to focus on the bunnies. Plus if their adults cats from the same home then they would get to stay together.

Good luck in finding you a cat/kitten. They are great to have and very entaining. I hope that I’ve helped you a little bit and if you have any other questions I would be happy to help.

 

Edit Note: Sorry for the long post. I didn’t realize it would be this long until and posted it.

[Erbear]

Holy cow that’s what I call a post. I like the idea of a senior cat… or a pair of cats. Matt is on the fence about a pair of cats. He says that would be too much hair… but really… Josefina just exploded on the couch last week and he’s a little sore that he went to work with his back/legs covered in black fur and didn’t notice until after lunch. I’m sure if they’re cute enough, he’ll cave. That’s how I got 2 bunnies.

I’ll be sure to email you if I have any more questions. Thanks Thearina… you’re like a cat whisperer or something

I will also post pictures of the cat when we get it. I don’t think I can wait until we move! (I will… but it will be hard!)

[Thearina]

Feel free to ask me as many questions as you want. I may not always have an answer, but I’ll try to help to the best of my ability

If your boyfriend is concerned about shedding hair, then I would recommend a short hair cat. And really with 2 short haired cats there isn’t really going to be anymore hair than just 1 cat. But that is totally your decision. But I would GREATLY recommend that if you get a cat/kitten that is 1 year or younger than I would get 2, because at that age the cat is still very much in the play with anything and everything stage. Like I said I would suggest maybe an older cat because at around say 5 years the cat is past the spazy kitten/young cat stages, but still will want to play just not all the time .

Again, I’m sorry about the SUPER long post . I didn’t realize that I had wrote so much until I hit submit.

[Author]

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