"owning a cat for the first time" thread in "General Mayhem"
Originally Posted by Angry Painter Andy, if you're going to be out all day then consider getting two cats Most importantly, enjoy the cat(s). Good ...

Good call. Ours went exploring though.

OT How have you got your website as a proper hyperlink in your sig? /OT

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BOB Crufts 2008 & Loose Shoes
www.bayingbasset.com

http://www.weebls-stuff.com/wab/fleabag/

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With a rescue cat a lot will depend on how social he is. Some have been abused or never socialised and may be hard work, nervous or aggressive. You may find he marks his territory. There are ways to socialise a cat, but there are more au fait peiople than me who can tell you about them. For ours in the past it's been a matter of offering a sniff, keeping movements slow and letting them allow contact when they seem ready for it.

A scratching post will give him something to sharpen his claws on, provide a familiar smell and save your sofa. Keep him inside for a few weeks so he gets used to the house as his home and you as his human. Obviously a litter tray is a must, and keep it clean. Cats like clean and if the litter tray is dirty he will find somewhere else clean to poop.

Cats aren't attention whores like dogs but do enjoy company. They don't necessarily enjoy the company of other cats so getting two isn't always a good idea. Given a bit of time and a cat flap a cat will let itself in and out for outdoor frolics (and to bring you little presents, which is quite a compliment) and come back when you're around for the pleasure of your company.

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Never break more than one law at a time, and never carry more grass than you are willing to eat.

With all the talk of furniture clawing, I'd remind you to cut it's claws regularly. It is easy to do and it doesn't hurt the cat. Get special cat claw clippers from the pet shop, they're easier to use.

Good luck - I am a little jealous as I'd love to have a cat again.

After the initial two weeks keeping it in, fit a cat flap IMHO. It's nice to let the cat come and go as it pleases and it also means no scooping shyte out of a tray as kitty will go outside to do it.

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Lying outrageously on the internet since 2003

Although it's been suggested to get two cats - that won't always work. Despite my older cat once being the new kitten in the house, when another kitten was introduced years later, she terrified him, traumatised him and both were very very unhappy whilst he was living with us - eventually had to ask my parents to take him. Both cats are much happier now tho

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I didn't have you down as a cat person

You seemed so normal...

cat ownership?

just remember that you never own a cat, you cohabit with them.

start from that standpoint and you´ll do o.k.

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http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...1602/erizo.jpg
N II motos guadalajara
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I would never suggest clipping a cat's claws (apart from the danger to yourself in the process!). Cats love to jump and climb and rely on their claws to do this. If they jump and fall because they can't hang on they could injure themselves.

If scratching furniture is a problem then provide a scratching post and use some cat repellant/water pistol to protect the sofa.

There is a practice in the US to de-claw house cats, which is basically removal of the entire digit below the first knuckle, and is generally regarded as cruel. Ask Bwana about that. It's not necessary.

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Never break more than one law at a time, and never carry more grass than you are willing to eat.

Your house and clothes will suddenly become far dirtier far quicker and you'll find that keeping your house as clean as it is now takes twice as much effort.

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Veggie Dave
'Freedom is the biggest myth ever created.
It's a destructive, unachievable goal that has caused a great deal of pain.
Very few people can handle freedom.
A society is healthy and productive when it's under control.'

That's barbaric. WTF have a pet in the 1st place?

Point taken about new cats to old cats. We had ours as kittens from the same litter. Males as well.

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BOB Crufts 2008 & Loose Shoes
www.bayingbasset.com

He's getting a cat, not a child or a Brit bike dude.

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Never break more than one law at a time, and never carry more grass than you are willing to eat.

Very true Dogs have owners, Cats on the other hand have servants, abide by that and you'll be ok..

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"Britons, fear God, fear sin and then fear nothing!"
Horatio Nelson.

Ah, but you don't have to let either of those actually live in the house.

I'm not joking about the dirt and fur, though. Having had cats my entire life I couldn't believe home much cleaner the house once when they'd gone.

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Veggie Dave
'Freedom is the biggest myth ever created.
It's a destructive, unachievable goal that has caused a great deal of pain.
Very few people can handle freedom.
A society is healthy and productive when it's under control.'

if the cat still has his nuts, have him neutered