Gransnet forums

Pets

New cat.

(45 Posts)
kircubbin2000 Mon 07-Sept-20 17:26:24

I am looking for a new cat but the shelter tells me most of their kittens are very shy or semi feral. Do you think a cat like that could make a good companion pet or should I look elsewhere?

Mildmanneredgran Tue 08-Sept-20 14:00:51

I got my 3 rescue cats just before lockdown, which I am so grateful for. Two are male kittens from the same litter in a wild household, one ginger and one black and are just adorable. The third was a lovely older female cat (had been kept for breeding) that no-one else would take because she (a) was older, and (b) mouthed, and Cats Protection said they would be forever grateful if I took her as well. In for a penny, I thought... She took much longer to settle in, but now she washes the boys and sleeps on my bed with me, chats with me and follows me around. So we're all happy and visitors say they've never known such relaxed rescue cats. I think you should go for it! But if you go for kittens, get two so that they play together and learn to fight on each other, not your arm....

Mildmanneredgran Tue 08-Sept-20 14:04:00

Also - on Mumsnet they have a section called "The Litter Tray" in the Pets category, and if you have a look in there there's loads of advice and shared experiences, and lovely photos!

JennaPierce Tue 08-Sept-20 19:31:31

Cats make awesome pets, and if you get it young, it's even better cause it will see you as its parent as won't give into its feral instincts around you. I've had cats all my life, raised them since babies and they all behaved just right.

What I do warn you is regarding allergies. If you or anyone else in your home have even the slightest allergic reaction to the kitty, just get a specialized air purifier for the room the animal sits in. There's no need to throw it out or avoid it.

I'm sharing this with you cause my husband has cat allergies and I had a pretty rough time convincing him this was a good idea. He eventually cave in and now plays with our cat more than I do. However, his reactions weren't that violent, just sneezing. Here's some helpful lecture if you do follow through with the decision and get the kitty.
www.optimainstitute.com/purifiers/do-air-purifiers-help-with-cat-allergies.html
www.cuteness.com/13714408/do-feral-cats-make-good-pets
popular.reviews/air-purifier-for-pets/

Hollyhock1 Tue 08-Sept-20 21:12:18

We have an ex-feral cat who's now 8. She was abandoned by her feral mother in my dad's garden. After 2 days mowing it was obvious she'd been left so we took her home and I hand reared her. She was only about 3wks old. She missed out on her socialisation from her mum and although she's very loyal in that she never wanders and likes to be near, she's also the most fierce cat I know. She can't be stroked, petted or picked up. She bites and also growls. She's at her most pleasant when she's at the vet (probably through fear). I wouldnt recommend any feral cats if you're wanting a docile,friendly pet. Maybe it's just her, the little devil!!

kircubbin2000 Sun 13-Sept-20 19:17:10

Got sorted at last after being turned down by the rescue centre because of a busy road nearby. I'm getting 2 brothers 2 year olds but not allowed to meet them because of covid.They are to see the vet later this week so I may have them by Friday.Hope they're nice, one has a Hitler moustache.

GagaJo Sun 13-Sept-20 21:58:02

Both of my cats were strays. They were half grown when I got them. Both are now soft as s***e lap cats who would sleep in bed with us, given the opportunity.

The girl has a Hitler moustache. I was so offended the first time someone pointed it out.

GagaJo Sun 13-Sept-20 22:01:29

Ahhhh, lovely Chewbacca. I hope you get him.

Chewbacca Sun 13-Sept-20 22:05:08

I've had a reply 're my application to give a home to an elderly cat and am just waiting now for them to do a home check to make sure that I'm not on a busy main road, have somewhere secure for him to go outside and that I'm capable of looking after him! He's called Asbo, apparently!

GagaJo Mon 14-Sept-20 09:09:58

So great! Asbo. He must be a real character. Got my fingers crossed for you. IF you get him you must post a pic. Please!

Sparklefizz Mon 14-Sept-20 09:13:24

Good luck with the home check Chewbacca. I'm sure it will go well and you will have a lovely time with your new furry companion.

When I was expecting my home check years ago from the Cats Rescue people, I found myself going round plumping up cushions and generally tidying up as if the Queen was popping round shock I was that keen.

Dorsetcupcake61 Mon 14-Sept-20 09:48:30

I adopted two cats from a friend who was unwell and could no longer look after them. They were 4 and 2 and had not had a very happy start in life. Unlike my previous cat they were not lap cats and that hasn't changed. Poppet will sit next to me and loves a cuddle. Smog will sit near and loves a fuss on his terms. That said they are incredibly affectionate and smog follows me everywhere. I think it's good to adopt a slightly older cat,they will appreciate a good home.

kircubbin2000 Fri 25-Sept-20 07:36:30

I didnt get the 2 brothers as they hated each other. Instead I got an older kitten who is very friendly. He has been here a week and is refusing all my catfood. The vet has seen him and he is healthy. The only thing he will eat is chicken or sardines but I dont want this to be his diet.

FannyCornforth Fri 25-Sept-20 08:18:08

My Maine coon Rosie is ridiculously fussy.
She won't eat any wet food at all, not even chicks or prawns.
All she eats is Royal Canin dry which I mix with whiskas dry to keep the cost down.
Last year I discovered those lick e lix sachet things. I was delighted that she eats them too. But only two flavours hmm
Why don't you want your cat to eat sardines and chicken?
Chewy - how is your adoption of Asbo going?

FannyCornforth Fri 25-Sept-20 08:18:59

Chicken, not chicks.
I wouldn't want her to eat them, obviously!

TwiceAsNice Fri 25-Sept-20 08:49:08

Thanks for the comments. I would have had Amies brother as well but he was very suspicious, spat d scratched me when I tried to touch him. Amie wouldn’t leave her place but Andy the brother went in and out of the garden and obviously liked being outdoors.

I live in a flat and Amie is happy either inside or in and out a large balcony. Andy wouldn’t have liked that so I thought it fairer that someone with a garden rescued him. The centre is very well thought of and do usually manage to successfully rehome. I would have liked to have given the son a piece of my mind!

TwiceAsNice Fri 25-Sept-20 08:57:23

Regarding sleeping on beds if I can’t find Amie in the day there is usually a mole like lump in the bed where she had burrowed under the duvet to sleep. At night when she realises I am gong to bed there is a run from the living room and a huge leap onto the bed ready to settle down . She is a bit of a character

emmasnan Fri 25-Sept-20 10:36:40

TwiceAsNice I've just found my cat in exactly that place on the bed!
She was a rescue cat about 10 months old when we got her, settled in very quickly.

midgey Fri 25-Sept-20 10:40:01

My neighbour adopted a feral cat, it is not a soft cuddly cat. I would hang on until the centre has non feral just to be sure.

kircubbin2000 Fri 25-Sept-20 13:28:06

He has just eaten a marks and spencer fish pate for cats! Great. I have a store of various catfoods I want him to eat. I dont want to have to buy chicken to cook specially for him. A varied diet is easiest.