Should I get a cat?

I want an animal and the only one my apt. will allow is cats. the only reason i dont want one is that i am afraid they will scratch and bite me. for those of you who are cat owners-is this a realistic concern?

Re: Should I get a cat?

I would post this on the Pets board. It may help to speak to some cat owners as to the pros & cons of owning one.

Good luck!

Re: Should I get a cat?

we have a rag doll... he is the sweetest most fabulous mush... i adore him... he definitely doesnt bite or scratch us...

Re: Should I get a cat?

They may scratch as kittens, but not on purpose! If you play with them they will play bite, but they don't normally just scratch and bite for no reason... I have a cat and she's so sweet!

Re: Should I get a cat?

I was in the same siutation 3 or 4 months ago- my Dh wanted a pet- and all we could get was cat

I was against it at first- but now I don't know what I would do with out my little buddy

we adopted a 7 year old male while persian cat- he is the best

he has scratched my DH- but my DH kind of asks for it- he has never hurt me

Re: Should I get a cat?

we got a cat...i dont like dogs....and I love my kitty! i cant imagine my life without him!!

Re: Should I get a cat?

my cat bites me....when we play because i think he thinks Im his mom...and I told him he shouldnt bit the hand that feeds him!!

Also, we had him fixed and declawed when he was old enough. I would never have gotten him declawed but he will never go outside...we live on a busy street and he was distroying my new furniture.

Re: Should I get a cat?

does anyone know what the smallest type of cat is? IS there a smallest type of cat? lol

Re: Should I get a cat?

I am not a cat owner..never have been. My sister has a cat. Kind of lonerish. Doesn't scratch anyone since his front paws were declawed.

Message edited 5/11/2007 3:34:20 PM.

Re: Should I get a cat?

they really only scratch and bite as kittens. And it's only done playfully.

I would get one! They are just the sweetest things!

I have never seen my Rocky take out his claws once!!! Not even as a kitten!

Re: Should I get a cat?

I had a cat who scratched and bit quite a bit. It's personality, as with children. They are difficult to train, and I personally don't believe in declawing. Make sure you are prepared to deal with adopting a cat that may not have a good temperment, and you may want to do more research since a cat may be fun right now, but think in 20 years if you have children, etc. I personally am not getting another because I don't want to have to worry about how a cat will interact with the babies that we will have in the future.

It's very realistic to think they may scratch and bite you, and definitely realistic to think that your furniture will get scratched up, even if you get a scratching post and toys.

I loved my cat more than anything, but it is a huge commitment and I hope you do more research than asking on here before making the 20-year commitment.

Message edited 5/11/2007 10:01:37 PM.

Re: Should I get a cat?

Re: Should I get a cat?

Re: Should I get a cat?

Can you call a vet or call a cat rescue and ask them your questions? They may be good resources. Good luck

Re: Should I get a cat?

Why dont you see if any friends of yours have cats. Maybe go over there and spend some time with them and see if you like them before you consider getting one.

If you are worried about a cat that bites and scratches, then look into an older cat (1+). Usually kittens bite and scratch more and there is a way you can train them not to bite and scratch you (example- not using your hand as a play toy).

Please put a little more thought into this before you get one and DO NOT get one from a pet shop. Check out local shelters.

Re: Should I get a cat?

Kittens will scratch and bite as play. If you get a kitten you need to teach it this is not acceptable behavior- use toys, not your hands as toys!
If you adopt an older cat, play with it for awhille at the shelter. Most older cats will have outgrown this behavior, but some retain it.
Cats make wonderful pets. A lot of peolpe think they are not affectionate, but that is so far from the truth. I would do some research on them, and maybe visit a shelter and spend some time with the kitties to make sure a cat is the right pet for you.

Re: Should I get a cat?

Cats can run a very wide gammet on the personality scale. My sister has 2 currently. One is a big old mush & loves attention & affection, and the other....not so much. He does not maul her or anything, but he is rather unaffectionate. As far as knowing what to do if the cat scratches or bites, I would take the advice of previous posters and talk to a vet and also see if you have a friend with a cat, just to see how you interact.
As far as knowing which ones will stay small, it is hard to tell unless you go to a breeder. If you want something moderate I'd stay away from anything listed as a Maine Coon, Himalayan, or even Persian, because they can get quite large. Most often, cats are easy to adopt from local shelters or even from certain PetSmart locations that offer adoption services.

While there are cat breeders, it is much easier and economical to adopt, Plus you will be saving a life

Re: Should I get a cat?

I have a cat and he is a complete mush. My mother has his mother and sister at her house (they are outside cats) and they too are mushes. I think we got lucky with the litter. I have seen some cats not so affectionate. Simba is even good with the baby and that was my BIGGEST fear ever.