I have been thinking about getting some cats. I have never owned a pet and don’t know the first thing about cats. To be honest, I think I’m more of a dog person but I just don’t have time to walk a dog. I equally like cats and the fact that they are self-sustaining and don’t bark is a plus. I have been doing research about how to toilet train a cat and cat personalities etc. to see if I am really the type of person who would make a good cat owner or not. Anybody ever regret getting cats? Do they smell more than dogs? What kinds of cats make the best pets? How many should I get?
I had a thought that if I did get cats it would be phase one of me turning into a lonely old hermit living with a bunch of cats. Picture Peter Ustinov in Logan’s Run..oh you guys are too young..never mind.
I once knew an American guy (in Japan) who had 70+ cats in his home in Tokyo. Can you believe it? Absolutely true. He could not turn his back on a stray and would always take them home. I was cycling out in Chichibu once and saw a box of abandoned kittens. When I got back to Tokyo I told him about it and he jumped on the train and went to get them. After a while, this obsession got completely out of hand and pretty soon he was spending all his income on cat food and kitty litter. I sometimes wonder what happened to him and all those cats.
Hey Roy,
IMHO, the true test of any cat owner is how they react to this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdXTDovB9K8
If you’re more concerned about the PowerBook than the kitty, you might not be ready for a cat yet ;-)
Cats are pretty easy pets to keep, very low maintenance. You just need to feed it and clean the litter tray. You might also need to buy your cat some toys once in a while.
Cat collecting is not cool and is kind of like a mental illness. You can read more about it here: http://messybeast.com/collector.htm
A cat learns toilet training from its mother (just don’t take the kitten away from its mother too soon). A healthy cat does not smell and keeps itself clean.
Yes, I have a cat (and no garden) and it’s great. Just think about where you would put the cat’s toilet and whether you’d mind if the cat scratches the furniture a little, because it’s playful or feels like sharpening its nails. I mean you can train the cat but you won’t always succeed 100%. Having said that, it’s great to have a cat in the house!
I’d say that if you’re out of the house much, maybe it would be nice to have two cats keeping each other company.
oh my, where did that picture come from? that is probably the cruelest and cutest thing since bonsaikittens.
crazy cat lady takes on new meaning with crazy cat gentleman
There are training guides to teach your cat to use the toilet instead of the litter box. google it. Kitty litter can smell but cats are ok.
Cat’s and dogs do just fine on there own. It’s a myth that an owner should have 2 to make them happy. For dogs anyway, YOU become their pack. I was surprised to learn that. I would start with one if I were you.
I wish I could have a cat. My friends have 2 that they brought back from Japan, Nikko and Mikon. They are quite fat.
I love your Logan’s Run reference. I laughed.
Cats are great, but 70!? I mean, at my Mom’s farm there are like 20 or so, but there is the space. I got 3 here in an urban environment and I dig them.
Just dont raise them like they’re so precious and you won’t have too many problems. If your neighbor is a bird watcher and or lover, beware.
It’s been years since I had one that used the toilet. That’s pretty cool to see a cat squat on that! Ours would never flush though, close enough.
Oh yeah, definatley blue ones! They are the best.
Oldbugss~
I’ve never regretted having a cat though some people do have issues with typical cat behavior (instinctual behavior that can be modified but it’s better to provide palatable alternatives rather than punishment).
Cats are clean and relatively quiet but male cats will spray your furniture if they’re not neutered and females will cry when in heat if they’re not spayed.
Also, cats are natural climbers and scratchers. If you’re uptight about cats walking on your table, jumping up on your sink or counters, etc., you’ll have to train them not to jump on certain areas. The best way to do this is provide them with more attractive areas to climb and perch.
You’ll need to provide a good scratching post (which you can make more appealing than your furniture by rubbing it with catnip). You may also need to purchase sprays that repel cats if they won’t leave your furniture alone.
I do believe it is best to have 2 cats if you are out all day working full-time. While cats do bond with their masters, they also become lonely if left alone for hours on end. They may become neurotic and exhibit behavioral problems.
wow that is an awesome doraemon pic. did you make it?
Thank you all for the great advice. I think I will be getting cats but not in the near future. More about this topic later.
I found this picture somewhere in cyberspace. It’s photoshop obviously so no kittens were harmed in its creation.
As you can tell from the comments, all internet traffic is driven by kittens (and naked women). Getting a cat should do wonders for your site traffic!
I have a cat here in suginami-ku and he goes in and out of my 3rd floor apartment all day with no troubles, though some would criticize me for letting a cat out in the city with all sorts of mangy strays the cat wouldn’t have it any other way.