New person into cats need advice!

[Izuan]

Hi there! I will be getting a cat when my father gets his month's pay. But, I saw this cage at the 'Pet SAFARI' in Singapore that keeps cats. There is a hammock for the cats to sleep on. Is there a need for a cat to get a cage? And I was told that cats need to be trained to ease off in the toilet. And it was like keeping them for two weeks in the toilet. Is this true? And I saw this two types of foods for them. The dried ones(Friskies, Whiskas)and the wet ones or the ones with a little bit of moisture such as Fancy Feast. Which one is better, more affordable and value for money? Cats drink milk, right? What kind of milk? From the powder or from the ready-made ones like Marigold HL, Masters? Do they need a bath like human beings need? If I keep them in the cage while using CareFresh bedding, wouldn't it be extremely smelly? Now that's a whole lot of questions! I hope that anybody would answer these questions before i get a cat.
Thanks
Izuan Hussain(Singapore)

[Billie Bird]

I dont think you need a cage for a cat, I have never used a cage. I only gave a bath to my kittens when I first brought them home, they are real good groomers but I do brush my cat alot. I give my cat dry & canned food, 1/2 can in the AM and the other half at night. I have never given them milk of any kind since I had always heard it wasnt good for them. My last cat lived to 15 years old. A spray bottle with water is a great way of training them to not eat plants or climb on things you dont want them to be on such as kitchen counters. Best of luck with your new kittie http://petshub.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Christine

[sassykat2567]

hey! i have two cats and have had cats all my life. cats don't need a cage, litter boxes are the best way to go as far as a toliet for your cat. a real toliet takes alot of time. cats don't usually need a bath unless they go outside and accumulate fleas or something. like Billie Bird said, cats are pro groomers, and can get along just fine grooming themselves. remember to brush your cat especially in the early spring when he/she will start to shed his/her winter coat. wet or dry food is good. we use both. you should also buy treats that will help your cat's digestion and teeth. also get some catnip. it's a plant or little leaves in a container that cat's go CRAZY over. they love it. don't give your kitty milk on a daily bases because contrary to old wives tales, cat do love milk, but it upsets their stomaches. most cats love to munch on the big blades of grass, butter, cream and many dairy products (but remember just as a treat sometimes!). cats love to scratch so get kitty toys, and scratching posts so he won't claw up your drapes. cats also like to be high up and feel powerful so a kitty castle or hammock is a good idea. also remember to get your cat spayed/neutered, and make sure he/she gets all his shots. please email me sometime if you need more help!

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[sassykat2567]

hello again, i forget to mention:
get a list of plants posionous to cats!
mistletoe, holly, and poinsettia are only some that are hazardous to kitties!

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[Nightmare]

Just to let you know, Cats are verrrrry independant animals. They will only do what they want when they want.

I too have had cats all my life. My cat TeeCee is the only cat I have ever had to feed wet food to, but I have always left plenty of dry stuff down, because they tend to be nibblers.

Cats usually litter train themselves, but unless you plan to keep it indoors all the time, try to let it outside to do it's business, especially if you feed it canned food.

The Best Advice I can give, is don't judge your cat too soon.. They each have a totally different personality, and you won't own your cat, he/she will own you.

Nightmare
http://www.signaturegallery.homestead.com/files/Cat.jpg

[mariana]

Salam to you Izuan,

After reading your mail in anticipation, I feel that you have never have cats for pet before. I may be wrong but I have pet cats all my life and I can tell if a person is amateur or an expert in this area. I started having them since I was 4 or 5 years old. I agree with what most of them had say about cats. However, I have to add a little something so that you are physically and mentally prepared to have them as your "buddies". Cats have a personality of their own. Like human, they are unique individuals. I missed my pets 'cos I left them in Singapore for the extremely strict quarantine in Britain but I do keep-in-touch with my friend who are currently looking after them. Before you have any pets, you have to ask yourself several questions. First, how much time do you have for them? Subsequently, how devoted are you to them? Finally, how are you going to understand their needs? If you are living with your parents like most Singaporeans do, then I believe you could manage that 'cos it is not only your responsibility but it is the family's responsibility, too. Touching on how devoted you can be. It is a matter of time that you will develop affection and love with your pets. Afterall, they do have unconditional love. I think you know that. Thirdly, their needs - their language - well...somehow it is just a matter of instinct and understanding and the bond that you are going to develop with them. One day, you will come to know that they, too, can complaint about something and everything. Some of them can be very chatty and talkative. So, how are you going to respond to that? Talk to them and answer them eventhough you don't understand what they really wanted but you will finally find out. I have currently have 3 cats with me with different personality. One is a maiden. She treats herself as if she is the princess in the family. One is very protective over the owner and the house. He will hissed and chased strangers and last but not least the youngest who is rather bossy and a spoilt brat. Can you believe it he owns the masterbedroom...you can imagine where I have to sleep - in the living room...Anyway, like I said, having a pet is that it does take alot of time and responsibility but above all they can be your best buddies. If you have anything to ask me about them you are welcome to e-mail me at mariana_0266@yahoo.com Finally, they do have behavioral problems at times. Best of luck Izuan and take care. Love to hear from you real soon.

[Izuan]

Thanks Billie Bird, sassykat2567, mariana and.....nightmare? That's funny! Well, I am going to get a local tabby from the SPCA( Society for the prevention..........). But one thing I'm concerned is that my brother is the only member in the family that has asthma. How can I stop his asthma from coming up one day?

[pussykatt]

I have the answers to your questions. I have nine beautiful cats and I have raised them so if you need a reason to trust me there you go. Plus I work in a huge pet store as a groomer! As far as a cage goes for a cat well that is very unnessasary for a cat, cats are creatures of independance and habit when you get them a litter box find a quite place away from daily house traffic and keep it there for them to use, a unscented litter works the best and clumping, as far as cleaning goes every other day should do it, other wise they will go somewher else if there bathroom is not cleaned well enough. Sleeping arrangments for my cats are wherever they want, plus they have there own little beds if they want around the house. Your cat will probably enjoy snuggling if you'll allow it! Cats groom themselves by licking themselves and using there claws like a brush so declawing is not the greatest idea either just get scratching things for your cat( I have cat houses for mine) bathing is not nessasary for cats but brushing is expecially for long hairs because there hair can matt up right to the skin and actually pull and cause the cat pain. Dry food is the best food to feed you cat because it will help with the tarter build up that your cat may get on her teeth. The food that you mentioned just so you know are not the greatest food to pick for cat they have alot of fillers junk in them. Science Diet is a food that is good for cats. Soft food is something that you should give for a treat perhaps once a week are once a month but everyday seems quite often to me I mean sure alot of people feed soft food but comparing teeth you can tell who feeds what kind of food. If you need anything else please don't hesitate to ask I don't mind helping at all, I enjoy helping people with there cats! Good Luck and let me know.

[pussykatt]

I have the answers to your questions. I have nine beautiful cats and I have raised them so if you need a reason to trust me there you go. Plus I work in a huge pet store as a groomer! As far as a cage goes for a cat well that is very unnessasary for a cat, cats are creatures of independance and habit when you get them a litter box find a quite place away from daily house traffic and keep it there for them to use, a unscented litter works the best and clumping, as far as cleaning goes every other day should do it, other wise they will go somewher else if there bathroom is not cleaned well enough. Sleeping arrangments for my cats are wherever they want, plus they have there own little beds if they want around the house. Your cat will probably enjoy snuggling if you'll allow it! Cats groom themselves by licking themselves and using there claws like a brush so declawing is not the greatest idea either just get scratching things for your cat( I have cat houses for mine) bathing is not nessasary for cats but brushing is expecially for long hairs because there hair can matt up right to the skin and actually pull and cause the cat pain. Dry food is the best food to feed you cat because it will help with the tarter build up that your cat may get on her teeth. The food that you mentioned just so you know are not the greatest food to pick for cat they have alot of fillers junk in them. Science Diet is a food that is good for cats. Soft food is something that you should give for a treat perhaps once a week are once a month but everyday seems quite often to me I mean sure alot of people feed soft food but comparing teeth you can tell who feeds what kind of food. If you need anything else please don't hesitate to ask I don't mind helping at all, I enjoy helping people with there cats! Good Luck and let me know.

[Nightmare]

Izuan:

Glad we have all be helpful. Asthma by itself will not keep people from having cats. If your brother has allergies, then you might have a problem. My sisters husband, their 7 year and 1 year old grandsons, and both of their daughters all have Asthma, they all live in the same house now, at this moment with 12 cats, and the cats are the least of their problems.

At this point, if you have never had a cat, all you can really do is expose your brother to cats (ie, in a pet store, or at a friends,) and see if he has a reaction. If not you are probably okay and can have one around him.

As for my strange nickname, it was a "nightmare" trying to find a nickname that wasn't already taken by someone else. It also came from my days as an Over the Road Truck driver when the same applied to a C.B. handle.

Oh yeah, I am a Female.

Nightmare.

http://carsue.homestead.com/files/carsue.jpg

[Izuan]

Hi there! Well, my brother is serving his NS(National Service). He comes back home once a week.On the weekends. But, let's say. If I let them go around the house, and they will feel to ease off, the litter box is in my room, it is now in the kitchen. Will it go to my room to ease off?

[Garfield]

Hi,

Though cats are smart, but suddenly change in their toilet placement will cause confusion. So just in case, do get yourself prepared to have some pee in your room.

Why would you even begin in the first place by putting the litter box in your bedroom? http://petshub.com/ubb/eek.gif

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Many thanks to Nightmare for seeking permission from garfield.com to use this picture.

[mariana]

Assalamualaikum wrb Izuan,

I'm glad to hear that we are of help to you...the things about cats are they can be very confusing to the owner - like what Garfield had mentioned. "DO PREPARE TO SEE SOME PEE IN YOUR ROOM". If you are having a cat - I feel that you can manage it but if you have several ... well just imagine that you a dad to several children ... got the picture?
Let's side track a little, how is Singapore right now? I'm beginning to miss my family and friends back home. Is the recession rather shocking now? - America's economy is not doing that good - basically I think Singapore is affecting, too.
Anyway, I'm glad to hear some news from someone from Singapore like you are - Salam from Mariana

[Izuan]

Mariana,
What do you mean by 'hearing someone from Singapore'? Checked your profile and seems to me that you are abroad studying or doing some of your work as a staff nurse. Singapore is good right now. North-east line is doing well. I mean the construction. If you don't know, the Expo stationm is open to public.