Firstly, I hate cats. We had a cat back 10 years ago and it was a shitty little thing with no redeeming features and only came around to feed, shit and then fuck off again. It wanted nothing to do with us, spent all night fighting and costing us vet bills and generally being an asshole, and when it died I was pleased as punch, my only regret is that I didn't off the prick myself.
However! My kids have gone all gay on me and want a kitten for a Christmas present. I'd rather get them a weasle or a badger or a vulture or a lemur or something cool, but kids, y'know? Ever since the topic came up, my lady has gotten all gooey about the idea too, which pretty much means that we are committed to this fresh hell.
From my experience, kittens turn into cats, and cats live for 12 years - assuming my dogs get along with them - and so the cat we end up with better not suck this time. If I am gonna buy a kitten for my little sawn-off savages, it has to be one that wants to be around my kids and my lady, not a half-wild bird-killing litterbox with legs. It won't be the kids who end up feeding the thing.
I figure that there would have to be at least a few cat-lovers amongst the more gay WFers among you, and so it would be swell all just to pieces if one of you could answer for me a few appropriately stupid questions.
1. What breeds are the most likely to be good housepets?
2. How much should I pay for one?
3. how do you know what you are getting?
4. where do you get one?
5. is this idea is stupid as I think?
6. Have I just have a really shitty cat in the past or are they all like that?
This sux.
Ill jump in here, because this hits a nerve with me.
Sorry to say it, but owner attitude is the issue here, not the cat!
By their very nature, cats are independent, nocturnal animals, but like many things, they need to be nurtured and looked after (particularly when thyre young) to reap the rewards.
Not spending time with it or throwing it out at night are sure ways for it to become antisocial and bothersome.
I have always had cats ever since I was a child - and couldnt imagine my life without them.
It irks me when people hand back animals or complain about them when the issue is not the animal, but the result of uninformed or irresponsible owners.
I have always made sure my cats were de-sexed (vital if you want a more sociable animal), groomed, microchipped and well fed.
Another key point. Cats live by routine. If your lifestyle or environment is always changing, they will not be happy.
If you are to get a kitten, ensure your children (and yourself) understand the needs and the RESPONSIBILITIES of owning and caring for a young animal. Mistreatment of an animal, whether intentional or not, is a sure way to get the thing running away from home the moment it gets the chance.
Personally, I think youd be better off with a goldfish until/unless you can warm to a kitten. Your kids are going to look to you for advice on how to care for it and I think your head isnt in the right place to welcome a cat, and its not fair on the animal to be punished for simply being itself.
Anyway, in answer to your questions:
1. What breeds are the most likely to be good housepets?
Generally speaking, dont go for purebreds. Cross bred cats generally have a more placid nature, although this is not always the case. If you can, find out about the parents of the kitten, as often the best clues to its dimeanour while lies there.
2. How much should I pay for one?
You can get them for free, rescue them from a haven for a few bucks, or pay up to about a thousand (sometimes beyond!) for purebreds. I own a Birman, which I 'saved' from the cat haven for $75 plus desexing/microchipping fees, but the kittens from a breeder float around the $650 mark.
3. how do you know what you are getting?
Again, find out about the parents of the animal. Be aware that cats are also individuals and it is possible to bring out the more sociable characteristics of you cat by nurturing it in the direction.
4. where do you get one?
I suggest cat haven. Given the sheer number of irresponsible owners, the place is always loaded with cats, and they really do a fantastic job. Sadly, many many many of them are forced to be put down because they cant find homes for them and run on minimal budgets. Possibly, youll get a good feeling knowing you saved one from death-row! Pet stores are very hit and miss.
5. is this idea is stupid as I think?
For your family, yes. Kids will see it as a novelty for a short while and although theyre happy to have a kitten around, once it grows older they too will move onto other interests, leaving you and your partner to care for the animal. By you having zero affection for cats, I fear its days would be numbered after that, which would be horribly cruel on the animal.
6. Have I just have a really shitty cat in the past or are they all like that?
Its hard to say. Most of my affection for cats came from me getting to know them well enough to admire their individual personalities - so its a "time-spent" with the animal kinda deal.
Bottom line is, they sleep alot, they eat, bug you at the worst times, cost money, can be messy, and lose hair everywhere. No different to kids, really.
I personally think you need to see the positives in the deal before going ahead and getting one. DO NOT do it to satisfy your kids. If you never find yourself warming to the idea of a cat, then 'never' is when you should get one.
