Think about getting a cat?

Cats are very easy to care for but they tend to have some tendencies that people who don't like cats very much have a hard time coping with.

For example, they have a natural tendency to scratch on things of certain textures, and even the most well trained cat is going to try to scratch their claws on the couch every now and then. They can be very active and vocal at night, especially as kittens. They like to jump up and perch on counters and tables, and some people find this unappetizing. They shed...some more than others. When they get particularly upset or feel stressed or insecure, they occasionally urinate on something they aren't supposed to. They have claws so whether they intend to hurt you or not, you might get scratched a bit. And like all living things, they occasionally need expensive medical care.

Most cat people don't particularly care about any of these things, but they tend to drive people who aren't cat people crazy.

Cats also need to be spayed and neutered. They don't make good pets if they are not. Un-neutered males will spray, roam, fight a lot, and often get lost, injured, or killed. Un-spayed females go into heat, a period when they are ready to reproduce, and emit phermones that attract male cats. An un-spayed female who is in heat will constantly trill, yowel, and make other annoying vocalizations and will present herself to just about anyone and anything by raising her rear end and moving her tail aside.

Spayed and neutered though they are excellent pets.

And yes, they can live 20 years. I had a cat who lived 20 years. She passed away shortly before I went off to college, but as I was not living in the dorms, I would have taken her with me.

ok first, no it is not hard to take care of. You just have to take care of it, feed it, and give it love.good things about cats are that they always cuddle you and if you love it, it will love you back! not good stuff is that their scratches really hurt alot. so watch out cuz thats how they play so just get used to them.And they are easier than a dog!! way more!! And if you dont have any toys for it just roll some paper and make it into a ball. All cats love that toy! At least mine does. And their favorite food are cans. Frikies make their stomachs hurt so dont buy that food. Ummm they love to sleep. They just eat play and sleep and sh*t. And if you want a shorthair, maybe get a calico domestic shorthair. they are pretty. specially females. cuz they have black white and orange patches. and tell your mom that you will take care of it really good! and show her you have the capability to do it and that u are responsible . becuz a pet, u need alot of responsibility. good luck and hope this helps!! :)

I might have her wait a whole week, that's 7 days before she will get really active once more due to the fact that if she tears open it's now not going to be excellent, it is going to take twice as long to heal, after which she could get an infection if she's playing and it most effective rips from the inside. She doesn't have to be strolling or bouncing around lots. Do not let her lick the field.

This is my personal preference: Adopt, do not go to a breeder for a specific breed. Save a life. Go to the SPCA, tell the adoption counselor what you are specifically looking for: shorthair, color, male, female, very playful, total lap cat, etc etc. Then let the counselor direct you to the ones who will match your needs. It can save you days by doing that. I would also recommend NOT getting a kitten. Cute as they are, that lasts a few months and you will NOT know what the personality of the cat is. A kitten's personality sets in at 1 year or 1 year 2 months. So the cute little kitten who loves to snuggle may grow up into a cat who won't let you hold it let alone sit on your lap. It happens. So adopt at least a 1 yr. old cat and save a life.

The two outstanding pros on behalf of cats are:

1. You can leave a cat home alone if you go away for a long weekend (4 days) and you can't do that with a dog, someone has to walk it.

2. Your cat uses a litter box. When it's dark out, raining, snowing, 95 degrees, you don't have to walk the cat. It will be using the litterbox.

There's still the problem of the indoor litterbox but if you scoop it every day or every other day it will be fine.

There's the problem of scratching furniture (dogs are furniture desctructive too if they have separation anxiety or are puppies and in some breeds puppyhood lasts a couple years). However, if you provide a good solid scratching post (preferably a cat tree) with sisal and corrugated cardboard scratchers that lay on the floor you should have no problem. You have even less problems if you buy a cat nail clipper and have the SPCA people or your vet teach you how to clip the cat's nails and you do it at the first of every month. That's the part that drives parents crazy is the furniture scratching so trust me when I tell you this is a biggie and you need to learn to trim the nails.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YLDQMvskH8 - nail video

You need to have the cat either spayed or neutered and if it comes from the SPCA it should already have this done as well as be micropchipped.

Another pro in favor of cats is that they don't bark! If you live in a townhouse, condo, or apt. this is especially important.

Cats love to chase a laser light, a kitty teaser, and some will even play fetch. If you have patience and accept the cat for being a cat, you can teach it to walk on a leash. Warning: They are NOT like walking a dog! At all. Some will be happy to walk down the street wearing its harness and leash (never a collar!). Where they differ is that if they see a puddle of sunshine and flop down in it to sunbathe, you can expect to stand there for several minutes to half an hour and wait. So, consider it a chance to get to chat with your neighbors!

With proper dental (that can be just as expensive as for a dog) and consistent health care, premium food, and staying indoors a cat can live 15 to 18 years. Some live to 20+ like a few humans live to 100 yrs. Here are reasons why it should be an indoor cat:

Why cats should not be outdoors:

1. They can catch FIV which kills cats.
2. They can catch FeLV (leukemia) vaccinations are NOT 100 percent!
3. They can catch URI (upper respiratory infection) which can kill a cat
4. They pee and poop in neighbors yard and neighbors kill cats for that; catch cats and dump
them at the dog pound; or catch them and dump then in the country to starve to death
5. They climb up inside a warm car motor for warmth and when the owner starts the car in the
morning the cat is slashed to death
6. They eat a rodent that has been poisoned and the cat dies too
7. They eat snail bait in someone's yard and die
8. They lick up antifreeze that drips from a car and die a horrible painful death, there is no cure
9. They get caught under a house or in a garage and die
10. They get shot at, set on fire, and tortured by kids
11. They get killed by dogs or coyotes
12. They get in fights with other cats, the bites turn into infection that rages through their body
and can kill them
13. They get hurt and go somewhere to hide and die and don't come home so you can help them.
Hiding when sick is normally what cats do.
14. They get fleas and ticks. Fleas cause worms and anemia.
15. They get run over by a car
16. An outdoor cat lives approximately 4 years, an indoor/outdoor cat approx. 6 years, and indoor cat 15 to 18 years
17. People grab cats, kittens, dogs, puppies and use them for bait in dog fighting rings. Puppies
and kittens quite often wind up as food for pythons and other snakes people raise.
18. Someone considers your cat cute, they can just steal it and keep it.
19. They are not disposable entertainment for the owner

Good luck!

Cats are great pets.. they are easy to take care of. they are very neat and they dont eat too much.. :)

I have a cat I rescued from a shelter best place to get one cause they come with shots and fixed back to the cat they are pretty low maintenance they use a litter box and you to scoop it but that's bought it they bathe themselves they need a scratch post by it sits in a corner they are fun to play with but don't require a lot of attention they can be affectionate but don drive yu crazy with want in an over amount I travel a bit and a can leave her over night and not have to wory bout getting home to take her out to the bathroom in summarry I love my cat and would take er over a dog anyday
also they dont eat much i can buy a 13 lb bag of food and it will last for months and the bag only cost about ten dollars

Cats are great pets, they use a litter box so you don't have to walk them and pick up after them(YUCK), they are also great companions and seem to form a special attachment and are very sensitive to a persons feelings, if you keep the box clean they will naturally want to use it, brush them once in a while you don't have to worry too much about shedding, long hair/short hair is a big debate, most of my short haired cats seem to shed more than my long haired and if you get a scratching post right away they will be less likely the claw your furniture, I would recommend getting a rescue from a local animal shelter, they usually have a few that need homes.

It's a 20 year committment, who takes care of the cat when you're at college?

You WILL clean up pee, poop and vomit - that's a guaranteed. If you're squeemish then don't get a pet yet. They also shed, accept that fact as something you can't change. You'll need $500 a year put into a savings account to cover any vet emergencies. You WILL have something happen at some point and will appreciate that the money is there. That, or get a credit card strictly for vet coverage.

Long haired cats shed more fur (it's longer). Makes a huge difference on the furniture and any good clothing you have. Siamese will talk, sometimes a lot, you can't shut them up. Each cat has a different personality.

Spay/neuter. ABSOLUTELY do that. Do NOT declaw, that's taking bones out and is never done for the benefit of the cat. It's painful and can cause litter box issues and biting issues.