JCC [PET PEOPLE] To kitten or not to kitten.

So my husband and I have always said that we're not pet people. Nu-uh, no way, ain't happening.

And then on Friday afternoon a coworker of mine was talking about a rescued kitten she fostered briefly and I was like "oh, a kitten could be cute."

And then on Friday night my husband told me that for the past few weeks he's been thinking that we should get a cat. We need to break up the monotony of our lives and this will give us something exciting and loveable to work with.

So... we might be getting a kitten? We'd rescue, obviously, and it would need to be young because that should help with my husband's allergies.

I'm still kind of on the fence because they're a responsibility, and they're for keeps. Here's a snippet of the conversation I just had with my husband:

me: omg kitten
i'm, like, terrified to make this decision
i should probably ask the JC


So... JC. Should I get a cat?

 

YES KITTEN

 

That was easy.

 

Don't get a cat (or dog) unless you are confident you can look after it for it's whole life and can afford to pay for it - food and the inevitable veterinary bills / per insurance.

 

you should get a puppy.

 

If your husband has allergies I'd 'borrow' a cat if you can to see if he can be near it. There are some cats that are better than others for allergies - short rather than long hair, and the Rex is supposed to be especially good.

Either way, if you do adopt please decide to neuter when the time comes unless you get a purebred and plan to breed it. The cat will be less stressed, especially if female. If it's male it will spray less.

 

Yeah, we're definitely in a place where we can do that.

We've been researching the allergy stuff and it looks like it should be okay. And we would absolutely neuter.

 

are u attached to your couch and drapes?

 

Also, puppies are so much work. If we leave for a day we have to figure out what to do with it

Not particularly attached to the prettiness of our couch or drapes, no. And not planning on declawing.

 

Yeah, if you're really houseproud don't get a cat. And declawing is not an answer even for an indoor cat. If the cat goes (or gets ) out declawing removes a major defense mechanism.

Edit - you beat me to it. But if you're going for a kitten, consider two littermates. They can keep each other company if you're both out working during the day. My last cats (gone now, unfortunately) were brother and sister and that worked out well as they were indoor cats.

 

I can't see Carmen declawing a kitty. Right?

 

We think about these things! We are responsible almost-pet-owners!

 

puppies are more work but also more fun!

 

YES!!!!

My dad was allergic to cats but he was able to adapt to a short hair without any problems. I currently have a medium hair (long hair but without an undercoat like Persians and such have, so no tangled fur to regularly groom).

Do consider coat and grooming requirements. I've let my cat alone 4 days at a time (2 half days and 2 full days) without any issues, so a cat doesn't really tie you down at all. I never bought fancy cat litter and just basic dry food with bits of moist food as a treat for 17 years - now the 18 year old is on a prescription kidney diet but even that isn't too expensive. He gets his shots once a year and had his teeth cleaned once - he should again, but at his age and with 10% functioning kidneys it is counter-advised.

The younger the cat you get, the more playful and attention it'll probably need. I adopted Sam at 6 months; I thought that was a good age. He was not interestd in climbing curtains or stuff by then, if he ever was. My condo neighbor fostered two different litters of kittens and - oh boy - rambunctious, chewing on wires, chasing each other around...fun.

During power outages, they make great bed-warmers.

 

YES KITTEN. And if it doesn't work out send it to me after I break up with my BF.

 

YES KITTEN, then you can buy this for it.
https://store.barackobama.com/featured-15/i-meow-for-michelle-cat-collar.html

dtmfa

 

YES YOU CAN MAKE LOLCAT PICTURES

 

I'm 2 cats closer to my goal of crazy cat lady.
kittens are like kryptonite..they make me weak

 

ALRIGHT ALRIGHT

 

No kitten.

 

Just how many cats does it take to be a crazy old cat lady?

Current count: one.
Age: Qualifies.
Mental capacity: Is it dependent on number of cats?

 

Is that in cat years?

 

IF IT WAS STILL 2007.

 

Cat OR human.

Though the cat at 18 IS older than me in human years - but then again, in human years he's ancient. I'm - not yet. Just older than practically all of you young'uns.

 

YOU CAN DO IT IN ANY YEAR, LOLCATS ARE AGELESS