jumpjunkie2004 0 #26 September 6, 2005 QuoteOur vet finally said she's just ornery! That's what the pediatrician said about my daughter Thankfully, she wasn't peeing on the carpets!Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pia 0 #27 September 6, 2005 QuoteI live in Montgomery County, Maryland - and I've been told it's illegal to let your cat roam here. I'm not sure about the declawing - it seems a cruel. Wow! Illegal Do you guys take your cats out for walks then? **Those who refuse to live and learn simply exist** Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #28 September 6, 2005 I have just one cat, but then I also have two high energy dogs (ok well one used to be high energy), so the cat is happy when it gets some peace and quiet. Lately though I've been pretty busy and not able to sit on the couch in the evening petting it so it has figured out a way to get petted when I'm not around to do it. It walks up to our new dog when he is having a calm moment and will rub up against Sherpa until he starts getting grooming, then he will lay on the dogs paws while the dog licks him. Oddest thing because just 30 minutes earlier the dog will have chased him up to the top of the cat condo.Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #29 September 6, 2005 You CAN leash train a cat, it just takes time and patience. I've got 3 essentially indoor cats, but I do let them out in our yard as long as someone is with them. They can't just roam freely- too many hazards out there! My oldest would probably be perfectly happy being the only cat in the house soaking up all the human attention he can get, but the other two enjoy playing with each other. So, in a way it depends on the cat! And my personal experience- neutered males seem to be more even tempered and affectionate than females. But our female cat has lots of attitude that really makes me laugh! Whatever you choose, spay or neuter at about 6 months! And remember, no matter what your kids say abotu how much they'll help, etc., the cat(s) will be YOURS! That's a 10-20 year commitment. Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #30 September 6, 2005 QuoteI live in Montgomery County, Maryland - and I've been told it's illegal to let your cat roam here. I'm not sure about the declawing - it seems a cruel. It's not hard to teach a cat to use a scratching post, they are smart and all you have to do is feed off their territorial instincts. All I did was scratch at the post myself and the cat would come running and start scrating at the post "trying to cover up my scent with his" I kept doing this and in no time it was scratching at it all the time. He now has one that is part of his kitty condo and I'm going to have to replace the rope because it's shreded, while my furniture just has a few snag marks from him trying to claw it. As an added bonus for me both dogs know it's game on when he is scratching the furniture and they get after him if they hear him doing it.Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #31 September 6, 2005 Quote the cat(s) will be YOURS! That's a 10-20 year commitment. I'm sort of counting on that I'll need something to keep me company when the kids are gone!Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #32 September 6, 2005 QuoteAll I did was scratch at the post myself and the cat would come running and start scrating at the post "trying to cover up my scent with his" I kept doing this and in no time it was scratching at it all the time. Sounds like cats are easier to train than kids. I keep showing them what to do...dishes in the dishwasher...clothes in the hamper...coats on the coat rack...they still don't get it!Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #33 September 6, 2005 QuoteQuoteAll I did was scratch at the post myself and the cat would come running and start scrating at the post "trying to cover up my scent with his" I kept doing this and in no time it was scratching at it all the time. Sounds like cats are easier to train than kids. I keep showing them what to do...dishes in the dishwasher...clothes in the hamper...coats on the coat rack...they still don't get it! As a bonus you can put the cat in a closet when it annoys you. Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pia 0 #34 September 6, 2005 CATNIP.. get catnip! They´ll love you forever! **Those who refuse to live and learn simply exist** Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pia 0 #35 September 6, 2005 QuoteYou CAN leash train a cat, it just takes time and patience. Cute **Those who refuse to live and learn simply exist** Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #36 September 6, 2005 I was looking around for Tyson when I got up this morning, but didn't see her. After my shower I expected to find her sitting on the towel cabinet as always, but she wasn't there. Then I hear this 'meow' from behind something... so I look and look and call her. 'Meow!' She had slinked into this tiny little hall closet last night while the door was momentarily opened, and she greeted me as her hero when I let her out. She still managed to maintain an air of, "I meant to do that," though. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elisha 1 #37 September 6, 2005 QuoteQuoteQuoteAll I did was scratch at the post myself and the cat would come running and start scrating at the post "trying to cover up my scent with his" I kept doing this and in no time it was scratching at it all the time. Sounds like cats are easier to train than kids. I keep showing them what to do...dishes in the dishwasher...clothes in the hamper...coats on the coat rack...they still don't get it! As a bonus you can put the cat in a closet when it annoys you. My closet is an acording type - foldout from the middle. Mine can get out in only a few minutes. I've heard that the ideal scenario is to get litter mate bro and sis kittens and neuter and spay them. You can get them fixed as early as 2 months. It used to be that you had to wait until around 4 months for females, but that was several years ago. The vet told me 2 months for females now less than a year ago. I have a male orange tabby that is just over a year old. He is very affectionate and gets lonely easy. I was plesantly surprised that he wasn't completely pissed when I finally got home last night after being gone since Friday morning. He wanted to cuddle TOO much last night though, inhibiting sleep. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elisha 1 #38 September 6, 2005 QuoteCATNIP.. get catnip! They´ll love you forever! Not necessarily. Some (like mine) never really care about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #39 September 6, 2005 Good thing you didn't head off to work or something without seeing her first! It's funny how cats seem to have routines - just like us.Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #40 September 6, 2005 QuoteSo, my question: Does anyone just have one cat? I have had just one cat in the past... From my experience, I would say they definitely are happier in pairs (or three is good too ), especially if they are from the same litter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #41 September 6, 2005 Three...I'm going to have a hard enough time explaining two cats if he ever figures it out!Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
missg8tordivr 0 #42 September 6, 2005 I have two male siamese cats. I have never really had any luck with female cats. I do not have them de-clawed because the last couple cats that I did that to went totally crazy....it might have been something else, but imagine waking up one day only to have your nails ripped out. *** F LORIDA! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #43 September 6, 2005 Two kittens are better than one. Get them at the same time so there's no territory problems. If a cat has another cat to play with, he won't be playing with your potted plants, furniture, or other stuff that is "not for kitties". When there's another cat around to entertain them, they're a lot less likely to entertain themselves in ways you wouldn't like. The cost of two cats isn't much more than one, and both you and the cats will be much happier. Cats, although they don't show it sometimes, are social animals and get lonely when left by themselves while you're at work and the kids are at school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haymangonzo 0 #44 September 6, 2005 Yes I had one cat. Then I had a second. Then I had a third. Now I only have a dog. *** Nice to meet you toot! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elisha 1 #45 September 6, 2005 Regarding claws: I clip my boys' regularly. To get them used to it, massage their paws so they are comfortable with you touching their paws. You can use a regular fingernail clipper, but don't cut them that far - don't get the pink part (the "quick") or they will start to bleed. You need to have the cat in a docile mood (e.g. half asleep). It won't happen if they are in a playful mood. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #46 September 6, 2005 QuoteIf a cat has another cat to play with, he won't be playing with your potted plants, furniture, or other stuff that is "not for kitties". Two (or three) cats is definitely better than one, but that doesn't keep them from playing with things that they're not supposed to (in my experience), especially if they are indoor-only kitties. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #47 September 6, 2005 QuoteUnfortunately, even neutered males can spray.... And neutered females. We have three cats, 2 female and one male. One of the females will spray if stressted about something. The male rarely sprays but pisses on the floor beside his litter box...which pisses me off. One of the females ...the one that doesn't spray... is a wonderful cat..affectionate, clean and quiet. The one that sprays is more of a loner and has a nastier disposition. The male is a great cat (except for the pissing problem)...he hangs out with the kids, is very gentle...he's never scratched anybody and is just a very easy going cat. I think that having two is good....but it depends. The ornery female would likely be happier if she was the only cat in the house. I also think that as they get older they become much more solitary animals...which is more in their nature...lions are the only cats that are pack animals...the rest are solitary hunters. Our cats all have their "spots" where they sleep...they never sleep together now whereas they used to when they were younger...up to about 2 years of age.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #48 September 6, 2005 True. doesn't prevent kitty mischief, but it definitely reduces it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #49 September 6, 2005 We just got two new kittens, 10 weeks old. One is a male, the other is a female. They spend quite a bit of time playing together, and sleep together. They were already littered trained when we got them from ASPCA. The vet is saying have the male neutered at 4 months, the female at 6 months. The male is already using the scratching post, while the female hasn't quite caught on yet (...no major damage). At this time, we're trying to teach them they're not allowed to get on the dinner table. Other than that, absolutely no problems, and quite a bit of fun.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #50 September 6, 2005 I'm so jealous that you already have yours! We're nearly done our construction - it will probably be another four weeks. I can't wait! Once I've got him/her/them, I'll post a picture of them! If you've got one of your kitty/cats, I'd love to see them! Post up!Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
