I Want To Get Cats, But I Have Some Concerns
March 2, 2019 7:54 AM Subscribe
I want to adopt a couple of cats, but have some concerns. Details inside
I want to adopt a couple of cats. I have a small apartment and am a bit of a neat freak. I also have obsessions in regards to design and aesthetics. I know that by having animals in the house, there is going to be a certain amount of messiness etc. I just want to minimize it. I have OCD btw.
1)How do I keep the cats from ruining my stuff? I expensive couches and other items that I don’t want to get clawed and ruined. Due to space and aesthetics, I am not crazy about those cat towers. They are ugly and take up lots of room. I also don’t like tons of toys strewn about. I have seen cats that get caps on their claws. I don’t know if that is cruel or not?
2)Litter. I don’t mind scooping daily. I don’t know if a pair of cats usually share a box. I don’t really know where to put it. Obviously, the living room, bedroom and kitchen are out. The bathroom is an option, but very tiny. The only other option would be the second bedroom which I wouldn’t be wild about. My girlfriend wants to potty train them. I don’t know how realistic that is. I also fear them falling into the toilet and getting gross. What are my options? I have seen the litter robots. I don’t know how they work, but they seem to take up a lot of room.
3) Do particular types of cats shed more than others? Is there a type of cat that would be best for me, given my concerns. I’m sure that I will be limited due to wanting to adopt two cats. I plan to brush them frequently
TL,DR – I want an apartment that doesn’t smell, isn’t cluttered and not “destroyed” by cats.
Thank you in advance
I want to adopt a couple of cats. I have a small apartment and am a bit of a neat freak. I also have obsessions in regards to design and aesthetics. I know that by having animals in the house, there is going to be a certain amount of messiness etc. I just want to minimize it. I have OCD btw.
1)How do I keep the cats from ruining my stuff? I expensive couches and other items that I don’t want to get clawed and ruined. Due to space and aesthetics, I am not crazy about those cat towers. They are ugly and take up lots of room. I also don’t like tons of toys strewn about. I have seen cats that get caps on their claws. I don’t know if that is cruel or not?
2)Litter. I don’t mind scooping daily. I don’t know if a pair of cats usually share a box. I don’t really know where to put it. Obviously, the living room, bedroom and kitchen are out. The bathroom is an option, but very tiny. The only other option would be the second bedroom which I wouldn’t be wild about. My girlfriend wants to potty train them. I don’t know how realistic that is. I also fear them falling into the toilet and getting gross. What are my options? I have seen the litter robots. I don’t know how they work, but they seem to take up a lot of room.
3) Do particular types of cats shed more than others? Is there a type of cat that would be best for me, given my concerns. I’m sure that I will be limited due to wanting to adopt two cats. I plan to brush them frequently
TL,DR – I want an apartment that doesn’t smell, isn’t cluttered and not “destroyed” by cats.
Thank you in advance
Cats introduce a random factor into a house, which I suspect you would not enjoy, given the terms and even the phrasing of your post. Have you considered getting some other animal that would be happy in a cage, tank or terrarium?
posted by zadcat at 8:05 AM on March 2, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by zadcat at 8:05 AM on March 2, 2019 [10 favorites]
One litter box for two cats isn't ideal. Even two boxes side by side in the same location may not work for your cats - my two family/childhood cats each had their own box in a nice, out of the way spot, but right next to each other. One cat was fine with it and one routinely urinated all around the basement.
Which brings me to another point: cats who eliminate outside the box are not exactly uncommon. For some it can be relatively easy to fix and for others they're going to keep doing it no matter how often you clean their box, get them checked at the vet, try different liters and medications and Feliway (this was the case with my last cat, unfortunately). I realize the latter situation is rarer, but either way I'm not sure there's a way to predict what cat is always going to use the litter box and which one will have problems. And this doesn't even get into hairballs, the occasional barfing, etc. Oh yeah, and tracking litter outside of the box on their paws.
This isn't to say that cats aren't great because of course they can be wonderful pets - but if cleanliness is that big of a concern to you maybe you'd be better off making friends with someone who has cats you can visit, or socializing with the cats at your local shelter?
posted by DingoMutt at 8:05 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
Which brings me to another point: cats who eliminate outside the box are not exactly uncommon. For some it can be relatively easy to fix and for others they're going to keep doing it no matter how often you clean their box, get them checked at the vet, try different liters and medications and Feliway (this was the case with my last cat, unfortunately). I realize the latter situation is rarer, but either way I'm not sure there's a way to predict what cat is always going to use the litter box and which one will have problems. And this doesn't even get into hairballs, the occasional barfing, etc. Oh yeah, and tracking litter outside of the box on their paws.
This isn't to say that cats aren't great because of course they can be wonderful pets - but if cleanliness is that big of a concern to you maybe you'd be better off making friends with someone who has cats you can visit, or socializing with the cats at your local shelter?
posted by DingoMutt at 8:05 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
I agree that cats are probably not the right choice of pet for you.
They must have things to scratch, and they can't always be depended on to scratch what you want them to. They shed; there will be cat hair on everything. They chuck hairballs, this is a completely natural cat thing, your carpets, your furniture, will get barfed on. They'll track litter everywhere, and some cats just don't get the hang of perfect litterbox targeting. Some cats react to stress by marking/spraying, which can be extremely hard to clear thoroughly. Cats also require love and affection, and frequent stimulation/playtime, or they'll get neurotic and start acting out. And if you don't know how to raise a friendly cat (e.g. never tease them with your hands), it can be easy to raise a mean cat.
I love my cats, and I would never live without cats, but the honest truth is that my house and everything in it is owned by my cats, not me, because they have the final say on what stays clean and pristine and what gets wrecked -- and a lot of our decoration choices centre around "what's cheap/replaceable and/or hard to for the cats to ruin."
They're little furry people, and like any other pet they deserve to be housed in a place that is as much their own as it is yours.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:13 AM on March 2, 2019 [22 favorites]
They must have things to scratch, and they can't always be depended on to scratch what you want them to. They shed; there will be cat hair on everything. They chuck hairballs, this is a completely natural cat thing, your carpets, your furniture, will get barfed on. They'll track litter everywhere, and some cats just don't get the hang of perfect litterbox targeting. Some cats react to stress by marking/spraying, which can be extremely hard to clear thoroughly. Cats also require love and affection, and frequent stimulation/playtime, or they'll get neurotic and start acting out. And if you don't know how to raise a friendly cat (e.g. never tease them with your hands), it can be easy to raise a mean cat.
I love my cats, and I would never live without cats, but the honest truth is that my house and everything in it is owned by my cats, not me, because they have the final say on what stays clean and pristine and what gets wrecked -- and a lot of our decoration choices centre around "what's cheap/replaceable and/or hard to for the cats to ruin."
They're little furry people, and like any other pet they deserve to be housed in a place that is as much their own as it is yours.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:13 AM on March 2, 2019 [22 favorites]
I don't think cats are for you. Perhaps start by fostering (not kittens) so you can find out in a temporary way.
If you do get cats under no circumstances get kittens or young cats. You want older, calmer pets where they can tell you the personality, probably a pair that has lived together their entire lives. Cat claw caps are fine, but you will definitely need something for them to claw at, possibly multiple things. You might be able to get away with one box, that will depend on the cats. Cats puke. Cats shed even when you brush them daily. Cats will turn anything into a toy.
I think the look of cats lounging on furniture is a great design feature. But you don't seem to, and it isn't clear here why you want cats.
posted by jeather at 8:20 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
If you do get cats under no circumstances get kittens or young cats. You want older, calmer pets where they can tell you the personality, probably a pair that has lived together their entire lives. Cat claw caps are fine, but you will definitely need something for them to claw at, possibly multiple things. You might be able to get away with one box, that will depend on the cats. Cats puke. Cats shed even when you brush them daily. Cats will turn anything into a toy.
I think the look of cats lounging on furniture is a great design feature. But you don't seem to, and it isn't clear here why you want cats.
posted by jeather at 8:20 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
Check out the Vesper brand of cat towers, and the Refined Feline brand of cat accessories. They look *much* nicer than the usual. More expensive, though! No guarantees your cats will like them! A friend spent hundreds of $ on the Calypso cat scratcher, Kitty Ball bed, and fancy shelves and climbing poles attached to the wall, and their cats never used them. We inherited the accessories, and our cats never used them, either. Sold them to someone else for much cheaper, and their cats were lounging and scratching within 5 mins. We've had great success with the Vespers though.
We have the Refined Feline litter box cabinet, it's right beside the couch. No one knows it's there; unless a cat literally takes a stinky shit while you're on the couch, it's not stinky. We scoop once per day and use pine pellets litter. It does track though so lots of sweeping and a robot vacuum helps with clean floors.
They scratched some of the furniture, but with some sticky tape they've been trained out of doing so. Now they only scratch designated areas, like the cat tree.
As for toys, they like wand toys, so they're out of sight when it's not play time, and there are maybe 5 more toys that are easy to pick up and hide if we need it to be less cluttered.
All the above to say it's possible to have cats and have a nice house, nice people furniture, nice cat furniture, doesn't stink, etc. But there are no guarantees that that will be your experience. If you're super rigid and don't want anything to change with the addition of cats, then yes, I agree with others, that that is an unrealistic expectation and you're probably better off without cats. But if it's more like you have no idea if a sort of middle ground is achievable (maybe you've only seen ratty cat trees and couches scratched all to bits?), I'm here to tell you , yes it is!
posted by tinydancer at 8:27 AM on March 2, 2019 [6 favorites]
We have the Refined Feline litter box cabinet, it's right beside the couch. No one knows it's there; unless a cat literally takes a stinky shit while you're on the couch, it's not stinky. We scoop once per day and use pine pellets litter. It does track though so lots of sweeping and a robot vacuum helps with clean floors.
They scratched some of the furniture, but with some sticky tape they've been trained out of doing so. Now they only scratch designated areas, like the cat tree.
As for toys, they like wand toys, so they're out of sight when it's not play time, and there are maybe 5 more toys that are easy to pick up and hide if we need it to be less cluttered.
All the above to say it's possible to have cats and have a nice house, nice people furniture, nice cat furniture, doesn't stink, etc. But there are no guarantees that that will be your experience. If you're super rigid and don't want anything to change with the addition of cats, then yes, I agree with others, that that is an unrealistic expectation and you're probably better off without cats. But if it's more like you have no idea if a sort of middle ground is achievable (maybe you've only seen ratty cat trees and couches scratched all to bits?), I'm here to tell you , yes it is!
posted by tinydancer at 8:27 AM on March 2, 2019 [6 favorites]
Keep in mind that cats frequently vomit/cough up hairballs as well. You can mitigate this some with food and grooming, but some will do it more than others. Hardwood floors are easy to clean up, but rugs are easily stained.
(My opinion as a cat owner - you should not adopt a cat)
posted by valeries at 8:28 AM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
(My opinion as a cat owner - you should not adopt a cat)
posted by valeries at 8:28 AM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
a lot of our decoration choices centre around "what's cheap/replaceable and/or hard to for the cats to ruin."
Cats are a good way to avoid spending large sums of money on furniture and to become comfortable with a glass/metal aesthetic and uncarpeted floors.
Like others, I don't think cats are for you. (I do think you'd enjoy a fish tank.) Perhaps for cat things volunteer at a shelter, or see if there's a cat cafe in your area?
posted by holgate at 8:30 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
Cats are a good way to avoid spending large sums of money on furniture and to become comfortable with a glass/metal aesthetic and uncarpeted floors.
Like others, I don't think cats are for you. (I do think you'd enjoy a fish tank.) Perhaps for cat things volunteer at a shelter, or see if there's a cat cafe in your area?
posted by holgate at 8:30 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
Also, here is Jackson Galaxy on why toilet training a cat isn't a good idea. It's uncomfortable and stressful for the cat, and it goes against his instincts to bury his waste. Having a litter box that smells familiar gives a kitty a sense of security.
posted by easy, lucky, free at 8:43 AM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by easy, lucky, free at 8:43 AM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
I usually respond to posts about getting a cat with encouragement, because I think cats are great, and people often worry too much about things that are easily manageable.
That's just some context for my advice:
I do not think you should get a cat.
I think having a cat in your home would add a lot of stress for you, and that your ways of managing that stress are likely to hurt the cat's quality of life. You're already concerned about how you'll cope with the things you know to expect on a daily basis (shedding, scratching, litterbox) - how will you cope if there is a problem?
Cats are animals, and as animals, they can be messy and unpredictable. You can brush them every day, and they will still shed. You can clean the litterboxes every day, and they still might decide to go somewhere else. They sometimes puke, or cough up hairballs. They are going to scratch, and especially if you feel like scratching toys don't fit your aesthetic, they are going to scratch your things - and sometimes, you. Sometimes they get sick, and instead of freaking out about how that will impact your space, you should really be freaking out about how to best take care of them.
Just today, my cat had a poop detachment issue; she knows to use the box, but the poop fell off her butt in the living room, not in the box. That kind of thing happens.
You are already making choices detrimental to the cat, in order to preserve your neat space - you don't want toys out, you don't want ugly cat furniture. Your girlfriend does not sound ready to have a cat either. Yes, you can train a cat to use a toilet sometimes. Is it good for the cat? Probably not, because it make them eliminate in a precarious, unnatural position, and it might lead to elimination issues. Will your cat reliably go in the toilet? Probably not, it's really hard to train them to do this unnatural thing and they can find it unpleasant.
Cats are a responsibility and to be honest, this question comes across as self-centered. You are trying to find out how to minimize a cat's impact on your space, but it will be the cat's space too. I know that you have a mental health issue, that makes these concerns more important. But it really does not seem like you are able right now to put the cat's needs first.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 8:44 AM on March 2, 2019 [21 favorites]
That's just some context for my advice:
I do not think you should get a cat.
I think having a cat in your home would add a lot of stress for you, and that your ways of managing that stress are likely to hurt the cat's quality of life. You're already concerned about how you'll cope with the things you know to expect on a daily basis (shedding, scratching, litterbox) - how will you cope if there is a problem?
Cats are animals, and as animals, they can be messy and unpredictable. You can brush them every day, and they will still shed. You can clean the litterboxes every day, and they still might decide to go somewhere else. They sometimes puke, or cough up hairballs. They are going to scratch, and especially if you feel like scratching toys don't fit your aesthetic, they are going to scratch your things - and sometimes, you. Sometimes they get sick, and instead of freaking out about how that will impact your space, you should really be freaking out about how to best take care of them.
Just today, my cat had a poop detachment issue; she knows to use the box, but the poop fell off her butt in the living room, not in the box. That kind of thing happens.
You are already making choices detrimental to the cat, in order to preserve your neat space - you don't want toys out, you don't want ugly cat furniture. Your girlfriend does not sound ready to have a cat either. Yes, you can train a cat to use a toilet sometimes. Is it good for the cat? Probably not, because it make them eliminate in a precarious, unnatural position, and it might lead to elimination issues. Will your cat reliably go in the toilet? Probably not, it's really hard to train them to do this unnatural thing and they can find it unpleasant.
Cats are a responsibility and to be honest, this question comes across as self-centered. You are trying to find out how to minimize a cat's impact on your space, but it will be the cat's space too. I know that you have a mental health issue, that makes these concerns more important. But it really does not seem like you are able right now to put the cat's needs first.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 8:44 AM on March 2, 2019 [21 favorites]
If you’re going to adopt, I’d suggest getting just one cat. Shelters are full of older cats hoping for a home. Many have been well socialized and won’t have any litter training issues. They tend to be quieter and calmer and less destructive, especially a spayed female. And if you get a cat that’s pushing 8 or 10, your committment will be shorter. They tend to live 12-18 years. You’ll find out if you’re a cat person. If you’re not, you’ll find that out to. And you could save one sweet cat that the shelter can’t place because everyone wants the kittens and younger cats.
Many shelters also have fostering programs. This is a tougher path even though it seems obviously better for the short commitment time. Fostering is usually for experienced cat people as you often have to do a fair bit of socializing as well. But good shelters almost always let you bring a cat back if it won’t work out after all.
The shelter I support and where I acquired our once-semiferal girl typically sees older cats languish for months and months. Even the chance at a loving home is better than that. Think about it. I have loved many an older cat I never knew as a kitten. And their characters are usually set and discernible.
posted by spitbull at 8:47 AM on March 2, 2019 [10 favorites]
Many shelters also have fostering programs. This is a tougher path even though it seems obviously better for the short commitment time. Fostering is usually for experienced cat people as you often have to do a fair bit of socializing as well. But good shelters almost always let you bring a cat back if it won’t work out after all.
The shelter I support and where I acquired our once-semiferal girl typically sees older cats languish for months and months. Even the chance at a loving home is better than that. Think about it. I have loved many an older cat I never knew as a kitten. And their characters are usually set and discernible.
posted by spitbull at 8:47 AM on March 2, 2019 [10 favorites]
If you get cats, there will be no such thing as a tidy, clean, non-cat-smelling apartment in your life. Cats are low-key chaos generators, and my nice-but-not-super-posh Ikea couch is basically a scratching post for one of the two, despite the fact that we have an actual scratching post. Which they also use. That's the thing about cats - they can't really be coached to not do things like scratch and claw your furniture, at least not long-term, because that's just who they are. You as a cat owner would need to be OK with that.
For me, it was worth the tradeoff, because I love our cats like crazy and I've become accustomed to the fact that I'll never own museum-quality furniture again. To answer your specific questions:
1. You don't. That's just what cats do. And yes, it's mean/cruel to put those little caps on their claws.
2. The general rule of thumb is one box per cat. In a small space, you can get away with only one box if it's significantly bigger than your biggest cat, but ideally there would be a box for each one. It is theoretically possible to potty-train a cat, but it's probably way more work than it's worth compared to scooping litter every day and keeping the box clean. If you have one box for two cats, it is essential that you keep it as clean as possible. Think of it this way: how do you like a dirty bathroom? If your answer is "I don't", how do you think a cat feels about a full litter box?
3. This is going to sound obvious and I don't mean it as snark, but long haired cats shed way more than short haired ones. All cats shed, though, so it's not like you'll be fur-free with short haired cats; it'll just be less. But you'll want to start sweeping/vacuuming every day if that bothers you. As for brushing them: maybe? We have two cats, one of whom likes being brushed and one of whom absolutely does not.
TL;DR: Cats are wonderful. Cats are also infuriating. Cats are also puzzling. Cats are also a fair amount of work. It honestly doesn't sound like a cat is something that would make you happy. Can you cat-sit for someone for a couple days to see if caring for an animal in a home environment would work for you? I would recommend that before diving into the wonderfully chaotic world of cat ownership.
posted by pdb at 8:50 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
For me, it was worth the tradeoff, because I love our cats like crazy and I've become accustomed to the fact that I'll never own museum-quality furniture again. To answer your specific questions:
1. You don't. That's just what cats do. And yes, it's mean/cruel to put those little caps on their claws.
2. The general rule of thumb is one box per cat. In a small space, you can get away with only one box if it's significantly bigger than your biggest cat, but ideally there would be a box for each one. It is theoretically possible to potty-train a cat, but it's probably way more work than it's worth compared to scooping litter every day and keeping the box clean. If you have one box for two cats, it is essential that you keep it as clean as possible. Think of it this way: how do you like a dirty bathroom? If your answer is "I don't", how do you think a cat feels about a full litter box?
3. This is going to sound obvious and I don't mean it as snark, but long haired cats shed way more than short haired ones. All cats shed, though, so it's not like you'll be fur-free with short haired cats; it'll just be less. But you'll want to start sweeping/vacuuming every day if that bothers you. As for brushing them: maybe? We have two cats, one of whom likes being brushed and one of whom absolutely does not.
TL;DR: Cats are wonderful. Cats are also infuriating. Cats are also puzzling. Cats are also a fair amount of work. It honestly doesn't sound like a cat is something that would make you happy. Can you cat-sit for someone for a couple days to see if caring for an animal in a home environment would work for you? I would recommend that before diving into the wonderfully chaotic world of cat ownership.
posted by pdb at 8:50 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
Also, shelters sometimes have declawed older cats. It’s a horrid, cruel thing to do, but people do it. You don’t see many because alas a declawed cat cannot survive as a feral for long. But I’ve seen them. Again, you wouldn’t be the agent of the cruelty, but of mercy. Your furniture wouldn’t have to know that.
Cats can change your life in beautiful ways. Of course that comes at a cost. They’re living beings and have traces of wild animal to them. That is what makes them so amazing.
posted by spitbull at 8:54 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
Cats can change your life in beautiful ways. Of course that comes at a cost. They’re living beings and have traces of wild animal to them. That is what makes them so amazing.
posted by spitbull at 8:54 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
Agreeing with the other posters who have said you should not get a cat. I have four cats. Three of them are cats someone else didn't want. One of them was declawed before she was left at a shelter and was there for two-plus years before I adopted her.
If you do not care more about an animal than your furniture? Don't get a pet. My cats are generally well-behaved, but cat #3 had a habit of peeing / marking when stressed and until that was sorted out... she marked the couch I had, several times. (One of the reasons she had been returned.)
As cats get older, they may develop health problems. Two of my cats are diabetic. The most recent addition came to me diabetic at 14 a few weeks ago. His owners didn't want to deal with him anymore and dropped him off at a shelter where he was going to be put down if nobody stepped up to take him in. He's absolutely the sweetest kitty you'd ever want to meet, but even when offered a supply of insulin to help them out, they declined and left him to (possibly) die.
My routine revolves around insulin shots for cats. I don't mind, but it's a hassle sometimes. But if you can't sign up for that, don't adopt a cat (or dog, or any animal that lives long enough to become geriatric).
Taking in a cat or dog is a lifetime commitment - their lifetime. If shedding, scratching, going outside the box, or anything else is a deal-breaker or major concern for you? You should absolutely not adopt an animal.
As an aside, no, I don't think putting caps or trimming claws is cruel. Declawing is barbaric and should be outlawed, but I don't think that caps are cruel.
One litterbox for two cats is pushing it, you might might might get away with it if you have a bonded pair that are OK with sharing, but I wouldn't risk it. (I have four litter boxes for four cats. Technically I should have five, but they seem to be doing OK.)
posted by jzb at 8:58 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
If you do not care more about an animal than your furniture? Don't get a pet. My cats are generally well-behaved, but cat #3 had a habit of peeing / marking when stressed and until that was sorted out... she marked the couch I had, several times. (One of the reasons she had been returned.)
As cats get older, they may develop health problems. Two of my cats are diabetic. The most recent addition came to me diabetic at 14 a few weeks ago. His owners didn't want to deal with him anymore and dropped him off at a shelter where he was going to be put down if nobody stepped up to take him in. He's absolutely the sweetest kitty you'd ever want to meet, but even when offered a supply of insulin to help them out, they declined and left him to (possibly) die.
My routine revolves around insulin shots for cats. I don't mind, but it's a hassle sometimes. But if you can't sign up for that, don't adopt a cat (or dog, or any animal that lives long enough to become geriatric).
Taking in a cat or dog is a lifetime commitment - their lifetime. If shedding, scratching, going outside the box, or anything else is a deal-breaker or major concern for you? You should absolutely not adopt an animal.
As an aside, no, I don't think putting caps or trimming claws is cruel. Declawing is barbaric and should be outlawed, but I don't think that caps are cruel.
One litterbox for two cats is pushing it, you might might might get away with it if you have a bonded pair that are OK with sharing, but I wouldn't risk it. (I have four litter boxes for four cats. Technically I should have five, but they seem to be doing OK.)
posted by jzb at 8:58 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
I have to agree with everyone else, I don't think cats are for you.
1. Cats need to scratch. It's natural. Even with a scratching post and/or cat tower, your furniture may still be a victim. I have a nice big scratching post which my cat uses just fine, but she will still occasionally use the sofa. When I got a new one, I deliberately went with a nice-but-not-super-fancy Ikea one with sturdy fabric, because I knew that was a thing that was going to happen. (Claw caps are a thing, but a lot of cats don't tolerate them, so I wouldn't count on them.)
2. A single litter box won't be enough for two cats. The formula I see mentioned often is [number of cats] + 1. If you are very vigilant about it, it's not going to be consistently stinky, but they do poop and it does stink. Also even with a litter-trained cat, accidents can happen. You can get one of those litter boxes that are hidden in cabinets, but whether your specific cats will tolerate them is an unknown - they can make the cat feel trapped.
3. I have a short-haired cat who does not shed a lot. Still cat hair everywhere. She tolerates being brushed but it doesn't help a whole lot. Long-haired cats are worse than short-haired cats.
Additional points:
4. You're occasionally going to end up with cat barf somewhere, because hairballs are a thing that happens.
5. Cats need attention and enrichment, and if you haven't got cat toys and don't play with them, they're just going to end up playing with your stuff instead. (Cats knock things off shelves etc when they're bored.) I have a fairly sedate, older-lady cat but she still gets the zoomies sometimes and needs to be played with, and cats don't understand "later" - she's gonna make her own entertainment if I don't want to play. A lot of my shelf decorations are blutac'd to the shelves, and you can forget about having anything fragile on non-enclosed shelves if your cat is a leaper like mine is, except at the very top levels.
You want to protect your space, and I 100% understand that, but when you adopt a pet, it becomes the pet's space, also, not just yours anymore. It's the same as living with another human and making allowances for them.
posted by sailoreagle at 8:59 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
1. Cats need to scratch. It's natural. Even with a scratching post and/or cat tower, your furniture may still be a victim. I have a nice big scratching post which my cat uses just fine, but she will still occasionally use the sofa. When I got a new one, I deliberately went with a nice-but-not-super-fancy Ikea one with sturdy fabric, because I knew that was a thing that was going to happen. (Claw caps are a thing, but a lot of cats don't tolerate them, so I wouldn't count on them.)
2. A single litter box won't be enough for two cats. The formula I see mentioned often is [number of cats] + 1. If you are very vigilant about it, it's not going to be consistently stinky, but they do poop and it does stink. Also even with a litter-trained cat, accidents can happen. You can get one of those litter boxes that are hidden in cabinets, but whether your specific cats will tolerate them is an unknown - they can make the cat feel trapped.
3. I have a short-haired cat who does not shed a lot. Still cat hair everywhere. She tolerates being brushed but it doesn't help a whole lot. Long-haired cats are worse than short-haired cats.
Additional points:
4. You're occasionally going to end up with cat barf somewhere, because hairballs are a thing that happens.
5. Cats need attention and enrichment, and if you haven't got cat toys and don't play with them, they're just going to end up playing with your stuff instead. (Cats knock things off shelves etc when they're bored.) I have a fairly sedate, older-lady cat but she still gets the zoomies sometimes and needs to be played with, and cats don't understand "later" - she's gonna make her own entertainment if I don't want to play. A lot of my shelf decorations are blutac'd to the shelves, and you can forget about having anything fragile on non-enclosed shelves if your cat is a leaper like mine is, except at the very top levels.
You want to protect your space, and I 100% understand that, but when you adopt a pet, it becomes the pet's space, also, not just yours anymore. It's the same as living with another human and making allowances for them.
posted by sailoreagle at 8:59 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
Also to add: a modern litter, scooped daily and out of the main traffic in the house, makes no discernible smell except sometimes right after the cat does its business. We keep ours in a closet with the door partly open (privacy matters a lot to cats). There is no smell. None.
And daily brushing with a wire flicker brush goes a long way toward keeping fur off stuff and preventing hairball vomiting, plus for some cats it is an amazing tool for socializing and bonding. My cat can’t get enough of her brush, which was essential for socializing her as a feral, and begs for it if it’s been even an hour or two since the last round. She’s thrown up twice in three years.
posted by spitbull at 9:00 AM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
And daily brushing with a wire flicker brush goes a long way toward keeping fur off stuff and preventing hairball vomiting, plus for some cats it is an amazing tool for socializing and bonding. My cat can’t get enough of her brush, which was essential for socializing her as a feral, and begs for it if it’s been even an hour or two since the last round. She’s thrown up twice in three years.
posted by spitbull at 9:00 AM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
There are cats that exist that don't scratch the furniture, etc. What you want to look for is a cat that the owner had to give up because they're moving, new partner/child is allergic, owner died, etc. You want a cat that has a lot of information available on it vs a cat that was picked up off the street with no backstory.
Ask your coworkers, friends, look on PetFinder, etc. For example, my uncle's roommate was moving back to her country and it wasn't feasible for her to take two cats back with her. They shared a litterbox, didn't scratch the furniture, and were complete loves. She put the word out through her friend network to get them rehomed. This happens all the time.
For you to successfully have a cat, you'll need to be a little flexible to accommodate their needs. The reason a cat won't scratch the furniture is because they are trained to scratch other surfaces, cat trees and scratching posts. They also need to have toys to play with to not get bored.
I had two cats. They shared one litterbox for twelve years until one of them passed. I never lived in a place where I had space to have two litterboxes. They never had an issue, I kept the box clean. YMMV, but the idea that you need to have one box per cat? I assume these are non-city dwellers with lots of room.
Cats will occasionally throw up, usually on your expensive carpet. The cat will shed, but you get a lint roller for your clothes and vacuum regularly. You just have to roll with it.
I would not get a senior cat. I feel like senior animals are not for the first time owner, and with your concerns, a senior cat may have health issues that may be harder for you to adjust and deal with right at the get-go.
Cats are living beings with needs outside of food and toilet. They need to scratch, they need to play, and they need attention. Be honest with yourself about how flexible you're able to be with your OCD and aesthetics.
posted by vivzan at 9:08 AM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Ask your coworkers, friends, look on PetFinder, etc. For example, my uncle's roommate was moving back to her country and it wasn't feasible for her to take two cats back with her. They shared a litterbox, didn't scratch the furniture, and were complete loves. She put the word out through her friend network to get them rehomed. This happens all the time.
For you to successfully have a cat, you'll need to be a little flexible to accommodate their needs. The reason a cat won't scratch the furniture is because they are trained to scratch other surfaces, cat trees and scratching posts. They also need to have toys to play with to not get bored.
I had two cats. They shared one litterbox for twelve years until one of them passed. I never lived in a place where I had space to have two litterboxes. They never had an issue, I kept the box clean. YMMV, but the idea that you need to have one box per cat? I assume these are non-city dwellers with lots of room.
Cats will occasionally throw up, usually on your expensive carpet. The cat will shed, but you get a lint roller for your clothes and vacuum regularly. You just have to roll with it.
I would not get a senior cat. I feel like senior animals are not for the first time owner, and with your concerns, a senior cat may have health issues that may be harder for you to adjust and deal with right at the get-go.
Cats are living beings with needs outside of food and toilet. They need to scratch, they need to play, and they need attention. Be honest with yourself about how flexible you're able to be with your OCD and aesthetics.
posted by vivzan at 9:08 AM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Don't get cats. It would not be fair to them. Maybe goldfish would work.
posted by mermayd at 9:10 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by mermayd at 9:10 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
Fur length is not a good indicator of how much a cat sheds. My short haired cats shed much more than my long haired cat.
posted by jeather at 9:26 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by jeather at 9:26 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
I know many homes with cats that don't smell, aren't cluttered, and aren't destroyed by cats. In fact, that's the default. If you clean a lot and give them lots of attention, you can avoid a lot of destructive behaviors. I had a lot of your same concerns before adopting my cats: I first had a set of littermates, then after they died adopted my solo kitten. My old cats could be very destructive due to health issues I didn't know until later; of course, I wasn't going to return them so I learned to deal. My new kitty does not have any health concerns and is very well-behaved, all things considered. She jumps on stuff and loves digging in plants but isn't messy or difficult. The point is that all cats take work but some are easier than others; however, you don't often know until you've had them for awhile.
All that being said, as someone who had your same concerns and more, I can tell you that adopting a cat is one of the best choices I've ever done and my cats bring me nearly constant joy and amusement. They've made me a better and much happier person. As someone who also lives with mental illness, I can tell you that the companionship and distraction of a frisky feline greatly improves my quality of life every day. I didn't have my own cat until well into adulthood but now I can't imagine ever living without one!
So, I totally understand where the naysayers are coming from and think they all raise good points. However, if you and your partner are committed to trying, knowing it may be a dream or it may be a disaster but that you're committed to the cat, I say adopt!
The litterbox is gross but worth it; mine is in a kitchen corner but closets work well, too. How about a hallway? Because litter spreads, I wouldn't have mine in the bedroom or bathroom. You'll find a spot! The potty training goal sounds nice but a bit unrealistic for first-time cat owners. You can always try and have the litterboxes as back-up!
My advice would be to do so when you have a week off so you can bond. A bonded pair keep each other company but it's way more work (so.much.poop!) and a lot more money. A solo cat is fine if you give it plenty of attention, which it sounds like you definitely will. There are fancy breeds with different traits but I've found my domestic shorthairs don't shed too much; I brush them a lot and vacuum many times a week. Cats of all ages are great but I like to adopt kittens so we can form a close bond; however, you don't necessarily see kittens' personalities come out till they're older. The cuteness factor also helped me get over the initial adjustment phase and stresses. Seriously, don't underestimate the power of cute to make up for annoyance if you are someone who has even a tiny weakness for adorable stuff!
Perhaps it's not quite time for you to adopt a cat just yet but there are always cute kitties in need of good homes. I spent literally years visiting dogs and cats at animal shelters before adopting my cats. Visit them frequently and make donations. You can look into volunteering, too, although most smell pretty awful and it might scare you away. As for me, it finally got to a point where I was ready for the cat -- my ex really wanted one -- and then I happened upon the two littermates and knew it was time. Being practical is important but pets, like children, are an emotional choice first and foremost. If and when it's time, you'll know!
posted by smorgasbord at 9:28 AM on March 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
All that being said, as someone who had your same concerns and more, I can tell you that adopting a cat is one of the best choices I've ever done and my cats bring me nearly constant joy and amusement. They've made me a better and much happier person. As someone who also lives with mental illness, I can tell you that the companionship and distraction of a frisky feline greatly improves my quality of life every day. I didn't have my own cat until well into adulthood but now I can't imagine ever living without one!
So, I totally understand where the naysayers are coming from and think they all raise good points. However, if you and your partner are committed to trying, knowing it may be a dream or it may be a disaster but that you're committed to the cat, I say adopt!
The litterbox is gross but worth it; mine is in a kitchen corner but closets work well, too. How about a hallway? Because litter spreads, I wouldn't have mine in the bedroom or bathroom. You'll find a spot! The potty training goal sounds nice but a bit unrealistic for first-time cat owners. You can always try and have the litterboxes as back-up!
My advice would be to do so when you have a week off so you can bond. A bonded pair keep each other company but it's way more work (so.much.poop!) and a lot more money. A solo cat is fine if you give it plenty of attention, which it sounds like you definitely will. There are fancy breeds with different traits but I've found my domestic shorthairs don't shed too much; I brush them a lot and vacuum many times a week. Cats of all ages are great but I like to adopt kittens so we can form a close bond; however, you don't necessarily see kittens' personalities come out till they're older. The cuteness factor also helped me get over the initial adjustment phase and stresses. Seriously, don't underestimate the power of cute to make up for annoyance if you are someone who has even a tiny weakness for adorable stuff!
Perhaps it's not quite time for you to adopt a cat just yet but there are always cute kitties in need of good homes. I spent literally years visiting dogs and cats at animal shelters before adopting my cats. Visit them frequently and make donations. You can look into volunteering, too, although most smell pretty awful and it might scare you away. As for me, it finally got to a point where I was ready for the cat -- my ex really wanted one -- and then I happened upon the two littermates and knew it was time. Being practical is important but pets, like children, are an emotional choice first and foremost. If and when it's time, you'll know!
posted by smorgasbord at 9:28 AM on March 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
I'm kind of like you. My last cat passed away a year ago and while I miss her every day, I don't plan to get a new cat. My couch, which was pristine and gorgeous when I got my cat, is now a ratty mess. Surprisingly, I don't care about that at all. But for a while I was very worried about her ruining my couch, and then she did! While declawing is very inhumane, it is possible to search for cats on Petfinder that have already been declawed. There are not many left, but this could be a potential option.
The bigger problem for me is the smell from the litter box. I have a Litter Robot, which really helps cut down on smell, but in a 1.5 bedroom one-story apartment there aren't many places to put it. It's a very large piece of machinery. I had it in my closet in my office, but it essentially rendered my office unusable because it always smelled like cat. I'm pretty sensitive to smell and also fairly fastidious, and guests (even really honest ones) always said my house didn't smell like cat, but I really could smell it in my office.
As much as I miss my little best friend, I recognize that my lifestyle--especially my desire to not smell catbox all the time--is not compatible with having another cat. if I'm ever flush enough to live in a house with a basement, I will absolutely get a cat and put the litter box down there.
posted by sockermom at 9:28 AM on March 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
The bigger problem for me is the smell from the litter box. I have a Litter Robot, which really helps cut down on smell, but in a 1.5 bedroom one-story apartment there aren't many places to put it. It's a very large piece of machinery. I had it in my closet in my office, but it essentially rendered my office unusable because it always smelled like cat. I'm pretty sensitive to smell and also fairly fastidious, and guests (even really honest ones) always said my house didn't smell like cat, but I really could smell it in my office.
As much as I miss my little best friend, I recognize that my lifestyle--especially my desire to not smell catbox all the time--is not compatible with having another cat. if I'm ever flush enough to live in a house with a basement, I will absolutely get a cat and put the litter box down there.
posted by sockermom at 9:28 AM on March 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
Cats have completely impacted my lifestyle, especially decorating, and every single time I've naiively thought "I'm not going to let cats change this [aspect of my life]" they have.
- I swore I wouldn't ever have those ugly carpeted cat trees; I now have four.
- I swore I'd never have a cat peeing/pooing station near the kitchen (guess what? It's the only feasible place in our apt. YUCK.)
- I swore I'd never tolerate cats walking around on my kitchen counters - just try and stop 'em. I do bleach wipedowns before every meal now, including the stovetop where Jake likes to walk around.
- I swore I'd never let the place get covered in cat hair; sometimes I cannot deal with a deep clean every week and yes, the cat hair starts to become more assertive (and it gets everywhere!).
- I cannot have the decorating items I used to love (one of the first casualties were the fake but beautiful flowers I bought from Michaels arranged in a jar with stones - Jacqueline saw to that).
- I had a beautiful LED lit miniature fall tree from JoAnn's Fabrics that I LOVED. It lit up at night and made the apartment so magical! Yep, had to get rid of it - the cats wouldn't leave it alone.
- I've resigned myself to never having really nice furniture as one of our cats, Jake, love to scratch the corners of beds/sofas.
SO. MANY. CHOKING. HAZARDS. We don't even use rubber bands anymore. My cats have become so significant to me that I use extra precaution when it comes to items like that.
If you love decorating, if you have OCD, if you need your apartment to be clean - DON'T GET CATS. Get a goldfish, get a parakeet, get a hamster. But don't get cats.
(Also: just 15 minutes of play per day? MY ASS. My cats require at least 45 minutes each per day of good play.)
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 9:41 AM on March 2, 2019 [10 favorites]
- I swore I wouldn't ever have those ugly carpeted cat trees; I now have four.
- I swore I'd never have a cat peeing/pooing station near the kitchen (guess what? It's the only feasible place in our apt. YUCK.)
- I swore I'd never tolerate cats walking around on my kitchen counters - just try and stop 'em. I do bleach wipedowns before every meal now, including the stovetop where Jake likes to walk around.
- I swore I'd never let the place get covered in cat hair; sometimes I cannot deal with a deep clean every week and yes, the cat hair starts to become more assertive (and it gets everywhere!).
- I cannot have the decorating items I used to love (one of the first casualties were the fake but beautiful flowers I bought from Michaels arranged in a jar with stones - Jacqueline saw to that).
- I had a beautiful LED lit miniature fall tree from JoAnn's Fabrics that I LOVED. It lit up at night and made the apartment so magical! Yep, had to get rid of it - the cats wouldn't leave it alone.
- I've resigned myself to never having really nice furniture as one of our cats, Jake, love to scratch the corners of beds/sofas.
SO. MANY. CHOKING. HAZARDS. We don't even use rubber bands anymore. My cats have become so significant to me that I use extra precaution when it comes to items like that.
If you love decorating, if you have OCD, if you need your apartment to be clean - DON'T GET CATS. Get a goldfish, get a parakeet, get a hamster. But don't get cats.
(Also: just 15 minutes of play per day? MY ASS. My cats require at least 45 minutes each per day of good play.)
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 9:41 AM on March 2, 2019 [10 favorites]
Don't get cats.
Get something that lives in a tank. Many lizards and some species of fish can recognize you and appreciate that you're there, and they are fascinating to watch and care for. The tank can work into your decorating scheme beautifully and they can't get out, so they can't mess anything up. I love cats, but I'd pick a tank-dweller of some kind right now just because of the impact to my lifestyle.
posted by blnkfrnk at 9:53 AM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Get something that lives in a tank. Many lizards and some species of fish can recognize you and appreciate that you're there, and they are fascinating to watch and care for. The tank can work into your decorating scheme beautifully and they can't get out, so they can't mess anything up. I love cats, but I'd pick a tank-dweller of some kind right now just because of the impact to my lifestyle.
posted by blnkfrnk at 9:53 AM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
My two cats have access to two scratch boxes and they leave my furniture alone. If you haven't seen a scratch box it is a cardboard box about 12 inches by 20 inches by three inches high filled with corrugated cardboard, with the corrugations exposed. We sprinkle a little catnip in occasionally. It relieves most of their scratching urges, and they sometimes even sleep in them. Definitely recommended.
posted by leaper at 10:05 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by leaper at 10:05 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
Don't get cats. Cats do all the things you won't enjoy.
posted by crw at 10:11 AM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by crw at 10:11 AM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
I have seen the litter robots. I don’t know how they work, but they seem to take up a lot of room.
Yeah, they do. The Litter-Robot is basically a tradeoff: instead of scooping a litterbox multiple times a day you instead have to find room for a huge ugly expensive catshit-harvesting appliance. And it's not really the forget-all-your-catshit-worries panacea that the Litter-Robot advertising suggests. It needs its drawer emptied regularly or else it gets whiffy; it needs a thorough scrub-it-in-the-bathtub cleaning once a month or so or else it gets whiffy; and they still track litter out of it so you need a big litter mat in front of it or else vacuum/sweep around it regularly.
joseph conrad above is my partner and I'll add one extra thing to their list: cats get bored by sterile environments and this has led to a lot of stuff in our apartment being geared more to their needs than ours. They always want to go into closets when they're open and often will want to make sleep nests in them; they always want to climb up high and we ended up building catwalks to allow them more high-up access; they like multiple ways to navigate a room so all our furniture is pulled slightly away from the walls so they can walk the perimeter; they're stimulated by change so we move furniture around more often than we otherwise would.
I agree with everyone above: cats in a small apartment -- especially multiple cats in a small apartment -- are a choice that necessarily makes your home environment and lifestyle all about the cats.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 10:20 AM on March 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
Yeah, they do. The Litter-Robot is basically a tradeoff: instead of scooping a litterbox multiple times a day you instead have to find room for a huge ugly expensive catshit-harvesting appliance. And it's not really the forget-all-your-catshit-worries panacea that the Litter-Robot advertising suggests. It needs its drawer emptied regularly or else it gets whiffy; it needs a thorough scrub-it-in-the-bathtub cleaning once a month or so or else it gets whiffy; and they still track litter out of it so you need a big litter mat in front of it or else vacuum/sweep around it regularly.
joseph conrad above is my partner and I'll add one extra thing to their list: cats get bored by sterile environments and this has led to a lot of stuff in our apartment being geared more to their needs than ours. They always want to go into closets when they're open and often will want to make sleep nests in them; they always want to climb up high and we ended up building catwalks to allow them more high-up access; they like multiple ways to navigate a room so all our furniture is pulled slightly away from the walls so they can walk the perimeter; they're stimulated by change so we move furniture around more often than we otherwise would.
I agree with everyone above: cats in a small apartment -- especially multiple cats in a small apartment -- are a choice that necessarily makes your home environment and lifestyle all about the cats.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 10:20 AM on March 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
I don't think you should never have cats. I think if your OCD is under control and you have an effective support system (ie are prepared to work through some unpleasantness every once in a while), then having cats is a great idea. And it might be really good for your mental health! I have aesthetic preferences similar to yours, as well as a small apartment, and having a cat has been great. I'm actually considering adding a 2nd. My cat would totally fit your lifestyle. EVERY CAT IS UNIQUE and there may be cats out there who would work for you.
There are lots of (expensive) 'designy' cat things out there. You won't have to put ugly things in your house if you've got money to spend. You can even get concealed litter boxes. I built my own modernism-inspired cat tree, it looks like a sculpture and gets tons of compliments.
How I found my Perfect Boy:
I went for middle-aged cats. Not seniors, but well out of kitten-hood. Two cats are great if they are already bonded. Rescue orgs often have difficulty getting adult bonded pairs adopted because most people prefer kittens or solo cats.
GET CATS FROM A FOSTERING ORGANIZATION. Literally this is the biggest factor, because you get WAY more info about them. You should be able to go see the cats in their foster home and have a long chat about their behaviour, needs, preferences, etc. You should see a bunch of cats. I chose mine not based on whether I liked him when we first met (he ignored me) but on the info the fosters gave me about how he acted after they knew him for a while. For example:
- He never scratches anything except his designated scratching object. He just prefers the scratcher over the couch.
- He NEVER knocks down or destroys things, or jumps up on counters. He just prefers to be polite.
- He never pees/poops outside his litter box, even when stressed. I think he'd be offended by the idea.
- He is almost never stressed in general. Even when we had to go on planes, he was curious and relaxed the whole time, no meds.
- He never wants to play for more than 5 minutes once every other day. 45 minutes/day would be unthinkable! He prefers to chill and nap.
Ok now the cons:
- He does occasionally vomit, but I can roll with that.
- He sheds like a small snowstorm, but it's manageable with brushing. However he is Extremely Cuddly and my clothes are always covered in cat hair. I've accepted it's just how my life is now.
- The litter box does smell a little bit. World's Best Cat Litter is actually the best.
Some cats are just super chill, polite, neat freaks. His calm nature has actually helped me a lot with my own anxiety. He's my role model for how to deal with life. It just meant taking the time to find the right cat. Because they're all individuals!
posted by 100kb at 10:22 AM on March 2, 2019 [9 favorites]
There are lots of (expensive) 'designy' cat things out there. You won't have to put ugly things in your house if you've got money to spend. You can even get concealed litter boxes. I built my own modernism-inspired cat tree, it looks like a sculpture and gets tons of compliments.
How I found my Perfect Boy:
I went for middle-aged cats. Not seniors, but well out of kitten-hood. Two cats are great if they are already bonded. Rescue orgs often have difficulty getting adult bonded pairs adopted because most people prefer kittens or solo cats.
GET CATS FROM A FOSTERING ORGANIZATION. Literally this is the biggest factor, because you get WAY more info about them. You should be able to go see the cats in their foster home and have a long chat about their behaviour, needs, preferences, etc. You should see a bunch of cats. I chose mine not based on whether I liked him when we first met (he ignored me) but on the info the fosters gave me about how he acted after they knew him for a while. For example:
- He never scratches anything except his designated scratching object. He just prefers the scratcher over the couch.
- He NEVER knocks down or destroys things, or jumps up on counters. He just prefers to be polite.
- He never pees/poops outside his litter box, even when stressed. I think he'd be offended by the idea.
- He is almost never stressed in general. Even when we had to go on planes, he was curious and relaxed the whole time, no meds.
- He never wants to play for more than 5 minutes once every other day. 45 minutes/day would be unthinkable! He prefers to chill and nap.
Ok now the cons:
- He does occasionally vomit, but I can roll with that.
- He sheds like a small snowstorm, but it's manageable with brushing. However he is Extremely Cuddly and my clothes are always covered in cat hair. I've accepted it's just how my life is now.
- The litter box does smell a little bit. World's Best Cat Litter is actually the best.
Some cats are just super chill, polite, neat freaks. His calm nature has actually helped me a lot with my own anxiety. He's my role model for how to deal with life. It just meant taking the time to find the right cat. Because they're all individuals!
posted by 100kb at 10:22 AM on March 2, 2019 [9 favorites]
This probably sounds crazy but I think what you want is a small dog? I have many of your same objections and my dogs don't have really any of those problems. I don't have diagnosed OCD, but I have a very very very hard time living with messes and some call my cleanliness an obsession. Dogs pee and poop outside, mine have never had an accident inside. No kitty litter, no cat towers, they don't even need toys. They like to go on walks and sleep and snuggle. Many dogs shed less than cats (my wirehaired dog doesn't shed much but my long haired chihuahua does), and I think the threat of cat pee alone is reason not to get cats. The stench burns your nose and never goes away; I've known multiple people who bought houses that smell like cat pee and the smell never goes away even after ripping up the carpet! Ugh.
Anyway pets are great but not when you're worried about them messing up your stuff. Seriously think about an older dog. I adopted mine when they were about five so they were fixed, housebroken, and had all their shots already. Plus rescue groups do a great job of learning a dog's personality before adopting them out. Check Petfinder.com! Good luck!
posted by masquesoporfavor at 10:54 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
Anyway pets are great but not when you're worried about them messing up your stuff. Seriously think about an older dog. I adopted mine when they were about five so they were fixed, housebroken, and had all their shots already. Plus rescue groups do a great job of learning a dog's personality before adopting them out. Check Petfinder.com! Good luck!
posted by masquesoporfavor at 10:54 AM on March 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
I am sorry, but you should absolutely not have cats.
I adopted a darling Russian blue-like girl who was declawed. She didn't scratch (her clawed roomie cat made up for that), but she later had an illness that involved very nasty vomit and fecal problems. I'm in an efficiency with a through closet to the bathroom (closet door couldn't be kept closed), and my clothes ... well. She would chew cords, costing me a chunk of change over the years, and would chew any piece of paper as soon as I turned my head. And eat photographs.
My boy kitty was an absolute hellion, pulled books down off my shelves to shred, shredded papers as soon as I turned my head, banged on the cabinet doors, shredded leather goods, and at end of life peed in his sleep.
Between the two, I spent a lot of money in the laundry room -- daily laundry, sometimes more than once. The dust and hair in a small place was a constant issue. Thousands of dollars on vet care, including during unemployment.
I miss them desperately.
I think you would enjoy an aquarium, which has a decor component. But doing that well, toward the best care of the fish, is an enterprise, too.
posted by jgirl at 11:00 AM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
I adopted a darling Russian blue-like girl who was declawed. She didn't scratch (her clawed roomie cat made up for that), but she later had an illness that involved very nasty vomit and fecal problems. I'm in an efficiency with a through closet to the bathroom (closet door couldn't be kept closed), and my clothes ... well. She would chew cords, costing me a chunk of change over the years, and would chew any piece of paper as soon as I turned my head. And eat photographs.
My boy kitty was an absolute hellion, pulled books down off my shelves to shred, shredded papers as soon as I turned my head, banged on the cabinet doors, shredded leather goods, and at end of life peed in his sleep.
Between the two, I spent a lot of money in the laundry room -- daily laundry, sometimes more than once. The dust and hair in a small place was a constant issue. Thousands of dollars on vet care, including during unemployment.
I miss them desperately.
I think you would enjoy an aquarium, which has a decor component. But doing that well, toward the best care of the fish, is an enterprise, too.
posted by jgirl at 11:00 AM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
I really, really disagree with the advice that you should seek out a certain type of cat. Yes if you are going to get a cat, you should get one that is the most likely to suit your lifestyle, which may mean an older cat.
But that is not a way to guarantee that you will get a cat that won't cause issues for you. Older cats will develop health problems, some of which are messy and expensive. They still need toys and places to scratch, even though they don't play as often. You can't opt out of it. Even if you get a foster with a lot of information, things change as cats get older. For example, my formerly quiet cat now yowls all the time, possibly because of cognitive decline.
Speaking of "expensive," is your girlfriend on board with providing the cat with good care, like good (not cheap) food, regular vet visits, and procedures if needed?
I know that people who are recommending it are coming from a place of, "here's a type of cat that would probably be better for you," but I really don't want you to read that as "here's a type of cat that won't have these problems."
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 11:46 AM on March 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
But that is not a way to guarantee that you will get a cat that won't cause issues for you. Older cats will develop health problems, some of which are messy and expensive. They still need toys and places to scratch, even though they don't play as often. You can't opt out of it. Even if you get a foster with a lot of information, things change as cats get older. For example, my formerly quiet cat now yowls all the time, possibly because of cognitive decline.
Speaking of "expensive," is your girlfriend on board with providing the cat with good care, like good (not cheap) food, regular vet visits, and procedures if needed?
I know that people who are recommending it are coming from a place of, "here's a type of cat that would probably be better for you," but I really don't want you to read that as "here's a type of cat that won't have these problems."
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 11:46 AM on March 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
If you ever move to a house where a cat could live both indoors and outdoors, you might consider a cat at that point. I cat sit frequently (and have had cats myself), and it's common for houses to be fairly immaculate in a situation where a cat goes outside and rarely uses an indoor litter box. In a house, you might also be able to keep a litter box in the basement. Apartments tend to be completely different, in my experience: there's a need to continually clean bits of litter and hair from the ground and anywhere the cat jumps, furniture is much more likely to be scratched, etc. (Of course, many people have strong opinions on whether cats *should* ever go outside, but I personally think it can be a reasonable choice depending on the location, and the indoor-outdoor cats that I've met also seem happier. Just wanted to mention in case you think you'll ever live in a house.)
posted by pinochiette at 11:51 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by pinochiette at 11:51 AM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
Yeahhhhh I thought we could adequately protect our couch via training and a nearby scratching post, and it's in sad shape on one arm. We could've maybe put a couch protector over that arm.
You'll want two litter boxes. My husband is a bit of a neat freak, and he has commented on how much the cats increased his cleaning load. If you're motivated enough about it, things do end up clean, but it definitely adds time.
posted by slidell at 12:03 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
You'll want two litter boxes. My husband is a bit of a neat freak, and he has commented on how much the cats increased his cleaning load. If you're motivated enough about it, things do end up clean, but it definitely adds time.
posted by slidell at 12:03 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
I think you would be really happy having a pet, but I think you should not get a cat. Your issues are real and I am fully in favor of respecting them, and arranging your space to best support your mental health, but the solution to each of your issues kind of bumps into another issue? Cats will scratch, even with softclaws, and getting them into the softclaws is not for the faint-hearted, unless you have a very, very chill cat. They generally need to play to have a fulfilling life, and no toys around at all, ever is going to be hard on even the laziest, most pillow-like cat. You can keep the smell down with covered litter boxes and fancy litter and very expensive food, but you really need two boxes, etc. etc.
I have a pretty strong aesthetic and decorative sense, and it's not like my apartment is completely given over to the cats...but I think it helps that my aesthetic is basically your witchy aunt in 1977, and the cat fur and the trees and the toys and the litter that gets every. goddamn. where. just kind of blends in with everything else. I get the sense that this is not your aesthetic, though, and the cat accoutrements would not do as well.
I will say, like others have, that having pets has been absolutely amazing for my mental health. Having to take care of other living creatures has made me a much happier, healthier person. I would encourage you to start small and inexpensive and enclosed -- I went through a hamster phase as an adult and honestly 100% recommend -- and see if it helps you in a similar way. But yeah, cats, man. They kinda eat your life.
posted by kalimac at 12:22 PM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
I have a pretty strong aesthetic and decorative sense, and it's not like my apartment is completely given over to the cats...but I think it helps that my aesthetic is basically your witchy aunt in 1977, and the cat fur and the trees and the toys and the litter that gets every. goddamn. where. just kind of blends in with everything else. I get the sense that this is not your aesthetic, though, and the cat accoutrements would not do as well.
I will say, like others have, that having pets has been absolutely amazing for my mental health. Having to take care of other living creatures has made me a much happier, healthier person. I would encourage you to start small and inexpensive and enclosed -- I went through a hamster phase as an adult and honestly 100% recommend -- and see if it helps you in a similar way. But yeah, cats, man. They kinda eat your life.
posted by kalimac at 12:22 PM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
The main question would be why do you want to have cats? If you love them and they would bring you happiness and you would bring them happiness, then I think you will be ok.
You do mention that you understand that there will be additional messiness, so that’s a good thing. Some things may get ruined. You can put the cat boxes (two will be better in the long run for cleanliness) in a closet, and they have very stylish scratching posts these days.
If you can compromise, you will be fine. If you cannot, then look for a different pet.
Fostering may be a great way to really get a sense for if you can do this.
posted by MountainDaisy at 12:27 PM on March 2, 2019
You do mention that you understand that there will be additional messiness, so that’s a good thing. Some things may get ruined. You can put the cat boxes (two will be better in the long run for cleanliness) in a closet, and they have very stylish scratching posts these days.
If you can compromise, you will be fine. If you cannot, then look for a different pet.
Fostering may be a great way to really get a sense for if you can do this.
posted by MountainDaisy at 12:27 PM on March 2, 2019
I have indoor-outdoor cats, which in theory you might think mean less clutter and mess. Just in the room I'm sitting in now, I have:
- one ratty clawed-up cat tree
- several cat toys on the floor
- a few more things that did not start life as cat toys but are definitely cat toys now (Ikea measuring tape, hours of fun)
- two sofas for the humans, of which the cats always choose to scratch the more expensive one despite the scratching post right next to it argh
- two cats racing up and down play-fighting who keep banging into things and leaving clumps of ginger fur everywhere
- and it's more fur than we expected, because despite looking specifically for shorthaired cats only we ended up with a young rescue pair that both looked shorthaired but turned out to be one shorthaired cat and one fluffball in waiting.
Oh and we also need to have two litter boxes elsewhere in the house, because otherwise the cats get stressed and pee in the bath.
I do not think there is a way for you to have cats which will be good for both you and the cats. I recommend tropical fish, which I also have and which are a lot less clutter, mess and noise than the (much loved but still clutter- and mess-inducing) cats are.
posted by Catseye at 1:06 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
- one ratty clawed-up cat tree
- several cat toys on the floor
- a few more things that did not start life as cat toys but are definitely cat toys now (Ikea measuring tape, hours of fun)
- two sofas for the humans, of which the cats always choose to scratch the more expensive one despite the scratching post right next to it argh
- two cats racing up and down play-fighting who keep banging into things and leaving clumps of ginger fur everywhere
- and it's more fur than we expected, because despite looking specifically for shorthaired cats only we ended up with a young rescue pair that both looked shorthaired but turned out to be one shorthaired cat and one fluffball in waiting.
Oh and we also need to have two litter boxes elsewhere in the house, because otherwise the cats get stressed and pee in the bath.
I do not think there is a way for you to have cats which will be good for both you and the cats. I recommend tropical fish, which I also have and which are a lot less clutter, mess and noise than the (much loved but still clutter- and mess-inducing) cats are.
posted by Catseye at 1:06 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
There is no way to guarantee that a cat won't cause some sort of damage to your stuff. Some of it is predictable, like a cat's need to scratch, and others really just depend on the cat. My current cat tears up carpet and knitted items with her teeth. I used to live with a cat that destroyed all plants. A friend's cat has barfed on their very expensive couch several times. Another friend's elderly cat would sometimes have pee accidents on the floor, leaving permanent damage. That cat has since died, but the floor damage remains. I love cats, but that is the reality of living with them.
The only way to guarantee that a cat won't damage your stuff is to keep the cat away from the stuff. In your case, that probably means you shouldn't get a cat.
posted by wondermouse at 1:12 PM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
The only way to guarantee that a cat won't damage your stuff is to keep the cat away from the stuff. In your case, that probably means you shouldn't get a cat.
posted by wondermouse at 1:12 PM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
I just want to add that I hope you don‘t feel bad about all the „nooooo“ responses. You‘re a really responsible pet owner for taking your own needs seriously and as a cat lover I am glad you asked that question.
I wish you a pet that will make you happier than a furniture ruining, eccentrically peeing and hairball spewing cat ever can!
posted by Omnomnom at 1:13 PM on March 2, 2019 [12 favorites]
I wish you a pet that will make you happier than a furniture ruining, eccentrically peeing and hairball spewing cat ever can!
posted by Omnomnom at 1:13 PM on March 2, 2019 [12 favorites]
I adopted lovely older cats, who are well behaved and never scratch my antique furniture or knock things over. They are also siblings and happily share a litter box as long as I scoop it several times a day.
On the other hand, everything I own is covered in fur, all the time, despite my best efforts. They also tend to get shit stuck to their bum because they're long haired - Eamon just came and sat down next to me on the couch, stinking of shit, and I had to carefully pick him up and get my husband to pull/wipe the cat poo out his bum fur. And very occasionally they don't clean themselves quite carefully enough before sitting on the bed and there are skid marks on the sheets. Also hairballs in slippers.
Basically, you are going to have to live with cat stuff (if there are no trees and toys, your stuff will become their trees and toys, you do not want that) and your cats will undoubtedly have one or two terrible habits that you'll have to live with. If that's ok with you, you might love having cats. If carefully teasing cat shit out of cat fur sounds too horrible, or putting not-so-aesthetic covers on all your furniture will bother you, or you hate the idea of getting rid of all your plants, maybe pass.
posted by stillnocturnal at 1:53 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
On the other hand, everything I own is covered in fur, all the time, despite my best efforts. They also tend to get shit stuck to their bum because they're long haired - Eamon just came and sat down next to me on the couch, stinking of shit, and I had to carefully pick him up and get my husband to pull/wipe the cat poo out his bum fur. And very occasionally they don't clean themselves quite carefully enough before sitting on the bed and there are skid marks on the sheets. Also hairballs in slippers.
Basically, you are going to have to live with cat stuff (if there are no trees and toys, your stuff will become their trees and toys, you do not want that) and your cats will undoubtedly have one or two terrible habits that you'll have to live with. If that's ok with you, you might love having cats. If carefully teasing cat shit out of cat fur sounds too horrible, or putting not-so-aesthetic covers on all your furniture will bother you, or you hate the idea of getting rid of all your plants, maybe pass.
posted by stillnocturnal at 1:53 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
I love my cats but I do not think you should get cats. Luckily I bought my house so I could have cats and thus think of it as theirs, because the little darlings have trashed it over the past 5 years. One is currently sitting on a pile of paperwork I need to sort so no doubt that's getting all crinkly, And there is cat fur everywhere!
posted by kitten magic at 2:32 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by kitten magic at 2:32 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'm going to disagree with most of the above posters, because I think that if you choose the right cat or cats, you will have good companions that will work with your lifestyle. I do agree that it is impossible to control a cat's behavior, which might be unnerving to you, but if you choose the appropriate cat, you will have much love an affection from a wonderful friend.
What you want is an adult cat who is calm and compliant. These are often animals that are separated from families where there was life trauma, or the owner died and the cat was surrendered, or the cat never fought back in a home where more aggressive animals lived and the owner booted the passive cat rather than the aggressive cat or dog. Find a good rescue organization or two in your community. Ask the staff! Everyone wants kittens, but the staff love these sweet cats and want to see them go to homes where their chill personalities will mesh with their new owners. You could possibly adopt a cat that has been declawed, which was much more common in the past, defusing the clawing issue. They will continue the "clawing" behavior without claws, which can over time dirty the furniture (cover when you are not there to reduce this) but will not pull or damage the cloth.
It's possible there might be a pair, but I would not introduce adults who were not raised together into a new home. Again, talk to the staff.
I have 2 cats, siblings raised from kittens I adopted from a rescue after they were fostered. We have only ever had one litter box, and we keep it clean. No accidents outside the box so far - they are about 5. We would have had 2 boxes as others have suggested, but we just didn't have another place to put a second box, so we've managed with one. I don't think the cats care.
posted by citygirl at 2:59 PM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
What you want is an adult cat who is calm and compliant. These are often animals that are separated from families where there was life trauma, or the owner died and the cat was surrendered, or the cat never fought back in a home where more aggressive animals lived and the owner booted the passive cat rather than the aggressive cat or dog. Find a good rescue organization or two in your community. Ask the staff! Everyone wants kittens, but the staff love these sweet cats and want to see them go to homes where their chill personalities will mesh with their new owners. You could possibly adopt a cat that has been declawed, which was much more common in the past, defusing the clawing issue. They will continue the "clawing" behavior without claws, which can over time dirty the furniture (cover when you are not there to reduce this) but will not pull or damage the cloth.
It's possible there might be a pair, but I would not introduce adults who were not raised together into a new home. Again, talk to the staff.
I have 2 cats, siblings raised from kittens I adopted from a rescue after they were fostered. We have only ever had one litter box, and we keep it clean. No accidents outside the box so far - they are about 5. We would have had 2 boxes as others have suggested, but we just didn't have another place to put a second box, so we've managed with one. I don't think the cats care.
posted by citygirl at 2:59 PM on March 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
I have seen cats that get caps on their claws. I don’t know if that is cruel or not?
It is - they prevent cats from fully retracting their claws, which can cause pain and distress, and interfere with their ability to engage in natural scratching-and-scent-marking behaviour. I’d advise strongly against using them.
posted by Morfil Ffyrnig at 3:18 PM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
It is - they prevent cats from fully retracting their claws, which can cause pain and distress, and interfere with their ability to engage in natural scratching-and-scent-marking behaviour. I’d advise strongly against using them.
posted by Morfil Ffyrnig at 3:18 PM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
So I am extremely fastidious and get very stressed out about the slightest sense of 'damage' to my stuff. I have a cat and... I've had to chill out a lot. At lot a lot. For me, the trade-off of having the best kitteh in the world (sorry, fellow Mefites) is worth it. Luckily it hasn't been impossible for me, but yeah, just to join the chorus:
-I adopted an adult cat who seemed very chill and was described as "very neat" about using his litterbox. He is chill... except for how he needs an hour of playtime several nights a week. And he does use his litterbox religiously, but digs in it like he thinks he's getting to the earth's core. There is litter scattered everywhere in and near that closet, despite all of my efforts.
-There is cat hair EVERYWHERE. If I miss a week of vacuuming, there are cat-hair-tumbleweeds. I lint roll my duvet and my clothes every day, and there's still hair everywhere. He occasionally tracks litter or leaves a skidmark on my duvet, and so I'm doing more laundry than I used to.
-You'll have to accept compromises. I leave toys scattered around the house now. This bugs me. I vary them up weekly. My cat leaves my furniture alone (except for getting hair everywhere), but in exchange I have several ugly scratching posts and have basically conceded my carpet to him. Eventually I'm going to need to put down some accent rugs over the carpet damage. Again, worth it to me.
So: if the inevitable compromises that any cat demands will be too great for you... a cat probably isn't a great fit for you at this time.
posted by TwoStride at 4:22 PM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
-I adopted an adult cat who seemed very chill and was described as "very neat" about using his litterbox. He is chill... except for how he needs an hour of playtime several nights a week. And he does use his litterbox religiously, but digs in it like he thinks he's getting to the earth's core. There is litter scattered everywhere in and near that closet, despite all of my efforts.
-There is cat hair EVERYWHERE. If I miss a week of vacuuming, there are cat-hair-tumbleweeds. I lint roll my duvet and my clothes every day, and there's still hair everywhere. He occasionally tracks litter or leaves a skidmark on my duvet, and so I'm doing more laundry than I used to.
-You'll have to accept compromises. I leave toys scattered around the house now. This bugs me. I vary them up weekly. My cat leaves my furniture alone (except for getting hair everywhere), but in exchange I have several ugly scratching posts and have basically conceded my carpet to him. Eventually I'm going to need to put down some accent rugs over the carpet damage. Again, worth it to me.
So: if the inevitable compromises that any cat demands will be too great for you... a cat probably isn't a great fit for you at this time.
posted by TwoStride at 4:22 PM on March 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
Another point on the claw caps - I tried them briefly and even with compliant cats it took forever to put them on and one or two inevitably fell off after a week or so and it felt like the maintenance was pretty much constant. Plus, they still managed to tear up whatever they wanted to tear up anyway.
Even if you think you’re adopting The Best Cat, unexpected things can occur. My very best cat developed epilepsy with unpredictable seizures during which he almost always urinated, on my bed or the carpet or wherever he happened to be. I had another one with a UTI who was peeing on the kitchen counter (!) for a few nights before we set up a camera so we could figure out which one it was and take him to the vet.
I’m a lifelong, incorrigible cat owner - right now I have three - and I think if you could reconcile yourself to ruined stuff and mess it might be okay, but if you don’t have a good place for the litter box it’s a no go. It makes such a huge difference having to deal with tracked litter all over the place in a space you need to use every day. To me that’s the single biggest factor indicating you shouldn’t do this.
posted by something something at 7:02 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Even if you think you’re adopting The Best Cat, unexpected things can occur. My very best cat developed epilepsy with unpredictable seizures during which he almost always urinated, on my bed or the carpet or wherever he happened to be. I had another one with a UTI who was peeing on the kitchen counter (!) for a few nights before we set up a camera so we could figure out which one it was and take him to the vet.
I’m a lifelong, incorrigible cat owner - right now I have three - and I think if you could reconcile yourself to ruined stuff and mess it might be okay, but if you don’t have a good place for the litter box it’s a no go. It makes such a huge difference having to deal with tracked litter all over the place in a space you need to use every day. To me that’s the single biggest factor indicating you shouldn’t do this.
posted by something something at 7:02 PM on March 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Disclaimer: cat lover and former owner (Snowy and Lucky died several years ago).
No one has mentioned noise. You live in an apartment, and I am assuming there will be times when no one is in the apartment with the kitties, and they will make noise. Yowling, cat fights, thumping down the hallway like you've adopted Shetland ponies....
This will also happen just as you've gone to sleep. Feeding time. Play time. "I'm bored" time.
If the bedroom door is closed, they will yowl to get in. If you put them in the bathroom, they will yowl to get out.
Your neighbors will not be amused.
Or, you could have a perfectly chill cat. My Snowy was a cuddly fluffer with a quiet mew you could barely hear. Lucky was a ginger rascal who liked to bask in the sun on our neighbor's roof (among other places). He had opinions, which he shared liberally in glowing staccato terms. He also like to go visit the neighbors and share his observations when they were doing yard work (not the lawnmower).
Cats and dogs can make their presence known. Or not.
No one has mentioned going out of town. We currently do not have pets because we go out of town, and our adult daughters moved into their own domiciles after the kitties died. Catsitting is a thing, as is someone coming by and checking on them and putting out food and water and scooping the litter box, but that should be thought out before getting the pets.
If I had pets again, I would get them used to the carrier and the car, rather than going through the cornering/stuffing/yowling procedure each year for vet visits. And Snowy did sing the ballad of her ancestors down the highway, so Ragdoll-type cats do make a degree of noise on occasion.
No one has mentioned lifestyle changes. Suffice to say that a hamster works better in a third-story apartment than a 60-pound Lab mix.
Bottom line: if you want a cat, get a cat. One litter box per cat, placed away from its food. Cats do not like to be cornered, or have no avenues of escape. Some are ground dwellers, some like the high lonely places. Expect a 10 to 15 year life expectancy or longer. Expect vet bills.
Cats are messy, loud, peculiar little critters. I love them to pieces. But if your lifestyle does not work with them, find other outlets to enjoy kitties without the daily drama.
Good luck.
posted by TrishaU at 6:52 AM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
No one has mentioned noise. You live in an apartment, and I am assuming there will be times when no one is in the apartment with the kitties, and they will make noise. Yowling, cat fights, thumping down the hallway like you've adopted Shetland ponies....
This will also happen just as you've gone to sleep. Feeding time. Play time. "I'm bored" time.
If the bedroom door is closed, they will yowl to get in. If you put them in the bathroom, they will yowl to get out.
Your neighbors will not be amused.
Or, you could have a perfectly chill cat. My Snowy was a cuddly fluffer with a quiet mew you could barely hear. Lucky was a ginger rascal who liked to bask in the sun on our neighbor's roof (among other places). He had opinions, which he shared liberally in glowing staccato terms. He also like to go visit the neighbors and share his observations when they were doing yard work (not the lawnmower).
Cats and dogs can make their presence known. Or not.
No one has mentioned going out of town. We currently do not have pets because we go out of town, and our adult daughters moved into their own domiciles after the kitties died. Catsitting is a thing, as is someone coming by and checking on them and putting out food and water and scooping the litter box, but that should be thought out before getting the pets.
If I had pets again, I would get them used to the carrier and the car, rather than going through the cornering/stuffing/yowling procedure each year for vet visits. And Snowy did sing the ballad of her ancestors down the highway, so Ragdoll-type cats do make a degree of noise on occasion.
No one has mentioned lifestyle changes. Suffice to say that a hamster works better in a third-story apartment than a 60-pound Lab mix.
Bottom line: if you want a cat, get a cat. One litter box per cat, placed away from its food. Cats do not like to be cornered, or have no avenues of escape. Some are ground dwellers, some like the high lonely places. Expect a 10 to 15 year life expectancy or longer. Expect vet bills.
Cats are messy, loud, peculiar little critters. I love them to pieces. But if your lifestyle does not work with them, find other outlets to enjoy kitties without the daily drama.
Good luck.
posted by TrishaU at 6:52 AM on March 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
One more: you mentioned that the girlfriend is involved here in the training of the pets.
If you split up, who gets the cats?
posted by TrishaU at 6:57 AM on March 3, 2019
If you split up, who gets the cats?
posted by TrishaU at 6:57 AM on March 3, 2019
It really, really does not sound like cats are a good idea for you at this point in your life.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:18 AM on March 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:18 AM on March 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
I adopted two rescue kittens last year. I love them more than breathing, and I honestly feel like they have brought more love and joy and happiness into my life than any other living thing. I literally didn't know I could love something(s) so much. They follow me around the house like fluffy shadows. They join me in the bathroom for "pee pets" as I call them. They sleep with me in bed every night. They amuse the heck out of me as they wrestle each other. The sleep on my desk and keep me company when I work from home.
They really are the absolute best things on the planet.
It doesn't sound like cats are the right call for you, at least not right now. Even the very best of cats occasionally do things they shouldn't, like getting up on counters and knocking stuff off. Plus, all cats have their quirks. For example, mine don't bury their poo so I have to work harder to keep the poo stink down. However, if you are adamant...
1. If you're getting two I HIGHLY recommend adopting siblings/littermates. Mine are brothers and when I first brought them home they explored as a pair and adapted really quickly to living with me, I think largely due to them having each other there to reassure them.
2. Adopt them as kittens. Fewer bad habits to try to break them of, and easier to mold to your wishes. Mine leave the furniture alone because they have been taught from day one to use a scratching post. (I now have multiple scratching posts around the house).
3. Getting a litterbox with a LID and cleaning it daily will do wonders. I have just the one litter box for my cats to share and they seem fine about it.
4. I also got an air purifier and put it by the litterbox and it has made a noticeable difference. The house def. does not smell like cat.
5. Short hair cats generally have less of a shedding issue compared to long hair ones. Furinators are magical for reducing shedding and I definitely use mine, but inevitably you are going to end up with cat hair all over everything. You need to just come to terms with that fact.
6. Sometimes cats barf. Sometimes they have litterbox problems. Sometimes they destroy house plants. Sometimes they are annoying assholes. They are living, breathing things and they aren't always going to do what you want.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 11:05 AM on March 5, 2019
They really are the absolute best things on the planet.
It doesn't sound like cats are the right call for you, at least not right now. Even the very best of cats occasionally do things they shouldn't, like getting up on counters and knocking stuff off. Plus, all cats have their quirks. For example, mine don't bury their poo so I have to work harder to keep the poo stink down. However, if you are adamant...
1. If you're getting two I HIGHLY recommend adopting siblings/littermates. Mine are brothers and when I first brought them home they explored as a pair and adapted really quickly to living with me, I think largely due to them having each other there to reassure them.
2. Adopt them as kittens. Fewer bad habits to try to break them of, and easier to mold to your wishes. Mine leave the furniture alone because they have been taught from day one to use a scratching post. (I now have multiple scratching posts around the house).
3. Getting a litterbox with a LID and cleaning it daily will do wonders. I have just the one litter box for my cats to share and they seem fine about it.
4. I also got an air purifier and put it by the litterbox and it has made a noticeable difference. The house def. does not smell like cat.
5. Short hair cats generally have less of a shedding issue compared to long hair ones. Furinators are magical for reducing shedding and I definitely use mine, but inevitably you are going to end up with cat hair all over everything. You need to just come to terms with that fact.
6. Sometimes cats barf. Sometimes they have litterbox problems. Sometimes they destroy house plants. Sometimes they are annoying assholes. They are living, breathing things and they aren't always going to do what you want.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 11:05 AM on March 5, 2019
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It doesn't sound like an ideal choice for you or your cats.
posted by easy, lucky, free at 7:59 AM on March 2, 2019 [42 favorites]