Pros and cons of getting a cat

If you're allergic to cats, whatever you do don't be suckered in by a company in the US called Lifestyle Pets (also trades as Allerca) who claim to have produced a hypoallergenic cat. The guy who owns the company is a complete scumbag conman called Simon Brodie.

I was unfortunate enough to have dealings with him back in the 90's when he was running another scam in the UK - that one ended up with him going to 'The Big House' for 2 1/2 years, after that he went back to the US and started scamming people there using a variety of companies set up for the purpose. The disjointed nature of US enforcement has meant that he's been able to move from state to state to avoid the authorities
 
PerryGunn said:
If you're allergic to cats, whatever you do don't be suckered in by a company in the US called Lifestyle Pets (also trades as Allerca) who claim to have produced a hypoallergenic cat. The guy who owns the company is a complete scumbag conman called Simon Brodie.

I was unfortunate enough to have dealings with him back in the 90's when he was running another scam in the UK - that one ended up with him going to 'The Big House' for 2 1/2 years, after that he went back to the US and started scamming people there using a variety of companies set up for the purpose. The disjointed nature of US enforcement has meant that he's been able to move from state to state to avoid the authorities
Click to expand...

Absolutely, no one can guarantee a hypoallergenic pet & anyone who sets up a cat breeding company to make money should be avoided at all costs. No good cat breeders make money as it is a very expensive hobby, the best breeders only keep a few cats & don't churn out kittens. If you are looking to buy a pedigree cat (or dog) like most things do your research. You will meet some fantastic people & also sadly some low-lifes.
 
Taz said:
Big Red Cat, what do your cats weigh? mine are not too big for maine coons, they are about 13lbs
Click to expand...

Georgia weighed in at her heaviest at about 8.8kg (pushing 20lb) which is massive for a female.
Harry is her half-brother he has a slightly bigger frame but has always kept a trim figure at his heaviest he was about 7.5kg (16 - 17 lb)
Bam-Bam, Harry's son has always been the smallest, max weight about 7kg.
Harry has been hyper-thyroid for about 4 years now & Bam-Bam has been for about six months so they both weigh a lot less now.
 
Taz said:
The draw back is they are messy and all animals are tying. From the pictures I have seen on here of your house its obvious you are very house proud, realise that from day 1 you will be constantly hovering up trillions of cat hairs. I would think very carefully x
Click to expand...

I'm thinking a lot Taz, very very keen but don't want to rush into getting one - hence this thread. I've thought a lot about the cat hair thing, funnily enough we bought a very good "Cat & Dog" vacuum last year (my hair seems to fall out a lot everywhere) and besides I never Hoover - that's the bf's job (always) and he reckons it won't be much different to hoovering up after me. I'm more worried about the off white velvet armchairs custom made for me that might be used as scratching posts.
 
I have a Bengal and a moggy. I love them both to bits, but they do have claws and that means carpets and soft furnishings are up for grabs as far as they are concerned.

It doesn't bother me, but definitely something to be aware of.
 
Hiya, be prepared to spend hours with them, especially kittens, they are hilarious to watch and play with, and if you do get two, they will have endless fun with each other aswell as learning to tackle and wrestle, building their strength and techniques for looking after them selves.

Also to take in to consideration, regular worming and de-fleaing is most important to keep a healthy cat (and home) Living next to a farm, we started having a problem with mice getting in to a cupboard since our neighbour moved, taking their very experinced hunter with them. So our initial reason for getting a cat was to keep the mice away so when two kittens needed a home, we took both of them, and from the very first day they were outside. they both started work :D they are only 10 months now. Not seen or heard a mouse since, only what they have caught.

A cat is a natural hunter, and dont understand why someone would want to keep them indoors,there is so much for them to explore outside and we wanted them to live a natural life, doing what cats do. it does help living where we do, its ideal for them. They have a very inquisitive nature and never had any problems with scratching furniture, had a scratch post and of course they use trees or anything outside to clean their claws on.

We have two cat flaps for them, to let themselves in and out, and they do exactly what and when they want. Its lovely to see them living this way. We plays for hours with them and no comparison in restrition to owning a dog especially if you are working.

It depends on the type of cat for loosing hairs, Tig maults an awful lot, leaves alot on you if cuddled for a few seconds, but Yogi doesnt loose any, only a few when i groom him. There is some great info for you on this thread.

This is Tig

739a0904-cb6a-413f-98ed-a7191517545c_zps2b35cd3e.jpg

Ad this is her brother, Yogi

cce83be7-234f-49c8-aa89-a539a77bc919_zpsdb1395c0.jpg

4182c389-aaa2-4f43-a5d8-93199c5c6b69_zps5b1b8200.jpg

And this looks very similar to a photo earlier in post :D

0d8f551e-4720-48c2-98b5-d7a921a568c4_zps2a12a70d.jpg
 
RubyBlueZ4MC said:
Taz said:
The draw back is they are messy and all animals are tying. From the pictures I have seen on here of your house its obvious you are very house proud, realise that from day 1 you will be constantly hovering up trillions of cat hairs. I would think very carefully x
Click to expand...

I'm thinking a lot Taz, very very keen but don't want to rush into getting one - hence this thread. I've thought a lot about the cat hair thing, funnily enough we bought a very good "Cat & Dog" vacuum last year (my hair seems to fall out a lot everywhere) and besides I never Hoover - that's the bf's job (always) and he reckons it won't be much different to hoovering up after me. I'm more worried about the off white velvet armchairs custom made for me that might be used as scratching posts.
Click to expand...


Hi Siamese are pretty good for not shedding fur etc, plus they are a breed that think they are a dog, our ones retrieve when you throw their toys. Plus they are a breed that like to be house cats.

Another pic both in their bed .. no punch ups at the moment .. but they wash each other and keep company if you have 2

 
Just curious, but do they always destroy furniture? The people I visit with cats, their leather sofa looks ready for the tip and every chair looks like it has been in a battle.

This is with them having those claw things in the corner.
 
Nope not at all pvr all our chairs are ok. Our 5 year old leather sofa has had more abuse in 2 weeks from the new dog!!
 
Not read all the posts but have you been to see an adult coon? You will need a small dog flap after a bit :)
There are issues with the breed to be aware of and they are not the cheapest of cats

Biggest issue with the cat is the stink from the tray although the other one goes outside in the garden. They will claw your furniture at some point. They will at some point break something climbing. They will be super cute sleeping most of the time. Lint rollers are cheapest from ikea buy 50 or so and keep th everywhere.

Good hot water bottles when cold, great to play with. Need less looking after than a dog... Can be left for a weekend no problem. ... I could go on but I'm a cat person. I like having them about. My previous cat zappy used to come and sit with me in the garage when I was building my car

This is mungo and he's 5 months old...

A1BF-3D5DAD388BB2-181-0000000E05FFC545_zps47451928.jpg
 
Mine loves going outside (except at night) and hunting mice, I think house cats do more damage as they can't do their scratching in their natural habitat and take their frustration out on the furniture. Our neighbours have a fat house cat that never goes out and their sofa is fuc#ed.
 
Had our two since they were 10 weeks (got them last May). They have never clawed at any carpet or sofas, never been sick and never gone to the toilet anywhere other than in the tray.
On the downside, they do like to scratch the wooden legs of the kitchen table and coffee table, and happily eat our houseplants! Maybe this is because they are housecats, and one is a 'naughty tortie!'
Wouldn't change them for the world though, the really make the house into a home and keep us entertained. Possibly a big consideration is how often you go away and how closeby family/friends are - her parents are <1mile away and love to come and feed them for odd days we go away.
 
Yes, those that I have seen with the destroyed furniture were house cats only.
 
There are ways to stop scratching. The anti scratch stuff is basically citronella. Just get them onto am alternative. Positive reinforcement when the use the post etc is great but I find the best method is to spray a s**t load of catnip from kong on the bits you want to scratch and the anti stuff on the bits you don't.

Cats on catnip are hilarious

Just for reference mungo went up 500g in a week 300g the following week and us now ~4.5kg
 
Some lovely looking Kitty/cat pics on here :D and our two have never scratched anything in the house, alot is also how you bting them up, give them a few rules along the way, they soon learn, you dont need many. We interact and play with them alot, seems to be the key to a happy household with them.
 
Big Red Cat, thanks for the info on securing the garden, this may be something we end up looking into when we get around to getting our MC. I've learnt a lot so far from this thread, big thanks to you and everyone else for their input (as well as adorable pics of all the kitties). There is so much knowledge and experience on this forum :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom