What should new cat owners know?

This topic was created in the Pets forum by Whorpio on Friday, June 18, 2021 and has 20 replies.

Profile picture of Whorpio
@Whorpio
9 Years5,000+ PostsScorpio

My bf and I are thinking about adopting a cat or two, but I’m scared.

Growing up I had 2 cats; one was healthy until she hit her teens, at which point she developed kidney disease; the other developed allergies when she was 8 years old and almost died, but luckily went on to live another 8 years after we made very big changes (started buying wood pellet litter and making her food from scratch).

My experience with the allergic-to-everything cat is what scares me. Is there a way to prevent cats from developing allergies? What other tips do y’all have to make sure they live long healthy lives (aside from routine vet visits)? Is there any foods y’all will never feed your cats? Is pellet litter the best route for all cats, or just cats with allergies? What do we think about crystal/pebble litter?

Thanks in advance!

Profile picture of Chachanelian
@Chachanelian
5 Years

My beloved cat also had kidney problems throughout his whole life. And the cat of my brother died from a tumour. This happened many years ago but I honestly believe that both of those cats would have lived longer & been healthy had they had a more “natural” species appropriate diet. I say species appropriate diet because most of the major cat food companies add preservatives and fillers such as corn, barley, soy and wheat which is not an adequate diet for a feline. Dry food is also a big no (unless moderated with small occasional quantities) because of the lack of moisture content which causes havoc on a cats kidneys.

Raw food is a cats most natural diet - cat’s digestive system is almost identical to their relatives (95.6% of DNA with tiger.) Raw cat food is kinda controversial with some folks so I would just recommend researching it as much as possible and determining what is best for you (because a raw food cat diet can be consuming & requires proper handling to prevent illness) and what you think will be best for your cat.

When the time comes for me to have cat companions again I hope to give them the best diet possible because, as I said, diet is EVERYTHING. In the same way I rarely feed myself junk food (essentially what most cat food companies make) because I know there would be severe health consequences for me in the long run, the same goes for any other animal. Many humans also control or eliminate their own allergies through change of diet and find that elements of their diet exacerbates flare ups. Lastly, the synthetic vitamins added to cat food aren’t bio-available!

Unfortunately I can’t comment on litter (our cats did their business outside and had no allergies) but as you said... those big changes with the diet and use of wood pellets changed your cats life before. Perhaps if you implement those things from the very beginning, your cats may not develop allergies this time?

I hope you do go through with adopting a cat or two and that they enjoy long, healthy and love filled lives! ❤️

Profile picture of Lostthoughts
@Lostthoughts
6 Years1,000+ Posts

The reason I love cats is they have enough intelligence to have their own personality. If you want blind affection and loyalty get a dog. You got to earn their affection and if your mean to them they hold grudges.

It makes it easier to house break them if they write exposed to a litter box as kittens. They will observe thier mother and catch on really quickly.

Profile picture of Dastard2020
@Dastard2020
6 Years1,000+ Posts

Don't force the cat to interact with you.

Be receptive to its body language.

Let the cat come to you.

Be gentle when petting a cat.

Give the cat space.

Don't trick, prank or startle a cat.

Don't expect the cat to act like a dog.

Profile picture of SeaLion
@SeaLion
8 Years1,000+ Posts

Cats are great have had them my whole life until my most recent one passes away in Jan(she was 17)

If I decide to get another cat I want to get 2 kittens at the same time so they grow up together and play together.

Cats with allergies aren't as common as dogs with allergies. More common in pure bread pets tho so if you are worried about that stay away from pure breads. One of my Cats had a flea allergy it was bad but back then not as good flea preventatives like now.

A lot more options for pets with food allergies too now but you have to fig out what allergy it is.

Other then that cats can be great loyal companions just like dogs.

Profile picture of Whorpio
@Whorpio
9 Years5,000+ PostsScorpio

Posted by Wizardz

Cats like to be high up so they can observe their surroundings, so make sure to put a box or something for them to sit on in a high place.

Yasssss we watch a lot of “My Cat From Hell”; my bf is excited to build a “cat superhighway” around our home 🤣🤣

Profile picture of Whorpio
@Whorpio
9 Years5,000+ PostsScorpio

Posted by Truemara

Their scratches he’s are infectious

Yes I remember when I was younger my mom got scratched by a cat and it became infected (not septic, but still needed to take antibiotics and clean it everyday). Now she has a scar where that damn scratch was, even though it wasn’t a big or deep scratch, the infection made it scar.

Profile picture of MyStarsShine
@MyStarsShine
9 Years25,000+ Posts

Posted by Whorpio

Posted by MyStarsShine

This is good info from the PDSA....it warns against raw feeding if not done properly

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/kittens-cats/the-best-diet-for-your-cat

Yeah I remember reading somewhere that cats can get salmonella so definitely don’t feed raw chicken/eggs, but I didn’t know about preparing other meats!!!

click to expand

“Raw diets, especially raw meat diets, are not recommended because of the risk for salmonellosis and other infections that can affect pets and their owners”

AVMA.

Profile picture of VenusAquarius
@VenusAquarius
14 Years10,000+ Posts

Posted by Whorpio

My bf and I are thinking about adopting a cat or two, but I’m scared.

Growing up I had 2 cats; one was healthy until she hit her teens, at which point she developed kidney disease; the other developed allergies when she was 8 years old and almost died, but luckily went on to live another 8 years after we made very big changes (started buying wood pellet litter and making her food from scratch).

My experience with the allergic-to-everything cat is what scares me. Is there a way to prevent cats from developing allergies? What other tips do y’all have to make sure they live long healthy lives (aside from routine vet visits)? Is there any foods y’all will never feed your cats? Is pellet litter the best route for all cats, or just cats with allergies? What do we think about crystal/pebble litter?

Thanks in advance!

I just bought the litter robot - it cleans and bags the litter (well, Virgo hubby bought it). It cost $ 500. However, I think it's best to buy as early as possible, like while they are kittens. My tabby has taken to it very well. But, my Siamese is slow to adjust.

We bought it in the hopes that when my daughter moves in with the roommate, it would ease the roommate situation as my daughter is not as cleanly as she could be. Sadly, the Siamese is her cat and is not taking to it well. Happily, at least one of the cats has, the tabby, and it will be ease for us. We are giving my daughter's Siamese until the end of July to adjust. If she doesn't, the litter robot stays with us for the tabby. It's really fabulous. Cats are sow low maintenance as it is. This just makes them near effortless!!

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Profile picture of Whorpio
@Whorpio
9 Years5,000+ PostsScorpio

Posted by VenusAquarius

I just bought the litter robot - it cleans and bags the litter (well, Virgo hubby bought it). It cost $ 500. However, I think it's best to buy as early as possible, like while they are kittens. My tabby has taken to it very well. But, my Siamese is slow to adjust.

We bought it in the hopes that when my daughter moves in with the roommate, it would ease the roommate situation as my daughter is not as cleanly as she could be. Sadly, the Siamese is her cat and is not taking to it well. Happily, at least one of the cats has, the tabby, and it will be ease for us. We are giving my daughter's Siamese until the end of July to adjust. If she doesn't, the litter robot stays with us for the tabby. It's really fabulous. Cats are sow low maintenance as it is. This just makes them near effortless!!

Image Not Found

Oh wow how often do you change the litter/throw out the bag? What litter do you use?

Profile picture of AbbyNormal
@AbbyNormal
13 Years5,000+ PostsTaurus

If you think about this like an investment, you have a good chance of having healthy cats for many years. Best advice is be particular about what they eat—the better the diet, the healthier the cat. With regular exercise and love, the only thing to be scared of is the inevitable. And that happens to us all.

Profile picture of LadyNeptune
@LadyNeptune
10 Years25,000+ Posts

Idk anything about cats. But one of my friends took her hall closet doors down, put up cute curtains, and has a self-cleaning litter box in there with shelving holding all the cat supplies. Kinda a dream setup imo