Time for a cat?

[ladypirate]

Since SO and I are moving next month to what will hopefully be our permanent city, we have been discussing getting a cat (or two) at some point in the next 6-8 months. We''ll be renting a cat-friendly house until we finish saving for a down payment and hope to buy within 2-3 years.

We''ve decided that we''d like to get our cat(s) from a breeder for a couple of reasons (temperament and guaranteed health being two of the main ones). We''ve been looking at various breeds and the one we can both agree on is the Egyptian Mau.

So I have a couple of questions.

1. How long does it take from the time you first contact a breeder to the time you actually get your cat?

2. We were thinking it might be a good idea to get a pair of kitties because they''d have company during the day--is this a good idea? If so, should we try to get littermates? I''d like to get brothers if possible because the boys are a bit more laid back.

3. We both had cats and dogs growing up, but our cats were mostly indoor/outdoor (i.e., they could come and go as they pleased). I''d like to raise these cats as indoor cats. I know they''ll need a litterbox, scratching post, etc. Is there anything else I should be aware of that they will need? Will we have to cat-proof the house? I love the idea of the soft paws, but I want to make sure that the cats can still scratch their posts with them on.

4. Kris (SO) thinks I''m crazy, but I''d like to leash train the cats since they will be indoor kitties. Has anyone does this? Does it work?

5. If we buy in a couple of years, how do cats adjust to moving? Would this be super traumatic for them?

6. We''re thinking kids 5-7 years down the road. Will older cats adapt to babies ok? Is this a reason not to get a kitty?

OK, I think that''s about it. Thanks in advance for the replies!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/3/2008 1:14:39 PM
Author:ladypirate
Since SO and I are moving next month to what will hopefully be our permanent city, we have been discussing getting a cat (or two) at some point in the next 6-8 months. We''ll be renting a cat-friendly house until we finish saving for a down payment and hope to buy within 2-3 years.

We''ve decided that we''d like to get our cat(s) from a breeder for a couple of reasons (temperament and guaranteed health being two of the main ones). We''ve been looking at various breeds and the one we can both agree on is the Egyptian Mau.

So I have a couple of questions.

1. How long does it take from the time you first contact a breeder to the time you actually get your cat?

It can vary, sometimes with rarer breeds you might have to go on an waiting list if no kittens available. If the kittens are born, then it is usual here for you to get your kitten at around 3 months of age.

2. We were thinking it might be a good idea to get a pair of kitties because they''d have company during the day--is this a good idea? If so, should we try to get littermates? I''d like to get brothers if possible because the boys are a bit more laid back.

Two kittens are a great idea! If you can get littermates then fine, but two kittens from different places should adjust no problem.
3. We both had cats and dogs growing up, but our cats were mostly indoor/outdoor (i.e., they could come and go as they pleased). I''d like to raise these cats as indoor cats. I know they''ll need a litterbox, scratching post, etc. Is there anything else I should be aware of that they will need? Will we have to cat-proof the house? I love the idea of the soft paws, but I want to make sure that the cats can still scratch their posts with them on.

I have found cats adjust really well to living indoors, they need the usual of course such as litter boxes and scratching posts, but give them lots of love and playtime and they will be quite happy.

4. Kris (SO) thinks I''m crazy, but I''d like to leash train the cats since they will be indoor kitties. Has anyone does this? Does it work?

Don''t know anything about this, but I have seen it done!

5. If we buy in a couple of years, how do cats adjust to moving? Would this be super traumatic for them?

They should be fine if you try to keep the move as stress free as possible, and give them lots of company to help them settle in. Their familiar things such as furniture with the scent of the old house should help them adjust.

6. We''re thinking kids 5-7 years down the road. Will older cats adapt to babies ok? Is this a reason not to get a kitty?

Cats can adapt to children no problem usually.

OK, I think that''s about it. Thanks in advance for the replies!

 

[ladypirate]

Thanks Lorelei!

So you think it'd be alright to have them even though we work during the day? I would hate for the kittens to feel lonely. (I can't believe I sound like such a sap...no wonder Kris thinks I'm crazy!

)

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/3/2008 1:30:38 PM
Author: ladypirate
Thanks Lorelei!

So you think it''d be alright to have them even though we work during the day? I would hate for the kittens to feel lonely. (I can''t believe I sound like such a sap...no wonder Kris thinks I''m crazy!

)

They should be fine, and especially if you get two, which would be the best way if you are both out all day, they will cuddle ( hopefully

) and keep each other company!

 

[Miscka]

2. We were thinking it might be a good idea to get a pair of kitties because they''d have company during the day--is this a good idea? If so, should we try to get littermates? I''d like to get brothers if possible because the boys are a bit more laid back.

I think that is a great idea! We have 2 cats and they LOVE each other. They definitely hang out and play during the day.


3. We both had cats and dogs growing up, but our cats were mostly indoor/outdoor (i.e., they could come and go as they pleased). I''d like to raise these cats as indoor cats. I know they''ll need a litterbox, scratching post, etc. Is there anything else I should be aware of that they will need? Will we have to cat-proof the house? I love the idea of the soft paws, but I want to make sure that the cats can still scratch their posts with them on.

We just got SoftPaws, so I dont know about that yet. I would imagine that they can still do the scratching motion on whatever, but I feel like the cardboard scratchers would make it easier to pop off a softpaw. I could be wrong though. I would get some toys, and maybe a bed. Lots of cats dont like their beds but both of our love theirs. The toys they love are the little mousies and the feathers on a stick.


4. Kris (SO) thinks I''m crazy, but I''d like to leash train the cats since they will be indoor kitties. Has anyone does this? Does it work?

I have tried it with 3 different cats, and it never worked!! More power to you if you can!


5. If we buy in a couple of years, how do cats adjust to moving? Would this be super traumatic for them?

We JUST moved and the cats were adjusted within 12 hours! They immediately started sniffing around and were totally fine. This is my cats 4th house and she just rolls with it.


6. We''re thinking kids 5-7 years down the road. Will older cats adapt to babies ok? Is this a reason not to get a kitty?

I have heard that this is usually fine.


I hope some of this helps!!! We got ours at the Humane Society so I am not sure about Breeders, but I have been going through the Breeder thing for my puppy and so far it has worked out well. Good luck! I cannot tell you how much joy they bring me every day, I don''t know what I would do without them! And come back with pics!!!!!

 

[Aloros]

Date: 6/3/2008 1:14:39 PM
Author:ladypirate
Since SO and I are moving next month to what will hopefully be our permanent city, we have been discussing getting a cat (or two) at some point in the next 6-8 months. We''ll be renting a cat-friendly house until we finish saving for a down payment and hope to buy within 2-3 years.

We''ve decided that we''d like to get our cat(s) from a breeder for a couple of reasons (temperament and guaranteed health being two of the main ones). We''ve been looking at various breeds and the one we can both agree on is the Egyptian Mau.

So I have a couple of questions.

1. How long does it take from the time you first contact a breeder to the time you actually get your cat?
It took a month or so for me to get my kitten. He was too young to leave home when I purchased him, and he had to fly across the U.S. to get to me.

2. We were thinking it might be a good idea to get a pair of kitties because they''d have company during the day--is this a good idea? If so, should we try to get littermates? I''d like to get brothers if possible because the boys are a bit more laid back.
Two kitties are easier to take care of one, in my opinion! And it''s so much fun to watch them play together!

3. We both had cats and dogs growing up, but our cats were mostly indoor/outdoor (i.e., they could come and go as they pleased). I''d like to raise these cats as indoor cats. I know they''ll need a litterbox, scratching post, etc. Is there anything else I should be aware of that they will need? Will we have to cat-proof the house? I love the idea of the soft paws, but I want to make sure that the cats can still scratch their posts with them on.
Cats can still scratch with soft paws on, but they''re not going to really hook on to anything like they would if their claws are uncovered. If you''re getting a kitten, you''ll need to do some kitten-proofing! Wires especially are dangerous. I spray mine with bitter apple spray for the first several weeks, until the kitten learns that they are NOT to be chewed. Check to make sure any potted plants you have are not poisonous. And don''t leave breakable things on counters if you don''t want them to be swatted to the floor and broken! I left my glasses on my bedside table once when I went to sleep, and awoke to found them in the living room, a crack running up one lens. If it''s not tied down, it''s a cat toy.

4. Kris (SO) thinks I''m crazy, but I''d like to leash train the cats since they will be indoor kitties. Has anyone does this? Does it work?
I leash-trained both my cats. It works just fine. Be warned, the cat/kitten may pretend that he cannot walk when you first put the harness on him. He''ll probably look at you, walk a few wobbly steps, and fall over. Very dramatic. It helps to put treats in front of them or start waving a toy they love in their face. Suddenly, they can walk again! Sneaky kitties.

5. If we buy in a couple of years, how do cats adjust to moving? Would this be super traumatic for them?
Cats adjust to moving just fine. It will be stressful, but not super-traumatic. If you get them as kittens, try to socialize them and take them a few different places. I''ve found this helped later when I moved from place to place. Part of this is just personality-based, too.

6. We''re thinking kids 5-7 years down the road. Will older cats adapt to babies ok? Is this a reason not to get a kitty?
No experience with babies here! But I''ve seen enough photographs of babies and cats together to convince me that this should not be a reason to forgo cats.

OK, I think that''s about it. Thanks in advance for the replies!

 

[Ninama]

For the most part, cats don''t give a rat''s a$$ if you''re home or not - it''s a big part of their charm.

The little part they do care about is that you''re the one who feeds them.

 

[Elmorton]

I can answer a few questions about cat ownership but not necessarily about breeders:

2) I REALLY didn't want two cats, but my cat absolutely needed companionship. I highly suggest having two cats. Mine are not littermates - in fact, they're a year apart - but when we were searching for the second, we knew we were going to need a kitten with a LOT of energy. Elmo was beating up his littermates and we knew that he could probably handle a 14 lb, playful adult. A friend of mine got a second kitten who her first cat absolutely despised - the kitten was a runt, female, and really shy, thus didn't really like the rough play with the older cat. This friend now has a third cat to keep the first entertained! So, bottom line, yes, two cats are a great idea, don't have to be littermates, but if they aren't, you might want to observe their habits a bit, and if you can, see how they interact together (but do remember that it might take some time, a day or two or up to a few weeks, for the cats to get used to each other). My MIL swears by always having male cats - males tend to be a little more outgoing, friendly, and also tend to bond with female owners. This isn't to say that female cats don't do the same thing, but I'm definitely a believer that males *tend* to have a better personality.

3)They can still scratch with the tips on. I've heard people also swear by inexpensive sisal rugs so kitties can scratch. Other kitty items you'll need: TOYS, since you don't want to play with a kitten with your hands (they get nippy). Kittens don't warm up to catnip until they're older, typically, so you might look for kitten friendly toys that have honeysuckle in them. My cats LOVE (and loved when they were younger) any kind of wand with feathers, especially the ones with a "tail" that they can chase. Lasers are SO fun and your kitten will love chasing it (and it's great to get a cat exhausted before bed - I don't know if you're planning to let the kitties sleep with you, but you won't get sleep for about a month if you do - it took our cats some time to get used to the idea that we go to bed at night). Balls with bells are great for them to bat around too, or anything crinkly. Our cats LOVE milk rings and paper bags, so you really don't have to spend money on toys. OH! Their favorite toy is the Boogie Mat - it's a catnip filled toy that looks like a carpet, and it is HILARIOUS to watch them "boogie" on it (they flip it around, paw at it, throw it around -- it's like a strange cat dance), but that might be for older cats.
As for cat proofing - honestly, there aren't a whole lot of things that are safety issues, but more issues for keeping the humans happy (cats LOVE heights - so closet shelves, the kitchen, bookcases are great fun). If they're on surfaces that they shouldn't be on, you can deter them by putting tape upside down (sticky side out) on the surface - they don't like the sticky on their paws. I would wait though and see if they're inclined to go anywhere they shouldn't. Mine stay away any surface that isn't strong enough or where there are items displayed - they have a really good sense of intuition about where they can fit and where they can't.
Do get a spray waterbottle if you don't already have one, though. It's the best method we've found to keep the boys out of trouble (I've also been told that a can filled with pennies works, but I couldn't stand the noise and it didn't deter my cat). We have spray bottles in our bedroom and two in the living room for when someone wants to start chewing my plants (OH- you might want to look over a list of poisonous plants to make sure you don't have any in your house - there aren't a whole lot that are truly toxic but plenty that will give a kitty a tummy ache if eaten) or when their play starts getting a little too rambunctious. Also make sure if you have a basement or work area that any liquids that are toxic to people are kept away from cats and that there are no spills.
We have a cat ledge that attaches to a window that both of our cats ADORE. During the day, there's always a cat on the thing - I highly suggest one of those, and they're about $20-30. Bird/squirrel watching is huge entertainment for our kitties.
Also - even if the cats are indoors, you'll want to make sure they have flea treatment - ours do the Topline stuff (you can get it from your vet) - it's somewhat expensive, but you use it every 3 months I think, so not very often. In the winter, our vet says we can skip the dose, but in the summer, when windows are open, and people are in and out, fleas can be transfered inside very easily. Especially if you're moving.

4. I tried when Morty was a kitten. Didn't work - he was petrified of the outdoors. I've read though that some breeds like this better than others though.

5. They're fine with the move. They'll whine in the car (if you move far, tranqs are not a bad idea). You might want to start letting them explore one room at a time (you should do this when they're kittens, too) or you might not find them for a day or two while they explore and get their bearings. Cats are SO smart, too - show 'em the litterbox and they'll know what to do, and they'll go find it when they need it. They do NOT want to go outside the box unless something is really wrong.

6. I hope so! DH and I both had cats as babies. My parents had to give theirs up though - they had all been rescued as adult strays, and adult strays sometimes have problems. I'm not sure about all the specifics, but I think it involved the cats getting into my food. DH's parents had no problems though. There are new studies out too that say that children who have cats at infancy will have less problems with allergies by age 5 than their counterparts without cats. There is some concern about pregnant women and litter boxes due to a bacteria in cat feces- but I figure that's 9 mos of DH cleaning the box and wiping down the kitchen counters.

- The only other piece of advice I have is to please check out the humane society or animal control near you before deciding on purchasing a purebred cat. Purebred animals (both cats and dogs) tend to actually have shorter life spans and more health problems than mixed breeds (it all goes back to high school bio - you know, less genetic variation, more problems), and there are SO MANY cats that need homes because of people who don't spay/neuter and let their cats roam free. I will admit, my family adopted an adult cat when I was a kid and we had a host of problems with her - it was heartbreaking when we had to give her up, but she wasn't really suited to be a housecat. I was terrified of adopting again as an adult, but I'm so absolutely glad that's what we did. We have NEVER had any problems with our cats (both adopted as kittens). I'm so thankful that both came to live with us instead of being put down as thousands of cats are when there isn't room. Right now, if you visit your humane society, there will likely be tons of kittens since spring-summer is birthday season for kittens. If you do have your heart set on a specific breed, perhaps look into rescue programs.

 

[LAJennifer]

ladypirate - I''ll post more later, but I wanted to let you know I have a 9 year old Bronze Egyptian Mau. I think they are the best cats ever. Do a search on pricescope for Egyptian Mau and you can read his story.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Maus are a great choice. If I ever get anything other than pound cats, it would be a mau.
1. I have never gone through a breeder, but it depends on a lot of things. It depends on how much demand there is as well as the age at which you pick the kitten. Some breeders will let you pick your babies before they are old enough to leave their mama, so you may have to wait on that as well.
2. Definitely get two. Smart cats, in my experience, get destructive when they get lonesome. Maus are more social than the average cat and very intelligent and you are asking for trouble. Twice I have had a cat like this, getting another solved the problem and seemed to make them much happier. I would get littermates, and personally, I would get a boy and a girl because they are different and both fun.
3. I have faced no issues with having indoor cats. I do recommend having a good vacuum though. Also, try the cardboard scratching ramps, cats really love them and I find they work best with soft paws. My parents have used soft paws for years and they actually stay on better since they got the cardboard scratchers. I have heard it is much easier to do soft paws if you start them on young cats so they grow up with it.
4. Depends on the cat. We have one cat who loves the outdoors but hates being enclosed and she just throws a fit. The other is very laid back and doesn’t mind the leash, but is scared of the outdoors, so we gave up. There was a post here about it, it really depends on the cat.
5. Again, it really depends on the cat. My Maggie freaks out, gets pissy and is unpleasant for about a week, then she is fine. Odin curls up on my lap in the car and purrs, goes inside and loves it because there is so much to play with and new smells. They are just like little people with different personalities and it really depends. We have moved with Maggie a lot, sometimes over long distances, and although she hates it, she is fine.
6. I had cats my whole life and it wasn’t a big problem. My parents had some high shelves they could get to if they needed a break and overall it was fine, although Dutchess may not have felt that way about my 6-year-old self. I think it was good to have them as it taught me how to respect animals
If you do this, I insist on pictures so I can vicariously live through you.

 

[gwendolyn]

1. How long does it take from the time you first contact a breeder to the time you actually get your cat?

Growing up, my mom always had Siamese cats in our house. We used to always use the same breeder and we''d let her know a few months in advance that we were thinking about getting a cat (I was always part of the process for whatever reason), and then she''d let us know when the mom''s due date was. Once the kittens were born, she''d let us know how many of each sex there were, and then we could go down and meet them I think at 6 weeks. The earliest we ever brought one home was Guinevere who was 8 weeks old. The rest were 10 weeks, and the most recent kitten my mom got (1 1/2 years ago) was 12 weeks old.

2. We were thinking it might be a good idea to get a pair of kitties because they''d have company during the day--is this a good idea? If so, should we try to get littermates? I''d like to get brothers if possible because the boys are a bit more laid back.

Definitely, and I agree with the boys--our boys were generally friendlier and more calm than the females.

3. We both had cats and dogs growing up, but our cats were mostly indoor/outdoor (i.e., they could come and go as they pleased). I''d like to raise these cats as indoor cats. I know they''ll need a litterbox, scratching post, etc. Is there anything else I should be aware of that they will need? Will we have to cat-proof the house? I love the idea of the soft paws, but I want to make sure that the cats can still scratch their posts with them on.

If you are going to have two cats, it''s probably a good idea to have two litter boxes, unless you have a small place and no room for two. You don''t *need* it, but it really cuts down on the odour (even if you buy the good cat litter which I strongly recommend, two cats can stink up a box pretty quickly). We used to have one upstairs and one downstairs, which also helped our older cats when they couldn''t move around that well anymore. (We had great luck overall with the health of our Siamese babies--lived into their upper teens, all of them, except poor Samantha who was an outdoor cat and got run over

).


4. Kris (SO) thinks I''m crazy, but I''d like to leash train the cats since they will be indoor kitties. Has anyone does this? Does it work?

Not sure what that is, so I can''t help you there.

5. If we buy in a couple of years, how do cats adjust to moving? Would this be super traumatic for them?

They''d be ok. A friend of mine moved her two cats from Utah to Maryland--took them on a plane in a cat carrier. One of them was named Schitzoid, so you can imagine he wasn''t terribly laid back. The vet prescribed some sort of sedative to help calm them down, and they were fine. Sniffed the new place in MD to death.

6. We''re thinking kids 5-7 years down the road. Will older cats adapt to babies ok? Is this a reason not to get a kitty?

It will depend on the cat and how the baby interacts with it mostly, I think. My parents had a calico named Cecily when I was born, and they apparently didn''t watch me closely enough because I''d crawl after the poor thing and pull her tail. My mom jokes that I gave Cecily a heart attack from all the stress I put on her, because she died a year after I was born!

Now, obviously I don''t know how much of that is true and how much is exaggerated (my mom loves to blame me for things), but if J and I ever have kids along with our cats, I will DEFINITELY make sure that the baby doesn''t torture the animals!

 

[laine]

Personally, I''m partial to shelter/rescue/farm cats. You can play with them and find out their personality before taking them home. That part aside...

Getting two kittens is a great idea, they will really keep each other entertained! This may keep them from tearing up the house, as they can play with each other instead of looking for trouble. My cats are indoor cats and have a litterbox (of course), but thats really it. They ignored the carpet scratching post my BF tried to give them, and really don''t scratch the furniture. I just inherited a twine scratching post from a friend who is moving and they seem to like it, but were fine without it too. They have their claws and I just keep the front ones trimmed (with nail clippers--its easy!). I tried soft paws but didn''t like them. Cat-proofing will depend on the cats--they may find something to get into, they may not.

As for leash training--well, there isn''t really much training involved. Stick on a harness, clip on a leash and go outside. Now, its not quite like walking a dog--I go where they lead, which often means running after birds and such, but the cats love it. One was hesitant about the harness at first, so I put it on him inside and then picked him up and played with him to distract him from the feeling. The other loves it and will "help" put it on (push head through, lift up paw).

I moved once, with an indoor cat--I don''t think he noticed. Outdoor might be tougher.

Growing up we always had cats, so there were older and younger cats around babies and they were always fine. I''m sure there are exceptions, but in general, I would expect cats to adapt fine (with a little help from you).

 

[Miranda]

1. How long does it take from the time you first contact a breeder to the time you actually get your cat?
Depends on availability. Find a breeder you like first. Then worry about when the kittens are coming.
2. We were thinking it might be a good idea to get a pair of kitties because they''d have company during the day--is this a good idea? If so, should we try to get littermates? I''d like to get brothers if possible because the boys are a bit more laid back.
This can be great. I''ve only had boy/girl combinations for kitties. They develop a cute relationship. Having two cats is not a must. I love that our cat is an ''only'' cat. He probably will never have a cat brother or sister. Sometimes cats can become too involved with each other and don''t care where their humans are.
3. We both had cats and dogs growing up, but our cats were mostly indoor/outdoor (i.e., they could come and go as they pleased). I''d like to raise these cats as indoor cats. I know they''ll need a litterbox, scratching post, etc. Is there anything else I should be aware of that they will need? Will we have to cat-proof the house? I love the idea of the soft paws, but I want to make sure that the cats can still scratch their posts with them on.
Honestly, you would probably have a hard time finding a breeder that would sell you a cat that isn''t an indoor cat. For scratching, I find that the big double sided tape works well on an area that the kitty might decide is a scratching place.
4. Kris (SO) thinks I''m crazy, but I''d like to leash train the cats since they will be indoor kitties. Has anyone does this? Does it work?
I tried to leash train one of my childhood cats. He just flopped over and refused to walk while on leash. It was hysterical!
5. If we buy in a couple of years, how do cats adjust to moving? Would this be super traumatic for them?
Not super traumatic. They may hide under the bed for a few days, but, overall they do fine.
6. We''re thinking kids 5-7 years down the road. Will older cats adapt to babies ok? Is this a reason not to get a kitty?
Nope. With all three of my kids I have had cats first. When DD was born I had a cat that was a real lap cat. He did not get that I was holding a baby and would try to sit on top of her when I was nursing. Well, maybe he did know and was trying to insert himself between us. A little jealousy is expected, but, I''ve never had any real problems.

Good luck! We''re gonna need lots and lots of kitty pics if/when you do get one!

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 6/3/2008 1:30:38 PM
Author: ladypirate
Thanks Lorelei!

So you think it''d be alright to have them even though we work during the day? I would hate for the kittens to feel lonely. (I can''t believe I sound like such a sap...no wonder Kris thinks I''m crazy!

)

Yes! We have two cats from different litters, and they''re three months apart in age (one will be two years old at the end of the month and the other one will be two in Sept.). When we adopted our female, we thought getting only one kitty was all we could handle at the time. Three months later, we decided that she needed a playmate, so we brought home a brother for Zoe. They get along great!

It''s perfectly fine to leave them while you''re at work. Just give them toys, a scratching post, fresh litter, food, and water, and you''re good to go. You can always close doors to rooms you don''t want them in while you''re away.

It''s funny, but I really look forward to returning home to see them at the end of the day. I love coming home to something, ya know?

 

[zoebartlett]

I forgot to add, but my kitties were semi-feral. I always felt bad about keeping them indoors, but we knew it was safer in our neighborhood to do that instead of letting them out (we live in a condo complex). I talked to the vet about possibly leash training them but he recommended against it. If they get a hint of life "on the outside," apparently (according to the vet), they''ll try to run. If that happens and they do manage to get away, they''ll become wild cats again and we probably wouldn''t see them again. I couldn''t risk that, so they''re indoor kitties. I mention this only because you mention leash training. I think it can be a good thing, but probably if you''d be okay with them getting out on their own occasionally (just in case that were to happen).

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I answered your questions, but I left the most important thing out:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dX4MqR2J_4

 

[needmorediamonds]

Date: 6/3/2008 1:14:39 PM
Author:ladypirate
Since SO and I are moving next month to what will hopefully be our permanent city, we have been discussing getting a cat (or two) at some point in the next 6-8 months. We''ll be renting a cat-friendly house until we finish saving for a down payment and hope to buy within 2-3 years.

We''ve decided that we''d like to get our cat(s) from a breeder for a couple of reasons (temperament and guaranteed health being two of the main ones). We''ve been looking at various breeds and the one we can both agree on is the Egyptian Mau.

So I have a couple of questions.

1. How long does it take from the time you first contact a breeder to the time you actually get your cat?

2. We were thinking it might be a good idea to get a pair of kitties because they''d have company during the day--is this a good idea? If so, should we try to get littermates? I''d like to get brothers if possible because the boys are a bit more laid back.

3. We both had cats and dogs growing up, but our cats were mostly indoor/outdoor (i.e., they could come and go as they pleased). I''d like to raise these cats as indoor cats. I know they''ll need a litterbox, scratching post, etc. Is there anything else I should be aware of that they will need? Will we have to cat-proof the house? I love the idea of the soft paws, but I want to make sure that the cats can still scratch their posts with them on.

4. Kris (SO) thinks I''m crazy, but I''d like to leash train the cats since they will be indoor kitties. Has anyone does this? Does it work?

5. If we buy in a couple of years, how do cats adjust to moving? Would this be super traumatic for them?

6. We''re thinking kids 5-7 years down the road. Will older cats adapt to babies ok? Is this a reason not to get a kitty?

OK, I think that''s about it. Thanks in advance for the replies!

Right up my alley! I''ve had a pedigreed Tonkinese. How far in advance you need to contact a breeder depends on what you want; if it''s May through August, most have kittens ready or soon-to-be-ready to go. Other times, you may need to get on a waiting list. Getting 2 at once is excellent if you work - they will keep each other amused, exercised and happy through the day. Most breeders require you to sign a contract promising you will A. not declaw and B. keep them indoors only. I clipped my Tonk''s nails every week and kept three scratching posts around - he never touched the furniture.
The Tonk also came leash-ready. Some breeds just go for them, some are like marlins on a line, leaping and thrashing. Start training when kittens, is all I can say.
If the guys are indoor only, moving to a new place will mean almost nothing to them - you''ll have the same furniture, same smells, food, etc. They will definitely NOT enjoy the physical move, but in the new place, keep them in one room with post, food, water and litter till they adjust to the new noises. Cat proofing: I did have one who loved to eat dirt - so I had only two houseplants, and he outgrew the problem. Just remember - no poinsettias, difenbachia (sp?), etc - your local plant nursery will have a complete list.
Kids: My parents had 6 cats before I came along. I had one before my son came along. They do FINE. They are NOT like dogs, apt to either get aggressive or territorial with them. Do not let your ob-gyn scare you with "You have to get rid of the cat - toxoplasmosis!" Absolute BS. Have your husband clean the litter box while you''re pregnant.
Cats are wonderful! i have 2 now, my daughter and son each got one in their teens they adore. Enjoy!

 

[Babyblue033]

Well here''s an answer to one of your questions

 

[ladypirate]

Thanks for all the opinions, everyone (and for that adorable video--thanks Brazen!)! After talking to Kris about it, we will probably start talking to breeders later this year and look at getting two kittens next spring/summer. Thanks again for all the input and when we do get our fur-babies, I promise to picspam like a good PSer.

ETA: BabyBlue, that picture is adorable!

 

[LtlFirecracker]

Sounds like I was asking the same questions you were 2 years ago, I know you got a lot of opinions and i am late in the game, but I thought I would throw mine in.

So I have a couple of questions.
1. How long does it take from the time you first contact a breeder to the time you actually get your cat?

Depends on the season, and how popular that breeder is. I have a Burmise and I reserved my kitten about 1 mo after he was born. For this breed they are not usually allowed to leave until about 12-16 weeks of age because the breeders want to ensure proper socilization. My other cat is a rescue, and I got her at 8 weeks of age.
2. We were thinking it might be a good idea to get a pair of kitties because they''d have company during the day--is this a good idea? If so, should we try to get littermates? I''d like to get brothers if possible because the boys are a bit more laid back.

As stated above, that is a great idea. I have a boy and a girl kitty because I heard that was the best combo. Because of the timing of the my Bermise, he came in 2 months later, my other cat had some issues with that at first and they fought. After freting for a week I finally just let them have it out, they didn''t kill each other and became friends shortly afterwards. I tried to take one with me when I went to another city for a month, and it was a disaster, they were both lonley. I am glad I have 2 cats to keep each other company even though I work crazy hours.
3. We both had cats and dogs growing up, but our cats were mostly indoor/outdoor (i.e., they could come and go as they pleased). I''d like to raise these cats as indoor cats. I know they''ll need a litterbox, scratching post, etc. Is there anything else I should be aware of that they will need? Will we have to cat-proof the house? I love the idea of the soft paws, but I want to make sure that the cats can still scratch their posts with them on.

My cats are both indoors (Burmise are nice, but too nice to preditors and my other cat would just get into fights with cats bigger than herself). I clip their nails and have a few posts for them. They need toys to play with (I have toy mice laying around, and Da Bird hidden for fun times). Kittens will need a lot to play with. They are kind of like litte kids.
4. Kris (SO) thinks I''m crazy, but I''d like to leash train the cats since they will be indoor kitties. Has anyone does this? Does it work?

If you train them as kittens, I don''t see why not. My cats get plenty of exercise chacing each other.
5. If we buy in a couple of years, how do cats adjust to moving? Would this be super traumatic for them?

Most cats adjust after being stressed for a few days.
6. We''re thinking kids 5-7 years down the road. Will older cats adapt to babies ok? Is this a reason not to get a kitty?

Most do, however I have herd some stories of some who do not. I am testing my cats next week because I am babysitting a 2 year old. I can let you know how it goes.
OK, I think that''s about it. Thanks in advance for the replies!

 

[Imdanny]

Just one thing- I do have an Egyptian Mau, almost one year old. They are very, very energetic, and you have to spend structured time with them every single day- mine plays fetch for at least 1/2 hr a day- they require almost constant attention- like a dog. Look up The Mean Kitty Song on Youtube- Corey Williams' Egyptian Mau shows what it's like to live with one (including the fetching in one of his videos- lol!). In short- I wouldn't get two, and I'd think very carefully about even getting one- you have to train them, and there's a lot of easier breeds to live with. And no, I wouldn't want my cat around a baby. I get scratched up- it's hard to explain - they're just not mellow. They don't mean not to be- they just move very fast and play rough. I hope this helps.

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 6/4/2008 1:22:41 AM
Author: Imdanny
Just one thing- I do have an Egyptian Mau, almost one year old. They are very, very energetic, and you have to spend structured time with them every single day- mine plays fetch for at least 1/2 hr a day- they require almost constant attention- like a dog. Look up The Mean Kitty Song on Youtube- Corey Williams'' Egyptian Mau shows what it''s like to live with one (including the fetching in one of his videos- lol!). In short- I wouldn''t get two, and I''d think very carefully about even getting one- you have to train them, and there''s a lot of easier breeds to live with. And no, I wouldn''t want my cat around a baby. I get scratched up- it''s hard to explain - they''re just not mellow. They don''t mean not to be- they just move very fast and play rough. I hope this helps.

Your kitty will likely slow down in a couple of years. He''ll still be active and enjoy play - but he will mellow out. Perhaps if you had 2, then he wouldn''t require constant attention from you - I would seriously have 10 of them if I could.

 

[omieluv]

Here is some information I posted on the ragdoll thread a while back
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ragdoll-parents-this-threads-for-you-brag-and-post-photos-here.64808/page-14

Cat Associations
These are great starting points to learn about breed standards, show schedules and breeders. I highly suggest attending a couple of cat shows for an opportunity to interact with these cats/kittens and meet breeders. Not only does it serve as a great networking tool to find a kitten, it is a great place to ask around for a retired adult.
The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA)- http://www.cfainc.org/
The International Cat Association, Inc. (TICA) - http://www.tica.org/html/english/home/
American Cat Fanciers Association (AFCA)- http://www.acfacats.com/index.html
The Traditional Cat Association (TCA) - www.traditionalcats.com
Evaluating a Breeder
I am sure there are more tips that I have not listed but this is a good start. Also, check out this link, which will detail more about the breeder contract and visiting the breeder: http://www.petplace.com/cats/finding-and-choosing-a-purebred-cat-breeder/page1.aspx
1. How old do they keep kittens with their mothers (the "right" answer is 12 weeks, according to raggie experts)?
2. Do they keep both parents at location (hopefully they do not, as this can be a sign of a back yard breeder, but not always the case).
3. Are they members of any associations (listen for TICA and/or CFA & TCA if they say only USDA, run).
4. If so, how active are they in showing (this demonstrates their desire to maintain breed standards)
5. How many breedings does the breeder plan for each female each year? (if they breed a single female more than twice per year, that is a bad sign)
6. Ensure the home is reasonably clean. I visited a breeder''s home and could not tell she had over 10 cats & kittens.
7. If they ask for money before viewing the cat, run. Should you decide to go forward & purchase a kitten, it is perfectly normal for a breeder to ask for a deposit, if the kitten has not been born yet, or is too young to leave the mother. The deposit should be deducted from the total cost of the kitten, however (find out if it can be refunded, not all will, but that is not necessarily a bad thing, more an FYI).
8. Do they have a contract? (if no, run)
9. If there is a contract, find out about guarantees & health certificates & declawing & genetic screening.
10. Are kittens raised in cages or are they raised in a family environment among other pets and children?

 

[ladypirate]

Omieluv, I love the idea of going to a couple of cat shows! There are several coming up in Portland over the next 6 months, so I''ll make sure to drag Kris to a few.

Thanks again to everyone for the helpful suggestions!

 

[omieluv]

Yeah, cat shows are a great way to meet breeders. Even if there are no Mau breeders there, it would still be good to talk to any who are willing to answer questions.

 

[ladypirate]

Definitely! Kris and I were talking last night about how we''d like to establish a relationship with the breeder before bringing home a kitten. And as you said, even if there aren''t any Mau breeders there, it''s a good way to be introduced to the community.

 

[AmberGretchen]

ladypirate - Omieluv's checklist above for good breeders is REALLY GOOD - DEFINITELY print it out and bring it with you when evaluating potential breeders. Just one thing I would add - reputable breeders will include a spay-neuter clause in their contract, specifying that the cat must be spayed or neutered (if it isn't already when you get it) as soon as its appropriate, unless they specifically sold you the kitten/cat as a show prospect/breeder, which wouldn't be the case here. This is VERY important - a responsible breeder cares about all of their animals and doesn't want them running around adding to the shelter overpopulation problem and for females, developing health problems because of unsupervised/excessive breeding.

I am a huge fan of rescues, but if you are set on a breeder, PLEASE make sure you are buying from a responsible breeder, not just someone who is adding to the horrendous feline overpopulation in the US.

FYI, for all those considering kitties in your life, MILLIONS (not thousands) of cats and kittens are put to sleep in shelters every year. Also millions of dogs and puppies. The vast majority of these are simply because there is no room for them, not because of behavioral issues or health issues or any other "good" reason. I believe the total number last year was 7 million cats/kittens and dogs/puppies.

Also FYI, someone posted above that dogs aren't good with kids, and I have to strenuously disagree. I have trained many dogs through the transition when their parents have a baby and worked with many dogs who live with kids, and with proper training and reasonable caution, dogs are wonderful with babies, and have all kinds of benefits for growing children - reducing allergies, preventing fear of dogs, and teaching them how to be humane to animals, just to name a few.

Anyway, sorry to threadjack, but you all know I'm the crazy cat (and dog!) lady and I just wanted to make sure there aren't misconceptions floating around out there without some accurate information.

Ladypirate - best of luck in your search and can't wait to see pics of your new family member(s) - I'm sure it/they will be just beautiful

 

[Fancy605]

Wow! It sounds like you and your honey have REALLY put a lot of thought into this whole cat thing. Good for you. I often worry that people commit too quickly to having a pet, but you seem really to have been asking yourself a lot of questions! P.S. I think Egyptian Maus are just lovely! I love those spots!

2. I would say have 2 kittens if you can. It''s not that much more trouble really, and it''s so fun to have 2 together because they play with each other a lot. Plus that way they don''t get lonely.

3. This day in age, I would DEF. keep my cats in doors. Growing up, my family had a lot of land and a barn, so our outdoor cats had plenty of not-the-road places to explore. But you just never know in neighborhoods. Other people have dogs that they don''t supervise well, kids that they don''t supervise well (some of which may be cruel to animals). The woods backing up to our neighborhood has coyotes, and they have killed 1 of my neighbor''s cats. People don''t look out for animals when they are in their cars. I have heard people say that they hit animals on purpose. You just never know. I think inside cats can be perfectly content (and safe!) My MIL recently took a feral cat in to the vet. After the kitty''s blood work came back clean, she decided to keep it as a pet indoors (as they have a busy road nearby). At first, kitty wanted to go outside back to her wilderness surroundings, but now she seems super content with being indoors. She doesn''t even seem to attempt to run out (but, we''re still careful about opening the doors just in case.)

5. Cats do fine with moving. In my experience, when you move a cat, one good little trick is to put some butter on their paws. As they lick the butter off, they''ll lick off the scent of their old home and pick up the scent of the new one. That tends to help them to adjust a little more quickly. Then they basically just need time to explore.

6. My parents had cats before they had either me or my sister. The cats and my sister and I managed to survive each other pretty well. The one concern with cats and babies is that there is a disease some cats can get that can be harmful to humans---but supposedly it comes from mice that the cats eat (again, this is a good reason to keep the cats in-- so that they can''t come in contact with infected animals)

 

[omieluv]

Date: 6/4/2008 7:18:23 PM
Author: AmberGretchen
ladypirate - Omieluv''s checklist above for good breeders is REALLY GOOD - DEFINITELY print it out and bring it with you when evaluating potential breeders. Just one thing I would add - reputable breeders will include a spay-neuter clause in their contract, specifying that the cat must be spayed or neutered (if it isn''t already when you get it) as soon as its appropriate, unless they specifically sold you the kitten/cat as a show prospect/breeder, which wouldn''t be the case here. This is VERY important - a responsible breeder cares about all of their animals and doesn''t want them running around adding to the shelter overpopulation problem and for females, developing health problems because of unsupervised/excessive breeding.

Thanks AG! Once again, I forgot to add the note about the spay/neuter clause, which is very important!!

 

[AmberGretchen]

That''s fine Omie - just call me the crazy pet overpopulation lady of PS