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KZN
Hey /an/, I'm most likely getting a cat soon. I've never had one before, only dogs and small animals. Though my mother and some of my friends have had/have cats, so they can help me out a bit, but I'd like to ask /an/ about their experiences with cats as well. I have a few questions.

I will be getting a cat from the shelter (I visit often, anyways.)

It seems to me that certain breeds of cats irritate my (allergy-wise.) Male cats seem to bother me more as well, so I'll be getting a female cat. My question here being, are there any specific breeds of cats that are usually low-allergy producing?

Also, what age of cat would you recommend I get? I'm thinking a younger cat, but not a tiny kitten. 8 months, perhaps? (I do not know the age standards for cats; I'm basing this on what I know of dogs. Is it different for cats?)

Next question being, I know declawing is bad for the cat, but do you recommend getting a cat that's already been declawed? There is also a deaf cat in the shelter right now, and I'm thinking of adopting her because she'd a real sweetie. Are there any other potential health problems I could face because the cat is deaf?

When I do adopt the cat, do you recommend dry or wet food?

Last question. I have a dog at home as well. Any tips for introducing the two?

Any helpful links are also appreciated.
Comment too long. Clickhereto view the full text.
>> Anonymous
How friendly is your dog to other animals? It may be important to get a small kitten if you can't find a cat that gets along with your dog.

Also, as far as I know, there isn't really any health issues involved with deaf cats - though in my experience they seem to be slow (hurrrr) and easily startled.
>> KZN
>>213386
Thanks. I don't know if the deaf cat is even still there.

My dog is very friendly around other animals, although he can be a bit wild sometimes, so I'd be worried about him hurting a little kitten by accident. He got along fine and was calm around the guinea pigs I used to have (they died about a year ago. :( ) And when my dog was staying at a friend's house while I was on vacation, they said he learned pretty quickly to get along with their cat...but he may have 'forgotten' the knowledge by now.
>> Anonymous
Cats that are older than say... 3 months should be on a mostly dry food diet. Wet food every once in a while is fine, but make sure she eats enough dry to "brush her teeth".

Also, please dear Anon, don't buy her Friskies ; ;
>> Anonymous
>>213388
If your dog gets frisky, deafcat is probably a bad idea. You'd be surprised how gentle some dogs can be with kittens, though... and you can always just supervise them until the kitten grows up. A friendly adult cat is best, though. Will the shelter let you bring your dog to meet the cat?
>> KZN
>>213389
I'll definitely feed her dry food, then. Wet food is also expensive, is it not? I've also heard that if you feed a kitten wet food too much, she'll grow up picky and not accept dry food. Is this true?
>>213390
Yeah, I kinda figured...deafcat might be too nervous around him. I think my dog will be fine if he's introduced properly (I just don't know how?), and I think they will let him visit. (When I was thinking of getting another dog, they let us bring him in to meet her. They got along great but we didn't end up getting the other dog anyways.)
>> Anonymous
>>213392
With cats, it's a good idea to let them sniff each other under the crack of the door first. Keep in mind that the kitty will probably be stressed due to the shelter situation - a little hissing doesn't mean kitty will hate your dog forever, but growling/spitting/yowling probably means it won't work out. If through the door goes alright and you think your dog wouldn't mind... if it has a kennel, put it in and let the cat sniff around it, then reverse the situation. If they seem to tolerate each other, yay.
>> Anonymous
>>213392
Wet/dry mix a couple times a week is probably good. If you wait awhile, there are some catfags here that are really good with cat nutrition and can tell you some good foods.
>> KZN
>>213389
Oh, and I forgot to ask, what's wrong with Friskies? (I don't know...they just make cat food, right? So I don't know about it much.)
>> Anonymous
>>213396
Friskies/Meow Mix/Purina/etcetc... all those grocery store brands - they're kinda like junk food for cats. Sure, your cat will live, but it won't thrive.
>> KZN
>>213393
I'll try that, thanks. I was going to do the door thing, as I've been told it works well. With dogs, they say don't involve food during introductions...that's a good idea here as well, right?
>> KZN
>>213398
Ok, thanks...what is a good brand, do you think?

(Sorry for all the questions, guys. Hope I'm not buggin' ya.)
>> Anonymous
>>213392

Wet food is a tricky thing. Cats can be "picky" no matter what you feed them, as long as there is no variation. If you feed them the same thing long enough, that is all they will eat. As far as prices on wet food, there are some inexpensive ones that are quality, inexpensive ones that are crap, expensive ones that are quality, and expensive ones that are crap. You really just need to see what your local pet store offers, take notes, and google the brands.

Keep in mind, your cat will poop what it eats. Feed it crap and you'll be scooping all day long, feed it well and you'll be blessed with a few regular poops daily.

I also agree with the anon who mentioned an adult cat. They are wonderful and know what they are doing around a litter box most likely, and even if they don't you can train her fast. Cats are smart like that.

To acclimate your dog to the new cat, place the cat in one room and shut the door, and let the dog sniff at the cat underneath the door. Do this until the dog is used to the cat, then let them interact.
>> Anonymous
>>213400
nutro. easy to find in petsmart, and does stuff that's made specifically to keep indoor cats/kittens healthy and less smelly poopy.

believe me. a diet of science diet shit was terrible, but the nutro shit was much more bearable. moreover, I recommend "world's best kitty/cat (whatever) litter." also findable in petsmart, and probably similar places
>> Anonymous
>>213404
also dry food requires plenty of water to offset the... well, dry food. consider getting a fountain (catit, drinkwell, etc)
>> KZN
>>213403
>>213404
>>213405
Thanks. I'll keep in mind the stuff about the food and litter. I was thinking about getting a fountain...but the dog would probably try and get at it too. Would this bother the cat?

Also, how old would you say counts as an 'adult' cat, though?
>> Anonymous
Nutro is ok. Mid-range in price and keeps the cat healthy and happy. Nothing wrong with it.

If you want to splurge on your cat and pamper it, try Natural Balance. The cans are expensive but the dry food goes on sale every now and then and you can buy a big bag.

Never ever feed Science Diet. They pay for the right to put "vet recommended" on their bag, it's not really that good.

Generally look at the ingredients on the back of the bag, and if the first or second one listed is "corn" or any other grain don't buy it. Cats can't process corn just like humans can't. It runs through their system and gives them zero nutrition.
>> KZN
>>213409
Thanks...I've got to start writing this stuff down...
>> Anonymous
>>213406
My dogs and cats drink from the same bowls, often at the same time.
>> KZN
>>213413
I have no doubt that would be adorable...
I guess it won't bother the cat much, then?
>> Anonymous
>>213454
Nope. One of my cats is the stereotypical finnicky bitchy cat, but I guess she doesn't mind a bit of dog drool in her dish.

And yeah, it's pretty cute.
>> Anonymous
>>213406
this just came to me, but since cats can climb, you could put the fountain somewhere out of reach from the dog. bear in mind fountains have a continual upkeep both financially and labor-wise.

Specifically, all good fountains have a type of filter system. This systems requires eventual replacement, and the fountain itself needs refilling/CLEANING.

Currently, I'm taking a break from my catit (google it; neat thingy) as cleaning the damn thing was too much since my cat drank so much. drinking a lot is good for them if they're on dry food though; kidney issues otherwise.

I'd use filtered water (the type from cheapo faucet filters) for the cat fountains to prolong the life of its filters and to lessen your cleanup from gunk like algae or minerals.
>> Anonymous
>>213411
oh, also don't use a flea collar. if you read the fine print, it may kill your cat. whoops? lol

no really. it could kill your cat.
>> KZN
>>213476
Just looked it up...very neat. I may consider it, although depending on how expensive it is, I might have to pass it up.

Irrelevant to drinking fountains, but are those cathouse/scratching poles actually enjoyable for cats? And do they really deter the cats from scratching furniture, etc?
>> Anonymous
>>213484
Yes, if you do it right. My advice: Get a tall sisal scratching post. No carpet. It should be tall enough for the cat to stretch up and claw at it.

Cats don't naturally prefer a scratching post over your couch. They don't make a discrimination between them unless you do. Spread catnip on the scratching post, and praise them lavishly when you see them use it. Spray them with water or clap your hands or whatever when they scratch anything else. Putting double-sided tape on objects you don't want scratched while training them will be helpful, because they don't like the sticky texture.
>> KZN
>>213478
Jesus, I've never used one for my dog for the same reason. It 'can be harmful to humans or your pet.'

Damn. Who developed those things?
>>213486
Thanks for the tips. Do cats respond to your voice as much as dogs do? (For example telling them 'no' firmly. Do they respond well or does it scare them?)
>> Anonymous
>>213494
Typically not, unless they have learned that "NO" = bad. For example, when I'd recently adopted my cat, if she did something bad I'd make a TSST/hiss noise and spray her with the water bottle. Now, I only need to make the sound for her to stop doing something.
>> KZN
>>213498
All right...I suppose they respond better to sounds from their own 'language' then?

I sometimes make a growling sound at my dog if he's being really bad. He responds really well to that and calms down very quickly.
>> Anonymous
>>213501
hissing works well. if not, wet your hand with water, and flick it at it when it's misbehaving. that way, your hands will become magic
>> Anonymous
>>213501
I don't know, but hissing is easier on me than yelling. I don't want my cat to be afraid of loud noises, plus, it's kind of an instinctive reaction for me when I'm pissed.
>> KZN
>>213502
I suppose, but I don't want the cat to become hand-shy. Would that be a problem?
>>213503
Yeah, I suppose hissing might work then. That's my style, anyways.
>> Anonymous
Dear OP,

You should really consider getting two cats. They'll keep each other company when you're gone and give each other an outlet for play that you might not be ready to supply.
>> Anonymous
having more than one litter box is supposed to be a good idea as well, though mine is fine with just one. not sure why every pet site says to have 2 for one cat.
>> KZN
>>213529
I might consider getting two, but I may just start with one cat. Or is it better to get two cats at the same time that are litter/cage mates?
>>213533
I will probably have at least two litter boxes, because my house is inefficiently big, which sucks. ;_;
Speaking of litter boxes, is it stupid to try and teach the cat to use the toilet? I've heard it's possible but I don't know how realistic/advisable it is.
>> Anonymous
>>213699
http://www.citikitty.com/

First hit on Google and seems completely feasible.
>> KZN
>>213700
Interesting...I may try that. I'm a little skeptical but it seems pretty legit.
>> Anonymous
Two kitties is good if you have no other pets, but since you already have a dog and I assume you want them to be friends, it's probably not necessary.

And in a worst-case scenario, two cats might try to gang up on your dog. </3
>> KZN
>>213737
Yeah, my dog sometimes gets lonely when we're not around so if the two became friendly with each other, that'd be great.
>> Anonymous
>>213699
Don't rely on them learning to use a toilet. I've never bothered. Also, I have two cats and just one litterbox that I only change once a week or so; some cats are more finicky than others, so you might want to start off with two boxes just ot be safe, but you may not need it.
>> KZN
>>213741
I'd at least start with litter boxes, yeah. If it gets to be a pain I might try toilet-training. Whatever works.
>> KZN
I also have another question.

About different breeds of cats...those white, silky, long-haired ones. Anyone know what they're called?

And do they shed a lot?
>> Anonymous
My cat is 18 and eats wet food only. She prefers Friskies, she hates 9 Lives, and she'll pick over anything else. She's mostly toothless (old age lol), so there's not much else we can do. We give her table scraps on occasion, soft stuff like chicken, eggs, and most recently, boiled gizzrads.
>> Anonymous
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>>214003
Birmans?

I have a Birman cross cat (that's why it's calico and not white with darker colour marks) and it needs regular combing because it sheds.

Pic is my cat.
>> Anonymous
>>213699
I believe that the average minimum of cats for 4channers is five. So keep that in mind. We all have too many cats.
>> KZN
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>>214008
Hmmm...I'm not sure, I looked up Birmans and they look almost like Siamese colored.

The closest thing to what I'm talking about that I can find is this picture here.

You have a beautiful cat, by the way.
>> Anonymous
About allergies... since you are taking the cat from a shelter, you may not get the luxury of picking a low-allergenic breed. If you had, Siberian cats, Russian blues, Siamese cats, Burmese cats or Cornish Rexes are known to cause less allergic reactions. Especially the Siberians have a reputation as low-allergy or even hypoallergenic cats.

The thing is, if you take a young cat, it will be producing less allergen than an adult cat, so you won't know until it is fully grown. Taking a female is wise, as females produce less allergens than males, especially unfixed males. There are some conflicting results about whether dark-haired cats cause more allergic reactions or not, but to play safe, don't take a black cat.

I wouldn't adopt a declawed cat, unless I was sure there was zero risk of it getting loose outside. A declawed cat is essentially crippled, unable to defend itself and unable to climb as an escape.
>> KZN
>>214025
Thanks for the advice. I'll try to avoid declawed cats, but I won't be letting the cat outside anyways. (Is this a wise decision? I don't want her to get hurt or killed by a car, dog, etc.)

Also, tortoise shell patterned cats...I've heard they can only be female? In any case, they don't bother me as much allergy-wise, and they seem really sweet. (I've seen a couple in the shelter.) Is one of these a wise choice? (Any specifics of the breed, do they get along well with other cats or dogs?)

The Siberian cats seem like a possibility as well...do they shed a lot?
>> Anonymous
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Sphynx (hairless) cats are incredibly smart, loyal, loving, and playful. good for allergies
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JXhfroM_VQA
>> Anonymous
>>214003
turkish angora
>> Anonymous
OP take one of these tests
http://www.google.com/search?q=cat+breed+selector&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.moz
illa:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
to see which breed is right for you
>> Anonymous
>>214038
Not really, they produce just as much allergens as any ordinary cat. The allergens are in the saliva of the cat, not the hair.
>> Anonymous
>>214043
I thought the allergens were in the dander? Like, skin flakes?
>> Anonymous
>>214044
They end up there from the saliva. And all cats lick themselves and produce dander. Only some cat breeds produce less than others.
>> KZN
>>214038
Am I the only one who finds these adorable?
>>214040
Thanks.
>>214042
A few of the results I got were Manx, Birman, and Angora. Thank you for suggesting those tests, they were quite helpful.
>> Anonymous
>>214047
no, it's in the skin oil. this spreads to the hair and dander
>> KZN
>>214088
Well, I am not sure about cats, but I know with dogs it's the skin oil that causes allergies as well as the saliva, and depending on what sort of fur they have the oils/saliva retains in the coat more easily or not as much.
>> Anonymous
>>214029
it's an excellent idea to keep your cat strictly indoors. unlike dogs, cat's can jump and climb like you wouldn't expect (seeing as you've never had one.) hell, I wouldn't trust a dog outside alone either...

if you must allow your cat access outdoors, get a leash (they actually exist; good luck w/the cat however) or secure the area crazy good. outdoor access allows mosquitoes easy access too, thereby heartworm concerns that could kill kitty. to abate such concerns, medication. said medication could kill kitty too. lol. keep it inside imo.

you don't want to be one of the anons coming here bitching and moaning that their cat got run over by a car because it was out on its own. /an/ can be a cunt at those times.
>> KZN
>>214183
Yeah, that's what I thought. I think I'd be too paranoid to let the cat outside even if /an/ said it was a good idea...

Is it even technically legal to have an "outdoor" cat?
>> Anonymous
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You'd be surprised what a declawed cat is capable of. My cat who was declawed when I got her, got loose and killed rabbits and brought them back home with her. She could also easily climb trees. Although, I really think declawing is generally cruel to have done to a cat, I've seen quite a few homeless cats who are already declawed from previous owners. My cat lives a pretty happy life, and she's never seemed to be limited by not having front claws.
>> Anonymous
>>214186
It depends where you live. Some places have laws that permit your neighbors to trap the cat and turn it in to the pound if it is on their property. If you do let it out, it's always a good idea to make sure he/she has a collar. We let our cats out when I was a kid, but then we also lived in the middle of a suburb and had a big garden in the back yard with a bird feeder (cat feeder) and a fish pond. So aside from the "head cat" they rarely went farther than a across the street.
>> Anonymous
>>214025
Not always. I had a black and white cat with a bell on his collar and no front claws and that motherfucker STILL dominated our other, bigger cat and killed more rodents and birds than you can believe.

This cat may have simply been the most magical cat ever born, however, so it's probably safe to assume your cat won't do as well without claws as it could with them.
>> Anonymous
>>214029
Tortoiseshells (I know I misspelled that shit) and calicos will most, most MOST of the time be female, because that color pattern requires two X chromosomes. If you ever find a male calico, he would officially be a mutant since he would have to have an XXY chromosome in order to have that pattern. I hear it does happen though, which I find to be endlessly cool.
>> KZN
>>214193
Is that your cat? She's pretty.
>>214196
Do collars bug cats? Or are they indifferent to them, like (most) dogs?
>> Anonymous
>>214204
Depends on the cat. I had one who loved his collar, another who fucking hated his, and a third who kept losing one every week. Buy her one, and don't put up with any shit from her when you try to put it on. She'll learn to like it. You may or may not wish to consider a break-away collar, especially since it's damn near impossible to find anything but those these days.
>> Anonymous
>>214206
And excuse me while I re-evaluate my own statement. If you're 100% sure she's not gonna get out, then a collar wouldn't really be THAT necessary. Always makes for a supercute accessory though.
>> KZN
>>214209
Yeah, I'll probably get her one. I can't guarantee she won't get out, after all. Hopefully it won't be bothersome to her.
>> KZN
>>214203
Very interesting...related question:
Are all orange tabbies male? (I have never seen a female one...ever.)
>> Anonymous
>>214215
Actually, I don't quite know! Must research!
>> Anonymous
>>214215
Okay, according to wikipedia the orange color gene is carried in the X chromosome, so either sex can have that color. It also says that orange color suppresses the solid-color gene, so orange cats can only be tabby-patterned, never solid.

And evidently the mutation in male calicos causes them to be sterile.
>> Anonymous
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>>214084
i think sphynx are adorable too
>> Anonymous
OP, based on the amount of concern and willingness to adapt you have shown, I think you will be fine with a cat.
Now go in that shelter and walk around until a cat chooses you.
>> Anonymous
>>214215
My sister has an orange tabby that had kittens. After that they took it to the vet to be fixed, and the vet was clueless enough to insist she had to be a male since she was orange.

Obviously, he very soon found out he was wrong.
>> KZN
>>214222
Interesting. Come to think of it I haven't seen any solid orange cats.
>>214225
Oh, that one is adorable. I feel sorry for them though, because there re bound to be many of them out there without homes, because almost everyone I know thinks they're ugly. Strangely though, I've never seen one in the shelter.
>>214333
Thank you, Anon. I've been going to the shelter to look around every day now, playing with the cats and seeing if any of them "worked" with me. I found a really sweet kitty, but unfortunately she's a tabby, so I can't take her because she really bugs the crap outta my allergies. I will keep looking, though.
>>214419
Oh wow. You'd think a vet would know these things, right?
>> Anonymous
>>214213
if you're concerned about her ever getting out, and you're getting one from the shelter, get it micro-chipped.
>> KZN
>>214573
I'll probably opt for that if it's offered at the vet they send the cat to. When I got my dog we had him micro-chipped as well.
>> Anonymous
>>214573
Aren't there studies suggesting that 1-10% of animals fitted with those chips develop an aggressive and lethal cancer around the chip? I wouldn't want to take that kind of risk when taking a pet that can live over 20 years if healthy.
>> KZN
>>214668
Hmm...I haven't heard of that. If it's true, that's making me kinda weary...

20 years? How long do cats usually live? (I've heard the oldest ever cat was 35, but I haven't had any confirmation for that.)
>> Anonymous
My friend has a deaf cat. He's the sweetest (and dumbest) of all. He never leaves the house, so we're not concerned of cars... The only downside to it is his awfully loud meowning. He doesn't know he's meowning that loud. It's funny, though. Specially when I'm not there to listen.
>> Anonymous
>>214732

Well my first cat lived to be 26 years old and died when i was about 12. By the time she died despite our care she was suffering from a string of ailments and could no longer look after her fur on her own as well.

20 is about the cat equivalent of an 80 year old human I'd say and most cats live 15 to 20 years.
>> Anonymous
>>214732
I'm afraid so. Lab studies with rodents show that the chips do quite often cause these cancers, and they've been found in chipped dogs as well. The worst bit is that the same type of cancers (fibrosarcomas) are apparently more common and more aggressive in cats. Personally I'd wait for more controlled studies before I had my cat chipped, or if I had a chipped cat, I'd keep a close eye on the chip area for any changes.

Also, it's perfectly normal for an indoors cat to live to be 15 these days. I even know healthy outdoors cats that have reached the age of 20 or more, and it seems to be getting more like the norm with well cared for moggies with good genes, barring accidents or serious diseases. Our cats are close to 15 right now, and they are both surprisingly well. Hopefully they'll be with us for another 5 years at least.
>> Anonymous
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>>214215

When one of my cats had kittens, two out of the nine where solid orange with tabby patterns, and both are girls. So it definitely happens, but I've heard that it is rare.

In the picture, the two girls are the orange ones, one a lighter orange than the other. The one with white on him is a male.
>> KZN
>>214743
Aww. too bad the deaf kitty's gone, though. Hopefully to a good home.
>>214756
That's pretty old...holy crap, 26 years. Well, the older they get to be, the better.
>>214779
Wow...that's certainly swaying me away from getting the cat chipped then...I hope my dog doesn't get cancer. ;_;

I'll just get it a collar with a tag...good idea?
>>214791
Oh, they're cute. I wish tabbies didn't agitate my allergies so much.
>> Anonymous
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>>214809

You speak of tabbies as if they are a breed of cat. Tabby is just a coat pattern. Any kind of cat can have a tabby pattern (unless it's a breed that has specific coat standards, like seal-point patterned breeds). And there are many different kinds of tabby patterns, Mackerel Tabby or Spotted Tabby for instance.

So I don't understand why you think you are allergic to "tabbies". It's like saying you're allergic to cats with a certain fur color.

I think you mean you're allergic to long haired cats or ones that shed a lot?

The three orange cats from my previous post are Maine Coon Mixes. And I think their father may have had a little Persian in him, but I never got to see him up close. They don't shed as much as my short haired cats, but they do seem to irritate people's allergies.
>> KZN
>>214883
I know different breeds can have tabby patterns, but tabby-furred cats seem to bother my allergies a lot. I don't know why.

Maybe it's just a coincidence and I've only been in contact with tabbies of a certain breed that irritates me? I don't know.
>> Anonymous
>>214993
The amount of allergen a cat produces differs between individual cats and breeds, and different lineages within breeds. It could just have been bad luck. Or maybe all the tabbies were male, or maybe they had dandruff? Strangely enough, sometimes cats with the same level of allergen in their dander cause different levels of symptoms in allergics. Nobody really knows why, at least yet.
>> KZN
>>215112
Hmm, that certainly is strange...
It's not that they all were male, because my instrumental teacher used to have two tabbies, short hair, a male and a female. When I'd go over to his house for lessons I was always a retard so I pet the cats anyway. The male cat hated being touched, so I didn't go near him, but the other one still bothered me. And when I was really little my dad used to be a flight instructor and the flight club had a female tabby...she also bothered me...

I don't know why, but tabby-patterned cats have always been the worst for me (even though they're really cute!) Perhaps tabby fur just has more oils? I've no clue... Though certain tabbies (those that almost look like tortoise shells but you can see the tabby pattern still?) didn't bother me. Maybe it's just the individual cat.
>> Anonymous
>>215220
>>those that almost look like tortoise shells but you can see the tabby pattern still?

Those would be calicos. Same genetics as tortie fur but the colours are in distinct blotches rather than mixed.
>> KZN
>>215224
The ones I'm talking about didn't have distinct blotches though...does it count as tortoise shell or calico? (going by what one of my cousins' cats looks like here.)
>> KZN
Oh, I forgot to ask. A fish tank...a small one, glass top. Will the cat be able to get into it?

I don't imagine putting it on a higher shelf will help, as cats can climb...anything I can do to keep the cat away from it? (Bitter Apple? Does this work on cats too?)
>> Anonymous
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>>215261
They could perhaps be torties. I found this photo of a tortoiseshell cat with tabby stripes visible in the red areas. If the cats were like this, they were torties.
>> KZN
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>>215619
<-- Like that. (Most accurate I could find)
Is it a tabby, tortie, or calico?
>> Anonymous
>>215693
I guess that woud be torbie/caliby or whatever wikipedia calls it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortoiseshell_cat
see bottom of page for pictures and descriptions.
>> Anonymous
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>>215701
Pic for reference.
>> KZN
>>215701
>>215703
Yeah, looked kinda like that, thanks.
>> Anonymous
Scratching will happen. Keep their claws trimmed well to prevent damage

I reccomend dry food supplimented with wet on occasion. Cats need to grind on dry food to clean their teeth, wet food causes tooth decay.

Younger cats will probably get along with dogs better, as the dog will probably take more pity on it rather than a large cat.

Good luck, cats are fun!
>> KZN
>>215924
Thanks, and wow, I thought this thread had died.

About the claws, is it better to have a vet clip them? I can't imagine a cat wanting to sit still while someone tries to cut their claws off.
And if I was doing it myself: How do I clip them if the cat can retract them?
>> Anonymous
>>215925

I clip my cat's claws regularly. All you need is a pair or ordinary nail clippers and the cat.

What you do is you hold the paw between your forefinger and thumb. Hold the paw on the toe pad you're wishing to clip. Gently apply pressure on the top of the paw and the claw should de-sheath.

It's important to do this with your cat from when they're very young so they can get used to you handling them in this manner.

Clip only the white portion of the claw, do NOT clip anywhere near the pinkish part of the claw. The pink part is still alive and has blood flowing through it. Usually the cat will let you know exactly when you've hit this area, but you can save both the cat's and your pain and frustration.
>> Anonymous
>>215927

just to suppliment this anon's good tips:

They make nice curved claw clippers that seem easier to use than regular nail clippers. I've found sometimes all you need to do is regularly take off the very tip and that alone will prevent damage. Check online about claw clipping because there are some things you need to be aware of like how far to clip. A few tips:

Claws are layers and "shed" [for lack of a better word] and can sometimes be prone to cracking so you must be careful. Also try to get clippers that will cut rather than "crush" the claw as it can split.

If a claw is cracked or is bothering a cat it will heal in time, just take care not to clip it and be gentle when cliping others [as the cat will be nervous]

back claws don't sharpen half as fast, are thicker and don't require as much clipping. I jenerally just take the very tips off to prevent any scratching while jumping.

Also concerning scratching: they need an outlet to focus that energy. I've never been able to get mine to use a scratching post, but cardboard boxes and plastic baskets seem to be favorites. Try to get them focused on something easily replacable and expendable.
>> Anonymous
>>215933

Now that you say that, I need to look into getting some of those. Not that my cats (2) like getting clipped, but I think this might ease some of their irritation.
>> Anonymous
>>215693

All of the above according to my ASPCA cat book.

this one too:
>>215703
>> Anonymous
>>215703
Oh wow! I didn't know you could get a cat coloured like that. It's like a calico but with tabby patches instead of black. :O
>> KZN
     File :-(, x)
>>215927
>>215933
Thanks guys. I'll see if I can get those special clippers...
If the cat doesn't sit still while clipping, what can I do? I've heard gently immobilizing them in a towel/blanket works...

Anyways, I bought a book with info on different breeds of cats. It's pretty useful. I also went to the shelter today; tried to take a few pics, I'll post the one that came out well.

Is the cat in this pic a Russian Blue? She looked like the Russian Blue cat in the picture in the book I bought; blue/gray fur, really pretty green eyes.

I'm going to the shelter again tomorrow and I'll try to take more pics.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
LAWLZ
pr0n
>> Anonymous
>>216129
If you can't hold him to clip his nails then you might need to get him a scratching log. We had to do that for one of our cats since he just wouldn't tolerate having his claws clipped.
>> KZN
>>216152
You mean one of those scratching house/post things?
I was going to get one, but even if they use it, won't I still have to clip its claws?
>> Anonymous
>>213385
You're going to end up fucking your cat. I guarantee it.
>> KZN
>>216199
No.

Who let /b/ in here?
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>214017
That's a ragdoll. My girlfriend has a white one. He's super friendly, doesn't hurt anyone, loves playing, has awesome human-like expressions, and he's just downright adorable. He's the cutest cat I've ever seen.
>> KZN
>>216235
I know someone who has had two...supposedly they're reeeeally friendly. I've never been around one though.
>> Anonymous
8 months is still pretty young, imo. If you're going for a young cat try for one thats maybe 1 or 2 years old. The older they get, the less likely they are to find homes.

I think the declawing thing is really up to you. If the cat thats declawed is a good cat then go for it, but never declaw a cat yourself.

Also feed it dry food, wet food has a bad habit of building a lot more tarter on their teeth.
>> KZN
>>216460
I just don't want to get a cat that's already an adult, because supposedly it's harder to get them accustomed to dogs...

But I guess 1-2 years is still pretty young?
>> Anonymous
>>216955
I think it is, and it all depends on the cat's personality. If an older cat has already had an experience with a dog it will react accordingly.
>> Anonymous
For some reason, KZN, I think you're annoying. I'm sure I have no basis for feeling this way, and I'm really sorry. But I can't stand you and your questions.

Well, now that I've gotten that off my chest, I hope your search for the perfect kitty (I avoided a pun there) goes smoothly. I got my own cat from a shelther 17 years ago, and she's still going strong. :)
>> KZN
>>217008
Yeah, I suppose even with a kitten with a bad experience it'd be like that.
I plan on perhaps bringing my dog into the shelter to let him interact with some of the cats there. I didn't get to go yesterday or today, but I'm hoping I'll have time tomorrow. (As it's a shelter I'm sure you can imagine they don't have many hours...)
>>217025
Haha, yeah, I knew I'd tick at least one person off. I'm sorry. But at least let me thank you for not saging my thread.
>> Anonymous
bumping for interest. i'd like to see a pet owner who actually knows what he's doing. this thread is a fine example. i'm tired of the bawwfags that end up in /an/ every day whimpering about not knowing how to take care of their pet that they "just bought"
>> KZN
     File :-(, x)
>>217659
I'd guess that's a compliment...thanks.

Anyways, I was at the shelter today, I'll post a few pics of the cats...is this one a Maine Coon?
She was really affectionate and had the funniest little meow, but her little card said she didn't get along with dogs...
>> Anonymous
>>217755
Too bad. You can always bring your dog just to check if you really like her.
>> KZN
>>217827
I could try that. I don't want to scare her, though.

Anyways, this one here loves to be petted...just not picked up. She aggravates my allergies though. (Strangely, the big fluffy one didn't.)
>> KZN
     File :-(, x)
>>217841
Oops, wrong picture, deleted that one. Here, this is the one I'm talking about.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Big cats, like Maine Coons, tend to be good with dogs because they are such a large breed of cat. They are less intimidated. But it really depends on the cat; if they grew up with dogs, they're fine, if they didn't, they might be afraid of them.

Cat in the pictures loves dogs, one of my cats tolerates them, and the rest are terrified of them (because I didn't have any dogs by the time they were introduced)
>> KZN
     File :-(, x)
>>217904
Thanks for the info, I'll keep that in mind.

I forgot this little kitty, though. She had a tortoise shell/tabby pattern like I was talking about, doesn't irritate my allergies, she doesn't mind being picked up, and she's very sweet, but extremely shy and jumps at sudden movements, so she probably won't do too well with my dog...though she seemed to warm up to me pretty fast so I don't know...
>> Anonymous
I haven't read what ppl have answered, but I read your post and saw you mentioned getting a deaf cat. I have a deaf cat and I would not recommend it for a first timer. My cat is extremely hard to take care of and discipline, we've tried everything, and nothing seems to work. Deaf cats will require a lot of patience, understanding and care. You can not let the cat go outside, so you will have to take extra care to make sure it stays indoors. It will probably wreak havoc in your house and break a lot of things.

That being said, my Cat is very carefree and he's fun to play with and be around. I think the fact that we can't really discipline him makes him very fun. He plays with everything, and I love to just sit and watch him go on his tirades.

I include a pic of him. His name is Yuki.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
I failed to include Yuki's pic. Boo me!
>> Anonymous
>>218687
Animals adjust. Get a cat you like, don't worry so much. If your dog is nice with cats, the cat will get used to it regardless of jumpiness-- they just might not be all BFF.
>> KZN
>>218773
Thanks for the tip-off. The deaf kitty's gone though. Someone adopted her. Also, your cat is really cute.

>>218775
I suppose, although I'd rather they do become friends, if possible, so I want a cat that will learn to get along with my dog.
>> Anonymous
Most shelters these days should list whether a cat gets along with:
dogs
other cats
small kids
etc.
and their habits. Look for the info sheets that should be hanging from the kennel door.
Ask the shelter about a trial homestay to make sure the kitty you want won't set off your allergies.
>> KZN
     File :-(, x)
>>218796
This one doesn't list too much unless you ask, but if you do ask them, they're willing to help you out.

Anyways, I have some good news, because today I found a really awesome cat. (Pic very related--that's her.) She's a pretty young cat, almost a year old, they said, and she'd very laid back and extremely patient. Some of my brothers were with me today (They're still pretty young, ages 8 and 11), and this cat put up with them passing her back and forth repeatedly.

She didn't bother my allergies and was very sweet. She didn't mind being held and cuddled; she was purring the whole time. Because of her peaceful demeanor, I think she'll do ok with my dog...what do you guys think? When I came home I had the scent of the cat all over me since I'd been holding her, and I let my dog sniff me; he didn't seem very agitated by the scent. I'm thinking of bringing him in to meet the cat, but then again, because of the scents and sounds of other animals (cats and dogs) he might be a bit more wild. I think it would be easier to get the two to get along if there weren't other animals involved, which really isn't possible at the shelter. Would it be all right to try and introduce them at home? The person that took care of my dog on vacation said he learned to get along with her cats very quickly...
>> KZN
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>>219409
Oh, and here's a close up shot. She's got gorgeous eyes.
>> Anonymous
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Shinx cats are cute, cuddly and anti-allergy. Although they're actually expensive so.... i doubt it' what you're lookin for.

But APPARENTLY, there's a new breed of cat that's furry and anti-allergenic
>> KZN
>>219541
Expensive? Didn't know that...they seem to be rare too, as I've never seen one in real life...

But I'd be getting my cat from the shelter, not a breeder, so they "cost" pretty much the same when you adopt them...
>> Anonymous
>>219541
No, Sphinx cats are not anti-allergy. They produce just as much allergens as any regular cats. Cat allergy has very little to do with hair, and everything to do with sebaceous glands, where the allergy-causing proteins come from. A Sphinx is less likely to spread those allergens around the house due to lack of fur, which might explain why some people get less symptoms from them.

Siberian cats generally produce less of the allergen protein than other cat breeds, but the amount depends on the individual. One Siberian might cause no allergic reaction while another from different parents does. Russian Blues are also said to be hypoallergenic (possibly due to carrying same genes as Siberians) but probably not more so than Siberian cats. Siberians have thick fur while Russian Blues have medium-short hair.

The Allerca genetically engineered hypoallergenic cats are generally thought to be a hoax, possibly using Siberian cats as breeding stock. As of now, it is unclear if they are even delivering any kittens to buyers.
>> KZN
>>219626
I've heard Russian Blues aren't as allergy-producing as most...but don't Siberians shed a lot? (I could be dead wrong, just asking.)

Anyways, it looks like I'll be getting that cat I mentioned in my previous post. I'm adopting her tomorrow if she's still there. My question now (Because I don't want to create another whole thread,) is, what should I name her? In b4 Biscuit...I was thinking maybe Nala, what does /an/ think?
>> Anonymous
>>219786
Well, if you absolutely have to confuse the poor cat by giving her a sanskrit male name from a hindu myth, sure.
>> KZN
>>219789
Any other suggestions then, if Anon doesn't like that name?
>> Anonymous
>>219798I am not>>219789, but what about Candle?
Stupid name, maybe, but my first cat was named Candle. He died last year. :(
>> KZN
>>219824
Candle? Maybe...I wouldn't say it's a bad name, but certainly a strange one. What does /an/on think about Lucy?
>> Anonymous
>>219535
What a cutie. Lucy is an ok name. Elly is fine too.
>> Anonymous
>>219824
Candle is a cute name. Since she's a girl, you could call her Candi for short.
>> KZN
>>219867
>>219868
Thanks for the suggestions and feedback, guys. I just hope she's still there tomorrow.
>> Anonymous
I would suggest getting to know the cat before you name it. Unless you are really bad at coming up with names that is. Once you know enough about the personality and quirks of the cat, you should know what kind of name fits it the best. At least that's what's happened to me with my cats.
>> KZN
>>220093
That's an idea, but I still have to put down a name on the adoption papers (I am doing that today.)

I think I'm gonna go with Nala unless I find something else I really like.

Anyways I went out to the store today, got supplies, scratching post, litter box, brush, bowls, etc. I also got Nutro food, the kind you guys recommended. I was worried they wouldn't have it, but they did.
>> KZN
Depressing news. I went to go adopt my kitty today, and she was gone; it turns out someone else adopted her this morning...

I guess I'll keep looking, then. At least I've got all the kitty supplies.
>> Anonymous
>>220224
Noo! That is too bad. I hope a new kitty comes your way.
>> KZN
>>220247
Yeah, it's sad. Thanks for the sympathy anyways. I'll still be looking in the shelter as much as possible.
>> Anonymous
Holy shit this thread has been around a while.
Only on /an/ ... okay, and /po/.
>> Anonymous
>>22025402/18/08(Mon)19:44

SRSLY
>> KZN
>>220254
>>220271
Holy Jesus, I didn't realize it'd been THAT long. Only on /an/...

Anyways, I haven't found any more suitable cats today, although I went to two animal shelters...I might check out a cat rescue too, if only they'd answer their damn phone to give me directions.
>> KZN
     File :-(, x)
Well guys, I finally found a suitable kitty, adopted her today. I went to the local PetSmart where they have adoptions every Saturday. People fostering homeless animals bring them in to display them for people looking to adopt.

Anyways, she's a real sweetie, her foster parent had already named her Lucy, so I kept that name, because she already responds to it. She likes to be picked up and loves her tummy to be rubbed; she apparently just got all her shots and was spayed, so her belly's shaved. Her foster owner said she lived with her, three dogs, and three kids, so I thought she'd be a good match. Didn't make my allergies irritated either.

Lucy's foster owner brought her to my house for a home visit, they met my dog and said she'd probably get along fine with him after they got used to each other.

So anyways, I've got my kitty now...my dog barked at her for awhile, I tried the door-to-door thing, but Lucy ended up just running off to sit on the couch. After my dog calmed down I let him out, he rushed over to the cat and she swiped and spat at him. He backed off after that, and now she just has to open her mouth very slightly and give a little hiss, and he runs away. He knows to keep his distance now, but he's still trying to 'make friends' with Lucy so he's been following her around at a distance, just wagging his tail.

Lucy's hiding under my bed right now, a little nervous, but I think she'll do ok once the dog gets bored of sniffing at the crack (he can't fit.)

Thank you, everyone, SO much for all the help you've given me. It's really appreciated.

Pic related; it's her hiding under a desk in my house. Her eyes look oddly yellow in this pic, but they're green.