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Anonymous
Hey /an/,
I thought of getting myself a cat however I live in a very small apartment (~32 m² = 344 ft²). The cat would be free to roam around the place though. What do you think, is that enough space?
Also I'm a student, which means sometimes I'm at home for days but sometimes I'll also be away for 6+ hours. I heard that in this case it is almost obligatory to own a second cat to keep the first one company. I suppose my small apartment is hardly big enough for *two* cats? What's your opinion on this /an/?
Pic kind of related, it's the cat I thought about picking up from the local animal shelter.
>> Anonymous
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It's okay, cats don't need that much space. Keeping two cats in a one-room apartment would be a bad idea tho. Get some toys, a proper cat tree and maybe a window seat, that will be enough.

If you get a shelter cat, take an older, not too lively one. A very active cat might entertain itself by destroying your stuff.
>> Anonymous
The apartement of my friend is the same size as yours and he has a labrador = no life quality for the dog.

I wouldn't perch a cat in such an apartement, but if you do = take a cat which likes to sleep more than normal cats.
>> Anonymous
you may also want to consider going for a female cat, they tend to be smaller than the males and so not *as* effected by the smaller living space.
>> Anonymous
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Thanks everyone. Well I'm still undecided. I really wouldn't want the cat to be unhappy or bored because of my small apartment.
I would of course buy a cat tree and there is also other stuff he could jump/climb on. I've got a large window too (Although there's nothing really to see there, beside concrete. Yay for inner city).
I just figured he might be better off here than in the small box at the animal shelter.
>> Anonymous
>>222387

Cats tend to just sleep when the owner's out.

Also, remember to feed the cat a little less than an active cat once the cat's grown up. Because they'll be sleeping in all day, you'll end up with a fat cat if you feed it normal portions.
>> Anonymous
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A window is fine if _anything_ is moving outside: cars, pedestrians, tree tops and leaves, empty plastic bags... it's like TV for cats.

You should ask the people at the animal shelter. They can tell you if your apartment is suitable for any of their cats. And if it is, get the cat. It will make both of you happy.
>> Anonymous
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>>222410
The only thing that ever moves here is the clouds. :(
I already regret ever moving out of Suburbia.
I will ask the people at the animal shelter, they tend to be fairly strict. That's also why I asked here first, wouldn't want to make a total fool of myself there.
>> Anonymous
>>222408
they have indoor cat formulated food, so the cat can eat regularly and not go blimpy
>> Anonymous
>>222404
such a cute cat
>> Anonymous
The cat should be fine, although it can depend on the personality. Most of my cats have been quite happy living in smaller places - I just don't know what you'll do to protect your furniture and belongings from getting damaged. You could lock him in a room with his toilet, water, bed and toys as long as it won't get too hot.
Where do you live?
>> Anonymous
Get a bunch of bokses.
>> Anonymous
>>222416

Don't do this. Think about it: If the cat eats the same amount and gets less energy out of it, them being obligate carnivores, what do you think is the filler in them?
>> Anonymous
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>>222418
Isn't he? He's got teh diabeetus though and needs insulin every now and then ;_; I think I can handle that though, being in med school and all.
>>222421
Hm, I understand excessively damaged furniture is a sign of boredom. That's why I'm asked here if my apartment is large enough. I don't mind a few scratches every now and then and wouldn't think of locking him in a single room.
I moved to Frankfurt, Germany a few months ago. Rooms are extremely hard to come by if you're a poor student.
>> Anonymous
>>222426
Well, the reason why I mentioned personality is because that will probably be the deciding factor here.
Yes, I think it's large enough - but is he the calm, gentle type or the two-faced destructive type?
Your apartment is large enough, but what type of cat is he? Also, could you get into trouble with the landlord for keeping him?
>> Anonymous
>>222424
your ankle of course!
>> Anonymous
>>222424
*Obligate* carnivores? I've seen more than a couple cats that have been vegan for several years and at least seem healthy and happy. It's probably not ideal, but cats and dogs can certainly LIVE without animal byproducts.
>> Anonymous
>>222426
if you get a good scratching post and encourage him to use that rather than your furniture, it'll keep your damage to a minimum.
>> Anonymous
>>222426

Holy crap, that looks just like my cat, eye color and everything.
>> Anonymous
>>222432
is your cat missing?
>> Anonymous
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>>222432
errrr...
>> Anonymous
>>222428
I don't really know his personality. I was more or less just sneaking around at the animal shelter, looking for a nice indoor cat. But I'll follow your advice and ask for a calm cat. Although I'm sure that the people at the animal shelter will ask the same questions and recommend me something (Or laugh at my pathetic apartment and throw me out, I dunno).

>>222432
"Mystery cat takes regular bus to the shops"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=447527&in_page_id=17
70
>> Anonymous
>>222430

OH. MY. GOD. YOU DID NOT JUST SAY THAT.
>> Anonymous
>>222430

0/10
That was really really reall bad.
>> Anonymous
>>222430

That post was bad, and you should feel bad, and your parents should feel bad for not aborting you.
>> Barksalot !!bUy38Am5hmk
>>222436
Oh, I didn't mean to ask for a different cat; just spend some time with him. Maybe it was "meant to be" since you already picked him. Who knows. :)
Haven't been to Germany for a decade or two - do you still see punks walking around with 40cm spiky hair or those Ajax commercials with the housewife eating (or kissing?) the spray bottle?
>> Anonymous
>>222442
Heh, I will! I won't rush this, lots of stuff to think through.
Actually I haven't seen any punks for years. There are the usual hobo-looking pseudo-punks around the main station but I suppose any self respecting punk would feel insulted to be assoiated with them. Nowadays it's all Turks and Arabs owning the street. Not that I care, cities make me depressive anyways, gotta move away from here asap.
I don't know about tv-commercials either. Threw my TV away years ago and never really missed it.
>> Anonymous
>>222412

If you live in the city, there will be pigeons. My window faces the edge of a freaking brick wall, and there are still pigeons outside it every day, rain or shine or -40 degree weather. Consequently my cat is rarely bored in my tiny apartment.
>> Moonbarker Osbourne
>>222390

And there's also how older cats often have a harder time getting adopted compared with kittens, which it seems everyone wants to adopt
>> Anonymous
I adopted an old cat that looks like that cat there, shloopy. She is schizophrenic or something.
>> Anonymous
>>222387
If you're gonna get a cat for a small place, make sure you wear the little bugger out too. It'll train the cat to wait for you to get home for play. It's what I did for my cat, after a day of classes, he just sleeps til I get home and I play with him until he doesn't want to anymore.