Kitty Questions

[guppy fan]

My mom is really thinking about getting our family a cat. We checked out our local shelter and they don't have any cats right now, so we paid a visit to our pet shop. We've had bad experiances with breeders and full bread animals and we don't really want another one. We found a kitty at the pet shop there that we absolutly adore! He is a fluffy little orange tabby. One of the people that worked there told us that he probably would have long hair because his coat was so thick. We got to take him out and hold him. He purred and licked us.

We have been doing some reading up, but we still have some questions. Do long haired cats shed as much as short haired ones? Can you take a cat to have it's hair cut like a dog? If not, what are some good ways to help keep the shedding down? We have a pretty big house, should we limit the cats access to certain rooms for the first little while? My mom is thinking about also buying one of his litter mates to help keep him company. Would it be better to get just him? We would love to have two cats too. We have had a cat before, but he was a short haired one, and he didn't really like people very much. He loved us, but he wasn't too keen on other people. Can you socialize a cat like you do a dog? We have naighbors that I'm sure would be happy to come pet him after he gets used to us, would that help?

Thanks a lot in advance,

Guppy

 

[dthoffsett]

Do long haired cats shed as much as short haired ones?
Yup, if not more, or at least it seems like more since the hair is longer.

Can you take a cat to have it's hair cut like a dog?
You can indeed. You may need to check around to find a groomer that will, not too many do at least around here. The most popular style is called a Lion's Cut, where the body is shaved and the ruff and head are left longer (thus a mane) and some of the lower legs are left. The true cut includes shaving all but a puff ball on the tail, but a lot of people prefer to leave the tail long (including me).

If not, what are some good ways to help keep the shedding down?
Medium or long-haired cats should be brushed 2-3 times a week, sometimes you need to brush them daily when they are heavily shedding. If you start them young, most cats will learn to love being brushed, just try brushing them for short periods at first and be sure to praise them if they are calm, and give them treats if they like those. If you start bathing them once a month when they are little you can use a shampoo made to reduce shedding, I can't tell you if they work or not, but some people swear by them.

We have a pretty big house, should we limit the cats access to certain rooms for the first little while?
IMO yes. Most cats are pretty skittish in a new environment, so pick a room that is quiet (and one they can't destroy ), make sure they have food, water and litter available (try to keep the food and water on the opposite side as the litter as nobody wants to eat next to where they poo ). Once they are comfortable with that space, you can start letting them explore other areas one at a time. Just be patient with them, some cats adapt right away, others need some time. I have one they will happily explore any new place he's plunked down in, purring all the while; my other cat still runs if someone knocks on the door.


My mom is thinking about also buying one of his litter mates to help keep him company. Would it be better to get just him?
IME, it depends on the individual cat whether or not they like to be around others. I've had better luck keeping litter mates together than introducing two strange cats.

Can you socialize a cat like you do a dog?
Absolutely, and I think it is important to do so. Socializing your cat makes it much less stressful on them and you. Give your kitty(s) a few weeks to get used to the family, and then start bringing people over. Be sure to reward calm behavior, but don't punish your kitty for hiding. In fact, IME it's best to just have the people come over and ignore the kitty until he/she seeks them out, I know it's hard not to gush over a cute kitty, but allowing the kitty to be in control of his/her level of contact will make for a more confident cat. I also recommend basic crate training for kitty, make his/her crate a fun place to be, and you won't have to chase him all over the house when he sees it (since most people only get a crate out to take their cat to the vet, they quickly associate it with something scary). I also recommend getting kitty used to the car, start with the crate training, then start taking the crate out to the car for short amounts of time. When kitty is ok with that, start taking him on short trips. If you have a Petsmart nearby, you can take your kitty inside with you. Or just go to the park and sit in the car a little while, try different places. Like the crate, if you only take kitty to the vet, he'll quickly associate the car with something scary, and then you have to listen to him cry the whole way. Always makes me feel like a horrible person, even though I know I'm not hurting him.

All of this is just my opinion based on my experience being owned by cats for most of my life. Others may have differing opinions.

Just keep in mind that every kitty is an individual and you need to go at their pace. And, some kitties never adapt. I did my best to socialize both of my cats, and I've got one who is everybody's friend, walks on a leash, and loves checking out new places. And, then there's the other one who is terrified of his own shadow (mind you it's a pretty big shadow).

Oh, and don't forget, play play play with your kitty, great way to socialize, and very important for the development of their little minds.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. -Dawn

 

[Mikaila31]

From my experience long haired cats do shed more. The have more fur, which means more shedding. You also need to keep an eye on their fur, it may need brushing/combing regularly. Bushing them a lot helps with shedding, but doesn't get rid of it. When you first get a cat I would suggest keeping him in one room for the first 24-48hrs, Ideally a room far away from sleeping people. Kittens especially their first night tend to cry, they can be surprisingly loud. As far as getting a litter mate, the more cat the merrier .

Socializing does depend on the cat as well as the owners. More socializing when they are young defiantly helps. Oddly I've always found orange cats to be very friendly. We run a daycare, so our cats have to put up with a lot, usually 5-8 kids a day. One of our cats puts ups with just about anything and is very friendly. Even going to the vet, we just put him on a leash. He's not leash trained, but thinks the world is his playground. His only issue is that he attacks a dog if I'm near it. He causes quite the drama when I catch a run away. Luckily he hasn't come across any cat aggressive dogs and our neighbors don't get too upset.

Edit: Along with early brushing, you should learn to trim the claws early as it will make it much easier later on.

 

[guppy fan]

Thanks for the answers, they really help a lot. I have one more question. I'm asuming that this won't be a problem, but do cats have a tendancy to go potty were other types pets have gone? We do have a dog and he is exellent about going outside to do his buisnes, but he wan't always that way. He left a few minor staines that we just can't get rid of, will we have to worry about those?

Ooohhhh, I'm so exited. I will deffinitly let you know when the perants have made thier final desition.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi guppy fan

Cats are naturally clean. When I brought Pandora home, she was so small that she fit in my hand, but when I showed her the litter box, she took to it right away. Just make sure he knows where it is and he'll know what to do.

The only time she went wrong was when I brought some abandoned siamese cats into our apartment while I was finding homes for them. It was more a matter of territory and they did the same on their side of the door. After they were gone, and I cleaned it all up well, she never paid any more mind to the spots where this happened.

 

[Christi_22]

Hi Guppy Fan

Just a couple of things to add, kittens sometimes like to play rough, biting, scratching etc. this is very cute when they are tiny, but never encourage that side of their behaviour, at least not with human hands.

I have 4 Cats now, and used to breed British Shorthairs. and sometimes went to visit my rehomed kittens in their new homes once they had settled and grown I have noticed that some were quite aggressive, biting and scratching, which is not so fun with a big cat. I have also found out that usually it was due to new owners playing rough when they were little.

My 4 cats are incredibly gentle & friendly, and 3 of them are litter mates to some of the more aggressive kitties that I have visited. Upbringing and socialisation is very important.

I would also agree that getting 2 kittens at the same time is a good move, they will play together and keep each other company when you are not there. (and it is really fun to watch their antics).

Binx, my male cat has learnt how to knock the letterbox when he wants to come into the front door, he is a big cat but sooo gorgeous.

One last thing, Ginger/red cats tend to have very fine fur, which can become knotted. Best to establish a grooming routine early on. (well the same for any cat).

Have fun with your new Kitty

 

[tucan]

hi guppy fan.
as i have never had kittens before as i always had old(er) cats i couldn't couln't give you any advice on traning etc. here is an example of a "lion" cut ( i've chosen a ginger one)here dthoffsett mention. . if you think that is too extream there is also the " saddle cut" where they shave off the hair on tthe back if the legs ( i call it the bum cut) lol. as with long hair cats it keep the area clean where they poo but sometime, because the hair is so long it poo get stuck in the hair and if you let them in your bed....... . i hope your parents do decide to get the kitty and good luck. we'll be awaiting pics of they do.

 

[guppy fan]

We are getting two kitties on Monday! I am so exited. There will be pics soon. Thank you everyone for the brilliant advice.

 

[love4aquatic]

IMO that lions cut is discusting and has to be devestating to the cats self esteem lol

i never cut any of my cats hair, they were all fine.

 

[jonp]

The other thing I will say is make sure you can either afford vets bills or have insurance if something happens. One of our two broke her leg at 1 yr old and the total bill to the insurance company was £3000 (around $5000).......This was to have a metal plate put in to brace the ankle solid while the bones fused in one position (the hock was to far gone to repair her to showroom condition) and then later to take it out when she got into a cat fight and the skin over the plate got damaged and couldnt be pulled over the now redundant plate again.

I must admit though I wouldnt give my two up for the world although I am tempted to shave one just to see my partners face when she came in

 

[dthoffsett]

IMO that lions cut is discusting and has to be devestating to the cats self esteem lol

i never cut any of my cats hair, they were all fine.

I had one cat that was miserable in the summers, he weighed around 23lbs (and wasn't fat ) and had long hair. So, every year I'd take him to get his hair cut. He absolutely loved it, as soon as he got home he'd coming running to be rubbed. Everyone liked petting him because of his "peach fuzz" and he certainly enjoyed the attention. He got the classic lion's cut, except we'd always leave the tail.