Eglu Cube, auto door, walk in run for sale South West London

[jjmack]

A firnd of mine got a cat from a rescue centre, supposedly neutered and 2 weeks ago it produced 7 adorable kittens! Anyway the kids are excited and love them and are nagging to get a cat. We had cats as children and dogs, so its not completely unknown territory. But what do I need to consider re cats, before I make a decision.

 

My things to consider are

- how to deal with the house alarm and the cat when we leave in the morning

- insurance

- neutering/speying

- annual cost for vets - what needs to be done annually?

- house training

If anyone has any advice on the above it would be gratefully received

 

Anything else you would like to give me advice on would also be welcome.

 

i want to make sure i have thought it all through before I give the nod to the kids and start the charm offensive on OH!

 

Thanks in anticipation

[Seagazer]

You seem to have thought of most things. I think my cats boosters cost about £30 odd pounds - I could tell you later in the week as my eldest cat is due in for hers. I can't remember how much neutering costs but that is obviously an important point as there are so many cats around.

 

I have my cats and my dog insured just to help with the vets costs. Most of the time things are just below or only just above the excess so you can't claim but I did have a £2,000 odd vets bill once for my old dog.

 

Have your children been around cats? Do you know if they're allergic to cats or not? Might be worth trying them out on a cat first.

 

Other than that, good luck. I'd love another kitten but will wait a while as my two don't get on and I think adding another into the mix will just make it worse.

[Yorkshire Pudding]

Neutering is not that expensive as many vets are trying to convince owners to neuter their pets.

It is often cheaper to neuter a boy than a girl as it is less complex surgery. I think we paid about £30 for our boy and £40 for our girl to be neutered.

 

I would recommend pet insurance - the basic rates are not much per month, and we have had some substantial vets bills paid when cats were injured or became ill in old age. Choose your policy carefully to make sure it will offer enough cover. Most policies insist you have your cat vaccinated each year and some insist on a yearly dental check although my vet does this at vaccination time anyway. I also use a monthly spot-on flea and worm treatment - a few pounds per month per cat and worth every penny to avoid having to spray fleas and administer worm tablets.

 

Most kittens use a litter tray instinctively, and will graduate to going outside when they're old enough. We've rarely had any problem as long as the kitten is introduced to the house carefully and shown where food, water and litter tray is, although we've had one or two that would use the tray by hanging their bottom over the edge and peeing on the floor, and one that would merrily fling litter into the air, all over the room when she had finished. A few sheets of newspaper kept on top of it all until she grew up a little and got the hang of it.

 

As for the alarm, I believe that many of the newer PIR sensors can be set to detect only larger moving objects, i.e. people-sized rather than cat-sized, so the cat wouldn't set the alarm off.

 

Hope that helps - time to start the charm offensive... or you could just sneak one home and pretend you know nothing about it

[Omletina Kyckling]

Oooh sounds fab....have a look online at Vets4pets....they are in most towns now.....they have some great offers on for kittens and puppies....there's a starter pack where you pay £85 for their first year's vaccinations (2 lots), microchipping and some free food, plus money off vouchers, then if you pay £99 (it was actually £49.50 when I did it) it pays for their vaccinations for the rest of their lives, which is a huge saving. The £85 also includes 10% off neutering.

The only other thing I'd say is get two....they are no more trouble really and they keep one another entertained when you're not around. I started off with two brothers who are now 7 and recently got 2 sisters who are now about 18 weeks old.

Can't wait to see some photos!!

[Gertie]

Hi

I just had 2 of mine annually booster vaccinated & wormed for £107. The initial vaccinations require 2 shots a month apart so that may cost a bit more. Worth doing for health & if you want to board in a cattery.

 

Food - I buy a 10kg sack which costs £45 and lasts a month, wet food about £3.50 per 2 weeks as they have very little & there's usually something on offer.

 

Insurance - for my moggies about £8 each per month. Shop around on comparisson site for a good deal. Well worth it for unexpected costs.

 

Flea treatments - monthly - I use a veterinary one so it's £26 for 6 pipets. That treats worms, mites & most things.

 

You will need big litter tray, bowls, mat for bowls, collars, id disc, carry box, toys, large scratch post (mine love theirs & always scratch it & sleep on the platforms).

 

Forgot to add that it's a good idea to think about who can care for them when you go away, or consider catteries. Also, a cat flap is really handy & the price varies from £20 for a basic one.

 

Cat litter - supermarket wood pellet one is quite cheap. I got pets a home sacks as they were big & good value.

 

Neutering - I had male & female done plus microchipped for around £150 I think.

 

I would get 2 as they have great fun together!

[Olly]

Neutering is a one-off cost, as is micro-chipping but as well as annual boosters, flea treatment and worming need doing regularly. I've always chosen to self-insure because I've had older cats - bear in mind that they are at risk on the road and if you live on a busy road I wouldn't risk it, but they also get into fights, get bitten by other animals, catch themselves on barbed wire etc - not trying to put you off, just being realistic! I've spent £175 in the last six weeks after one of mine developed an abscess and then got bitten by something large (possibly a fox).

 

Litter training is usually quite easy, but be prepared also for the occasional accident if stressed or threatened, and for clawed furniture or carpet, and mice/birds being brought in. And then there's the sick ... I wouldn't be without my cats, but it's a myth that they are somehow easier than dogs!

 

Although two cats are fun, it's double the bills.

[Goosey Lucy]

Having just taken on 2 kittens, I'd say if you can afford it, get two not one. They entertain each other while we're out and egg each other on when playing with us. But please continue to think through the cost.

I was determined to only have 1 on a cost basis but got 2 as they were brother and sister and I couldn't bear to separate them.

They will also keep each company if/when they have to go to a cattery. My old cat used to hate going to the cattery

They've litter trained themselves, I am staggered. We only had one accident on the first day, they've been spot on every time since.

Ours will be micro-chipped, vaccinated and neutered over the next few months so a fairly expensive time for us but the joy they bring is without price.

[beach chick]

definitely two kittens! not only are they great company for each other, they seem to stay more bonded to their home (in my experience anyway)

[jjmack]

Thanks to all of you for your replies. OH not completely against it, so more charm offensive required!