Newbie to cats

[greersgoodies]

I am new to cats but have had dogs all my life. I am currently "thinking" about getting a cat. Have gone to my local non-kill shelter and have fallen in love with several. Two-they are about 7 months-have to go together. They are orange (is that a tabby?) and then there are two females who are around 4 months-one tortoise and one black. My question is about spraying. Who sprays and do they all spray? My DH didn't grow up with animals and our two dogs are good for him, but he's not so sure about a cat. I just want to learn what I can before we make our decision on adding a cat to our home. Thanks in advance!

[lovingisliving76]

http://home.freeuk.net/oldgolfvet/cat00001.htm

Above link is on spraying...

http://cats.about.com/od/tabbycats/

Bottom link is on Tabby cats...hope this helps!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Welcome to Pet Talk.:) I know that if cats are spayed or neutered that this will usually prevent them from spraying in the future. Both males and females can spray but males are more likely to do so if they're not neutered. I hope you decide to adopt at least one cat. Good luck and please keep us updated.:)

I have 4 neutered males and none of them have ever sprayed. They're also indoor only cats.:)

[jenluckenbach]

People often voice concerns over spraying. It is actually a rare behavior if a cat is spayed or neutered at the proper time. (but like most things, you hear the few bad stories but not the millions of good stories). Spraying, or marking of territory, can happen in both sexes. In males it is often simply more obvious.

ALL cat though, can have litter box accidents and they are most always related to illness. Peeing accidents happen when the cat has trouble reaching the box in time due to an increased need to pee, when the box is in an unsuitable location, when the cat prefers a different shape, size or type of box or litter, when the cat has illness and the pain associated with peeing is thought to be caused by the litter box (cat's don't know it is their own body causing the pain, only that whenever they use the box it hurts).

And having more than one box even with ione cat is preferrable.

But then again, having more than one cat is also preferrable :D. They enjoy company of there own kind and will entertain each other instead of needing to entertain themselves with things like your curtains, your paper work or whatever else amuses them.


Good luck in your search and have fun. Cats RULE!!!