i need advice!

**slick** · 01-30-2003, 02:53 PM

Welcome to PT!! You'll love it here! I'm addicted!

The advice of everyone is just what I was going to say. Pardon the pun but I'm anal about cleaning the litterbox. I scoop whenever they go. If I'm home in the evening I'll scoop as soon as I hear the scratching.

I was looking after a friends cat and she uses Yesterday's News for litter. It's awsome. You don't need to scoop the pee, just the poop and every 4 or 5 days you empty the box, clean it and fill with fresh litter. A bit expensive but virtually odour-free. And it does not track either. I think it's made of paper pellets. I tried to switch to this but Max and Speckles would have nothing to do with it.

And please, please, please take the advice of Catmandu. I volunteer for a local Humane Society and it's really sad to see all the kittens go first and the beautiful friendly adults left behind. There are soooo many advantages to adopting an older kitty. Please consider it.

Best of luck!

slick
max & speckles

**emily_the_spoiled** · 01-30-2003, 03:00 PM

I would have to agree with everyone else in this thread ... go for an older cat. I have adopted both older cats and kittens over the years. It seems easier to have an older cat adjust to living in an apartment. The young ones want to explore everything (including outside) and they are also MUCH more active and need room to run around. My older cat (Emily) has never even expressed any interest in going outside (even when the screen fell out of the window

). Whereas my new kitten wants to see what is outside (but it is too cold for him and he knows better). I figure that once it warms up it will be a battle to keep him inside.

**ChrisH** · 01-30-2003, 04:08 PM

Welcome to Pet Talk Lynn!

You have come to just the right place to get advice on getting and caring for a cat. I had never had a cat so when I decided to get one I came over to the cat side to ask for advice. I adopted my kitty in Dec and the help and encouragement I got, and continue to get, was/is just so helpful and wonderful!
Okay, obviously, being a new cat owner myself I don`t have anything to add to the advice you have had already from these great people but one thing I can go along with is the recommendation to get an older rescue cat. I did, and she is beautiful!

Good luck

Chris

**lynn ahmed** · 01-30-2003, 07:15 PM

I am REALLY grateful for all the encouraging words and advice! Just got out of my bed this morning and the first thing to do- log into pt (does this mean I'm addicted too?)

All the feedback really make my day. Now I have more confidence to be a slave of a tigger soon. I love cuddly, big size cats and intend to adopt an elderly. I went to a SPCA centre before and it bothers me to see a lot of adorable cats waiting for adoption- their sad expressions and meows made me cry!

Anyway..(patting my own head)..all the charming pictures I found in this site driving me nuts and green with envy! One day.. maybe I'll be the proud owner of COTD!! And of course, that won't be without all the support from 'the family'

Thanks!

**All Creatures Great And Small** · 01-30-2003, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by lynn ahmed
Just got out of my bed this morning and the first thing to do- log into pt (does this mean I'm addicted too?)

Oh, I hope so - then I won't feel like I'm the only one who has to "start my day the Pet Talk way"! Welcome to Pet Talk! I don't know if I have any advice to add - it sounds like you have the situation under control, and are ready to add your wonderful new "baby" to your household soon. I'm so glad you are considering a "senior" kitty. I can't even bear to go to the shelters and see all those faces lined up; it breaks my heart. I believe your new kitty will be very lucky, because you're a good "kitty mama" with lots of love.

**NoahsMommy** · 01-30-2003, 10:09 PM

That is great that you've decided to adopt an older kitty! By tigger, do you mean an orange tabby? Like my Noah??

**lynn ahmed** · 01-30-2003, 11:46 PM

whoa.. Noah, your mum's making me greener..! You look so charming as if an invitation for hugs!

oops, I slipped there, and yes I love oranges domestic tabby, they go well with my skirt, just KIDDING! But I'm not particularly eyeing orangies this time- like Rosethecopycat wrote- I'll get one that choose me instead. I'll make sure they'll be happy with me!

he he getting excited.. and I'm suppose to be working!

**Barbara** · 01-31-2003, 03:04 AM

Balcony: of course cats can fall out and of course they can suffer serious injury or even die. An uncle of Tigris died by falling from the fourth floor.
We have a a net around our balcony so the cats can enjoy the fresh air without getting in danger.

**jenluckenbach** · 01-31-2003, 05:27 AM

I'M getting excited that YOU'RE getting a kitty! Can't wait for the big news!

**Cataholic** · 01-31-2003, 01:51 PM

Hi, and welcome to PT, and thank you for considering adopting an older kitty. The only thing I want to say, and it has already been said, but, I can't leave it alone:

CATS DO NOT SURVIVE FALLS FROM UPPER LEVELS. THIS IS A WIVES TALE. WHILE CATS ARE INCREDIBLY FLEXIBLE, AND ALLOW FOR A BACK BONE THAT CAN "TWIST" RIGHT SIDE UP, THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. (very little can survive a fall from 60 plus feet). DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAT OUT ON A BALCONY. PLEASE.

Sorry, but, I would rather be harsh, then sad over your misfortune.

**mruffruff** · 02-04-2003, 08:45 AM

As a relatively new cat slave, I would also suggest a tall cat tree. The cats love to climb and the scratching post is included. They don't take up a lot of room. I have 4 that think their tree is the cat's meow!

**lynn ahmed** · 02-05-2003, 07:02 PM

Thank you for all the advices

I'm grateful I came to the right place...
Just came back from a 5 day holiday- now time to work again. I have to say that I really appreciate ALL the feedback received. I will be a little quiet for a while (observing, learning..), will come back with a furry friend soon!