From: dan@msen.com (Dan Sugalski)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Newbie Q's...
Date: 15 Dec 1992 09:59:10 GMT
Organization: Msen, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, Michigan
NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.msen.com
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Nick Sabadosh (nsabados@s.psych.uiuc.edu) wrote:
: Hi all,

: I'm thinking about getting a cat(s) and have a few questions.  If there is a 
: FAQ, I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction.  Otherwise...

: - I'm a student, and so am away from home at odd times and for long periods.
:   I don't like the idea of leaving one cat at home alone for too long, and
:   wonder if two would be able to keep eachother company?  Or will this merely
:   give me 'double-trouble', having never owned a cat?  (Was raised on a farm
:   with 'outdoor' cats though...)

Yes they can keep each other company.  Of course they will be double
trouble, and double fun.  Kitten races across your sleeping form a 2am :)
: - If I get two, should I get M/F, M/M, F/F?  If only one, do the personalities
:   of the sexes differ in any systematic way, or is it unique to each cat?

Of course they are going to be sterilized so-
	some people say that males are friendlier than females, but my 
experience leads me to believe that it is individual. I'd try to get
littermates that strike your fancy.  That way they already know each other.
	
: - I know there will be a myriad of different ideas here, but:  What should I
:   feed them (assuming there are two ;)  ) ??  I somewhat dread the idea of 
:   buying those little cans of fancy food.  What are my options?  I have friends
:   whose cats eat a variety of things, including vegetables, etc - ideas on how
:   to encourage this?

For cat food, my five eat Eagle Cat Pack dry.  I don't fuss with cans.  I
keep some around for a special treat (like after a bath) of to put
medicine in if need be.  They all get the odd table scrap, and one of
Daryl's favorites is shredded lettuce.  All individual taste i guess, as
the others think he's nuts.

: - I plan to get them from a shelter.  I'd like friendly cats, but ones that
:   can handle being alone too, y'know?  Affectionate but dignified.  Is it 
:   possible to tell personality traits like this in kittens?  Any 'breeds' I 
:   should avoid?  Speaking of which, are there some cats that shed less than
:   others? (Obviously I am opting for short hairs...)

The oriental types (Siamese, Abyssinian and their cousins) tend to be more
active, busy body types.  Also having less undercoat, there is less hair
to shed.  Heavier bodied cats tend to be more sedate.  I'd look for
kittens that seem interested in you.  

: - Litter-box training.  No clue about any of this.

Usually not a problem.  Pick a spot that is good for you and let them see it.
A few kittens need to be kept in the general vicinity for a day or so, but
most cats naturally go for the box.

: - Traveling - any hints on car travel?

Start young and make frequent short trips.  A carrier is safest, but don't
get a kitten sized one-they'll just out-grow it.  With a helper you can
train them to ride loose, but then you have to guard the doors getting in
and out.  My cats and dogs can ride together in the car with no problem.
I start them on short trips as kittens, and progress as the need arises.
When we go to visit family and friends all over the country, some
combination of our furry friends goes with us. Some of our cats have
logged over 10K miles.  If you travel long distance, don't forget water,
food, litter and a litter box.  The big don't with car travel is to only
get the cat in the car to go to the vet's office.  

Have fun

Karen, Daryl, Durin, Wills, Tabitha and Spike


Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats