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Should I get a cat2007-11-25 12:25:50

I was thinking about getting a dog, but maybe a cat is better suited. I am a stay at home mom with a 16 month old daughter. I live in a duplex with a yard. Of course cat will be inside. I will be going back to work sometime maybe part time maybe full time. I am nervous about leaving a dog alone for long periods. I have been looking at cats at the local shelter. I had cats when I lived at home as a teenager I am a bit concerned about one with my little girl. I would most likely get an adult or younger cat not a kitten. My husband is afraid a cat will tear up carpet, couches and spray. It will be spayed or nutered though. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

Answers:

Firstly, I must applaud you for going to your local animal shelters to start on this journey, which is for the entire life of the cat! By you being a stay-at-home for the time being, it couln't be the better time to adopt a kitty whilst you are still able to stay at home,-BUT (there's always that but) hear me out, because when this was suggested to me, I almost had to sit down out of confusion, due to such an important decision I had thrown at me which now I'll throw at you: Would you consider TWO kittens, or cats (alot of times, there are homeless related kittens/cats in animal shelters, and they would be too sad to be apart) My reason for this is: You've got the time NOW before you start work again to make sure any little possible gliches are ironed out before going back. Keep plenty of cat scratch posts around the house (you do not have to spend a fortune, you can easily make your own cat scratch posts; then this way, if the cat(s) go to scratch your carpet, couches, etc. a good LOUD "NO" and kitty will stop only if you take her/him directly to their scratching posts the minute that happens. And your husband needn't fear, the cats from shelters usually get neutered or spayed before they are released, depending on the individual shelter.)Now by having two kittens/cats sounds like too much (just as i felt, as if I were going from the fryingpan right into the fire, when I adopted 2 kittens recently) it DOES HELP, because when you are NOT at home, they have each other to keep company, and will not be depressed and lonely, causing potential behavioral problems. I wish you luck and perhaps you could talk to your local animal shelter, or cat rescue teams about that idea, and see that they will most likely agree. I have to say, I had BIG reservations when it was suggested to me, but I can now say that it was the best move, to adopt the two, instead of one.