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Post by seahorse on Jan 9, 2008 21:59:29 GMT 1
Hi can any of you lovely cat owners help me, I am about to full fill the life long ambition f having a kitten they were born yesterday, If I have a cat flap fitted is it ok to go out to work and leave it and should I have two, please be honest with me.
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Post by exmoorfan on Jan 9, 2008 22:26:15 GMT 1
Hi Seahorse..I don't have cats currently...But have had them in the past..I have always had a dog at the same time...I like having two pets together for company when you aren't there..Some cats love human company so much that they will seek it if you aren't there.( next door always left their cat out night and day , just had it in to feed and for an hour or so..) So guess who's bed it slept on.?! It was always round mine for some company.. Cat flap's are good but you have to watch you don't get neighbours cats also.!! I take it you are ground floor with no busy roads ..Hope this may be some help to you.?
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Post by Claire on Jan 9, 2008 22:47:03 GMT 1
Hi seahorse, lucky you, you must be so excited! I am mad about kittens!
I have had lots of cats over the years. As I think I have said before personally I think 2 are better, as you will not feel guilty when you go out and leave them! They will sleep together, wash each other, etc. Also it is so much more entertaining watching them playing and interacting together. Also if you get 2 it is best to do it when they are both young. If say, you just got one then decided later on that he/she was a bit lonely and needed a friend it might not work out, as the first cat may not take to a newcomer. My two cats are not really keen on each other, having both been introduced to each other at a fairly old age, however when I have had kittens together they have got along really well.
However saying that a lone cat is not as bad as a lone dog if you have to go out to work all day. They, as a rule, do not crave human company like dogs do and will usually just go to sleep if your out all day, so if for some reason you cant get 2 I wouldnt feel too bad. But honestly 2 are best if it is not going to be too much of a problem, and 2 dont seem to be any more trouble than one. (I used to have 3 at one time and they weren't any more bother than one)
Re. the cat flap I personally wouldnt leave it open if I was out. If you come in and the cat is missing you dont know how long he has been gone or anything. I prefer to let the cats out when I am in the house so I know roughly where they are, also as exmoorfan says you can get the neighbours cats (and other wildlife!) coming in. In fact I am not really a fan of cat flaps at all but this is just my opinion. Again as exmoorfan says depends if you live near a road or not.
The one thing I would advise against doing is not letting the cat out at night/after dark. It may be traditional to 'put the cat out' but statistically this is the time most cats are run over as drivers just cant see them.
Hope this advice is of use. Good luck with the kitten/s dont forget to send us the pics!
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Post by seahorse on Jan 9, 2008 22:57:12 GMT 1
Hi thank you very much both of you, its very quite where I live even though I live in a town its very small and the road I live in is very quite. At the age of 34 am finally starting to feel grown up help own property being concerned about my career and now a cat help lol
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Post by exmoorfan on Jan 9, 2008 23:08:43 GMT 1
Hi Seahorse, Good luck with your decision.. I also agree with Claire about cats being run over if left out lots...I have seen loads near me.Even in a quiet road...I have a quiet lane and fields by me but they still seem to venture out..I even had one run under my car.!! I was so shook up but he/she ran off .I tried to find him/her but couldn't.Knocked on all the doors..I just hope he.she survived..They are so quick when they do this that there isn't much a driver can do.. it's lovely to have someone to greet you when you come in and I'm sure you won't regret it..
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Post by Claire on Jan 9, 2008 23:16:19 GMT 1
I know I moan about the cats being naughty but they are worth it. Was in hysterics last night watching Rosie chasing her tail. She gets so annoyed with it! She was leaping all over and jumping up on her new climbing post. She got so excited she fell off it and landed right on top of poor old Oscar who had the misfortune to be walking past at the time. They really are better entertainment than the telly!
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Post by seahorse on Jan 9, 2008 23:30:39 GMT 1
The mum cat is very friendly I feed her for my friends when they are away. Anyway she let me hold them they were so weird like little rats crossed with hampsers am used to farm animals which look like thier ment to. LOL
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Post by Claire on Jan 9, 2008 23:36:57 GMT 1
Did you see them being born? I did once was amazing. Also seen a calf and piglets being born (not a foal tho unfortunately) its just so magical. Always makes me want to blub!
Wait til there a few days old they will really start looking like kittens ooh makes me feel all broody (for kittens not babies god forbid!)
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Post by seahorse on Jan 9, 2008 23:47:16 GMT 1
No was standing in Fart monkeys field poo picking in her torrential downpour (oh the joys of ponies no wonder I want a cat) when I had the phone call, as soon as I had finished and had bath was straight round they are nearly neighbours so nice and near. This sounds awfull but have been know to wander off with boardom during foaling if its going well usally because had gone with outsleep for days and was fed up, I always have to stop my self interfering to get it over with the amount of poor foals i have put on their feet and pointed mouth in right direction so I can back to bed or check the next one, think the students thought I was awful and hard did cry over the first few. And always took myself off to the wood for a good cry and scream privately if they did not make it while trying to pretend it was natute. Do miss it thought with thier little furry faces
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Post by exmoorfan on Jan 10, 2008 15:49:59 GMT 1
Hi Seahorse..Mares usually foal quickly don't they once they show obvious signs of foaling..I love babies..Lambing was my fave..Not so much a piggy person and calves are quite difficult..Suprisingly pups take a long time considering how small they are i think..Kitty's do look strange until their ears develope..lol
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Post by seahorse on Jan 10, 2008 17:36:26 GMT 1
Yes foals are very quick 20 mins after waters breaking other wise I get vet straight away.
I am very embassed to say I asked where the kittys ears were .lol
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