We’re looking at getting a cat to round out our yuppie life here in Spartanburg. We already have the lazy English bulldog. Now, we need some kind of dog-friendly, largely lazy cat to annoy it with.
I haven’t had a cat in eons, and have never really shopped for one. Most of the ones I did have were strays that we sort of adopted. I’m clueless about the options available.
Any suggestions on breeds? The more dog-friendly the better. And kitten or cat?
Keep going to visit the humane society until a kitten there says, “Hi I am your new cat. Take me home.” You’ll know it when you see him or her.
Kittens are better because they will adapt to your circumstances easier. I prefer male cats. They seem to be friendlier than females and it the prerogative of the male of the species to lie around and nap while the women do all the work.
I’ve been thinking a kitten is the way to go, but I hadn’t really thought about gender. Our dog is a fixed female who, at nearly two, still acts very much like a puppy. Is there a gender dynamic between cats and dogs at all? I’ve not had enough pets to ever notice.
Male cats generally have more health issues than females. All of the cats that I’ve had and loved have been female. My current favorite cat “sweet sassy molassy” is a female calico. Just make sure that she gets fat to the point where it’s almost unhealthy. That’s a quality animal.
Yeah, when they look like they have little short legs like an alligator and their stomachs nearly touch the ground, that’s a cat—especially when said cat jumps on you in the middle of the night, at which point you’ll know you’re having an experience.
steve, my advice to anyone getting a kitten is, “get two.” you will be so glad you did ... a lone kitten is highly destructive and has a LOT more range than a puppy (think kitten dangling from curtains by its claws) ... they can access kitchen counters, mantles, tabletops you would never think they can reach. if they have another kitten upon whom to take out their aggressions, they are much less likely to psychologically damage the dog and destroy belongings.
whatever you get, fix them EARLY to avoid the possibility of litters and to minimize urine smell and deposits on furniture, clothing, rugs, etc.
The best cats I’ve ever had are the adults gotten from the shelter. If you take your time you can find a good kitty from whom you don’t need to suffer weeks of crapping everywhere to litter train. Kittens are terribly cute but I wouldn’t have the time to get them house friendly.
Male cats generally have more health issues than females. All of the cats that I’ve had and loved have been female. My current favorite cat “sweet sassy molassy” is a female calico. Just make sure that she gets fat to the point where it’s almost unhealthy. That’s a quality animal.
Jason, do you live in NorthWest Washington State? The neighbor’s cat where i’m staying is a fluffy calico named “Sass”, also.
