Carriers, toys, and lotsa other stuff...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Carriers, toys, and lotsa other stuff...
5
Sat, 03-12-2005 - 2:00pm

Ok, still no kitty here, but still preparing. Here are some questions:

Carriers- Do you prefer soft, hard, or does it matter? What should I look for in buying one?

Toys- Do you just get toys and try them out, seeing which is better for your cat? With our dog, we've had to do trial and error. Not because he won't play with something, but mainly he's pretty strong and can chew the heck out of most things, and he doesn't like Kong toys (can you imagine!?). So in the interest of saving a little cash, what are best bets for cats and kittens? What about that scratching thing with the ball? I saw it on Petsmart's website.

Food dishes- single serve or the type that you fill up and it self-dispenses? Should I keep it in the kitchen, or seperately? Do I need to be concerned about the dog eating it?

Beds- again, is it dependent on the cat, or if you get a kitten do they LEARN to like something? When they're coming from a shelter, how can you know what they like without buying them all at some point?

Brushes- We have the Sharper Image Ionic petbrush for the dog, but he's a dog and stinks more than a cat would. What kind of brush should I keep on hand?

Sex- if I have a male dog, is it better to get female cat(s) because of the Alpha syndrom (which our dog doesn't have, he's very submissive to other dogs, but I would be surprised if a male cat would have an Alpha dog personality LOL)?

Condo/Scratching posts- Useful, necessary, or no? I didn't realize how expensive the condos can be! My goodness! Best place to buy them?

Hmm...I think that's it for now. You guys are great for taking time to answer any questions I have. I really appreciate it!

Rebecca (our shelter is open only on Sun afternoon and Thurs evenings, so we'll probably go tomorrow to see what we can find for our family)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 03-12-2005 - 3:35pm

Good luck with your search!

Cat =^..^=
Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 03-13-2005 - 7:05pm

Carriers- I've never had a soft one, mine are all hard.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Sun, 03-13-2005 - 8:23pm

We went to the shelter today! After spending about an hour in the cat room and wanting to take them ALL home, we had to narrow it down. So here's what I requested. Not necessarily a kitten, but I did request a younger cat in hopes that it would be more receptive to adapting to a new home with an active family (honestly I just really needed to say SOMETHING because I couldn't decide). I also did ask for a declawed cat, and short hair. That still wasn't narrow enough and I considered leaving because they all were just too sweet until I came around a corner and saw this tabby rolled over with my oldest DD petting his belly and he was licking my middle DD's fingers. He was just unbelievably sweet (and front declawed and shorthaired). I also took to a white male with a tabby tail (no color on him except the orange rings around his tail) and one blue eye and one orange eye...very unique and sweet, but he's part of a new group of cats that came in from a rescue situation and he's a little skittish around other kinds of animals.

So, here's what's happening. On Wednesday we'll go and pick up the orange tabby (they've named him Pepe De Pue because he was found near a town called DePue, I'm considering renaming him) and do a sort of test-run with him. Personally, I feel that by the time you've taken the care to properly incorporate him into the home you shouldn't take him back out, but in the event that it REALLY just isn't going to work with him we can "try out" the white guy (named Milton...DEFINITELY will be renamed!). I suspect we won't have a problem. And DH says NO to a second cat...at least right now. LOL He about melted when a grey cat reached out and started to climb him, then wrapped his paws around his neck and nuzzled him. Unfortunately he's not good with children, had no tolorance for my girls. DH was VERY disappointed, and I think he might have considered bringing two home if one could have been the grey cat. LOL

So I bought a hard carrier. I liked the argument about tearing it up and the messes that can happen when we travel. I got it at WalMart, but I might get a different one when I get a chance to get to a Petsmart or other pet store. We live in a rural area and the nearest pet store (well, that doesn't sell stuff specifically for horses LOL) is about an hour away. Next week I should have the chance to get out to one. I bought a covered litterbox to begin with, and figure I can just take the lid off if it doesn't work out. We'll start with the whole shebang and remove what we need to make him happy. I need to find out what type of food they feed the cats, forgot to ask. I think it's Purina and I like Iams brand so I might transition him to that. I'll make a vet appointment for the cat when I'm there on Tues for my dog. Part of the reason they wait after we've picked a cat is so they can make sure he won't be bringing any viruses home that could spread, but I'll be sure to get him to my vet and checked out, on the necessary preventatives, and microchipped.

I'm really excited. And I truly appreciate all your help. I can't wait to be an official member of the board! LOL

So, I was thinking that if we got a girl (or two) I'd name her Laverne (and Shirley). Since we're getting a boy, do you think Lenny or Squiggy is a better name? Oooh! What about Carmine? LOL

OR, do you guys recommend keeping the name the shelter gives them?

Rebecca

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2003
Mon, 03-14-2005 - 9:32am

Carriers-I have a medium size hard carrier and a soft carrier. Dusty(and I) prefer the soft carrier. I guess to him its cozier and has a nice pad thing in it. it also buckles into the car which is nice. Muffin however prefers the hard carrier.

Toys-It is trial and error. Dusty has the Turboscratcher(I think thats the scratching thing with the ball you're talking about) and it has been a big hit. Of course there have been very few toys Dusty hasn't liked. Muffin is way more picky though

Beds-Dusty and Muffin use their cat beds quite often. I don't know about all shelters but the shelter I got Dusty from has beds in all the cat cages so all the kitties from there are use to them. At first though I would say get an inexpensive one to try out.

Brushes-Muffin is long haired(maine coon) and the brushes that you can turn the thing on the back and make bristles come out or go back in work good on her. Dusty has a soft brush like a baby brush that works good. Although after hearing such good things about it I ordered him a Zoom Groom(Dusty is medium hair BTW)

Sex-We have a female dog and a female and male cat. The dog is partial to the male cat but that might be because the male cat is a lot nicer

Condo- I had a one story cat condo but it was a waste of money. Of course now the dog(chihuahua) enjoys it! A scratching post is a must though. You can get a basic,good size one at PetSmart for $20

Rebekah slave to Dusty and Muffin

Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 03-14-2005 - 10:44am

Oh Rebecca, that's wonderful that the right cat found you!


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