Has Anyone Ever Regretted Getting a Cat?

[Kestra]

So, I'm seriously considering getting a cat for my husband. He's wanted one forever and I've always been the one saying no. I don't like the idea of cat hair everywhere, and just having something to take care of, and I'm not a cat person in general. But I also know that I can get along with cats (unless I develop an allergy, of course).

I'm really on the fence about this though. On the one hand, it would make my husband super happy (and he's been really bummed out for awhile). On the other hand, I'm just not a fan. I know there are a lot of cat lovers on TBBS and I was just wondering if you guys had any thoughts. It's a big decision as we've never had pets before and I take the responsibility very seriously.

 

[Jadzia]

A pet is for life, not just for christmas.

 

[Kestra]

Um, it's not a Christmas present ...

 

[John Picard]

My "free" Calico ended up costing me close to $1,000 within three months of ownership. She had broken her leg, which was expensive to repair, but while she was in I also had her spayed and updated on all shots.

As was stated, it's a lifetime commitment. She's aggravating, irritating, and as bad to have around the house as a toddler, yet she loves me, sleeps with me, and makes me laugh.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

The hair is going to get everywhere. If you stay on top of cleaning, it won't be like living at Linus' house, but just give into the fact that you'll find cat hair in the weirdest places. A/C units pick them up and distribute them everywhere.

As far as taking care of it, just scoop the litterbox regularly, feed and water it, and voila!

 

[JustKate]

Well, I'm a cat lover, in the sense that I enjoy having them around, but I like to think I'm not insane about it - I mean, I am well aware of the little fuzzballs' faults. Particularly my little fuzzballs' faults.

Cat hair can be a problem, and my advice to you is to get a short-haired cat, no matter how beautiful and sweet and whatever that long-haired cat you see at the pound might be. Short hair. Remember that. And comb it every now and then, even if it is a shorthair.

Also, I would say, based on decades of cat ownership, that females (spayed, of course) are less trouble. I have had, and enjoyed having, several male cats, but even neutered males sometimes "spray," whereas females very seldom do.

Also, I would say that unless your husband has his heart set on a particular breed...just get a cat. Don't spend big bucks on a purebred. I admit that this is a personal prejudice, and there will no doubt be people who post after me who simply adore their purebred whatever, and I mean no disrespect to those people or those cats. But I have known purebred cats and I've known lots of mixed breed cats, and there is generally just nothing special enough about the purebreds to justify the price tag. What is special about them is their appearance, but unless you simply must have a particular look in your pet, you can find cats that are just as attractive that aren't burdened with that pedigree.

Also, remember that there is no such thing as a free pet (see Ebeneezer's post above). One way or another, you're gonna pay. I think it's worth it, and I hope you consider it so, too. Our cats are pretty and they keep our feet warm and they make us laugh a lot.

 

[Kestra]

The hair is going to get everywhere. If you stay on top of cleaning, it won't be like living at Linus' house, but just give into the fact that you'll find cat hair in the weirdest places. A/C units pick them up and distribute them everywhere.

Yeah, I suppose I'd just have to invest in a lot of lint rollers!

Also, I would say that unless your husband has his heart set on a particular breed...just get a cat. Don't spend big bucks on a purebred. I admit that this is a personal prejudice, and there will no doubt be people who post after me who simply adore their purebred whatever, and I mean no disrespect to those people or those cats. But I have known purebred cats and I've known lots of mixed breed cats, and there is generally just nothing special enough about the purebreds to justify the price tag. What is special about them is their appearance, but unless you simply must have a particular look in your pet, you can find cats that are just as attractive that aren't burdened with that pedigree.

Oh, neither of us care about that sort of thing. I've been looking up shelters actually, because there are always so many animals that need a home. I just haven't told him yet because I'm still on the fence and I don't want to get his hopes up.

 

[buckeyenation]

cats are great...you could name it spot

 

[SmoothieX]

I've regretted my cat for the last 6.5 years!

Fortunately, I've got my Labs to make me smile.

 

[JustKate]

One thing I just thought of: You will be a much happier person if you have an out-of-the-way place to put the litter box. Litter will get scattered on the floor wherever you put the dang thing - the tidier the cat, the more it seems to like to really dig in that litter - and you will do a lot less cursing and cat-litter-sweeping if you have a place to put the litter box that will be out of the humans' way.

We keep our litter boxes - you don't actually have to have separate litter boxes for each cat, but two of our former cats were fussy about this for some reason, and we just got in the habit of having two - in the basement, and we keep them in a kiddie swimming pool so that the litter is fairly well contained. The kiddie pool was one of my better ideas. A little bit of litter gets scattered around, of course, but not very much. If you don't have that much room, and most people don't, you might want to consider a covered litter box.

 

[Kestra]

^ Hmm yeah, my one thing is the timing ... we could probably find a semi-out of the way spot for a litter box but either way that's not going to help us sell our house. On the other hand, my husband works from home right now so he'd have more time to help the cat get settled and give it the attention it needs. I know cats don't require as much work as dogs but I'd think that any new pet needs a great deal more attention at least at first.

I've regretted my cat for the last 6.5 years!

Fortunately, I've got my Labs to make me smile.

What have you regretted about it?

 

[John Picard]

I learned this a while ago and all of my female friends, who have owned cats, giggle and agree: "Cats are tiny women in cheap fur coats".

 

[Kirby]

I had a cat in college for a month or so; someone was giving kittens out for free in front of a grocery store and my roommate and I though 'what the hell?' Turns out we are both horribly allergic to cats.

I had some friends that had cats, but they never really bothered me if I was only around them for a few hours. However, living with a cat is a whole other story!
We ended up giving him to a neighbor and that was the end of that.

He was a really sweet cat, and I really was attached to him, but I just couldn't live with him.

Fortunately I'm not allergic to dogs.

 

[Kestra]

A pet is for life, not just for christmas.

I was going to leave this alone, but it's bugging me, so here goes.

I didn't say anywhere in my original post that I was going to get this because of Christmas. I can only imagine your assumption came from the phrasing about "getting a cat for my husband." Perhaps that was poorly worded, but I still don't appreciate the assumption. It's not as if I came in here and asked if it was okay to giftwrap a pet!

I said in my original post that I take the responsibility of a pet very seriously. Did you even read that far? I've volunteered at various pet shelters and I know what it's like when owners don't take care of their animals. I was making a list last night of the reasons *not* to get a cat, but since I've never actually owned one I figured I'd consult the TBBS. Since it's obvious there are many cat-owners that post here.

I understand that you may have been concerned that I was taking this decision lightly and I appreciate the intention behind your post, but if that was indeed your concern, I would have rather you politely asked about it. As it is, your blithe comment was a bit insulting given the amount of thought I'm putting into this.

For the record, my husband's Christmas presents include a videogame and a sweater. Not a pet.

 

[An Officer]

I've wanted a kitten ever since I had to leave my cats behind at the age of 6. I would be over the moon if I were to be given a cat! So sweet of you to consider doing this for your husband. Like someone mentioned earlier though, get yourself an allergy test before you get one. It would be so disappointing for your guy if you found out only after the fact.

 

[Kestra]

Oh I've been tested ... out of 14 things they jabbed me with, the only one I didn't have a reaction to at all was animals. Which is odd, but good. So I know I'm not currently allergic to cats. My in-laws have two that I'm around quite often so I would have picked up on it by now if I were.

 

[Timby]

My wife and I have two cats: Cherry, who's slightly skittish and purrs louder than a weedwhacker, and Spike, who is functionally retarded and must be in physical contact with me at all times if I'm in the house. Both are rescues from a shelter.

They drive me absolutely nuts, with random hairballs / puking incidents (the latter of which is mostly due to Spike, who inhales his food in the morning, immediately regurgitates it, and then complains that he hasn't been fed), jumping into inappropriate places and being general pains in the ass ... but they've been part of our family for as long as my wife and I have been together, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Go to the local humane society and take a look at the beasties they have there. Adoption fees are very, very reasonable, and animals from the humane society will have been thoroughly checked out and examined by a veterinarian.

 

[John Picard]

A pet is for life, not just for christmas.

I was going to leave this alone, but it's bugging me, so here goes.

In Ice Queen's defense, I believe that statement was reflective of the fact that this is the Christmas season when, unfortunately, many people give animals as presents without considering that once the novelty wears off the animal still needs care. I doubt it was meant to be a slight toward you or your intent, which has been presented as being well though out and just happens to coincide with the gift-giving season.

 

[bigdaddy]

I have never had any serious issues with cats. If I was your husband I would pick a cat before you.

 

[Kira's Mom]

The only thing I have ever regretted about getting a cat is that they get old and die (true with any pet, of course). I still miss my Kira so much.

Cat hairs everywhere are a small price to pay for a creature who will love you unconditionally! I keep hearing about aloof cats, but I've always had very affectionate ones.

Crusher is right- feed 'em, give 'em plenty of fresh water, and a nice clean litterbox, and they pretty much take care of themselves. Some need occasional brushing, and others need a lot of attention.