[Wesley1]

Hi all, i'm new to the forum and looking for some advice.
My boyfriend and I are thinking about getting a cat in the future. It would be a rescue cat from a local rescue centre. I would rather a older cat. This is because we both work and I don't think it is fair to leave a young kitten on its own whilst we are in work. I work 3 days a week but they are 13.5hour days, so the cat would be on its own for 3 days a week. I have a few issues and things we have to consider before we would get a cat and I wanted to get peoples views as to whether we are suitable.

My issues are

1. Both working full time. Is it too long for a cat to be left whilst me & my boyfriend are in work? On the days I work the cat would be alone from 7.45am till 6.30pm.

2. I live in a rented house. We would ask permission from the landlord first (we haven't done this as yet). We only have french windows so would not be able to have a cat flap. I feel its unfair to let the cat out for that length of the time whilst we are in work do you think I'm right? I wondered that if the cat we got really wanted to go out then I would let it out on the days I was off work so it could come back in when it wanted then. Otherwise the cat would live as a house cat, is that ok?

3. We have 2 hamsters that live in our spare bedroom. If we got a cat we would make sure the door is closed all the time. Would they be able to smell them? Would they drive the cat nuts?

4. What is the average cost of feeding a cat per month on good quality food. What do you recommend? I've read a lot of conflicting advice regarding food.

It's a lot of ifs and buts at the moment and nothing is definite. I just want to make sure I've considered everything and make sure we have all the information before committing to having a cat. It is not a decision I want to take lightly.

I appreciate your views x

 

[JordanRose]

Hello and welcome!

First of all, well done on thinking about a rescue cat- they really do give you so much, seeing them become happier and happier :001_wub:

Most rescues like their cats to be outdoor cats so roads are a big issue. You can't live on or near a busy road, as that will be dangerous for the cat. That'll be the main thing they'll look at.

As for working hours, some may have a problem with that but it's more a problem with kittens, as you've established. An adult cat would be okay, generally, being left alone. Would it be out of your budget to adopt an adult pair? I'm just thinking they might be happier with you- plus, pairs are difficult to rehome, unfortunately

Not having a cat flap may put homecheckers off, too, but if you were to provide a cat kennel for the cat to shelter in, they may let you off for that. Of course, if you would like to keep them indoors you will be able to, but in that case I'd look for a laid-back cat, and not one that's in rescue for straying- it wouldn't be fair to have an ex stray as an indoor cat, in my opinion...

Hamsters shouldn't really bother them if they're inaccessible, and as for food that varies greatly. A lot on here use the 'Zooplus diet', which includes foods such as Smilla and Bozita, amongst others I can't think of Hopefully somebody more knowledgable will be along to answer that one

 

[Treaclesmum]

You can rescue a cat which has always been indoors or a ped rescue - Cats Protection have branches which specialise in indoor-only cats.

I have a hamster in my bedroom and the door is closed so the cats don't seem to know she's there!

 

[Wesley1]

Thats a good point about looking for a calmer cat rather than one that was a stray previously. I live in a housing estate in a cul de sac surrounded by a forest so there is no main road immediately near me.

 

[RabbitMonster]

Hey there, welcome to the forum!

So, to your points:

1) Your working hours wouldn't be suited to kittens but, as JR said, perhaps you could get two adult cats who can keep each other company. Not only is it great for them to be together but it's also great for you - they'll keep each other busy so you'll be able to play when you want, rather than always having to play with one.

2) I personally advocate housecats as the best option as I don't agree with cats going outside. Most rescues do prefer cats to go out, but some offer indoor-only cats. Shop around, see what rescues say.

3) As long as the hammies are shut away there should be no problem, just make sure your diligent as cats can be crafty little things.

4) I fed Molly on Bozita and Smilla, both of which I ordered off Zooplus.co.uk and it cost me roughly £10-£15 a month I think Can't be 100% sure on that though.

Good on you for not taking the decision lightly, if only there were more people like you around!

 

[JordanRose]

Thats a good point about looking for a calmer cat rather than one that was a stray previously. I live in a housing estate in a cul de sac surrounded by a forest so there is no main road immediately near me.

That sounds perfect, as far as a homecheck is concerned The rescue should be able to see how much you've thought this through which will really go in your favour. I work at a shelter and some people clearly haven't thought about a lot of aspects of animal care, but simply think it'd be nice to have a pet

Good luck with your search for your perfect cat! Make sure you post plenty of pictures when you find him/her

 

[jo-pop]

I just wanted to say hi and a big thumbs up for doing your research! Welcome to PF, I hope you stick around

 

[OrientalSlave]

Lots of good ideas there. Rescues do get pairs of cats they want to rehome togeather and older cats are hard to rehome.

The other thing to budget for is the vet. You can possibly insure, but there are pitfalls about what type of policy and what is actually covered and it's not cheap.

You can also self-insure - put a sum of money aside each month, say £10 per cat or £15 if they are over 10. As I self-insure I don't know what the actual amount should be e.g. what PetPlan for example charge for a life policy. Maybe some people who insure could help. Sounds bizarre that I self-insure but don't know how much, but I'm very lucky in that I'm very comfortably off with a well-paid secure job and plenty of savings so I don't have to count the pennies.

The other thing I'd add is that when you get them, you should be told what they were eating and maybe what kind of litter they were using. Don't change either of those for a couple of weeks, and then gradually change to what you actually want to feed and scoop. A sudden change in diet can produce all sorts of upsets.

 

[LucyLastic88]

Its great you're thinking of rescue moggies.

Good advice already given, just wanted to add to the cost issues.

I feed raw and my two cost about £25 each a month, so £50max total. Their insurance is about £7.50 each a month too, so £15mth. I have two rescue moggies, they're quite big boys, about 5.5kg each. A young, growing cat may need more food too. Someone else would be able to advise you better with that though if you need it.

 

[OrientalSlave]

Guess that shows how much food costs vary. Mind get James Wellbeloved biscuits (for those that eat them) and Felix pouches but the two girls love raw chicken wings which are perfect for keeping their teeth clean. The older boy just had a dental, about £100 including two extractions. He doesn't eat wings.

I am also lucky in that my vets are very good and very reasonably priced. When I was taking my old cat there for regular steroid shots last year (palliative treatment) I was only once charged a consultation as well as the cost of the shot, but they always weighed and examined him.

 

[Durhamchance]

Just wanted to say Hi and Welcome to PF :thumbsup: It's refreshing to see someone thinking things through and considering all the options.

I don't have much to add other than to the food costs- I feed from zooplus and Darcy gets a mixture of Schesir, Grau & Animonda Carny costing me approx £30 a month. I also have her insured with Petplan for £11 a month

 

[Paddypaws]

Don't rule out the ex-strays! Having difficulty typing this as I have 6.5kg of ex-stray-turned-lapcat sharing my knee with the laptop. Woody lived outside, un-neutered and without an owner for years....now he barely even enters my garden, preferring the warmth and comfort indoors.
He has health issues so the rescue offered him on a permanent foster scheme which many rescues do....basically for older cats or ones with health problems, the rescue retains official ownership and will cover ongoing medical costs relating to those issues. Remember that it is difficult and pricey to insure an older cat.

 

[Chiantina]

It is fantastic to see someone considering all the ins and outs before the new cat is sat in their spare room!!!

11 years ago, we went to the rescue for 1 small female and came home with 2 big black males! Having a pair was great as we also work quite long hours! These were adults but reasonably young!!

You may well be able to find cats that would be better suited to living indoors but bear in mind the facilities you will need to provide to give them everything they need - scratching posts, high surfaces, hidey holes etc!

 

[ChinaBlue]

Welcome to PF and as others have said well done for doing some research first - if more people did there would probably be a lot less cats in rescues!

Some rescues may be a bit picky about the fact you are considering indoor cats so you may just want to consider a rescue pedigree - i.e. Ragdolls, Ragamuffins, Maine Coones, Somalis, Siamese, British Shorthairs etc. If you google any of the breed clubs the vast majority will have a rehome/rescue section. For instance there is ragsrescue for Ragdolls but there are other rehome grops for Ragdolls - which are indoor cats. Most will undertake homechecks but this is to ensure you know what you are taking on. The Ragdoll Rehome Group would ask for a donation of £100 per cat (under 10 years old).

I concur that perhaps a pair would be better given the hours you work.

I do not want to do any lovely moggies out of a potential home but I just thought I would mention the pedigree rescues in case CPL, RSPCA etc are not keen should you wish to keep one indoors.

Good luck - I hope you will keep us informed!

 

[Wesley1]

Thank you all for your replies I really appreciate them.
I volunteer at a dog rescue in my spare time so I completely understand the importance of thinking your situation through before taking on a pet & not treating them as if they are a toy you discard when it suits you

I have thought about pairs and then it would be company for them whilst we are in work. My local rescue has a female pair that need to be indoor cats as they have exposed to a virus & must be the only cats in the household. These cats may be suitable to my circumstances. If it was these particular cats I was going for then I would want to research the virus they had been exposed to & whether it would effect their health in the future.

I had a Burmese cat when I was younger and she was such a lovely cat. I had not thought of looking into pedigree rescues but I will defiantly do this. In terms of health problems with pedigrees do pedigree cats as with dogs have health problems which they are more prone to?

It wouldn't be until the New Year that we could consider looking defiantly for a cat as we have some personal circumstances we need sorted, my boyfriend has a temporary job contract at present & there is a possibility we might have to move closer to his job. If this was the case we wouldn't know anyone in the area who could care for the cat if we were away for a couple of days etc..

The cat/s would defiantly have insurance.

I love all animals and would love a dog in the far away future. I would love one now but our work circumstances mean we would never be able to get a rescue dog. I want a pet for company for when I'm on my own in the week as I only work three days a week. I also want to care & spoil a pet I think our home is best suited to a cat.

 

[Chiantina]

I had a Burmese cat when I was younger and she was such a lovely cat. I had not thought of looking into pedigree rescues but I will defiantly do this.

Burmese Cat Society Welfare and Rescue

Just as an example!!!!

 

[Guest]

I have put an indoor only cat section in rescue. Either individuals, or some rescues have a page, and I tried to explain how to find the up to date lists. Long term, retirement foster often includes indoor only status. The cats can be elderly, 3 legged, 1 eyed, blind, deaf, fiv positive, diabetic, just from an indoor only home previously, etc. There are many thousands more, but I wanted to try to help a lot of people get started, as a few said they bought from byb, as no rescue would approve an indoor home. If you can give your heart to the former cats, often, as has been said, the vet visits are to the rescues own vets, or paid for, if about the illness/disablity/age. There are also rescued disabled cats from overseas, in our rescue section

If you say you want indoor cats, but you want the most easygoing, loving smoochers, and you don't care WHAT they look like, you'll get the most smoochie, adoring cats, that people ignore, and you'll make the carers weep with happiness, for the 2 they've loved so long, FINALLY finding a loving home.

 

[Wesley1]

Hey can you link me to that please I can't find it and I'm not sure i'm looking in the right place.

 

[Guest]

http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-rescue-adoption/266136-indoor-only-cats-looking-homes.html

http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-rescue-adoption/261622-urgent-help-needed-many-cats-kittens.html

wobblecat can tell you all about them, and may still know of a couple
http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-resc...ng-cerebellar-hypoplasia-kitten-adoption.html

http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-rescue-adoption/261252-special-needs-cats-abroad.html

http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-rescue-adoption/269991-last-chance-year-romanian-cat.html

This one definitely has long term/retirement fostering
http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-rescue-adoption/269583-east-sussex-long-short-term-fostering.html

What area are you?

 

[merlin12]

Don't rule out the ex-strays! Having difficulty typing this as I have 6.5kg of ex-stray-turned-lapcat sharing my knee with the laptop. Woody lived outside, un-neutered and without an owner for years....now he barely even enters my garden, preferring the warmth and comfort indoors.
He has health issues so the rescue offered him on a permanent foster scheme which many rescues do....basically for older cats or ones with health problems, the rescue retains official ownership and will cover ongoing medical costs relating to those issues. Remember that it is difficult and pricey to insure an older cat.

wow!!! Woody must be a big handsome cat.