My son gave me a kitten - help

[JerseyGirl]

SURPRISE!!! My son and daughter-in-law gave me a kitten last night. I have never owned a cat and am at a loss. My DIL is a cat person and told me not to worry they are soooo easy to care for. Monty stayed away from the cat and Gunny got batted on the nose once. That was the only incident.
I live in a rancher and can't gate off an area as that would not stop Gunny. I don't know if I should keep the cat. If I don't, I never will hear the end of it from both of them.
Also I am worried about vet bills. Although they told me they would pay for him being neutered and his shots.

Don't get me wrong I did talk about getting a cat but I am still not sure. Advice please!!!

 

[R Taft]

Wow.....I always wonder why people buy pets for presents. I am not much help with cats. I hope you get some help from others.........Good luck

 

[dumainedogs]

Okay... Cat lady here yes, cats are easier, but not care free! The kitten will likely work out his/her own relationship with the dogs. Kittens vary in vet care needs. I have one that needed little beyond annual shots, spay and flea prevention.... Another that has food allergies, scarring on his esophogis that requires mashed food and can never be anesthetized! So... It just depends

 

[Clifford the big dog]

I have never met a cat that couldn't get away from a Newf if it wanted to. They are great at hiding under chairs and such. Most likely they will be fine together. I don't have a cat right now, but my last 2 cats each cost more in vet bills than my Newfie has. If you don't want to keep the cat I would tell them that you need to keep your money for any medical needs your Newfs have. I'm sure they will get over it. When the right time comes I think you should be allowed to pick out the cat that you want.

 

[Sully]

It does vary in vet bills. We have had a few cats growing up, and tbh since they were indoor cats, my mother didn't even bother giving them their 'annual' shots. They never got sick, and never had to go to the vet. They were pretty easy. As they got older however most of them developed cancer or tumors that started to make them ill and we had to put them down. But up until they got terminally sick, they rarely ever had to go in to the Vet. However since I'm a a paranoid pet mother if I were to get a cat I would definetely take it for all its shots each year. Outdoor cats are a whole different story, I think they probably need more vet visits since they can catch more things or get injured being outdoors and of course would 100% need their shots.

My boyfriends mother is what one would call a crazy cat lady. She has 7 cats, actually 6 one just passed away. They were (almost) all feral cats that showed up on their property.. and she took pity on them and took them in. They are very much still feral, are outdoors mostly coming in to just eat and sleep. Some will still wander off for days and weeks before coming back home. She does get each of them their annual shots,(since they are outside) but other than that she never really has to take any of them in either, and there were 7!

If you actually wanted a cat - then I would keep him/her. Im sure the kitten will adapt to the newfs, and as it is with all pets, it is a risk in what you will get with Vet Bills But also like Ronnie said, I too don't get the giving pets as presents. Pets are a big decision and not to be taken lightly or forced into since it was given as a gift! I'm sure they will understand if you choose not to keep it. Will they keep it themselves if you do not?

 

[Bojie]

Bojie and I just got engaged, to my fiance who has two cats. Prior to us moving out to CO, they had never met, and were about to live in a house together, I was petrified! There is a small bedroom/office that we put a baby gate up on the door jam. I did that for a few weeks, with the door closed, so they could smell each other through the door, then I opened the door so that they could see and smell each other for a few hours a day, I put one of Bojies dog beds in the cat room for a few days, and then took it out for his turn to sniff. And eventually, brought one cat out at a time, in my lap for a few minutes, until I ultimately lifted the baby gate about a foot up from the floor, allowing the cats to get in and out on their own free will, but not allowing Bojie to get into their room to their food. They all get along very nicely now, they touch noses, and live together without chasing, batting at noses, or hissing. It's been so much easier than I thought it would be. The cats have found their own places if they want to get away from Bojie, but for the most part they all are very comfortable together. To me, its a miracle. But I think its the slow introduction that really helped. OH! Also, in the cat room for the first few weeks I plugged in Feliway a cat pheromone, that you can purchase at any pet store. It really helped the cats not only with Bojie, but with their transition into a new home. http://www.feliway.com/us

 

[new_2_newf]

Well, I have two cats and a newf...I love my kitties, and Sulley. The cat will find a place to hide, and the dogs will figure out the cat in no time, if you choose to keep it.
Cat are not free, I have mine vetted every year, fixed and chipped because mine like to try and be outdoor cats. I also have one cat that carries the herpes virus, so I often have to treat them both for kitty colds. having said that, I spend maybe $500 UDS/Yr on their vetting and medication, for two, that are sick often. I spend about $100/month on food and litter and treats and toys (again, for two and I have 3 litter boxes).

Other than feeding them, loving them, and cleaning the litter, cats are fairly self sufficient. If they have long hair, they might require a little grooming...mine are short hair and the only grooming they get are nails clipped regularly and ears cleaned if required, but that is rare. I used to brush my Russian Blue once a week, she was a shedding machine.

I have faith that you could care for the cat wonderfully if you wanted to, but please don't feel forced. They should have asked you before just getting you a kitten, they really should have. It was a wonderful gesture, but they could have just as easily taken you to the shelter and let you pick one, and just paid for it...then you would have had a chance to say no.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Snuffles old owner brought home a kittenwhen Snuffles was into the 1 to 2 range. It was a Saturday, and I don't know who was afraid of who more. By Wednesday, they were buds. To this day there are only a few cats Snuffles still doesn't want to chase. One is his old cat who we see on our walks, and the other 2 right now belong to Karen where the cats are use to 3 newfs. Snuffles tired to be a *dog* and start the chase, but Karen's cat don't react. No chase, no game, no fun.

Just remember, litter boxes can be a place where newfs go for a gormet snack. I know also a lot of people have to put the cat food in a place the dogs can't get too such as a counter. Snuffles never bothered his cat's food though, but the cat used his slobbery water bowl.

 

[noblenewf]

Cats are fairly easy to care for but they are not free. And kittens can be quite mischievous- and destructive if not given appropriate toys, scratching posts (if they have their nails), etc. My orange kitty, Stanley, has not been that expensive for me to have...but I adopted him already neutered and vaccinated. However, there will be expenses if I decide to front declaw him and then of course for yearly vaccinations/check ups. He pretty much is self sufficient but he is very particular about his litter box so I have to scoop it daily or else he makes it clear that he isn't happy with a little "surprise" on the floor in front of his box. For litter, food, toys per month I probably spend about $50. He is medium hair so he requires brushing occasionally but luckily he does not get matted and he enjoys brushing. He is a kitten though and he does like to use his claws at times (I redirect him to his scratching post and he usually does well with that) and he has chewed a few things also. Just like puppies they need some watching and monitoring but it isn't as bad as with a puppy. Now, I did have an orange cat before (my sweet Max) that had major urinary crystal issues that were very, very expensive as he once got a blockage and was near death requiring Kitty Cat ICU treatment for four days...to the tune of $1000. Then he required a special diet (and that food was expensive). He ended up passing from an episode a few months ago...it happens quickly and he needed close watching. So it really depends on the cat. For the most part I think if they are healthy cats are pretty low maintenance.
Hope this helps.

 

[victoria1140]

most cats will know their boundaries and get on with dogs, my mum has a cream fluffball of a cat who only weighs 1lb in weight and yet the dogs know not to mess with her.

The black cat we used to have acted more like a dog than a cat and he was great,

what is it you aren't sure about?

 

[Sheila B.]

When my father passed away we took in his adult cat who had not lived with dogs. No problem! Fraidy Cat claimed the bedroom. When the dogs come in he scoots under the bed. Otherwise, he explores the house when the dogs are sleeping, curls up on the bed with us at night and they seem to understand each others boundaries. I do keep the cat food/water on the bathroom counter and the dogs show no interest. The cat box has a cover and a flap for her to enter/exit. The dogs have left it alone. I think the dogs would be kind to Fraidy if she'd just let them close enough. Dogs and cats together can easily work. Fraidy does not go outside because we once let her out and she ran to my father's house. She seems very comfortable now and they have all established their own limits. If you want to keep the kitty, it can work out nicely. The expenses will be veterinary (hopefully, minimal) and food/litter.

 

[Thule's Mom]

Two cats and Thule... Merlin was here first, Maggie after. No problems at all, other than Thule is a little jealous of Merlin.... they work it out.... My cats haven't come close to costing anywhere near what Thule has in vet bills, but premium cat food is much more expensive than a premium dog food.. go figure.... I want to see a picture of the kitty!

 

[Murphy]

Evil Meagan let Murphy know who was boss and let him live. Enough said. :devil:

 

[OurnewfDarwin]

I haven't yet read any of the replies--here's my immediate response, though. Cats are fabulous. If you already have pets--newfs especially--it's not a whole lot of extra work--scooping a cat box every day or so, and feeding along with the pups. Once they works it out, they'll likely be best of friends.

We have two indoor cats--one is 8 and one is 4. The older cat was 8 weeks when we got him and he's been to the vet three times--for neutering and vaccines--and for a cold he got from another cat we had adopted. Since he's never outside, he doesn't get fleas or fights or anything and doesn't really reside any further vaccines.

Our other cat has had a UTI and was a bit picky about cat litter, so i think in her 4 years we have spent $400-500 on vet care. Essentially--it's just not a huge expense.

Keep the kitty inside only and you shouldn't have to worry about extensive vet bills until it's older!

 

[JerseyGirl]

Thanks for all the advice. I am really feeling pressured to keep the kitten. My son is trying to lay a guilt trip on me and his wife is mad at me. What a horrible weekend. This was supposed to be a good time because my youngest son is home on leave from the Navy and we haven't seen him since Christmas. Now I have this drama. I am not keeping the kitten.
So they are mad and will probably be going home tonight with the kitten.

 

[R Taft]

Well as much as I like all animals, I think it should always be your choice as to what animals you want to keep in your household. I think giving pets to people without consultation is unfair........You do what you feel happy with. Not everyone is a cat person or not everyone has the time for an extra pet. Enjoy your youngest being home, now that is special

 

[BaileyBear]

Under the circumstances, I believe you are absolutely doing the right thing. I love cats and believe they should all have a person who worships them. LOL. If you were to keep it out of guilt you may not warm up to it and instead resent it's very presence. Not good for you or kitty. Sorry the kids ruined your special weekend. Hopefully they will understand very soon that pets are a very very personal commitment that they had no right to make for you.

 

[newf&basset]

Your newfs will be fine My mum offers "sanctuary" to abandoned and abused cats in partnership with a cat rescue. We currently have 26 in residence. They have their own "quarters", and are all vetted, fixed etc. Alfie our newf loves them. He plays with them,and one even curls up with him and sleeps. We've never had an issue with a dog and the cats. We currently have 3 dogs, a newf, a basset and a JRT, and they all get along just fine.
As for vet costs, the kitten will need shots, to be fixed (if you choose) flea meds etc. I've never found them to be expensive. You could also get Pet Insurance if you are concerned.
Congrats on the kitty.. they are lovely things really

 

[new_2_newf]

I think you are making the right call...if you get a kitten, it should be on your terms, and it should be the one you want. They put you in a really bad position, and if anyone should be upset, it should be you....what they did was pretty unfair. I hope they can come to terms with everything and the drama passes as quickly as it came.

 

[OurnewfDarwin]

I think you are making the right call...if you get a kitten, it should be on your terms, and it should be the one you want. They put you in a really bad position, and if anyone should be upset, it should be you....what they did was pretty unfair. I hope they can come to terms with everything and the drama passes as quickly as it came.

I agree with this! As much as I love my cats--a twenty year commitment to an animal should definitely be a personal choice.