Hi all!
I hesitated for so long, thinking whether I should write about my cats. How can you recommend outbred cats, which are enormously different from each other in character. But then I thought that there are some things that unite them.
Do you want a story?
Then listen carefully.
My grandmother's house is constantly inhabited by cats, they live in basements and catch mice. And then one day a cat brought kittens to the entrance. I immediately laid eyes on them, especially since our cat disappeared a long time ago. The kittens lived in a box with their mother and father, who for some reason came to them. It's good that they appeared in late spring, and not in winter. I began to beg my parents to get a kitten, after which they nevertheless agreed. And a month after their birth, we came to choose. I immediately grabbed a gray one, the same one I had before, but my mother offered a tiger cub, this has never happened before. In the end, I adopted a small tabby kitten, a girl, and my brother too. Father allowed only one..
WE ARE TOGETHER FOR 4 YEARS
I thought about nicknames for a very long time. Belka and Strelka? Chip and Dale? Kresh and Edie?
And in the end they agreed on Anfis and Iris.
Anfiska has a big plump face.
And Iriska is slim.
Anfisa is so similar to me, both in character and muzzle.
I immediately told my brother that my mind was Anfiska, she immediately liked me.
What a pity that the photos of the first days were not preserved! How entertaining it was to watch when they sit in a toy bed and squeak cutely.
How were you potty trained?
It was more difficult to teach Anfisa, she is a girl with character. I won't go to the pot, and that's it! She even fell asleep sitting in it! But Iriska immediately understood where to go.
What were they fed?
In the first days of apartment life, they fed milk from a toy bottle, then every 4-5 hours they poured it into saucers, they lapped themselves, and then they taught them to eat finely chopped meat.
Attention
The manifestation of attention and care is the most important thing that both people and animals need.
I can say that they had plenty of attention, I gave everything I could.
There were also toys and other pampering. Girls for 2 months got used to the names, and calmly responded.
Upbringing
For the first time, it is important to designate the days of stay in the apartment where you can and where you can’t. We set boundaries. It was immediately forbidden to jump on the table, and any attempt to disobey was punished.
Where you can go to the toilet, and where not. Anfisa, if she did it in the wrong place, immediately ran away, hid, and knew that she would be punished.
Problems
The most hated problem is going to the toilet on my bed. It's for the host. I read a lot of articles about this deviation. It can be from stress, because of family conflicts, because of a lack of attention, illnesses. It happened that she went almost every day, and even for two or three months obedient.
Relationships with each other
The sisters simply adored each other. It's great when you are not alone, when you have native blood with you.
Three years passed without a single fight over food, over attention. I didn't see any conflicts.
Character
I remember their mother and father, I know their character very well. Their mother was hit by a car, she was still pregnant with a new offspring. And the father just disappeared after 6-7 months. Anfisa looks like him, and Iriska looks like her mother. But the character is the opposite. Toffee doesn't like guests, not even my grandmother. And Anfisa is prone to affection, and then to aggression. Toffee can be squeezed for a long time, played, she is more tolerant, unlike her sister. That capricious, a little spoiled by my love, got used to me loving her.
Sometimes it happens
But one has only to say "Quietly" to me, as Anfisa stops running around the room like crazy. Sometimes she does not know where to put the energy. In general, she knows the line, she feels when she is scolded, she knows how to behave and obediently listens to my complaints. But at the same time she has pride, combined with a soft voice and affection. I think I raised her well.
We do not like to take pictures, we have to endure for the sake of the hostess.
Travels
I always took the girls with me, even if the distance was long. We went to visit the Penza region when they were only 2 months old, they behaved perfectly on subsequent trips.
I very often went out with them for short walks. She put them in a special bag, they only had their heads sticking out of it, and walked, showed them the world. It's boring to sit at home. They even saw the wedding fireworks!
Street and cats
Iriska behaves calmly and adequately in this matter. The street is normal, but Anfisa is very afraid of it.
We walk only from the window
Grooms often visit us
Wool
From tabby cats, wool also flies, and we have a lot of it. Dark shreds are scattered throughout the apartment. Iriska has a glossy, delicate, and Anfisa has a thick and dry coat. Even with my eyes closed, I can identify them by their texture. Their coloration is also different, although from the same family.
Where do they sleep?
Absolutely everywhere. Both on the table and on the floor
On the sofa
On the refrigerator, on the closet, on the windowsill, on backpacks.
On the bed
In the box
Any size
THE MOST SCARY-ESCAPE
The first escape was from the window of a private house. The father left it open, and he left. I arrived very late, it was dark, and found Toffee near the porch. Panic seized me, but where is Anfisa? It's dark outside, I ran to the garden to look. Finally found in the bushes...
After the escape of a gray cat named Felix, to whom I became very attached, I developed terrible PA. I don't want to remember.
Iriska's second escape was from a first floor window in 30-degree frost.
I was so scared that I ran out into the street in one T-shirt. She ran away somewhere far away ... but then, having dressed, and going out into the street, I decided to go to the window again. I look, someone is sitting dark, and turns his head. I quietly approach and grab her, but she does not resist. It's my fault for her escape, she just fell.
The scariest escape of my pet
It was very cold that day. Winter. Anfisa began to "love", she gave a pill late. We left, but my father stayed at home. He went out to throw out the garbage, and, apparently, Anfisa ran away, or he kicked her out. I dont know. But the fact remains. When I arrived, the cat was not there. They sometimes hid in cupboards, or under the sink, but they had already examined everything, no! I got hysterical...
Our house was in such a place that you could run away anywhere. There was a railway line nearby. I was scared, what if...? The search went on for an hour. It was cold, I cried.
After a while, I heard a meow. The tabby cat got stuck in the opening of the underpass ... how hard we pulled it out. I didn't recognize her... What's with the tail? He's broken! Ears are shriveled, she has become intimidated! What happened? Give me back my Anfisa! She didn't eat anything, she didn't let anyone in. Okay, I thought, we'll decide tomorrow.
Three days later I come home and I want to feed my cats. I'm calling...
Cats come running, three of them. THREE. Three striped cats. I had such a SHOCK. AND THEN WHO IS THIS?
It turns out that in the morning of the same day, my mother went outside and saw my Anfisa near the garage in the yard. I walked up to her and brought her home.
My joy knew no bounds.
Not only I was shocked, but also Iriska.
We gave that cat to our friends.
And Anfisa came pregnant ...
Contraceptives
We used different, from cheap to expensive. "Sex barrier" for example.
STERILIZATION
Why did I decide on it? Does it harm the cat? Cons and pros.
The first reason I decided on sterilization was going to the toilet on my bed. I no longer scolded Anfisa for this, apparently she had nothing to do with it.
The main plus is the calmness of the cat. The effect of hormones on a cat is terrible! It's my opinion. Sterilization is no harm! The biggest harm is stray cats that pee in your baby's sandbox. And good hands are not enough for everyone.
They just didn't help us. Even the neighbors complained about the loud screams...
pros: stopped marking. This year was the only time. She became playful and calm. There are no escapes.
Minuses: THEY ARE NOT HERE. General anesthesia only adversely affects, and so ...
Anfisa gave birth
The kittens were born at night. Anfisa jumped on a 2-meter bed! I woke up from a peep. I look ... kitten. The birth went well. 4 kittens were born. Two minke and two black.
Anfisa let everyone near her, even her sister.
They loved them so much.
I will remember these moments for a long time.
The kittens were handsome, they immediately came for minke whales after 1.5 months.
Then there was such a situation that newborn kittens were thrown out in our area. They didn't have a mother. The woman wrote for help, we responded.
Anfisa is so smart that she was able to feed them, she did not leave, she fed the kids.
At that time, Black was 2-3 months old, she didn’t have much milk.
You can't imagine how difficult those times were! The black ones were everywhere. They also had some kind of infection! The photo shows bald patches at the ears. Injections for all cost more than 4,000 thousand rubles.
And again about animals. This time it will be an article - thinking about the pros and cons of a kitten in the house. There are already two articles on this site about that, but these are articles of those who have already got a cat or a cat, and I'm just going to. I do not want to delve into the history, biology and physiology of cats, tell, pour water and engage in other nonsense. Only bare facts ().
Let's start with the positives.
It's a kitten! (A definite plus, because the kittens are small, fluffy and funny).
+ He's fun to be with. You can play, and when you watch them, it also becomes involuntarily funny. They are so cute and stupid.
+ If this kitten chooses you as its owner, then you will have a true friend. (In vain they say that cats and cats are loners. This is not so! In fact, cats and cats also become attached to their owners and until the last days they will be the most faithful and devoted friends who will never betray. And this is another plus!)
+ They are true friends. (This is very important for those children and adults who cannot find friends in society (Record above)).
+ There is someone to care about. (This is also important for singles, for example, for grandmothers who are left alone, and there is nowhere to put affection).
+This is a test of fortitude and stamina.
6 pluses. Not enough...
Now let's look at the cons.
The kitten will quickly become an adult. He will no longer be so cute and funny, he will stop playing.
- There is a lot of wool from cats and cats. (So you have to clean things almost daily).
- They smell a lot. (Cat breeders sniff and do not notice the smell, but the guests feel it).
- Veterinary clinics. (And it costs money).
- Sometimes pets run away. (Uh-huh, because they need to provide a decent life).
- This is a test of fortitude and endurance. (In the first case, this is a plus if you pass this test and do not give the cat away, and in the second, it is minutes if you fail and still give the cat or cat to another house).
Of course, keeping an animal is very difficult and troublesome. He needs to buy food, filler for the tray. You need to clean up after him, wash, wash. While the kitten is small, he is very cute and funny. (Why don't they stay that way for the rest of their lives?). And then they grow up... Many people, whom I condemn, take kittens, play with them and throw them out into the street, not calculating their strength - and whether they will be able to support him later. Pets are a huge responsibility! You need to weigh your strength, your budget. You need to mentally prepare yourself for the fact that this is not a toy, that you cannot throw it away, that this is a living creature that also wants to eat, drink, caress and attention. But this can never be compared with anything - with the happiness that they give.
My choice is to get kittens!
I would even advise young families who just got married and want children to get a kitten. Kitten is like a child. This will be a test for them whether they are ready or not. You also need to have pets for your children. Especially if you have one child and he does not have enough communication with you or with friends. He will have a true friend to whom he can entrust all his secrets.
Of course, I have not yet completely convinced myself: will I cope with such a burden of responsibility, will I bear it or not. But I have always dreamed of a kitten, and it seems to me that a childhood dream will overcome all the minuses. Only, now, to invent such a serum or such a breed of cats so that they always remain small and cute. And then, I think that in every family they would start them and never throw them out into the street!
Scientists say: cats have a place in the house. Studies have shown that these furry animals can heal their owners and relieve stress. But they also have many other advantages that people appreciate.
But there is a difficult choice, because there are dozens of breeds. And then there are "mongrels", which are no less "useful" for the body. So what kind of cat is better to have in an apartment?
Cat lovers, as cat lovers are sometimes called, find many benefits from living under the same roof with furry pets. They replace sleeping pills, helping to sleep soundly, bring peace of mind, reduce the likelihood of death from a heart attack. If there is no allergy, then the risk of asthma is reduced.
Most cats are completely independent animals that can stay at home completely painlessly while their owners work for a long time. For a busy person, this is also convenient because you don’t need to find a “window” in a busy schedule for walking twice a day. Many adults, and most children, simply .
"Apartment" breeds
There are quite a few breeds that are ideal for apartment life.
For small spaces
Such cats should not be very large, with an average level of activity. The following breeds meet these requirements:
- Persian;
- sphinxes - Canadian, Peterbald;
- Russian blue;
- British Shorthair;
- Scottish Fold and Straight.
An interesting article is posted on our portal, read it - you will not regret it.
Attention! You should not take hyperactive, Abyssinians, Bengals and other similar breeds into a small apartment. Lack of exercise is bad for their health.
Easy care
A frequent requirement when choosing a cat for an apartment is ease of care. Create the fewest problems sphinxes that have no hair. In addition, they are characterized by reduced sexual activity. This means that you can not be afraid of the smell from the "marks", as well as the inadequate behavior of females during the "sexual hunting" period.
Scottish lop-eared the breed has a short coat, so it rarely needs to be combed out. She is trainable and quickly accustomed to the tray. They are pretty clean cats.
Character
Persians- the embodiment of tranquility. They idolize the owner and follow him everywhere. These cats rarely show aggression, even towards guests and children. Persians are silent, and attract the attention of the owner to themselves with an expressive look. Their disadvantage is the long coat, which needs to be looked after. And still have to put up with snoring. This is due to the structure of the nose. Their close relatives are the exotic shorthair breed, which is somewhat easier to care for.
sacred Burma- smart, well trained, with "aristocratic manners". She is gentle and calm, does not get angry. Burmese get along well with other pets. But she has some drawbacks. For example, this cat is frightened by loud noises and does not tolerate heat well.
ragdoll needs the caresses of the owner and cannot stand loneliness. They are kind and patient cats. They rarely scratch, avoid conflicts, and are easy to train. Ragdolls can not stand rudeness and are offended by such an attitude towards themselves. One of the disadvantages of the breed is that it must be protected from heights: the cat can be seriously injured when falling, because it does not know how to group.
Good qualities of character for living in an apartment also have:
- British Shorthair;
- american shorthair;
- selkirk rex;
- manx;
- Neva Masquerade;
- European Shorthair;
- Russian blue;
- toyger;
- sokoke.
You can find more information about the various breeds of modern cats, their maintenance and care on our portal.
Breeds for children
The choice of a cat narrows down if there is a child in the apartment. The following requirements are put forward for a pet:
- lack of manifestations;
- complaisant character, strong nervous system;
- sociability almost like a dog;
- ease of care.
Attention! Not all representatives of the breed without exception have the necessary qualities, since cats have different characters. Therefore, when buying an animal, it is better to ask the breeder to choose a kitten for the house in which the child grows.
The following cats are considered the best according to these criteria:
- Maine Coon- a real giant that grows up to 1 meter in length and weighs up to 10 kg (females - up to 8 kg). In character, he resembles a dog, and one of his habits is to meet and see off the owners. Maine Coons are sociable, they catch the slightest changes in a person's mood, they like to participate in the most important events of their family.
- canadian sphynx. The hypoallergenic breed is suitable for families in which children with hypersensitivity "to wool" grow up. "Canadians" have a peaceful character, they are not characterized by aggression. If the kids are not afraid of the unusual "naked" appearance, they like to stroke and hug the animal because of the warm body and velvety skin. This is one of the most affectionate representatives of the cat world.
Attention! The absence of wool does not guarantee protection against. Contrary to popular belief, the body's hyperreaction does not occur to the pile itself, but to the proteins in the animal's biological fluids.
- Exotics. have a playful nature, they are sociable and curious. Such qualities are necessary for a cat to live in a family with a child. Snub-nosed cats are gentle, non-conflict. With the aggressive behavior of the baby, they simply go to the side without resisting. Unlike the Persian breed, they do not need combing.
Should I adopt a purebred cat?
Some people prefer "mongrels". These cats in the family did not have noble ancestors or they have mixed roots. And this has its advantages. For example, mestizos have better health than their “blue-blooded” counterparts. This is due to the wider gene pool. Therefore, the risk of genetic diseases is very low.
However, such cats often have an independent character, hunting instincts are more pronounced in them. Adults like to mark territory, and it is not very easy to wean them from this habit.
However, thoroughbred cats have predictable habits. They honor cleanliness more, because breeders select for breeding those individuals that have less propensity to mark the territory.
At what age is it better to take a cat?
Adult cat or cute baby? This question seems to be secondary, but age is an important factor.
Kitty
As a rule, kittens are taken into the house. It is believed that in childhood the animal gets used to the new environment better.
Attention! The kitten must be at least three months old.
A cat up to the age of three months feeds its cubs with milk. This is important because the baby acquires primary immunity. It is the mother who takes care of health best of all and knows what her “child” needs. Communication with the parent is also responsible for socialization. An early break with a nursing female is fraught with such problems for the offspring:
- mental disorders;
- behavioral disorders;
- weak immunity.
The mother teaches the cubs to unfamiliar food, instills hygiene skills, shows how to use the tray and sharpen claws.
Cats are vaccinated at 8 and 12 weeks (booster). Therefore, after 3 months, the body is maximally protected from infections.
adult cat
An animal older than a year is reluctantly taken into the apartment because of prejudice. But veterinarians assure: often these are just myths that have no real basis.
Table 1. The most common misconceptions of future cat owners.
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Kittens are easier to litter train | Adults quickly understand what they want from them. And if they are already accustomed to the toilet, they will not shit anywhere, with rare exceptions and for “good reasons” (stress, illness, etc.) |
| An adult cat will not accept a new owner | Animals that have experienced cold and hunger appreciate taking care of themselves. Kittens take everything for granted and are spoiled |
| The child needs a kitten | Adult cats are more tolerant of children. Many of them have the talent of a nanny and are stoic to endure the importunity of babies. |
| The owners abandoned the cat because he misbehaved | An animal can be left without owners due to their death, relocation, birth of a child, and other “harmless” reasons. |
| If you take a kitten, he will grow up healthy | This is not a fact due to unformed immunity. Kittens are more prone to serious illnesses, and infections are more acute |
Can I adopt a cat from a shelter?
People who decide to take such a step believe that it was done correctly. They argue that there are many reasons why a cat from a shelter will take root well in an apartment.
Table 2. Pros and cons of a cat from a shelter.
As for communication with curators, this is a temporary phenomenon. As soon as volunteers or shelter workers realize that their pupil is in safe hands, they stop disturbing the new owner.
For reference. ADOPTION(from lat. adoptio- adoption), a form of establishing artificial kinship - the inclusion of an individual or several persons in any kindred group or family. The motives for adoption could be different: providing a lonely person with a certain status in the system of social ties ...
Life hack. From several institutions, the smallest are chosen, with the number of inhabitants up to 50 individuals. There cats are more well-groomed, they are better taken care of.
Boy or girl?
When a family decides to take a kitten into the house, among other things, the question arises: ?
Advantages cats(female):
- they are cleaner because they take better care of themselves;
- do not seek to dominate;
- more docile and affectionate.
But with the advent of puberty, the owner has a question: what to do with the offspring? There may be problems with this if the animal was not taken for breeding. same precedes . The cat leaves marks with a specific musky smell, and makes loud noises for a week or even more, especially at night, calling for a male. It ends by itself or after mating with a cat.
Attention! Cats behave differently with men and women. So, with the representatives of the stronger sex, they can "flirt" - arch their backs, fluff their tails. With women, females are softer and more affectionate.
cats leaders by nature. They control every step of the inhabitants of the house. Most cats are not affectionate, although sometimes they allow themselves to be picked up and stroked. They become if a person does something that they do not like.
One of the problems that cat owners face is territory marking. Often breeders manage to wean their pupils from such behavior. Males smell stronger. But the smell disappears if the animal is properly cared for.
Many problems are solved by sterilization and. But even a castrated male can leave marks. This happens in such cases:
- late castration;
- the presence of another cat;
- stress, anxiety;
- restless situation in the house;
- lack of attention from the owners;
- discontent;
- health problems, bladder infections.
Is it worth getting a cat?
Those who want to get a cat need to know what difficulties they will face, regardless of the breed and sex of the animal. A person who is used to traveling should be aware that a cat is a homebody who does not like traveling. Rare pets agree to share the road with their owner and even go with them to the mountains.
You need to be patient in order to instill elementary skills in a cat - to teach them to walk on a tray and sharpen their claws not on furniture, but on. Training requires perseverance from a person, training takes time and effort. If there is no desire to work with a pet in this direction, then soon a mess will reign in the house.
The cat needs to be taught basic skills - to learn to walk on the tray
Another complication awaits those who do not consider the possibility of castration or sterilization of a pet. Several times a year, you will have to experience a real hassle associated with sexual hunting.
Most cats sleep from morning to evening, especially if the owners spend the whole day at work and do not play with them during daylight hours. They lead a nocturnal lifestyle. Therefore, you need to be prepared for the fact that the pet can disturb sleep with its nightly fun. These are just some of the inconveniences you have to put up with.
Video - The cat travels with his "parents"
Conclusion
If the potential owner is not ready for such difficulties, then you should not get a cat. It is better to consider getting a less demanding pet - for example, fish, a hamster or a guinea pig. If in doubt, you can try to take the animal for overexposure. Time will tell if a person can get along with a cat.
Having a cat in the house is a great idea and a bold move. But before you decide on it, you need to weigh all the pros and cons of keeping a cat in your own apartment.
Here you can not be guided only by emotions. Still, a cat is not a toy, it is a living creature, for which the owner is responsible.
No wonder Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote: "We are responsible for those we have tamed."
Benefits of a cat in an apartment
A cat is an excellent antidepressant, a kind of “hormone of happiness”, which is always at home, always “at hand”. It has been proven that the purring of a cat calms a person, relieves stress and fatigue, and brings positive emotions to the owner.The cat will be a great helper in raising children. By her mere presence in the house, she will be able to awaken kindness and affection in the child, and also instill in him the ability to care and a sense of responsibility;
The benefit of a cat is also that it can heal. Many cat owners tell stories about their own miraculous healings that occurred despite the unfavorable predictions of doctors.
Being the most reliable of all alarm clocks, the cat will not let you be late for work or oversleep an important meeting. Moreover, the sound of this alarm clock is quiet, purring and very pleasant.
A cat does not require a lot of time from its owner. Unlike a dog, you do not need to walk with it every day, it is enough to have a tray with filler in the house.
She will become a faithful and devoted friend to her master. The cat will not leave, will not file for divorce, will not be fired from work, will not say a bad word. For a modest dinner in the form of a bowl of milk, she will be a silent interlocutor, ready to listen to everything that the owner has accumulated during the day.
Harm from a cat in the apartment
A cat, unlike a dog, is more difficult to educate. The independent nature of a cat can manifest itself in the fact that she will sleep where she wants, and not in a specially equipped place, or she will sharpen her claws on carpet and furniture instead of a scratching post purchased for her.The sharp claws of a cat will leave scratches not only on the hands of the owner, but also on furniture. In a house where there is a cat, it is necessary to carefully and deliberately approach the choice of furniture. It is better to refuse an expensive leather sofa, for example.
Like any living creature, a cat has its own needs, which require even small but constant material costs - for food, toilet filler, a carrier bag, toys, vaccinations, medicines in case the cat gets sick.
Leaving home for a long time for cat owners is accompanied by the search for a special hotel for pets or someone who can look after her during this period. And we must remember that the cat is very attached to the house where she lives, so any move, and even more so staying in a strange place, is a huge stress for her.
A cat can be a carrier of diseases such as toxoplasmosis (which is especially dangerous for pregnant women), "cat scratch disease", worms, and lichen.
Still, the idea of having a cat at home is a double-edged sword. Gone are the days when a cat protected the house from rodents and the advantage of her being in the house was undeniable. In the modern world, cats are bred for various reasons - to brighten up their loneliness, to instill a sense of responsibility in a child, or simply because they love cats.
It is impossible to say unequivocally what is more in the above list - advantages or disadvantages. For some, one minus can cross out all the pluses. And for true cat lovers, there are no problems associated with keeping a cat in the house. They enjoy everything that is connected with their pet.