I need to convince my parents to get me a cat.

petpet55 • 1 August 2011 at 2:29 PM

@polk

Well, that sucks then.. But like I said try being as mature possible.. If it doesn't work out and you really want a cat, wait a few years until you can move out and get one on your own..

I'll go google hunt for some articles and post em here 😸

Edit:
Here are few links..

http://www.squidoo.com/benefitsofhavingacat
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Cat-As-a-Teen
http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Parents-to-Get-You-a-Cat

Some covers what I already said, plus some other 😸

@leopardclaws

If you decide to make a list of why you should get a cat to show your parents I can help you with that 😸

masonm • 1 August 2011 at 3:09 PM

@leopardclaws
This board is right up my alley 😸 I'm a huge cat person, and I've worked with cats all of my life.

1. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT DECLAW A CAT. If your mom wants to declaw a cat, or get a cat that has already been declawed, ask her if she'd like someone to grip her fingernails with a pair of pliers and pull them until they literally rip off. That is exactly what they do to cats. They RIP them off so they can't regrow. Aside from the obvious cruelty, you leave them completely defenseless. If the cat got out of the house, it would have absolutely no way to defend itself. Its like putting a toddler in a lion pen. If she still doesn't think its a big deal, show her gruesome pictures. I understand clawing can be a problem, but there are many ways to counter it. There are sprays that make cats avoid scratching certain places, or you can put the "soft paws" plastic caps on their nails, or you can even trim their nails for them (just like people do for their dogs). OR you can train them not to scratch. I have two cats, and they NEVER scratch the furniture because I took the time to train them as babies.

*will post more after someone posts*

leopardclaws • 1 August 2011 at 3:11 PM

The one time I said that to my parents my dad yelled at me because he did have his toenails ripped out and now they're deformed...

masonm • 1 August 2011 at 3:17 PM

2. It seems like your family wants a dog because they thing it would be easier (since you can crate them, etc). They are NOT easier. Dogs require SO MUCH ATTENTION! If you leave the house all day, they go crazy. I live in NYC, and there is a huge problem with people getting dogs, leaving for work all day, and coming home to a neurotic animal. CATS, on the other hand, have no problem sitting at home all day by themselves. As long as they have food, water, and clean kitty litter, they can stay alone for days. My cats are fine for up to 3 nights alone. When I come home, they're happy to see me, but they don't go crazy from lack of attention. If you get TWO cats, then you really have nothing to worry about, because they keep each other company. Cats are very independent, and don't require much work. Dogs must be walked, bathed, and above all else, require HOURS of attention every day....unless you don't mind incessant barking, jumping, and general disobedience.

*will post again after another post*
@leopardclaws

cafe • 1 August 2011 at 3:19 PM

@masonm

Welll they're not //technically// ripped out, but the first joint is cut off.



//Shot//

But I still don't support it.

SOFTPAWS

leopardclaws • 1 August 2011 at 3:19 PM

I live in connecticut! My house is like 90 miles away!!! haha coinkydink!

masonm • 1 August 2011 at 3:20 PM

3. It is true that cats do sleep a lot. But as you said, certain breeds are more playful. You may not know this, but that ALSO applies to certain colors. For example, yellow tabby males and calico's/tortoiseshells are VERY VERY playful. One of my cats is a tortoiseshell and she actually fetches (as did a calico I used to have). She has her favorite toy mouse, and every night she brings it to us in her mouth so we'll play with her. She also loves to play tag with my husband 😋 They are also just as loving and affectionate as a dog. In fact, sometimes I think my tortoiseshell is MORE lovable than a dog!

What other issues need to be addressed? If you need more specific help, I'd be happy to talk to you about specific breeds and colors to match to your family! My suggestion would be to get two cats (so they have playmates and entertain themselves). My favorite breed, with a good mix of lovable, playful, and well-behaved, is a Scottish Fold (straight or folded). Get one male orange tabby, and one female tortoiseshell or calico. You will have the most amazing combo, and you're family will be happy too!

If your dad had his toenails ripped off, then he should know too well how painful and horrible it was. Don't have an attitude, but politely ask him if he would ever wish that upon anyone, or if he could ever do that to someone. The same goes for a cat.
@leopardclaws

icymuffin • 1 August 2011 at 3:23 PM

I like how they're dependant on you but at the same time they're very independant.

I would suggest the Russian Blue, but they have longer hair... >3>

cafe • 1 August 2011 at 3:24 PM

@icymuffin

I had a Russian blue, beautiful, but she had short hair. Aren't they rare?

icymuffin • 1 August 2011 at 3:26 PM

@cafe

I dunno. >3> I never went looking for any...
My bird is already a handful and I can't even cuddle with him... D':

masonm • 1 August 2011 at 3:26 PM

@cafe
yeah i know, but the ripping part is the best comparison to how it would feel xD although, cutting off the joint might actually be worse ☹️ i have heard of "old days" when they actually would rip the claws out though....poor kitties.

there are so many great breeds! i'm partial to scottish folds (so cute, great fur, sweeeeet disposition, playful, quiet, THE LIST GOES ON!!!), but there are tons of others! did you know you can gets a cat that likes to swim? some calicos like to swim too...the calico i used to have LOVED bath time 😋 the first time we were going to give her a bath, we braced ourselves to be super scratched. We picked her up, put her in the water, braced ourselves......then she started playing xD it became her habit to play in the sink with my husband every day when he'd get home from work 😋

leopardclaws • 1 August 2011 at 3:27 PM

@masonm Great, great, great advice! Thank you so much! What do you know about the singapura?

masonm • 1 August 2011 at 3:29 PM

@leopardclaws

obviously, the most important thing you can do is be polite to your parents. don't sound "naggy" or "whiny", and try to sound calm, collected, and informed. if you can impress them with your knowledge, and they don't feel like you're begging, it should really help. and you can show what i wrote to your mom if you'd like, or she can message any questions to me too 😋 you just don't want to sound demanding.
No "but mooooooooooom....i really want a kitty...please please please!!! nag nag whine nag!! spoiled! whine!"

😋

leopardclaws • 1 August 2011 at 3:33 PM

@masonm haha lol, yeah I was going to the wrong way about it.
My to do list:
1. Read all the articles petpet55 posted
2. Go to library pick up cat care books and books on specific breeds.
3. Show parents what masnonm wrote (take out the little conversation parts we had)
4. show them softclaws/paws/kitty caps My parents think cats are untrainable, in some ways this is true, but every cats different. So the only way we could get a cat is already declawed or with kitty caps.
5. anything else?

cafe • 1 August 2011 at 3:36 PM

I don't mind getting declawed cats from shelters. It's already done, they're already there, even if you don't adopt them people //will// still declaw their cats, and it's not like you're buying cats from a breeder who automatically declaws.

leopardclaws • 1 August 2011 at 3:36 PM

@cafe good point

masonm • 1 August 2011 at 3:48 PM

@leopardclaws
Singapuras are supposed to be very adventurous and playful, and they have such cute big eyes! i love cats with big eyes 😋 I've never played with one myself, but i've heard they make great pets!
these are mine:
My tortoiseshell, Ava
http://tinypic.com/r/2d7wimp/7
My fluffypuff, Litchi
http://tinypic.com/r/2e1rmh2/7
They are the same breed (ava is litchi's mom, literally), but litchi is longhaired and has folded ears, and ava is shorthaired with straight ears!
And you can definitely train cats. I mean, they don't really like to do tricks (although mind do little ones), and it takes a bit more time and effort to train them than it does for dogs, but its definitely doable, especially for things like scratching. My cats don't scratch, jump on tables, or beg for food. If they do something bad, i literally snap my fingers and they stop 😋

@cafe
i'd still feel like it was supporting declawing 😋 i wouldn't NOT /rescue/ a cat if it was declawed, but i wouldn't buy one from a store or anything.

cafe • 1 August 2011 at 3:52 PM

@masonm

But how is it supporting if it's an abandoned cat at a shelter? D:


A lot still would get put down, even if it's declawed, because there's more cats than people.

I mean, it's not like you're getting it declawed yourself or buying from a breeder who declaws [or a breeder in general, roflrofl], you're just adopted a cat who needs a home, and it's been declawed anyways. It's just like, a side factor.

masonm • 1 August 2011 at 3:54 PM

@leopardclaws
if they don't like the idea of kitty litter, there is something you can buy at the Petsmart/Petco/etc type stores called a "Litter Locker". Its basically a trash can, but it kinda seals the poo/pee in the bag, and there is NO SMELL at all! i live in a tiny 380 square foot apartment with TWO cats, and you can't smell a thing 😋

you can turn the crating thing around on your parents too 😋 when they say "the difference is dogs can be crated" just say...."no, the difference is that dogs NEED to be crated....cats are tiny and can be left alone and have no need for crating"

as far as training goes, you can get training books for cats. they even teach you how to train them to use the actual toilet instead of the kitty litter 😋 i knew a cat who could do that!

and they have such awesome personalities 😋 i swear mine actually talks and responds to me! The other day Ava was messing with some plastic bags and annoying me, so i yelled at her. She glared at me, then stuck out her tongue. Then, I yelled at her for that, and she jumped up to me, stuck out her paw, and meowed the most apologetic meow i've ever heard xD xD xD

polk • 1 August 2011 at 4:01 PM

@petpet55 I'm really just looking for a BUNNY? Is that to much to ask? I have a plan though! MWAHAHAHA- *hack*

masonm • 1 August 2011 at 4:03 PM

@cafe
😋
I said i would still get one from a shelter, but i wouldn't buy one from a store 😋
double negatives...
i said i wouldn't NOT rescue a declawed cat, but i wouldn't get a declawed cat from a store or breeder, because that still supports it.

@leopardclaws
if you want to see something funny, search in google images for "scottish fold buddha position" and you'll see how they sit 😋 its the funniest thing to see!

cafe • 1 August 2011 at 4:04 PM

OHHH

I thought you said would NOT XD

dragonoob420 • 1 August 2011 at 4:22 PM

I know tons of people with unclawed cats. They are still the same car they were before their claws were removed. Just less dangerous. Think about larger cats in the wild. They fight each other and normally one gets killed. Animals are meant to push through tough spots. Getting declawed may hurt the cat for a while, but in the end, it won't remember the process if you love it enough. My friend has a cat that has no tail because it got its tail cut off. It is still the same cat that it was. If your parents say the only way you can get a cat is to get it declawed, and you are sure you can provide a safe and healthy environment for the cat, then go ahead. You say you love them so much so think of it as an ends to a mean.

Trust me when I say that it sounds like it would hurt you more than it would hurt your cat.

isis • 1 August 2011 at 4:24 PM

Just tell them that CATS WILL RULE THE WORLD AND IF THEY DON'T GET YOU A CAT THEY'LL TAKE YOUR PARENTS AWAY AS SLAVES! 😈



*don't ever say that, lol*

cafe • 1 August 2011 at 4:29 PM

@dragonoob420


..But why put the cat through unnecessary pain?

My birds can withstand heats of over 100, doesn't mean I'm going to put them in the heat on purpose. And a clawed cat isn't dangerous but an inconvenience to the owners.


I've been clawed. I have claw scars. It's part of owning a cat. Just like I can't remove a bird's beak, and know I will get bit.


And no, it will hurt the cat more. It may hurt a person mentally, but the physical pain is all on the cat.

I have an infected toenail bed, have to go to the doctors cause it hurts every time something touches it. It will be 100X worse for a cat because it's not just the nails removed, but the entire first knuckle is cut off because the claw is so adherent to the bone - that if they didn't it would grow back.

redstar-fireclan • 1 August 2011 at 4:31 PM

@leopardclaws
Did you try my idea?

leopardclaws • 1 August 2011 at 4:43 PM

@masnonm
my reaction for Ava: awwwwwwwwwww
My reaction for Litchi *gasppppppppppppp* SO FLUFFY!
I really want to cuddle with your cats!!!

@dragoob420 Cats claws aren't nail, they're bones, it's pulling out a cats bone and it's cruel. www.declawing.com

fuzzydragon • 1 August 2011 at 5:30 PM

I know what you mean. I had to research for a year before I got mine, plus 2 years of begging 😋. Here's my advice:

1) Even short hair cats shed a significant amount of fur. I had a short-haired tabby, and our couch had like a half inch of hair on one of the cushions. I recommend grooming your cat every few days to minimize the shedding.

2) My tabby napped a lot during the middle of the day (though he was an outdoor cat) so you don't always have to give it full attention.

3) You would want to play with your cat a few times every day. Chasing pieces of paper or string make great toys.

4) Do not de-claw your cat! It frustrates your cat (trust me, my uncle de-clawed his and it was horrible for the kitty). Instead, get a scratching post.

5) Litter-box training and 'Don't scratch the furniture' take time. I recommend getting a kitten that is around 6 months (fully weaned). Older cats have a harder time adjusting to new rules, so kittens are your best bet.

Deleted • 1 August 2011 at 5:32 PM

@leopardclaws well search kittens up for adoption in_____ <-- your town or place nearest you.) and show your mom from there

meixiaotian • 1 August 2011 at 5:35 PM

@isablah! get over here!
She has had 3 cats or more.