Should I get a cat?

[spikesgirl]

I have recently divorced from my husband and now live alone.
I want to get a pet for company in the evenings but I work throughout the day so any pet I get would be on its own for about 10 hours and my friend suggested getting a cat because they sleep for most of the day(?) and wouldnt get lonely.
I dont really know much about cats, I've always had dogs, so I am not sure if this is true.
If I was to get a cat I would most likely get an older one from a rehoming centre.
Can anyone offer any advice on this? Is it cruel for a cat to be by itself for 10 hours a day or would it most likely be asleep as my friend suggests? Or should I get two cats so they will keep each other company in the day???
I dont want to get any pet if it will be unhappy, I would rather be lonely in the evenings, so any advice would be greatly received.

[sara3]

I think it's a great idea! visit your local rspca centre (or equivalent) and see who's up for coming home. they sometimes have a job re-homing older cats, and if they've come in together, they'll want to re-home them together. anyway, they'll advise you on each cats personality and needs :o)

cats are so independent. once settled they go out and wander off for hours at a time. they do sleep loads. I leave my cat all day and when I come home he comes to meet me at my car. he is lovely!

[wiggal]

Hi spikesgirl,

I also agree with sara3, I think it is a really great idea and there are so many cats out there who would be very grateful for a lovely home with lots of sleep time!

I have grown up with cats, and adore them. So much infact that since I moved out of my mums and into my boyfriends a few years ago, we have managed to end up with 7 cats! And yes, they really do like sleeping lol!

I think you should definitely consider getting a cat, or 2 as although like sara says they are very independent, they also give so much love and have great character!

[pastafreak]

I agree with all of the above....and would definitely get two.I know that our local re-homing centre often has pairs of cats that need to go together. You might even get indoor cats...In fact-the CPL often requires that cats be kept indoors.

[ELVIS68]

Why would you want to come home after 10 hours and find your house stinking of cats pee?

Get a dog and leave the tv or radio on while you`re out

[londonlove]

The bit that I don't get is why you and your friend assume you will never ever fall for another guy and have to be a cat lady...?

[Ava77]

Ignoring the fact that Elvis68 has given a ridiculous answer - which I can only assume was a joke - obviously a dog isn't an option.

A cat would be fine for your circumstances, just think about whether or not you could get a catflap for it to come and go through. If not, then you should look specifically for an 'indoor' cat - your local animal shelter will most likely talk to you about your circumstances and would help find the right cat for you.

Good luck, and let us know what happens.

[Ice.Maiden]

Ga cat flap put in spikesgirl, and then an electronic tag on the collar, so that the cat can come and go as it pleases, yet no others can follow him or her back in,
Leave plenty of water and some food down, and your cat should become a great pet and friend for many years. x

[wolf63]

I agree that a cat is an ideal pet for you.

But - when I got my first cat I thought that it would be like a small dog. But they are totally different in character to dogs.

At night a dog will patiently sleep until you decide to get up and then it will need to go out etc. A cat often gets bored or hungry during the night and will wake you up to see to its needs.

Dogs don't try to sit on your keyboard when you are trying to type or follow you into the bathroom and demand that you scratch its ears whilst you are sitting on the loo.

Dogs don't refuse to eat a variety of cat food because it is no longer its favourite.

Enjoy being a slave to a cat.

[Ice.Maiden]

Lol wolf - you ought to have my dogs then!!!!
Mine get me up umpteen times to go out late at night, and they're worse than babies for wanting to be fussed - and fed - all the time. They also follow me into the bathroom sometimes - and roll over to have their tummies tickled!! : )

[Ava77]

Must admit, my cats follow me into the bathroom too. Took a while for me to get used to them sitting on the side of the tub while I had a bath - staring at me!

[ELVIS68]

Yes Ava, they were probably thinking no matter how many baths you have, you`ll still stink of cats p!ss

[Ice.Maiden]

LOl!!

[Ava77]

Aren't you a cheerful soul tonight Elvis?! Thanks for the valuable contribution to the discussion.

[ELVIS68]

You`re welcome Ava, typical cat person, biased to the hilt

[Ava77]

Ah, but you're assuming so much there Elvis! I'm not a 'cat person', I have a dog also.

Along with a multitude of other animals that come and go due to the nature of my job. So no bias towards any particular animal at all, only towards putting the right animal with the right person.

[ELVIS68]

So why not recommend a goldfish if she`s going to be out for 10 hours a day?

[Ava77]

You're just being pedantic now! lol

[ELVIS68]

Ok Ava, I`m only kidding with you, so what other animals do you have then?

[Ava77]

Permanently 2 cats (was 3 until a couple of weeks ago), and a dog. All rescue.

Last week I was also looking after a rabbit and 2 guinea pigs until they found homes. Animals sometimes come and go from my house while they're awaiting homes.

I take it you have a dog then?