Meow. (Cats in General)

Member Name: SugarSpun

Product:	Cats in General
Date:	05/10/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: All the advantages of a dog without the walking and the neediness.

Disadvantages: Cats don't need you, and they're not shy to let you know it.

There are all kinds of old jokes about how you don't own a cat, your cat owns you. And they're funny cause they're true.

Our cat came from my husband's late mother, along with his now-deceased sister. He's rather ridiculous-looking, having a severe limp and only one eye (tumour destroyed the other one). If we could convince him to wear an eyepatch he'd look like an angry pirate.

Convincing a cat to do anything they don't want to do isn't a job for the faint-hearted. They're often compared with dogs, and in this scenario a dog wins hands down - you can make a dog look silly and he won't mind. A cat will balk at any attempt on his dignity. This doesn't hold true for kittens, who have yet to grow into taking themselves seriously.

Generally it's better to get your cat at a shelter rather than support often unscrupulous breeders. Kittens are easier to rehome than older cats, so if you're happy with an animal that already has a set personality and Will Not Be Trained then go with the older cat for kindness. Kittens are a lot of fun but also a lot of work.

If you're looking for slavish adoration and someone to bring you sticks, get a dog. A cat will never do that for you, and they're far too independent ever to let you know they think you're in charge. A warm body to curl up on your lap and purr like a truck engine, however, is a prize worth having. Cats, in short, are awesome.

Summary: A shelter cat is a wise choice for anyone looking for independent company at home.