Cat Pet

What do we need to know about a pet cat?
Our family has been considering a pet cat for some time now and I want to know what there is to know about pet cats. Like how much they shed, how much they eat and stuff like that.
They shed a lot; more noticeably if long-haired, and the long-haired tend to mat more, but shorthairs shed too. Brushing helps cut it down. Keeping cats off the furniture you sit on before work helps too (or having a lint roller...) Brushing also helps cut down on hairballs, though other preventative measures, such as occasional doses of Petromalt or other hairball remedy, help too.
They don't eat a lot -- they're small, after all -- and generally don't overeat like dogs often do, so if you want ease of care you can just put out a bowl of good dry cat kibble, and another bowl of water, that they can eat from anytime.
What's usually more fuss is the litter box. I recommend getting clumping cat litter and scooping it frequently; cuts down on smell and is easier than changing out a whole box of regular litter. You want to maintain that well, not only for your own sake (pfhew!) but because cats are a bit picky; would *you* want to go to the bathroom in a stinky, messy toilet?
Definitely get the beastie spayed or neutered; not only do you no longer have to worry about caring for, vet bills for, and then finding homes for kittens, but it cuts back on problem behavior in adult cats too; females in heat act odd and are often noisy, while unfixed males often spray (ew). Either are more likely to dash out the door due to hormonal urges.
Do get a scratching post; discourage scratching elsewhere (it may be a bit of a learning process). Make a loud, sudden noise, run at them, or squirt with water as discouragement, but be sure it's as they're doing the bad behavior or only just right after, or they won't associate the crime with the punishment.
String and laser pointers are great cat toys. Just be sure not to leave the cat alone with string; they can eat it or choke themselves on it. If you get any other cat toys, be sure they're ones you won't hurt yourself on stepping on them in the middle of the night -- or ones you can't hear at 3am when the cat decides it's time to play with them (I like foam soccer balls and soft mice toys; jingly plastic balls are Right Out). Catnip is also fun but use sparingly and be sure you store it, sealed, where the cat can't get at it.
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24 durable cards with tabs, made from 125# card stock that make it easy to locate your coupon category. It also comes with 24 alphabetized, numbered labels to make your coupons easy to file and easy to find!
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Features: LCD readout. Electronic alarm. AAA battery included. Counts up to 100 hours. Counts down in minutes and seconds from 100 hours. Recalls previous time setting. Includes clip, stand, magnet and hanging hole for ease in use.
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Music can soothe the savage beast¿including your dog! Millions of dog guardians have grappled with behavior problems caused by their dog¿s anxiety¿ from fits of barking when their beagle is left home alone to the nervous whimpering of their dachshund during a thunderstorm...
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Learn about responsibility and how to care for the family dog, cat, and even Elmo's fish, Dorothy! Find out about feeding, bathing, and taking your pet to the doctor. Come along with Elmo as he learns about dogs with jobs, like seeing eye dogs, police dogs, and more...
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A revolutionary training aid to help your pet adjust to the arrival of a new baby.
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This is the first and only video for your cat! Specially designed to entertain and stimulate your pet with the sights and sounds of nature. Featuring butterfiles, chipmunks, fish, squirrels, gerbils and more so that yuor cat gets the feeling of being outdoors without ever leaving the safety of your home...
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Who let the pets out?! Bob the Builder can't find his cat, Pilchard, anywhere. And where in the world is Tommy the Tortoise? And who are these little piggies that are taking over Farmer Pickles' farm? Whew! Sounds like these pets are in a pickle! Join Bob the Builder and all his friends for one animal (mis)adventure after another...
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