Short-haired Moggy

I have a black mongrel cat. 16 years old and still going strong. I would recommend a non-pedigree cat to anyone, other than a cat breeder,

If you are considering letting a cat adopt you, please consider the common moggy before you consider any Pedigree. There are many beautiful cats waiting for loving homes in Rescue Centres all over the country. And please do consider a full grown cat, as kittens grow into cats anyway, and older cats are often harder to re-home than kittens. If you choose your cat from a Rescue Centre, you can be assured she will have been checked over by a Vet, and will certainly have been neutered, and will have had all inoculations up-to-date.

If you decide you really want a kitten, and you don't already have a cat, have two! One kitten will be very lonely, and she will have been removed from the safety and security of her mother and the rest of the litter, and will be very miserable on her own! Bear in mind if you decide on kittens, they must not be removed from their mother's care until they are at least six, but preferably eight weeks old. From a Rescue Centre they should have been checked over and be in good health. From a pet shop or anywhere else you must check their eyes are bright and clear, that they are moving around and playing and they do not have loose stools and no fleas. It is not always easy to sex a kitten when very young, unless you know what you are looking for! Pet shops can make mistakes. Rescue centres are well experienced in sexing kittens, so choose with an open mind, and if you are not sure of the sex, choose names wisely! We have a girl cat called Alfie down the road from us! They thought it was a boy until they took her to be neutered! At six months it is usually quite clear what sex the kitten is!

You need to get any new pet checked over by a Vet straight away if not from a Rescue Centre, as they may have ear mites or other problems you may not have noticed. And ALWAYS have kittens neutered. Tom cats will wander off, spray everywhere and get into fights with other cats. Females? Well, unless you want lots of kittens, which is not a wise idea, have them spayed. Six months is about the right time.

Once you have chosen your felines, before you take them home, make sure you are well prepared with a good sized litter tray and litter, a covered lined basket for them to sleep in, a few small toys, and most importantly, a good supply of cat food! It is best to keep your cats confined to one room to begin with so they become accustomed to their new surroundings. Spend as much time with them as you can - they love company. By instinct cats will find their litter tray and use it. Most are very clean. With this in mind, cats dislike dirty litter trays, so make sure you change and clean them regularly. Kittens need feeding little and often, gradually bringing feeding times down to twice daily. Contrary to belief, cats should not be given milk to drink. Fresh water must always be available. Keep your cat indoors for at least six weeks, kittens even longer. Do not leave your cat out overnight. They feel the cold just like we do, and it is cruel to put them outside on a cold night after they have been laying in front of a warm fire.

I think I have covered all the basics. Just remember, any animal needs your care and responsibility once you acquire them, and bear in mind a cat can live for about twenty years if well cared for, although their lifespan should be around twelve to fifteen years. You must be prepared to keep them this long.

Cats are relatively independent, and they certainly have minds of their own! Each cat has its individual personality, which you will grow to know and love. Your cats will usually come when called, especially at food time. They are great pets that are always there to meet and greet you, will slip up onto your lap for a cuddle and should give you many happy years of pleasure.

If there is anything I have omitted or anything which is not clear, please leave a comment and I will answer you if I can. Although I no longer foster cats, I have fostered many cats over the years, mostly Ferrel kittens, (plus many cats of my own!) therefore I am quite experienced in the care of cats!

I have two short-haired moggys and they have lasted quite well nine years so far they cost me £10 each - so better value than a budgie. They are loving and have great personalities and will eat almost anything.