Should I get a kitten?

[dara678]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everybody,

I am considering getting a kitten (or a pair so they won't be lonely) to live with me during med school (I am a second year). What do you guys think of this idea? I'm a pet lover and I've been dying to get some animal companionship, but I'm a little worried that I won't be able to take good care of it or play with it enough. I have a boyfriend who can help take care of the kittens sometime, but he won't be there most of the weekdays. What do you guys think? Thanks!

P.S. I did a search for this already but for some reason people are only thinking about getting dogs for school ... so please help!

 

[DrBowtie]

Cats are an awesome pet for a busy person. They are low maintenence compared to other pets. I would go for two kittens (two females would be best).

 

[gerido]

Hi everybody,

I am considering getting a kitten (or a pair so they won't be lonely) to live with me during med school (I am a second year). What do you guys think of this idea? I'm a pet lover and I've been dying to get some animal companionship, but I'm a little worried that I won't be able to take good care of it or play with it enough. I have a boyfriend who can help take care of the kittens sometime, but he won't be there most of the weekdays. What do you guys think? Thanks!

P.S. I did a search for this already but for some reason people are only thinking about getting dogs for school ... so please help!

No, cat are instinctive and unloyal. They only hang around when you feed them. Get a dog dog 🙂

 

[domukin]

Totally, get a kitten,

I got one last year, adopted him from a shelter. He's great, runs around and entertains me, purs, meows, the whole deal. It's great to come home to a pet and be able to relax a bit with it, especially after killing yourself studying/working all day.

I'd suggest you only get one though, although they are low maintenance, you will still have to buy food, litter, toys, etc and have to clean up after them. Don't worry, cats dont seem to get too upset if you leave them alone all day, they just fall asleep till you come back. They are mostly noctural anyway.

Dogs are great too, and I really want one- but I'd consider getting one being cruel atm, b/c I won't have nearly enough time to spend with it, and I think a dog deserves to have a nice yard to run around in, something not possible in an apt. They are also very prone to separation anxiety.

 

[::Seabass::]

actually, I would start with one kitten...if you get 2, they will be more likely to play with themselves than seeking you out to interact with them. if you still want another one in a year, get another one then.

cats are very low maintenance, they need water/food about once a day. you can even leave them for a whole weekend if you need to with enough water/food. think about it, people have time for dogs (which need to be walked to pee and poop) and spouses/kids so you'll have time for a cat.

I was asking the vet today when I was there about girls vs boys since she had some kittents. Boys tend to be more chill, girl kitties more neurotic but that is only a generalization, kind of like real life.

 

[PiccoloPlaya]

Get a betta fish. You can keep the fishy in a small flower vase and you won't need a filter (use bottled water though). Bettas are beautiful fish and soothing to the eye. They will blow bubbles happily and get really excited when you feed them. They get angry at bright colors so if you have a highlighter nearby they will try to jump into your hand. Don't keep more than one in a tank though, they will flare out their beautiful fins and then promptly kill each other.

 

[sfbear]

Cats are an awesome pet for a busy person. They are low maintenence compared to other pets. I would go for two kittens (two females would be best).

I definitely agree. We've got one cat, but we're thinking of getting a second because she gets kinda pissy if we leave her alone for too long. We tried leaving her alone overnight once and came back to a trashed house, so we don't do that any more. Then again, she's really cute after she's been alone all day, starved for attention . . . she just rolls on her back wanting you to rub her belly.

 

[cindy4443]

I definitely agree. We've got one cat, but we're thinking of getting a second because she gets kinda pissy if we leave her alone for too long. We tried leaving her alone overnight once and came back to a trashed house, so we don't do that any more. Then again, she's really cute after she's been alone all day, starved for attention . . . she just rolls on her back wanting you to rub her belly.

I think getting a cat is a great idea. I have 2 cats and 2 dogs, but I own my own house with a yard. I got my first cat about 15 years ago when I lived in an apartment and she was a great pal. Cats are definintely the best choice with the scedule you will soon have. It is true that they are much more independent ( read stand offish at times ) than dogs and so they don't require the same amount of attention. I recommend female cats, as male cats are more apt to mark things (think really bad smell!) I see both points about getting one or two. They may play more with each other and ignore you. If you spend some time picking them out and make sure they are people friendly you will probably be ok. One cat can get bored and destructive as well, but I have heard of that problem more with dogs.

 

[DrBowtie]

I got two sister kittens. They both like to get some face time with me but they also like to play with one another and provide some entertaining play.

Also, the marginal cost of an extra cat is small since they can use the same food and water bowl. As I stated earlier, if you go with two cats 2 females are ideal with 2 males the worst.

Unlike dogs, you won't have to worry about someone letting them out during an 8-5 marathon day.

 

[mattorama]

As I stated earlier, if you go with two cats 2 females are ideal with 2 males the worst.

😱 😱 no way!

I grew up around cats and the females ranged from aloof and not friendly to just plain mean. Males tend to be very friendly.

I got two brother kittens at the beginning of first year. My aunt, who raises abandoned kittens so they can be adopted, highly recommended two males. They have been great. They can play with each other when I am in class/studying, and are very friendly with me when I am home (they both even sleep on my bed at night and one plays fetch like a dog).

In my limited experience I have had better luck with male cats, but I guess females can be friendly sometimes too.

 

[dara678]

awwwww thanks for the advice guys!! i've just been apprehensive and indecisive but you guys have made the decision much better 🙂

we saw a female kitten at the shelter today and she seemed very gentle and quiet ... however we couldn't quite get her to play with us. any advice on choosing a kitten who won't be too schizo but at the same time will acknowledge me once in a while?

 

[Doctor Bagel]

of course you should get a kitten or kittens or even an adult kitty. cats are low maintenance, but they make life so much better. coming home and seeing my adorable cats is a huge stress reliever for me -- i actually couldn't imagine going through med school without some animal companionship. since cats sleep like 18 hours a day, you really don't need to be around all that much to make them happy, especially since your boyfriend is helping out, too.

 

[lindyloohoo]

I've got two cats...one boy one girl. Got the girl first year, and the boy not too long after that. "teenage" cats are the best to get. They're still friendly and fun to play with, but they aren't crazy and tearing apart your house.

I got the girl when she was a kitten and she tore the place up. The male was a "teenager" and he was still feisty, but not destructive (of course he also had her to play with).

Remember to get them fixed and to always get them at the shelter, not a pet store!! (I liked getting the older cat because people always go for the kittens. I figured this way, I might be saving some kitty's life 🙂 )

 

[cindy4443]

any advice on choosing a kitten who won't be too schizo but at the same time will acknowledge me once in a while?

Spend as much time with the kitten before you adopt it as you can. Sit on the floor with it and just give it time to get to know you, see if it comes up and sits on your lap, get a piece of string to play with it, watch its curiousity etc. This is how I picked my first girl kitty, she was the runt but ended up being the friendliest one in the litter. Just give them time to get to know you, observe as much as you can and expect a kitten to be a little pensive at first. Hope that helps. You are going to find an great kitty.

 

[randomlogik]

I got my cat when I started first year. She was one year old when I got her from the shelter. I decided to not get a kitten, since I thought she would be less destructive and less likely to get lonely when left alone. I've absolutely loved having her. Leaving a cat alone is definately not a big problem. I've even left her over the weekend with no problems.

 

[Sharkfan]

Cats rock! I might end up with one myself in a few days depending on a current owner's decision.

Bettas are cool too. I started keeping them a few years ago, and have had great luck; my "old-age" record is 4 years. And I love their fiery little attitudes!

The trick, of course, will be keeping the cat away from the betta.

 

[DrBowtie]

😱 😱 no way!

I grew up around cats and the females ranged from aloof and not friendly to just plain mean. Males tend to be very friendly.

I got two brother kittens at the beginning of first year. My aunt, who raises abandoned kittens so they can be adopted, highly recommended two males. They have been great. They can play with each other when I am in class/studying, and are very friendly with me when I am home (they both even sleep on my bed at night and one plays fetch like a dog).

In my limited experience I have had better luck with male cats, but I guess females can be friendly sometimes too.

Males are territorial. They want to be top cat so they aren't very social.

I read that from a few books when I was deciding. I guess it really just depends on the personality of the cats. I have had extremely good luck with my two ladies.

 

[ocean11]

Hi everybody,

I am considering getting a kitten (or a pair so they won't be lonely) to live with me during med school (I am a second year). What do you guys think of this idea? I'm a pet lover and I've been dying to get some animal companionship, but I'm a little worried that I won't be able to take good care of it or play with it enough. I have a boyfriend who can help take care of the kittens sometime, but he won't be there most of the weekdays. What do you guys think? Thanks!

P.S. I did a search for this already but for some reason people are only thinking about getting dogs for school ... so please help!

It is nice that you are a cat lover, I am to.... and its great that you considered getting two, so that they won't be lonely. BUT YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE CARE OF THEM!!! Animals need social companions.... and if you're not there and your bf just there part time, they will feel lonely and isolated.

It is cruel for you to get cats if you're not going to be home to take care of them. In addition, what kind of apartment do you have? a one bedroom? two bedroom? pehaps a house? if it is small I don't think you should get pets, its just not fair. If you're not going to let them outside, then they should at least have a big enough place to play in. IN ADDITION, if you are planning on moving, FYI: cats don't adjust well to moves, you should only get one when you are settled down.

Bottom line: DO NOT GET A CAT, very bad move!

 

[UTCobra]

2 Things:

1. Make at least 1 decision in your life without consulting the internet. Go ahead...try it...your a big girl.

2. Don't put the responsibility of a pet on a boyfriend/girlfriend that may not always be there

If you want cats, get cats, not a hard decision.

 

[dara678]

2 Things:

1. Make at least 1 decision in your life without consulting the internet. Go ahead...try it...your a big girl.

2. Don't put the responsibility of a pet on a boyfriend/girlfriend that may not always be there

If you want cats, get cats, not a hard decision.

Look, there's really no need to be mean. I'm just asking about other people's experiences with cats to make sure that I am not making a wrong decision. Really, you don't know me and you don't know what i've been through so don't tell me i can't make decisions.

I am not putting any responsibility on my significant other, he is willing to contribute. You are going to have to learn not to be judgmental about people if you want to succeed in the medical profession. Negativity is something that's going to make your life really difficult in the future.

Thanks all for the advice, including ocean11 who told me not to get a cat. I will consider all of your suggestions. 🙂

 

[MattD]

I agree that cats are ideal pets for students, as they are very low maintenance. Also, I would recommend getting a young kitten, as in my experience the cat will be more likely to bond (as much as a cat can bond) with you if you get it at a young age. I don't have any advice about male vs. female, but my cat is a female and I've been just fine with her. I live in a 2-bedroom apt, but I've got enough furniture in it for it to be a veritable jungle gym for her 🙂 By all means tho, seek out your local rescue organization, the animals there have had a hard enough life and you can do them a favor! Just be prepared to come home to this every now and then.. 🙂

 

[sunnyjohn]

Get a cat!

I got my girl kitty from the animal shelter in March. She was about 8 months old, so she was still "kittenish" but had grown out of that tearing up the house phase. It is such a stress reliever to see her little calico face after a tough day! She loves napping in the window seat and resting on the back of the sofa when we watch TV. She is also very fond of the bath tub and will sit on the throw rug and wait while I shower. Flush the toilet and she comes running!

Get one from the animal shelter that is a bit older and save an animal. As soon as I can I am going to adopt another pound kitty.

My cat's name is WYSIWIG.

 

[sunnyjohn]

I agree that cats are ideal pets for students, as they are very low maintenance. Also, I would recommend getting a young kitten, as in my experience the cat will be more likely to bond (as much as a cat can bond) with you if you get it at a young age. I don't have any advice about male vs. female, but my cat is a female and I've been just fine with her. I live in a 2-bedroom apt, but I've got enough furniture in it for it to be a veritable jungle gym for her 🙂 By all means tho, seek out your local rescue organization, the animals there have had a hard enough life and you can do them a favor! Just be prepared to come home to this every now and then.. 🙂

Is that Toilet Paper??? How cute! 😛

 

[MattD]

yes, it's toilet paper, she's shredded the equivalent of a small rainforest worth of TP in the 2 years I've had her... you'd think I'd learn to keep it out of reach! I've got one of her with her head through a hole in my couch's skirting (is that what it's called?), but I seem to have misplaced all my cat pictures... and you guys have caused me so much trouble, now I've been scanning through the TEARS website to see who all's available for adoption. Like I really need another cat...

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Remember to get them fixed and to always get them at the shelter, not a pet store!! (I liked getting the older cat because people always go for the kittens. I figured this way, I might be saving some kitty's life 🙂 )

me, too! kittens are adorable, but i figure i'll probably never have one because i feel compelled to adopt the adults. one of my cats was one when i adopted her, and the other was approximately six (not sure of his actual birthday). shelter cats are wonderful, and the great thing about shelters is they'll likely fix the cat for you if he/she is old enough.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

It is cruel for you to get cats if you're not going to be home to take care of them. In addition, what kind of apartment do you have? a one bedroom? two bedroom? pehaps a house? if it is small I don't think you should get pets, its just not fair. If you're not going to let them outside, then they should at least have a big enough place to play in. IN ADDITION, if you are planning on moving, FYI: cats don't adjust well to moves, you should only get one when you are settled down.

Bottom line: DO NOT GET A CAT, very bad move!

i've got to disagree with that. i live in a one-bedroom apartment and have two cats, and believe me, both of the cats have enough space. they have a cat condo, plenty of cabinets to hang out in, a nice futon to hide behind, a big bed to sleep on, etc. imo, keeping cats in a relatively small space (and cats are small -- they don't need that much space) is much friendlier than letting cats go outside. cats who go outside have much greater risk of being hit by cars, abducted by cruel people, bitten by dogs, etc., and they're also a huge menace on other animals in the area. if you're concerned about the birds and squirrels in your neighborhood, you wouldn't let your cat go outside.

i agree that moving is traumatic for cats, but a once yearly move won't be a big deal. i've moved my cats, and even my totally neurotic cat adjusts within about two days. compared with the choices of being euthenized at a shelter, going home with people who have plenty of space but little love for cats (i know cat guardians who meet this description), or living with a busy yet loving medical student in a cramped apartment, i think the latter is preferable.

 

[vibesmstr]

I would recommend it.

I have two - male littermates that I got at 6 weeks from an LA shelter (so they were immediately fixed). Two is definitely more of a handful initially than one but its really not a big deal in terms of supplies and they do keep each other great company since they have always been together. I don't feel bad when I'm gone because I really think they barely notice (too busy sleeping and chasing spiders) but at the same time they are very cuddly and follow me around when I'm home. Its really nice to always have them around too; pets are very therapeutic 🙂

The drawbacks are potential health problems. If something goes wrong it can be very expensive and time consuming, but thats more of a problem with kittens (mine had ear mites and one had a nearly fatal URI). The yearly vaccines are not too bad and you can usually find a low cost clinic. You can also save yourself from potential health and danger problems by keeping them as indoor cats...but its hard sometimes because cats tend to be very happy outside.

One more thing - I think cats are pretty moldable up to about 3 months. My kittens were very anti-human but I just handled them all the time when they were young (sometimes had to force them to be social) and now they are great!

 

[CoffeeCat]

www.petfinder.com

 

[ZappBrannigan]

www.petfinder.com

I love that website! I go on there and look at all the pets I can't have (not allowed at apartment). I found my parents a black lab puppy through there.

 

[maiko82]

Get a betta fish. You can keep the fishy in a small flower vase and you won't need a filter (use bottled water though). Bettas are beautiful fish and soothing to the eye. They will blow bubbles happily and get really excited when you feed them. They get angry at bright colors so if you have a highlighter nearby they will try to jump into your hand. Don't keep more than one in a tank though, they will flare out their beautiful fins and then promptly kill each other.

That's really funny. I had two betas I kept on opposite sides of my desk, until my mom decided to put them together while she was tidying up. She didn't know that they were supposed to fight. Anyway, when I found them the next morning, one had jumped into the other fish's tank. Their fins were intact too, and they looked totally at peace with one another. I guess they got lonely.

As for the cat, I adopted one from a shelter just before starting medical school. I think he was probably the best investment I've made in a long time. Cats seem to know exactly when they're needed for a good cuddle. Mine won't snuggle up very often, but his timing is incredible. Also, there's nothing like falling asleep to contented purring.

 

[stinkycheese]

Males are territorial. They want to be top cat so they aren't very social.

I read that from a few books when I was deciding. I guess it really just depends on the personality of the cats. I have had extremely good luck with my two ladies.

It's not really true, if you get the males fixed, that they are territorial. My boys are more easy-going than either of my girls. And ANY cat can be trained to not be destructive. It's all about how much time/love/effort you are willing to give to their training and to them as animals.

 

[stinkycheese]

It is nice that you are a cat lover, I am to.... and its great that you considered getting two, so that they won't be lonely. BUT YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE CARE OF THEM!!! Animals need social companions.... and if you're not there and your bf just there part time, they will feel lonely and isolated.

It is cruel for you to get cats if you're not going to be home to take care of them. In addition, what kind of apartment do you have? a one bedroom? two bedroom? pehaps a house? if it is small I don't think you should get pets, its just not fair. If you're not going to let them outside, then they should at least have a big enough place to play in. IN ADDITION, if you are planning on moving, FYI: cats don't adjust well to moves, you should only get one when you are settled down.

Bottom line: DO NOT GET A CAT, very bad move!

Totally disagree. Two cats will entertain each other; they won't need you to be home ALL the time as long as you can give them some love when you ARE home. Secondly, I have moved several times with my cats and they adjust fine - as long as they are given plenty of love and reassurance in the new place, and if we bring some of their old toys along for the ride. i recommend getting two if you are busy - they will always still like to play with you, but will appreciate having a constant companion as well. I have never heard of/met two littermates who were not interested in their human; they just might not rely on you as much for playtime as they would have individually, but that's a good thing for a busy medical student.

 

[h2cooper]

I got a shelter kitty this winter as a first year. Franklin (that's his name) is a great pet and he brightens up days that are pretty crappy. He was two years old when I got him, and his previous owner had declawed him. Now, I don't necessarily agree with the whole removing cats' claws thing, but it is nice not to have to worry about my furniture and window screens. Franklin is VERY affectionate (almost annoyingly sometimes!) and he spent his whole first few months with me traveling three hours almost every other weekend to see my boyfriend. He is happy, I am happy, and I would never discourage anyone from getting a cat.

One thing to think about...where will you probably do most of your studying? I studied at our General Eduacation Building a lot B.F. (Before Franklin), but once I got him I started doing more work at home. That way he wouldn't be so lonely. Just something to think about!

 

[ocean11]

i've got to disagree with that. i live in a one-bedroom apartment and have two cats, and believe me, both of the cats have enough space. they have a cat condo, plenty of cabinets to hang out in, a nice futon to hide behind, a big bed to sleep on, etc. imo, keeping cats in a relatively small space (and cats are small -- they don't need that much space) is much friendlier than letting cats go outside. cats who go outside have much greater risk of being hit by cars, abducted by cruel people, bitten by dogs, etc., and they're also a huge menace on other animals in the area. if you're concerned about the birds and squirrels in your neighborhood, you wouldn't let your cat go outside.

i agree that moving is traumatic for cats, but a once yearly move won't be a big deal. i've moved my cats, and even my totally neurotic cat adjusts within about two days. compared with the choices of being euthenized at a shelter, going home with people who have plenty of space but little love for cats (i know cat guardians who meet this description), or living with a busy yet loving medical student in a cramped apartment, i think the latter is preferable.

I disagree with you... I have 3 cats in a house and they NEED a big place to exercise. In addition, they are territorial and are meant to go OUTSIDE. Why do you think they have claws?!? yes, it's true that there are risks when they go outside, but then again we take risks too.... whenever you get in your car, or cross the street... or walk alone you take certain risks... would you rather live in a bubble?!? I think it is UNFAIR to make a cat live in a bubble too! not letting them out is like puting them in jail. They need to be outside hunting! and exploring!! as for being concerned about birds and squirrels... well yes but that's the nature of the food pyramid... perhaps you should become a total vegan if you are concerned about teh welfare of all animals. Don't forget you are feeding your cats meat out of cans... were did that meat come from?!?

Perhaps that cat who goes home to that cramped apartment would have benefited from going home to a family with a decent sized house somewhere in the suburbs, were they can let the cat outdoors, or at least into a larger apartment!!

 

[PiccoloPlaya]

That's funny. I guess they must have been really lonely, bettas tend to get depressed with their solitary confinement in life but will still kill each other. I usually play with my 2 bettas (Napoleon Bonaparte and Alexander the Great) when I get home from studying. Now I have bright fingernail polish and baby blue Napolean is trying to jump into my lap!

That's really funny. I had two betas I kept on opposite sides of my desk, until my mom decided to put them together while she was tidying up. She didn't know that they were supposed to fight. Anyway, when I found them the next morning, one had jumped into the other fish's tank. Their fins were intact too, and they looked totally at peace with one another. I guess they got lonely.

 

[lorelei]

I definitely recommend getting kittens. I got two last year - male and female littermates. They run to the door to see me when I get home, they cuddle with me whenever I sit down, and they look really cute playing together.

If you get kittens as opposed to adult cats, I suggest getting two (littermates are best of course!) because they can entertain each other when you're gone. Sure, if you only have one it might be more friendly to you, but do you really want a cat that's needy because it's sad and lonely? Adult cats are often fine alone, but kittens are much more sociable. And a lonely kitten can be a destructive kitten.

I found that my cats caused much more damage as "teenagers" (say just under a year) because they were still super frisky but they were big enough to cause real damage! You just have to childproof though; if you put the breakable stuff away it's fine.

If there's any way to get your cat a checkup before you adopt it, I'd recommend it. Mine came home with upper respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, and pneumonia (only one had that thank god) and the vet visits cost me hundreds of dollars on top of the adoption fees. I should've snuck a stethoscope in 🙂

The shelter may neuter the cats for you, which is great. If not, be sure to do it early. Otherwise females will go into heat and males are likely to start spraying when they hit kitty puberty. It's way better to take care of that ahead of time.

I did some research on declawing and ended up deciding that it's cruel - basically the operation cuts off the last joint of their fingers. You can get scratching posts and train them not to scratch the furniture (with varying levels of success).

As far as it being cruel to keep cats inside, if they've never been out they don't know the difference. I've taken mine out on leash, and one of them likes it but the other is terrified - she loves her safe apartment.

My kitties make my life so much better. I'm such a pusher.

 

[speedo542]

Cats are wonderful. They don't need walked, they use litter instead of having to go outside, and they don't constantly beg for attention. I would recommend having your cat spayed or neutered (some humane societies offer this for reduced prices/free if you adopt). This helps eliminate the natural behavior of males and females (going into heat, marking things, aggressiveness, etc.). As for male vs female, I don't know. Males are generally (from what I've seen with my cats) calmer and more loving. But I have a female right now and I wouldn't trade her for anything. Females are more moody, but I think it just makes them more interesting and fun. They like attention, too, but don't seem as clingy as males. Hope this helps.

But I would definitely get a kitty. They are really fun to come home to. I would just start off with one, though, at first. Don't worry about it getting lonely. They deal, and mostly just sleep ALL day. (but don't get a dog...you won't be around or have enough time to potty train it, take it out when it needs to go, walk it, and it will get lonely when you are gone!)

 

[Ribbets]

It is nice that you are a cat lover, I am to.... and its great that you considered getting two, so that they won't be lonely. BUT YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE CARE OF THEM!!! Animals need social companions.... and if you're not there and your bf just there part time, they will feel lonely and isolated.

It is cruel for you to get cats if you're not going to be home to take care of them. In addition, what kind of apartment do you have? a one bedroom? two bedroom? pehaps a house? if it is small I don't think you should get pets, its just not fair. If you're not going to let them outside, then they should at least have a big enough place to play in. IN ADDITION, if you are planning on moving, FYI: cats don't adjust well to moves, you should only get one when you are settled down.

Bottom line: DO NOT GET A CAT, very bad move!

Valid concerns... but I think 2nd year is a wonderful time to get a kitten. I don't like to study in groups, so I spent alot of time alone 2nd year during the week, especially close to step 1- which got a little lonely. I was concerned about not being able to care for a kitten, but I realized that I was actually home for many more hours during the day than the average working person. I got my kitten 2nd semester, and I immediately realized how "overthinking it" I had been to have waited so long wondering if it was a good decision. She was 5wks old, so she napped in my lap or on my desk, while I studied, and I took study breaks when she woke up to play with her. Great for both of us! She actually teethed on my First Aid. 🙂 Now she's 9 mo. old and very self sufficient, and I'm completely comfortable having a nearly grown cat in 3rd year.
That said, if you are not able to study at home, and if you are required to go to class (we can watch ours via internet) it would be much more difficult to be a good caretaker for a kitten.
As for the other concerns... I grew up in the military, and FYI our cats never had problems moving. I'm sure it depends on how stable you make the transition. Also, having a small apartment just means that you should buy toys that you can dangle around and make the kitten run/jump/ exercise. It's alot of fun! She gets her outside fix on the balcony, and if you are willing, they actually make cat leashes/ harnesses that are pretty funny looking, but let you take it outside to explore. Just make sure you're up on the vaccines for outdoor cats and have flea protection. The Humane Society has a clinic with inexpensive treatments for all animals- not just ones adopted from them, so that helps the med school budget a little.
Good luck with your kitty! I have never regretted mine.

 

[Mistress S]

Get a cat if you want one. Most cats really don't need or want too much from you--make sure they have food and clean water, proper medical care (vaccines, neuter/spay, etc), and toys, and they will pretty much entertain themselves most of the time (not that you won't play with them, but most cats aren't too demanding about it). I have had many cats in my life, but now I'm more of a dog person. My BF and I have a pug dog, Grimly--if I can manage him in med school, you can definitely handle a cat.* Anyway, pets are great--you don't need to wait until you're retired and own your 2500 sf home with a 2+ acre fenced back yard and can spend every minute of every day with your pet to be a good owner 🙄 . Just be responsible and make sure you're willing to set aside the time and finances ncessary, which is obviously very different for, say, a dog v. a betta fish (a cat would be somewhere in the middle, while a monkey would be on the higher end of the pet maintenance spectrum, to illustrate this concept more vividly). Good luck with your cat, and definitely go to a shelter as there are many cats/kittens in need of good homes. Now you just have to pick out a good name.

*Note: as I am only in my 3rd week of med school, it remains to be seen if I can handle Grimly in medical school. But, I am cautiously optimistic. 👍

 

[PiccoloPlaya]

Stop the fighting, ya'll. Just get a beautiful betta fish. Or two. And watch them kill each other. It's fun.

 

[akpete]

my dog is arriving in 3-4 weeks. i'll let ya know how it goes...

 

[dara678]

Thanks for the replies y'all!! I ended up getting two tabby mix kittens (a boy and a girl) from the humane society. They're very cute and social kittens which is awesome. 🙂

Any suggestions, from the previous cat owners, of how to train a kitten not to run out of the door when you open it? (This happened to me today, as I was coming in, and the little girl zipped right out -- I spent much time chasing after her.)

 

[MattD]

Thanks for the replies y'all!! I ended up getting two tabby mix kittens (a boy and a girl) from the humane society. They're very cute and social kittens which is awesome. 🙂

Any suggestions, from the previous cat owners, of how to train a kitten not to run out of the door when you open it? (This happened to me today, as I was coming in, and the little girl zipped right out -- I spent much time chasing after her.)

If anyone DOES have a method for training cats not to run out, I'd love to hear it, but you're MUCH more likely to learn that there are some things to teach the cats, and some things they'll teach you... You'll most likely just have to train yourself to watch out for kitties rocketing for the door and fend them off with a foot-block! Of course if they're anything like mine after a year or two of all-indoors living they'll be too skittish to do much more than crouch down and creep around once they do get outside... strange environment and all.

You gonna post pics? 🙂

 

[$!n!$+er]

Hi everybody,

I am considering getting a kitten (or a pair so they won't be lonely) to live with me during med school (I am a second year). What do you guys think of this idea?

yeah go for it! get a black one 🙂

 

[terzian]

I have two boy kitties I got about a month before school started, and they have been wonderful! It's so nice to have someone who doesn't care how you do on tests or in lecture, but only wants to be fed and watered and played with. Since there are two of them, if I don't have time to play, they're quite happy to just play with each other.

Before I leave in the morning, I throw one of their toy mice into the living room so they'll chase it and I can make it out the door unscathed. This may work for you; give it a try. I hope you enjoy your new kitties!