DO EX BREEDING CATS KEPT IN PENS ADAPT TO HOME AS A PET???

[bucklesanbows]

Hi, I had an ex=breeding Abyssinian cat called Samantha once. She had been kept in a cage and basically the only handling she had had was preparation for showing. She was not socialised, but neither was she 'spooky' of being handled as of course the showing involved a fair bit of picking up, putting down, stretching out and so forth. She was not overtly affectionate, but at that stage she had a lot of competition (I have five cats). She was different from my other cats, but part of that was down to her breed. Aby's are quite different characters to the siamese and burmese I had always previously had.

So if she has been shown and will be an only cat then you can probably get her to settle down and become the cat you want, but if she has not been shown (in which case, why was she being used for stud purposes?) then she will probably be a bit of a challenge and need considerable confidence and relationship building.

Hi, thanks for that. That is something I will ask the breeder today, good point I hadn't thought of that

[bucklesanbows]

Hiya

So sorry to hear about your lovely Max, bet you miss him

Thanks for letting me know that both cats settled well to being indoors - will update when I have visited the Raggie's today  

[blackcat]

Hi, I had an ex=breeding Abyssinian cat called Samantha once. She had been kept in a cage and basically the only handling she had had was preparation for showing. She was not socialised, but neither was she 'spooky' of being handled as of course the showing involved a fair bit of picking up, putting down, stretching out and so forth. She was not overtly affectionate, but at that stage she had a lot of competition (I have five cats). She was different from my other cats, but part of that was down to her breed. Aby's are quite different characters to the siamese and burmese I had always previously had.

So if she has been shown and will be an only cat then you can probably get her to settle down and become the cat you want, but if she has not been shown (in which case, why was she being used for stud purposes?) then she will probably be a bit of a challenge and need considerable confidence and relationship building.

[clarenmax]

Hiya

I have no direct experience with breeding cats, but as an owner of 1 previous indoor cat, and another now, I will say that many cats can adapt to a life indoors 

My first boy Max was picked up as an un-neutered stray, so had been used to wandering for quite some time, and being FIV, had to be an indoor cat (although saying that I would have an indoor cat through choice anyway).  He settled just fine, the odd days of meowing by the front door, but that settled, and he had 9 wonderful years with us, until he sadly passed away in July 

We've not adopted Poot, another FIV baby, and again indoor only, and he's been with us since August.  He's shown no interest in outside whatsoever, and is even more settled than Max was 

Sorry, am rambling!!!  I guess my point is that if cats who had had full access to the great outdoors can adapt, then probably any cat can 

[bucklesanbows]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has an ex breeding cat that was used to being kept outside in a pen for quite a long time and then re-homed as your pet.

I am thinking of having an ex breeding Ragdoll but not sure how the cat will adjust to being an indoor pet. If anyone has done this, have you had problems with the cat settling, behaviour, socialising etc etc.

I really want to give a loving home to an affectionate, gentle, friendly, easy going and calm cat!!    The cats I have always had in the past have all been like this and my environment would suit that type of cat. I'm a great believer that you really have to be honest about  the type of home and life style you have, to make sure you can offer the right home to the right cat and then it is the right cat for you! Everyone is happy then 

OR would it be better for me to re-home a cat that has been raised and used to being indoors?  I know some breeders that do raise their cats indoors and that is an option also.

I am going today to visit a breeder that keeps her breeding cats in outside pens,  what should I look for in the cats behaviour that would help me choose the sweet cat I am looking for. There is a female cat who the breeder wants to retire and says she is very shy and timid and has not enjoyed being a Mum in the past!!

Any experiences you have had or any advice would be really great  xx