My first cat, need help/advice

Greetings and thanks for reading this. I plan to come back to this forum for more information.

I am in my late 40's, not that that should make any difference but only to let you know that in the past I have had 3 dogs. One when in public school, the other in high school and the last one after I graduated from college. We had to put the last one to sleep, she had damaged her back leg and the vet suggested sleep considering her age and the cost of the repair work.

After living with someone, a parent, about 4 months ago my dad left and I got the house, a unusual arrangement

About 3 weeks ago I was given a cat, for company. She is my first cat. I was told a cat would not need the walks and could take care of herself when I went to work.

She has some unusual habits, for me.

One habit is that just before she decides to lie down she will alternately depress the cloth she intends to lie on, with her front paws, like a soldier marching on one spot. Why?

I was told, by a cat owner, that I should not give her milk. Another cat owner said, why not. When I give her milk, as well as her regular water, she drinks it up like she was starving, though she is well fed.

She constantly looks at what I am eating until I give her a sample, if she likes it I'll give here more, in small amounts. If she doesn't like it she soons walks away.

I will probably ask more questions as I compose them.

Hi, Larry -

This is a common cat activity called 'kneeding'. She might also do this to your skin when she's settling into you lap. The practice goes all the way back to her kittenhood, when she was looking for mother's milk, and is entirely normal.

she drinks it up like she was starving, though she is well fed.

Cow's milk, although not dangerous to a cat, can certainly cause diarreah. You might want to consider buying cat milk from your local pet store - it's easier for the cat to digest. But if you would like to feed her cow milk, you're not going to kill her with it. Just try not to do it too often, and only give her a few tablespoon's worth.

Cats, like dogs, can be incredible moochers. Cats are also notoriously finicky eaters, and of course will prefer freshly cooked, terrific-smelling human food to the canned moist food they usually eat. It's important to remember that fat content, etc. found on your table can be harmful to a cat and can lead to obesity. Plus, the food designed specifically for a cat contains the nutrients and vitamins your cat needs, while your food might not. Try not to get into the habit of feeding her table scraps too often. She'll quickly become a pain to you, and you won't be doing her any favors.

Welcome to the wonderful world of cats, Larry! Remember, she owns YOU - not the other way around, lol.

Well, at a certain point she won't be able to digest milk, that's true. But how old is that cat, in fact? May be she still needs milk. My cat *loved* milk when he was little, but at a certain point stopped drinking it. He won't touch it now even if he is very hungry. I'd say, if she likes milk that much, she probably needs it.

But of course, if she gets unwell after drinking it, you should not give it to her.

Constantly feeding your pet with human food is not good, granted. But watching those asking eyes is not something I can handle either. I found an alternative: when my cat wants my dinner, I only give him a little piece and he knows he is not to expect any more. I do give him raw meat and fish regularly, though.