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When you speak to pet enthusiasts and ask what kind of pet you should get, most of them would recommend something like a cat if you’re a beginner. They say that cats can be really laid-back and relaxed, and that they’re independent enough that they don’t need much looking after. As long as you give them food, water, and some space to play, they’re generally going to be a happy cat.
Unfortunately, it’s never really that easy.
Cats might not be the most demanding pets to own, but there are certainly some things to keep in mind before you decide to get a cat.
You’ll have to change your home for your cat
You won’t need to renovate your home for a cat, but you’ll certainly need to keep some things in consideration. For example, cats really love to jump around and climb things, so if you have a lot of shelves and important items on them, you may want to keep them stored away or display them in a sealed box.
In addition, you’ll want to learn about which fabrics to own if you’re a pet owner. This is because cats will climb and scratch at things that could potentially damage your furniture. If you want to protect your home, then you either need to forget about getting a cat or change fabrics and furniture to make them cat-proof.
You can’t just leave your cat outside these days
While this is certainly something that can always be debated, a lot of veterinarians are starting to suggest that you try and keep your cat indoors as much as possible. While it’s liberating for your cat to be able to explore the neighbourhood, it’s also an invitation to danger.
The great outdoors can be very dangerous for animals now. Your cat could be attacked, they could be stolen, they might start breeding and they could even contract some kind of disease or illness. These are all concerning situations and it’s often best to get your cat used to the indoors. It’s fine to introduce your cat to the outdoors especially if you have a garden, but try to keep them indoors when it gets dark so they can avoid danger.
Any pet is a lifetime commitment
Cats can live up to 20 years, meaning it’s a lifetime commitment if you want to own and look after one. From the day they’re brought into the world, they’ll be a huge part of your life and you’ll share many fun memories together. However, it’s a relationship like any other so you’re going to have ups and downs, and you’ll need to devote a lot of your time and resources to your cat.
If you’re not sure you can handle the commitment and responsibility of raising a cat, then you may want to avoid getting one until you’re ready. There are no real signs to look for when it comes to telling if you’re ready–you’ll just know when it’s the right time to adopt and raise a cat.
Do you own a cat? Do you have any tips for people thinking of getting a cat? Share them in the comments!
We used to have a cat when were were first married. I smiled when I read your comment about jumping and climbing. Our cat had a routine. Every night at around 4 a.m., he would come into our bedroom. He’d jump on the bed, step across both of our heads, walk across our night table and then jump up on our high dresser where he’d knock everything onto the floor.
I miss him. LOL
Haha, they’re such characters even though it can be hard to see the funny side when they’re doing things like that in the early hours!
It is so important to consider whether or not you can provide everything that a cat will need for a happy, healthy life before making the commitment. A big one is the finances needed to care for your cat. Sure, it could all go smoothly and only require the basic care OR you could get a cat that develops health issues at some point in its life, or is a complete klutz, costing you a lot of money in veterinary bills, medications, home care supplies, etc. Those that can’t commit to that level of care down the road (if needed) need to take a step back and reconsider whether they are ready to adopt a cat/kitten.
Oh yes definitely. One of our cats ended up at the vets within the first couple of weeks of us having him and he was only 12 weeks old. It was definitely an eye opener for how much vet bills are!
I’ve had cats my whole life and can’t imagine life without them. I agree with you completely, a pet is a lifetime commitment. It is so important to make sure you know what you are getting into. Cat’s may not be the most demanding pet, but it’s a good idea to get to know their personality a little bit before you bring them home, because cat all have very unique personalities. That’s part of why we love them. Thanks for sharing this info!
Yes definitely. I think a lot of people get a pet and only think about the short term commitment and not the fact that some cats can live to be 15-20 years old!
Perfect timing! My 11 and 13yo girls want us to adopt 2 kitties soon (just moved into our new house, so wanted to get settled first). Thanks for sharing these tips!
You’re welcome! Good luck with adopting two cats, they’re such lovely pets but definitely require more work than people think!