What You Need To Know Before Bringing A Cat Home
So, you’re thinking of getting a cat! Cats are not just pets; they are amazing companions that can bring joy and comfort to various families and lifestyles. The prospect of welcoming a cat into your life is undoubtedly exciting. It offers unrivaled companionship that is less tense and with fewer commitments than becoming a dog owner. The joy and comfort that cats bring are truly unparalleled, and the thought of experiencing this is sure to fill you with excitement and hope.
Whether you’re a cat lover, a dog lover, or both, bringing a feline friend into your life can be a truly rewarding experience. The flexibility of cat ownership allows you to tailor your pet experience to your lifestyle, giving you the power to create a harmonious relationship with your new pet. The rewards of cat ownership are numerous, and the thought of embarking on this journey is sure to fill you with optimism and eagerness.
But what should you know before you decide to get a cat and join the 26% of households that have one as part of their homes and lives?
Cats Need Care
Like any pet, cats require care and attention. This includes cleaning, feeding, litter box maintenance, mental stimulation, and love. Establishing who will be responsible for what type of care is crucial, as well as ensuring everyone knows their responsibilities and that the cat’s needs are met before bringing it home.
Cat Costs
Owning a cat comes with ongoing costs, similar to owning a dog, but typically not as high. You’ll need to budget for pet insurance, a microchip, and accessories like collars, food, litter, toys, and beds. In addition, you’ll need to consider the cost of veterinary care, flea treatment, and other potential expenses. Understanding the complete costs of cat ownership is crucial, and it will help you feel prepared and responsible as you embark on this journey.
Indoor or Outdoor
In the UK, it’s not uncommon to see cats roaming the streets, and many cats love being outside and are just as happy and content as those who never leave the house. Your cat can live quite happily as an indoor cat if you have the space and amenities to keep them fulfilled, removing the need for them to go out and if they’re not pining for the great outdoors. Some cats need to be out, while others will be happy never to set foot outside. The question of whether you should have an indoor or outdoor cat depends on you and your cat’s needs on a personal basis; there is no one right or wrong answer.
Adopt or Buy
Another important question you need to ask when deciding if you want to own a cat is if you are purchasing a kitten from a breeder, which can be an option if you want a specific breed, such as looking for Siberian kittens for sale, and you want to have a kitten at them and raise it for its entire life, or if you want to adopt. Adopting a cat or kitten can help you give a cat a new home that needs one and benefit from the companionship of a cat with life experience.
Bringing an adopted cat into your home can be an incompletely different experience from bringing a new kitten home, and you might need a more extended settling period to be aware of different behaviours and provide a calmer environment to help them adjust; however, it can be a rewarding experience.
Your Lifestyle
Cats are unquestionably easier to fit into most lifestyles than dogs and are lower maintenance; on the whole, they’re not independent and don’t need walking, training, etc. However, they do still need care and attention, and you need to consider how your lifestyle will impact the cat and what implications this will have.
For example, is everyone in the household on board with a cat and comfortable living alongside one? This is especially true if they work from home, and the cat will be a permanent presence. Will you be leaving the cat for long periods, and what will this mean for the cat? Will someone be able to check on it for you and ensure it has what it needs? Look at how you will be living with the cat and try to meet its needs, that you have enough time to dedicate to the cat should it require it; some cats are notoriously aloof and don’t want their humans around constantly, while others thrive on human contact and affection.
Bringing a cat into your life can be extremely rewarding. It offers many benefits, both mental and physical, and can really enrich your life. However, like with bringing any pet into your life, you need to make sure you know exactly what you are getting into and can provide a good life for your new pet.
