You want a cat - for the right reasons!

You are thinking of becoming a first-time cat owner, you’d love to have something to wait for you when you come home, something to sleep on your pillow, something to play with?

As a future cat owner please remember that you need to be able to care for the pet the next 10 – 15 years. Be aware of that every animal needs vet care once in a while, and that your lifestyle will change slightly. Cats don’t need to be walked 3 or more times a day, but they also enjoy playtime with the owner, new toys, scratch posts, etc.

Why do you want a cat?

My child (children) wants a cat.
Depending on the child and the age of the child it is more unlikely than likely that it will take on all the responsibilities to care for a cat. Some kids are mature enough though to provide regular feeding, grooming, and playtime for the animal. Be aware of though, that the excitement about the new family addition eventually will wear off sooner or later in most cases. In case you are not ready to take over the chores, please don’t get a cat!

A cat is a very independent individual. You can’t “make�? a cat love you. You cannot even “own” a cat in that sense, the cat “owns” you (as some cat lovers can confirm). As with any other animal, a cat is not a substitute for a missing spouse or relationship.

This is not necessarily true – if you compare it with a small dog. Veterinarian bills are about the same for examinations and shots, worm test, etc. Food costs: same as for dogs, don’t try to save money by buying low quality food. A lack of nutrition can trigger all kinds of complications, allergies, digestive problems, etc. And don’t forget the expenses for cat litter, litter pans and scoops, and other cat paraphernalia such as scratching posts and cat trees.

Life changes such as moving should be considered also. It is slightly harder to find pet loving landlords, but not impossible. Do consider though that you might have to pay a higher deposit,

Kittens are adorable, no doubt about that. If you want a kitten make sure it is at least 10 weeks or older. Some breeders won’t sell them until their immune system is fully developed, which is about with 14 – 16 weeks.

If you get a kitten you can never be certain if it will turn into either a playful, active cat, or a more sensible, quiet, gentle animal. You need to keep this in mind in case you prefer one or the other. Most kittens need to be litterbox trained and are more likely to attack your furniture, carpet and curtains than older cats that are already trained.

If you get an adult cat, you already know what personality the animal has. Even adult cats adapt easily to a new household within a few days and bond with the new owners. When you chose your cat, please give adult cats a second thought. These are the ones that are most likely to be “left over” in the shelters and have to be euthanized sooner or later!

I personally recommend getting two cats instead of one, especially if you are away from home for several hours daily. Two cats keep each other company, play together (and fight), and are less likely to attack your precious things out of boredom. It really does not matter if you have two males, two females or a male or a female. There is no significant difference in “getting along or fighting” . In the last scenario male – female, make sure both are neutered or you will end up with kittens twice a year.

If you have a dog in your household I do recommend getting a kitten, or a cat that is used to dogs. An adult cat that does not like dogs or has never been with a dog might cause tremendous problems in your household! You will not be happy, nor will the cat and the dog enjoy the new life together.

Generally people do adopt/buy the domestic shorthair or domestic longhair cats that come in a variety of colors and color mixtures. Also their personality varies tremendously. These cats are easily found in shelters, in any age category.

Only about 2 – 3 % of the cats in households are purebreds. There are about 40 recognized cat breeds. Each breed consists of a closely related group of cats with similar looks and personality. For example, typical Siamese are slender, active, people-oriented cats that tend to vocalize a lot. Not all Siamese have these characteristics, but most do. A purebred kitten will probably grow up to be typical of its breed in looks and personality; a non-purebred kitten may turn out quite different from what you expect.

Many people are attracted to purebreds because they want a cat with a particular color, size, or hair length. Purebreds are also more predictable in regards to personality (if you go for a kitten). Even purebreds can be found in shelters, please, again, look there first.

Animal shelters charge a fee, that cover costs for spaying/neutering, shots, health examination, etc.

If you keep all this in mind and think that you are ready – please go, adopt or buy your cat and enjoy your enriched life!