Things To Consider Before Owning A Cat

Things to consider before owning a cat

Cats can make great pets, they have personalities of their own and can be a brilliant companion for families or older children. But what things are important to consider before owning a cat? It is important to take many things into account before giving your feline friend a new home.

Cat behaviour:

It is important you actually like the way cats behave before even considering having one. Cats can be affectionate and loving but they are also independent creatures that may spend a lot of time outside. You should be aware of this before getting a cat to avoid being disappointed. Cats also can be quite demanding in many ways, asking for food, to be let out or in at the strangest times. They also like to hunt, not all cats will be good hunters, but if you aren抰 willing to clear up after their escapades this could be an issue later on! Cats are also fairly playful, although they will sleep often many cats will love to be entertained when they are awake so you need to make sure a member of your family will be happy to play with your new pet!

Lifestyle:

You also need to take your lifestyle into consideration. Cats dislike change so if you have to move often you might want to think about a different sort of pet. Cats also demand a certain amount of time to keep them healthy and happy. Tasks such as grooming, feeding, medical care (such as de-fleaing and worming) and of course playing all take a considerable amount of time which has to be worked into your routine. Cats are however, independent creatures so will tolerate being left alone for a number of hours, providing access to food, clean water and shelter is provided. If you go on holidays you also need to make arrangements for the cats care while you are away.

Finance:

Although not hugely expensive animals to keep you should always think about the cost of keeping an animal before giving it a home. Things to keep in mind is their food cost, although most cats are happy on basic cat foods some may have restrictions, such as allergies, which means a higher quality food needs to be provided. You should also consider the basic health costs, such as regular flea treatments and wormers. There will also be the vets fees should your cat become injured or ill, you may even decide to take out insurance to cover this, which are all things you should research and consider. Lastly there are the one off costs, or the initial outlays of owning a cat. Microchipping, to ensure you can prove the cat is yours should it get lost, vaccinations, not just as a kitten but also throughout the life of your pet. There are also the sundries, such as bowls, toys, and bedding.

Other considerations:

After thinking about all of the above you should also think about the members in your family. Are they all prepared to take responsibility for the pet? Are they all comfortable with the idea of having a cat? You should also think about any pets you already have and if they will get along with the new family member. Another point to think about is if anyone in the household has allergies, if so you should think very carefully if having a cat would be suitable.

Obtaining a cat

Once you have thought about all of the above and having decided to get a cat, you should think about where you are going to get your new feline friend from. During the spring there are many adverts for kittens. Some of these are free to a good home, some already have flea treatments and Microchipping and sometimes the people will ask for a small price to cover the cost. This is of course speaking for the majority of cats that are 憁oggies? in other words the common British shorthair cat, with no pedigree. These cats have varied and interesting personalities, not to mention looks as well! Maybe you might want a pedigree cat, which although the care may be slightly different or more demanding you will know what to expect from your new pet. The best place to source these cats is from cat magazines and online private websites from breeders.

Although it is great to get a new kitten, you should also think about rehoming centres. Many cats are abandoned or given to rehoming centres each year. They are all there for many reasons and there is always a huge variety to choose from, right from little kittens to the veterans, all of which would cherish a new loving home.