How to Know if You're Ready to Adopt a Cat - Guest Post

Hello and Happy Thursday! You all know how much we love to support pet adoption, but pet ownership may not be for everyone. Today we're very happy to have a guest post by Annie Anderson, founder of MeowKai, about the very important things to consider before adopting a new cat into your family. Remember; pet adoption is one of the kindest things you can do, but you need to do it responsibly. 
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Being ‘owned’ by a cat is a rewarding experience and can enrich the life of you and your family. Adopting a cat is a great way to do a good deed for your community animal shelter, and they make excellent companions. Before you rush over to the pet adoption agency, though, you should consider whether or not you’re truly ready for a cat. Here are a few things you’ll need to think about: 

Lifestyle 

What sort of lifestyle do you currently enjoy? Are you away for long periods of time during the day? Do you travel frequently? Or do you work from home and have plenty of time to spend with your cat? While it’s true that cats are much more independent than dogs, they do still require love and attention throughout the day. Some breeds are more independent than others, but that doesn’t mean you can leave them for a long weekend while you go away to the cottage. You won’t be able to simply set up their automatic cat feeder and be on your way. You’ll need to make sure that someone is available to check on your cat when you’re away for a prolonged period of time. If you travel frequently you may want to reconsider adopting a cat. 

If you’re considering adopting a kitten, then your current lifestyle is even more important, as you’ll have to spend more time with him. Kittens are very playful and active, and you’ll need to provide him with plenty of attention. 

Decide on whether or not your cat will be strictly indoors, or whether you’re going to let him outside to roam. If you live in a busy area with lots of traffic, he will probably be safer inside. If you live in a rural area, you’ll have to consider wildlife such as raccoons, squirrels, etc. Cats are predators, but they’re no match for skunks, raccoons and other small wildlife. 

You also have to look at why you want a cat? Do you want companionship? Do you have mice in the house you want help with? Are you giving in to your kids who have been begging you to get one? Have you heard that cats are great at helping to keep you healthy and lower blood pressure (petting a cat is one of the most calming things humans can do!). Some of these are great reasons to adopt; others...not so much. Make sure you are going to adopt for the right reasons and put some thought into why you want one. 

Financial Responsibility 

Adopting any pet requires a financial investment, and cats are no exception. You’ll need to provide the basics, of course, like food, water and treats. There are other expenses as well, such as annual vaccinations. If you get your cat spayed or neutered (strongly recommended) and declawed, they will cost money as well. All of these ‘regular’ expenses can add up over the year. 

Of course, you’ll have to be prepared for emergencies as well. If your cat becomes ill or gets injured, you’ll need some funds set aside to deal with these instances. There are insurance plans on the market that can help you with the financial burden, but you should still have some funds set aside if possible. 

Aside from food and regular vet care, you’ll probably also want to invest in a number of accessories, such as a scratching post, toys (although paper balls and boxes are a great low cost option) and other ‘luxury’ items such as an automatic cat feeder and/or water fountain. 

Before adopting a cat, or any pet for that matter, make sure you can afford one. 

Commitment 

Adopting a cat is a lifelong commitment. A cat’s average lifespan is 20 years and sometimes even more. Are you ready for that kind of lengthy relationship? Adopting a cat and then realizing that you don’t want one after a few months is not fair to anyone, especially the cat. You need to be ready to make a long-term commitment. Your kids may have promised that they will take care of him and change his litter, but that responsibility is probably going to fall to you eventually, so be prepared! 

You will also need to commit some of your time to your cat. While they can be solitary creatures, they are also affectionate and require at least some of your attention. Plan to spend at least an hour a day with your cat; even more if you have a kitten. 

Space     

Do you live in a high rise building or in a rural farmhouse? Cats don’t need a lot of space like dogs do, but they do need space to roam around and play with their toys. They also need plenty of spaces to ‘hide’. Many cats like confined, small spaces to curl up and sleep during the day, where they won’t be disturbed. They’ll need at least two or three rooms that they can explore on their own time, playing, exploring and just being themselves. 

Having said that, make sure that the places they go are safe. Most cats love to climb over and under things, so it’s important to ensure they don’t get caught on something or get stuck somewhere.

Other pets

Before adopting a cat or kitten, consider any other pets you may have. An existing adult cat may not take too kindly to another adult cat, or even a kitten. The same goes for dogs, although they may be more tolerant of a kitten. If you do have other pets, introduce them slowly and under careful supervision when you bring your new pet home. Keep in mind they will not start out as friends; but over time, your pets will get used to each other, and may even become bosom buddies! 

There is a lot to think about when it comes to adopting a cat, so consider your options carefully and adopt for the right reasons. Remember that it’s a lifetime commitment and a big financial responsibility as well. Once you adopt a cat, you’ll discover a whole new world of love and contentment! 

Author Bio:

Annie is the founder of MeowKai, where she and her associates write about cat behavior, health issues, and tips and tricks on how to get your cat to behave! It concentrates on creating the best life for you and your cat so you can enjoy each other’s company and build that trust that is so important between pet and human.