Nothing to say: the kittens are really cute! So cute that many people rush a cat into their life without having first adequately addressed the topic ofeducation of the cat and its maintenance. Yet the cuddly kittens quickly become adult cats with needs that will accompany you for the next 15-20 years! The adoption of a kitten or an adult cat should therefore first be meditated upon for a long time! With this article on “10 things you should know before adopting a cat”, we want to help you in this decision making process.
Summary
- A responsibility lasting many years
- Keeping a cat costs a lot
- Do you risk disagreements with the landlord and neighbors?
- Cats are particular types
- Hair & hygiene
- Cats are not solitary animals
- Cats go (almost) everywhere
- The cat is a hunter
- Sickness and old age
- The cat is a wonderful life partner!
A responsibility lasting many years
Going on vacation on the spot, staying in bed until noon or looking for a new apartment for yourself: in the future there will be many small-big decisions that you will have to make even thinking about your feline roommate. Therefore, before adopting a cat, keep in mind that your life will change and will be like this for a long time! While many people find sharing life with a cat extremely pleasant, others are not aware enough in advance of the associated responsibilities
Keeping a cat costs a lot
If you decide to adopt a kitten, you should do so by turning only to a serious breeder. The costs amount to several hundred euros and also thebasic equipment necessary to welcome a cat in the home involves a three-figure outlay. For example, you need a comfortable onedoghouse ofbowls ,games , of abrush , of ascratching post and onetoilet for cats . Subsequently, the regular expenses to purchase must be calculatedquality food and, if necessary, for onelitter . To these must then be added the periodic costs for checks by the veterinarian and those forvaccinations . By the way, in addition to the initial costs for theveterinarian , it is also necessary to have some sort of emergency fund large enough because, in the event that the cat becomes ill, this can quickly become burdensome.
Do you risk disagreements with the landlord and neighbors?
If you live in rented accommodation, you probably need your landlord’s consent before you can adopt a cat. If you don’t, the owner can retaliate on your omission, relating to the fact that you own a cat. If the animal stays with you and he had not been informed in advance, at that point there is a risk that he will send you a written notice of recall and that it will end in the termination of the lease. Therefore the advice is to play with your cards face up, correctly. Also keep in mind that looking for a house with a cat limits your options, as not all landlords agree that the tenant has a pet with them. On the other hand, if you let your friend go free, your relationship with your neighbors won’t necessarily be affected: some may be bothered by the neighbour’s cat leaving its needs in the garden or worse in the sandbox where their children play. It is therefore important to try to find a solution together.
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Cats are particular types
A German proverb goes something like this: “The dog needs an owner, the cat needs an entire staff!“. This fact cannot be completely ignored, because no cat will ever be as easy to handle as a well-behaved dog. But that’s also why many love their feline friends so much. Jumping on tables, tearing the curtains, eating plants… cats do what they love. Of course, you can teach them some basic rules of coexistence. However, you shouldn’t rely on cats actually respecting them. It is known that our feline friends have a tendency to do a thousand pranks as soon as we leave or when they are sure they will not be seen. Especially to educate kittens, it is essential to have a lot of patience. If you don’t want your cat to sleep on the bed, for example,
Hair & hygiene
Cats shed hair. Lots of hairs. They stay on the sofa, clothes, bed, and so on. You need a good brush to remove pet hair. Over time, you will learn for yourself which fabrics magically attract cat hair. Use a cat comb regularly and choose a cat comb for your friend.supplyadequate helps to make your paw buddy shed less hair around the house. However, keep in mind that your whole life will be a little more “hairy” with a cat in the house! Many underestimate him before the new feline friend moves in with them. In addition, cats are clean animals but present a great challenge for lovers of polished and always impeccable apartments. Do you want some examples? Here you are: Fragments of litter often get stuck in the cat’s hair and spread around the toilet in a radius of about 20 meters. It can happen to find food residues from cats that have not been educated to eat without getting too dirty even on the walls or in the neighboring room. When the cat vomits – which happens regularly even if it is perfectly healthy – it prefers to do it on a soft surface, for example on your beautiful Persian carpet. Last but not least: in case of illness or in situations of particular stress, incontinence problems can occur.
Cats are not solitary animals
If you have decided to welcome a cat into your apartment, you should always consider keeping two together. It is a move that brings with it many advantages: above all you can leave them alone without feeling guilty because they both always have someone to play with. If, on the other hand, you absolutely want to keep a cat only, ask an animal protection association about pets that don’t necessarily want to live with other animals. In this case, however, you should plan a lot of time to spend with your pet. Cats that live outdoors, on the other hand, can also do well as “solitary cats”. They find outside many occupations and things to do, and sometimes even another cat as a friend.
Cats go (almost) everywhere
Whether it’s the top shelf or your wardrobe, many cats are true artists of jumping and climbing. Some have a knack for opening doors and heading to the refrigerator in your absence to take a tour to discover the delicacies it contains. Warning: some cats take a nap in the washing machine drum, others go to the garage or directly into the car in the morning when no one notices them. Unlike most dogs, cats also walk on a desk, kitchen counter, or windowsill. In short: you should always keep an eye on your cat so you don’t accidentally put him in danger. If you want to restrict access to your roommate paw friend, secure your garden or balcony with a fence at least two meters high.
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The cat is a hunter
Suddenly your cat meows and makes strange noises in the middle of the night, while in your bedroom? Chances are he brought some prey with him! Those who keep animals that live mostly outdoors should be aware that they like to bring their prey home from time to time. They leave them in the hallway as a gift or take them directly to the bedroom, to be able to play a little with the poor mouse still alive. Canaries and goldfish can also fall prey to this four-legged hunter. Some of them serve the prey on the doormat, as if it were a gift! If you want to adopt a cat, you must accept this characteristic of your future roommate as part of your coexistence.
Sickness and old age
With any luck, you will spend the next 15 to 20 years with a healthy cat by your side. Unfortunately, however, some cats develop a disease, acute or chronic. Mild infections and episodes of dysentery go away in a couple of days, but they can still be quite disturbing. Chronic diseases like diabetes don’t just imply that you familiarize yourself with the subjectdiet foods and insulin, but also that you organize your time effectively. Your cat may need medication on a daily basis. It is best to practice this practice while the cat is still a kitten – obviously not with a real drug. In old age, some cats become weak or suffer from dementia: in this case they need support, in the form of help with climbing hills or through more frequent visits to the vet.
The cat is a wonderful life partner!
YES, cats are expensive, hard to work, and sometimes they test our patience Doesn’t that scare you? Then you have the courage and the heart of gold a cat needs! With humor, patience and love for animals you will face the daily challenges of life in his company without difficulty! And, at the latest when the cat purrs while you hold it on your lap, all these problems will be quickly forgotten. We wish you much satisfaction with your new roommate!
