Cats are great pets. They can curl up on our lap and are not as loud as dogs. Cats help you relax and relieve stress. If you’re thinking of getting a cat, you should check this out first to make sure you can handle getting one. Here are the 10 things that you should know!
1. Make sure that you’ll be able to take care of it for a long time.
The cat’s average lifespan is around 12 to 15 years. Lifespan varies, and a very well-cared cat may live up to 20/30 years. That’s why you should think ahead first if you can handle getting a cat since having a cat gives you more responsibilities. If you’re planning to get a cat, it should be a pet for life, and you have to treat them like family.
2. Cats have their own personalities like humans do.
Some will be lap kitties, and some will rarely come around or need attention. With that being said, you need to know your cat’s personality to be able to provide for their emotional needs. All of them have different characteristics. Our cat is very calm and doesn’t really go outside as much. But our baby cat is wild and adventurous.
3. Make sure to neuter or spay your cat.
Neutering male cats will lower testicular cancer rates, and it will also help lower prostate problems in the future. Spaying a female cat helps prevent uterine problems and breast cancer. Research has shown that neutered and spayed pets live longer and happier.
4. Don’t shower them unless you really have to.
No reason to make them mad. If you bath them and they don’t like it, they’ll inform you with their claws. A thick sweater would help to not get their claws to you. Cats are low maintenance since they clean themselves, so you don’t have to shower them on a regular basis.
5. Know that your cat’s hair is going to be everywhere.
Even when in your bathroom, it’ll be still there. So make sure you’re okay with that before getting a cat. However, if your cat is leaving too much hair, make sure to get your cat to the vet. Stress, a poor diet, and certain diseases can cause abnormal shedding.
6. First days when you bring it to a new home, it will hide.
Prepare an area (spare bedroom, room, etc.) with litter, food, and bed so that it’ll be comfortable and it won’t go somewhere inaccessible.
7. If you have plants at home, please make sure they are not toxic to cats.
It may cause kidney failure/death. It takes just a very tiny amount to result in poisoning.
8. You have to treat cats with respect.
They are different from dogs. They will get upset, and they will act it out if they’re upset or pissed off at you. Our cat would avoid us for several days if we make him upset.
9. Don’t declaw your cat.
Declawing is traumatic and painful, and it has been outlawed in other countries as a form of cruelty. A lot of veterinarians in the U.S. refuse to declaw cats. They experience pain after the surgery and will have a hard time walking.
10. It will cost you money.
You need to provide them food, treatments, and vaccines. You also need to bring them to the vet if they have problems. If you can’t afford and do it, I suggest you shouldn’t get one at all.