Are you thinking of adding a pet to your family, but are you still unsure if a cat is the right choice? Then keep reading. Today is Cat World Domination Day, a celebration that takes place every June 24th. While this celebration was created just for fun and laughter, it does give away a glimpse of how life with a cat might be. Cats are lovely animals and can make great pets, but they can’t be compared to, for example, owning a dog. And while it’s often believed it’s easier to take care of a cat, they come with their own set of challenges. So, is a cat the right pet for you?
Independence
Most cats are, by nature, independent animals. While this doesn’t mean you should leave them by themselves for long periods of time, it does mean that most of them can handle being alone without a problem. And while cats can develop separation anxiety, it’s not nearly as commonly seen as in dogs. The flip side of this independence is that a lot of cats like to do their own thing and will only hang out with you when they feel like it. They are also, in most cases, less easy to train to do certain things. For example, if you don’t want your cat to walk on surfaces like counters or tables.
Self Sufficient
Cats are very self-sufficient; they don’t need several walks a day (in rain, snow, or sunshine) as they use a litter box. However, this litter box will need daily cleaning and might smell. Cats are also very clean, and they spend a lot of time grooming. A note should be placed with this that long-haired, curly-haired, and naked cats will require regular care to keep their fur and skin in good shape. Even though most cats handle being alone well, they do can get bored, and one should provide them with enough enriching activities to keep them busy, engaged, and help them lead a fulfilling life. A bored cat might develop behavioural difficulties, such as destructive behaviour.
Destruction and Mess
All types of pets will create a mess, and while cats are very clean animals, accidents can always happen. When ageing or during sickness, these messes might increase. If you can’t deal with this in a graceful way, a cat might not be the right pet for you. Cats will also shed fur, some more than others. And even for cats that are known to be low shedders, do expect some amount of fur in your home. While cats will rarely drag a lot of sand and mud inside like dogs do, they are predators and might bring any trophy they caught as a gift, such as dead mice or lizards. A lot of cats also tend to claw at furniture, even when precautions are taken. They are also very agile, and can reach places other pets cannot, which can be an issue if you for example don’t want your cat on counters or tables.
Commitment & Financials
Cats are a long term-commitment and can live on average 12 – 18 years. If you can’t make the commitment to keep them, or big life-changing events are about to happen which will stress out the cat, it might be better to not get one. Cat ownership also comes with a big financial responsibility. And while we all hope that our pets all live a long and healthy life, the fact is that not every one of them does. Some might need medication all their life, or require expensive procedures. Be sure to be able to carry this cost, either by saving up money, or getting pet insurance.
Common cat “problems”
There are several behaviours cat owners often describe as being a problem for them, and being aware of these might help you make a decision if a cat is right for you. One of them being that most cats are sensitive, and can become stressed easily. A stressed cat might start showing behaviour difficulties, such as soiling inside the house. Peeing and pooping outside the litter box is a relatively common issue, and often a reason for owners to place their cat for adoption. Examples of common events that can result in stress and in turn result in behavioural difficulties, are a baby being born, other pets being added to the family, or a move. When getting a cat, one should be prepared to make any transition as smooth as easy for their cat, and to be willing to work and give their cat time if they do start showing behavioural difficulties.
Another common “problem” is destructive behaviour by clawing at furniture. Clawing and scratching is an instinctive behaviour, and one of the reasons they do this, is to spread their pheromones. When scratching surfaces, the cat deposits their unique pheromones onto the object, marking it with their unique scent. A cat’s primary sense is smell, and being surrounded by their own scent, makes them feel comfortable and prevents stress. It’s a behaviour you can manage, but one should be prepared that their cat might scratch furniture even when all precautions are taken.
Lastly, a common frustration of cat owners is that some are active at the crack of dawn. This is not weird, as cats are not nocturnal or diurnal, but crepuscular by nature. This means that instinctively, they are active around sunset and sunrise.
Space
Most cats are fairly easy to please when it comes to living space. Even smaller spaces can be made interesting by the use of cat furniture such as cat trees, or boards on the wall. And while we believe that almost all dogs can also be kept happy in a small space, this will require way more effort from the owners as they will need to provide different ways to engage their pet and get out more to have them stretch their legs.
Conclusion
People often describe having a cat as having a roommate. They can take care of most of their own needs, aren’t very needy, and are fairly easy to manage. They do have their own set of challenges, and depending on your own personality these may, or may not, be a problem.
If you would like to know more about our cat sitting or cat relocation services. Feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help.