Are you thinking about adopting a cat?
Before you take the leap and adopt a cat, there are many things you’ll need to consider. In our last blog, we talked about the importance of thinking about your motivation for adopting a cat in the first place, and looked at common reasons why people adopt cats, both good and bad. Today, we’ll be going over the many things you want to consider before adopting a cat.
#1. Do you have time to care for a cat?
In our last blog, we talked about the common misconception that cats don’t need a lot of attention or time, and every potential cat owner should know that that is patently not true. When determining if adopting a cat is right for you, you’ll need to think about how much time you have to dedicate to your cat and its care. What’s your lifestyle like? Do you spend a lot of time at home, or do you prefer to be out and about as much as possible? Do you travel frequently, or are you more into staycationing? Do you tend to work long hours, or could you make it home at some point during the day to hang out with your cat? Your schedule won’t magically clear up just because you’ve adopted a cat, so you need to make sure that a cat can realistically fit into your lifestyle.
#2. Are you allowed to have a cat?
Not every building in New York City allows cats to live there, and before you go check out the cats at the shelter or start contacting breeders, it’s important to make sure that it is acceptable for you to have a cat in your home. And before you tell yourself that you’ll be able to get away with sneaking a cat into your place without anyone knowing, think again. In order to provide a stable home for your new cat, you need to be 100-percent sure that you are able to provide that home legally.
#3. Are you financially prepared for caring for a cat?
One common misconception that we touched on in our last blog is that cats don’t require veterinary care, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Cats, just like any other pet, need preventative care to protect them against illness and parasites, and cats can develop illnesses and injuries that require treatment. All of this costs money, and you’ll need to make sure that you’re financially prepared to take on the responsibility. Furthermore, even simply feeding your cat and keeping them entertained with toys adds up, and the costs should be accounted for in your budget before adopting a cat.
#4. Do you know what taking care of a cat entails?
Doing your research is a critical step to take before making any big decision, and the decision to adopt a cat is no exception. As we learned in our last blog, people commonly think all kinds of things about caring for cats that just aren’t true, and before you take the leap, it’s important that you take the time to learn the truth about cat care. There’s a lot of good information in books and on the internet, but we also advise talking to someone you know who is already a cat parent to learn the realities of cat care. If possible, you could even volunteer to cat sit for a friend as a kind of test run for having your own cat at home.
#5. Are you ready for a long-term commitment?
Adopting a cat is not like adopting a hamster or a goldfish. You’re not adopting an animal that will pass on in a couple of weeks, months or even years; you’re adopting an animal who will rely on you for the next 10 to 18 years, or even longer. This means that you not only need to make sure that your lifestyle fits being a cat parent now, you also need to ensure that your future has plenty of room for your purring pal as well. If you’re not sure where you will be living and what the future will relatively hold in a few years from now, you might want to wait until there is a little more stability in your life to adopt.
These are just a few things you’ll need to consider before making the big decision of adopting a cat. Would you like to learn more? If so, make sure you stay tuned for our next blog, when we’ll be touching on what else to consider before adopting a cat.
In the meantime, if you’ve decided to adopt a new cat, ensure that they get only the best care by turning to The Vet Set. We’re proud to say that our veterinarian in Carroll Gardens provides next-level care for every pet, and we’re dedicated to ensuring that your new cat is safe and healthy. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.