If you are considering owning a cat, there are many things you will need to think about. It is important to create a safe environment for your cat, where they have everything they need and feel comfortable and relaxed. Here are just a few things to consider as a potential cat owner.
Your Schedule
Will owning a cat fit in with your daily schedule? Cats are very independent but will still need an owner around to feed them, take them to the vet and make sure they are okay. You will need to consider your routine and if it is compatible with owning a cat. You can use apps to monitor activities, and if you have a dog so can use the best dog-walking application to track them. Consider elements such as your work or schooling routine and any other habits that may impact your cat. Housing and the presence of humans can affect a cat in many ways, including making them seem almost nocturnal. This article tells you all you need to know about if are all cats nocturnal and how human behavior and presence can affect your feline friends.
Space
Do you have the type of space that will make a cat feel comfortable? Cats require room and spaces in which they can retreat and hide. They like to be high up, so does your home provide this? Cats may actually be more concerned with the layout of your home than how large it is, as wide-open spaces with nowhere to hide can make them feel stressed. To make your cat feel comfy prepare a bed because there are many health benefits of cat beds. As well as height, cats like closed spaces, which is why you will often find them in boxes or drawers. Smaller spaces are also warmer, and cats have higher body temperatures than humans.
Finance
Owning a cat comes with many expenses, so it is vital that you take this into consideration and make sure you can afford to keep one. Expenses can include food, vets, accessories, and insurance. Making sure you can afford to give your cat what it needs will help to maintain the pet’s health & keep it happy. There are so many pets that end up in shelters because their owners can no longer afford to take care of them, or they were unprepared for being a pet owner. Making sure you can financially support being a cat owner is just one of the steps you need to take in preparation to be a good owner.
Other pets or people
If you have other pets in your home already, think very carefully about getting any more. Cats are territorial animals, which means they are protective of their areas and do not like sharing them with other cats or animals that they do not know. Cats are also predators, which means they will most likely see animals such as hamsters as prey. Cats and dogs can get along, but you will need to be incredibly careful when introducing them to each other and until they have gotten used to living together. Cats can become stressed when their living situation changes, and this includes sudden introductions of new people in their homes. Cats like routine and can become unhappy when their usual situation changes, for example, if a new child enters the home, or your significant other.
