lovable cats for lovable people

 

 

Thoughts before Buying A Cat

 

nfortunately, it is still not uncommon that pets are purchased without prior consideration and then quickly given away once it is realized that the life with the new "family member" is quite different from what it was expected to be. To avoid such problems and be able to fully enjoy living with your pet, you should consider/clarify the following issues beforehand:

Especially single cats should not be left alone at home all day

 

• are you prepared to take care of your cat throughout her whole life (approximately 15 - 18 years), even if your family situation changes or you have to move?

 

• do all people living in your household accept acquiring a new cat?

 

• if you are living in a rental place: are cats allowed in your place?

 

• do you have enough space for a cat and are you willing and able to fit up your home in a suitable way for a cat (arranging a scratching post, sleeping places for the cat, safety measures for windows, balcony...)?

 

• do you have enough time for the cat? (someone who is working full-time and enjoys additionally time consuming hobbies, which take his/her time on weekends and in the evenings, is certainly not a very suitable cat owner!)

 

• if your are working full-time: are you able to take off from work with short notice in case of an emergency, i.e., to bring the cat to the vet or take care of her at home?

 

• can you afford a cat ownership financially? (this includes not only the costs for buying the cat, but also the monthly living costs for food and litter, the routine vaccinations or other veterinary costs, costs for accessories, etc.)

 

• in case a health or behavior problem should arise: are you willing to deal with/solve the problem, even if it might require professional help, either from the breeder you got your cat from, a vet or a behavior expert, especially if it would take a while and/or cost quite a bit?

 

• is anyone in your household allergic to cats? (a brief stay without a symptom in a cat household, e.g., at a cattery, is not a reliable indication! Especially for young children you should consider having an allergy check performed)

 

• if you have young children - do they already understand or are they old enough to realize and accept that a cat is not a toy, but a living being with its own emotions and needs?

 

• do you find it problematic to clean the cat hair off clothes, upholstery and carpets regularly? Could you overcome your feelings to clean up vomited material or to clean the cat herself if she has residue on her bottom?

 

• could you accept a stain in a carpet which can't be cleaned off anymore or a scratch on your furniture? (declawing is no solution! A cat just needs all her claws for her physical and psychic well-being. Surgically removing a cat's claws is especially cruel and could lead to behavioral problems like biting and not using the litter box. No responsible breeder would allow her/his kittens to be declawed! Read more about declawing. Should you still feel, after studying the articles, that you could not live with an undeclawed cat, please choose another pet like a dog, rabbit or guinea pig)

 

• is a vacation arrangement set up for your cat while you are away on holidays?

 

• if you have other pets - is a safe and harmonious life for all of them guaranteed?

 

• do you accept that, although a cat can be trained to a certain extent, you definitely can not expect or force her to be submissive and obedient like a dog?

[ Thoughts before Buying a Cat | Declawing ]

Except as noted all text, photos and design by Renate Wald. English translation by G. Mautner and R. Wald. Illustrations made by and/or purchased from L.allas C.ountrystyle, R. Wald & C.ountry Patch C.ollections. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Patricia and Frej Krook for editing. All images, text and content within this website are subject to copyright laws. Without my or the respective artist's written consent the reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium is prohibited. Disclaimer