Things to Acknowledge Before Getting a Cat

​By Sophie

Most people have pets and consider them their best friends. Although a furry living being is cute to look at and hug, it is a big responsibility that requires time, effort, and financial resources.

Even though having a pet may be one of the most rewarding things, it’s a big decision and responsibility to get a cat, dog, rabbit or even a hamster. The expenses can get quite costly. For example, a trip to the vet to get your furry friend vaccinated can cost up to £40 and getting him/her spayed costs between £200 and £500, according to PETMED.

Meet my 10-year-old cat. She is not the friendliest cat; she doesn’t allow you to pet her for too long but she’s still the kindest cat in my eyes. A couple of years ago, she was diagnosed with a heart disease which means that she has to take medication on a daily basis and see the vet every 3 months. These are additional costs that couldn’t have been prevented, however, it is vital for her.

Cats are nocturnal, meaning they sleep long hours during the day and become active during the night. Therefore, your little fella can wake you up several times per night. Although traveling with a pet can be a fun experience, it is pretty pricey, especially if you want your pet to be with you in the cabin during the flight (this is only possible for cats and small dogs).

I have taken my cat on vacation once and paid around £150 to have her with me on the plane. She was very stressed but was extremely calm and meowed only twice. However, other times, when I left the country, I would give her to my sister who took good care of her – I won’t lie, my heart ached to leave her but I knew she was in good hands.

If you live in an apartment, you’ll have to litter train your cat – this process can be either long or short depending on the age and on other factors. So, if you adopt a seven-year-old cat whose toilet was outside then it might take him/her longer to understand that this habit should change.

Here are some things I would have wanted to know before getting a cat:
- Although a cat can be quite small in size, its costs can get high quickly. Being able to cover basic costs (e.g., food, litter box, annual check-ups) is essential, however, putting a larger sum aside in case of emergencies is important – by emergencies, I mean extra vet appointments, travel expenses, medication.

- Cats love to play during the night but not necessarily with toys. Whether it’s running after shadows, after a string, or a ball of paper – they will love it and no need to spend money! Apps like Friskies Catfishing or Mouse are meant to entertain cats – I won’t lie, my cat’s attention span wasn’t that good with those kinds of games.

- Do you know the saying “You don’t own a cat; a cat owns know”? – well it’s true. They expect you to treat them like kings and queens. Let’s say you’re tired after your working day and you just want to hit the hay, so you close the door and try to fall asleep but you can’t: your cat is scratching your door. That’s because he/she can’t stand not being able to get into your room and snuggle up with you or just walk around your room exploring the surroundings. I would suggest having treats next to your bed and giving some in case the noise bothers you. It’ll distract your cat who’ll be grateful for having a midnight snack and might even take a nap on you – those are the best moments!
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• Read books or watch videos to learn more about cat habits, such as why they purr, knead your blanket or groom themselves so much.
• Consider the advantages AND disadvantages of having a cat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k5JqHMTJcQ
• There are many advantages of having a cat as they are more independent, low-maintenance and they can even calm you down! Did you know that petting a cat and hearing its purr reduces anxiety?
• REMEMBER: a pet is not a toy – you can’t abandon it whenever you feel like it’s a burden on you! It’s heartbreaking seeing animal shelters receiving abandoned pets on a daily basis…

“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” – Sigmund Freud

In conclusion, having a cat is pretty awesome! You always have someone to come home to and he/she keeps you company by sitting on the table whilst you’re having breakfast. However, getting a pet should be thought through carefully. I promise you that having a cat is one of the coolest and wholesome things ever.

No wonder why people compare having a pet to having a child – it’s a huge responsibility but it’s definitely worth it if you have the resources.
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I promise you that having a cat is one of the coolest and most wholesome things ever.
Take care of yourself (and your pet)!

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