Top 8 Things To Know Before Getting A Cat

Are you thinking about getting a cat, but are unsure if it is the right fit for you? Cats can add so much enrichment to our lives and truly are amazing animals. They can offer so much love and companionship. However, they do require you to give them attention, love, and care in return. Here are some things to consider before getting cat.

1. Consider your family or others living with you

   1. Are they willing to help out and support you? Will they play with your cat if you are too busy? Just having an extra person can really help when caring for a cat.
   2. Are any of them allergic? There are hypoallergenic breeds that may be an option to consider.

2. Your lifestyle

   1. How will a cat fit into your current lifestyle? Are you willing to make any sacrifices or adjustments to accompany for a new cat?
   2. If you travel a lot, would your cat go with you or do you have someone who would be able to watch it while you are away?
   3. If you work long hours or unpredictable hours, consider getting 2 cats so they have each other for company. Or an older cat that does not require as much training
   4. Would your cat be indoor only or will it be leash trained to go outside with you?

3. Be ready to make a commitment

   1. Cats can live 15-20 years. Getting a cat should not be a spur of the moment decision. It is a long term commitment that you must consider, especially for living arrangements as some places may not allow pets or have extra fees.

4. They are not as low maintenance as many people think

   1. Cats are playful and energetic. They are smart animals and need mental stimulation. If they are not receiving what they need, they can become bored and destroy things around your house. Some ideas include
      1. Lots of toys and playtime
         1. You can even rotate their toys so that they get “new” ones periodically. Just leave a couple out and put the rest away where they cannot get to them, then swap randomly every couple of days or weeks, depending on how quickly your cat gets bored of them.
      2. Cat trees or cat wall obstacle furniture
         1. Keeps your cat entertained on their own. The cat wall furniture can be really cool, but be cautious with the installation and how your cat uses it. They can fall off from these things and can get injured. We recommend not having anything fragile underneath these items, such as tvs or breakable items.
      3. Food puzzles
         1. Food puzzles are a great way to stimulate your cat’s mind while eating. It also helps slow them down if they have an issue of eating too fast. But again, be cautious with how your cat interacts with it. Some cats can get frustrated and try to rip open the puzzle and can injury themselves in the process.

5. Finances

   1. Pets in general are expensive. Between their food, treats, toys, litter, and other purchases for them, they also have veterinary bills.
   2. Even if your pet is completely healthy, they still need to have a check-up every year and get their vaccinations. Depending on the place, this can be anywhere from $50 and up. Check out our article here about yearly check-ups, what gets done, and why they are important.
   3. If your pet gets sick or needs an emergency visit, the prices quicky increase. For this reason, we highly suggest having a savings account with some money in it prior to getting a cat, as well as making monthly deposits into it. This will help with those unexpected costs, should they arise.
   4. Another thing to consider is pet insurance. Although pet insurance does not cover their yearly check-ups and vaccines, it does cover whenever your cat gets sick or emergency visits. You can customize your plan as well to decide what percentage coverage you want, as well as your deductible. Check out our article on Pet Insurance here.

6. They get into EVERYTHING

   1. Cabinets, drawers, behind dressers, beds, or tv stands, washer and dryers, toilet, trash cans, you name it!
   2. Be sure to always check any small spaces before closing the door or drawer to avoid closing your cat into an unwanted area.
   3. Kitten-proofing your home before bringing the new cat/kitten there is a great way to avoid any major incidents or accidents.

7. Late night zoomies

   1. Cats have intermittent sleep schedules. They will sleep for a few hours, then need to play and get some energy out, even in the middle of the night. Be prepared to get woken up in the middle of the night regularly while they are young. As they get older, they will slow down more and most likely sleep through the night.

8. Find a veterinarian

   1. It is a good idea to find a veterinarian in your area before getting a cat so you can get them seen as early as possible and establish a relationship. We have an article with some tips for How To Pick The Right Veterinarian For You if you would like to check that out.

Getting a cat should not be an “in the moment” decision. They are commitments and require you to care for and support them for their upwards of 20 years of life. Be prepared for hard work and lots of time devoted to caring for them, but also be prepared for unconditional love from your kitty companion.