Welcome to the answer you have been searching for. Making the decision to adopt a cat should not be taken lightly. I will start off by listing the pros and cons for those of you who might not be here long enough to read the full article. I urge you, however, to continue reading on my personal experience after I decided to adopt my very first cat. If you would like to skip, scroll down “Most important things to consider before adopting a cat”.
Pros | Cons |
Pest Control! Require low maintenance They clean themselves They are potty trained They are good company, especially for those who live alone They don’t need to go outside, (in fact, it’s safer for them to remain indoor) They have their affectionate moments | Some will shed, unless you’re lucky They will destroy your furniture unless they are declawed (which is sometimes viewed as inhuman) Consider allergies (that you or your guests may have) Expenses: liter, food, veterinary care, toys Occasional vomit They may also relieve themselves elsewhere They can disrupt your sleep Unlike dogs, they aren’t eager to be by your side |
Pest Control
Cats have a hunting instinct that allows them to seek out and attack rodents. In addition, they are also great for finding spiders, insects, and bugs. Some, however, prefer to play with these little creatures rather than take the hunt seriously. My cat Bella, for example, will see a spider and start chasing it without any plan of attack. As long as she can find them for me, I am a happy camper.
Require Low Maintenance
Cats are easy to take care of. As long as they have food, water, and a litter box, they will be satisfied. If you are someone who works a lot, a cat is perfect for you. Dogs, for example, require you to let them out multiple times throughout the day in order for them to relieve themselves. With cats, cleaning the litter box once a day is enough. I personally use two litter boxes so that I can clean them every two days instead.
Most Important Things to Consider Before Adopting a Cat
1. Cats with front claws will likely tear into some of your furniture. Some people do choose to declaw their cats from the start. For my cat, Bella, I chose not to declaw her and was left with some torn up furniture. The biggest drawback is that now I have all my furniture covered with some type of fabric. It definitely does not help improve the look of my living room. Please do some research on declawing a cat and how it affects them.
2. Choosing what kind of cat you should adopt. Long hair cats are beautiful and furry creatures. I myself, chose a Ragdoll for my long hair pet pal. Other than the obvious shedding being the drawback, cats with long hair may have the occasional feces get stuck on their hair. Having my cat for almost two years, I would say it has occurred at least on 10 different occasions. The cleanup process was as easy as cutting a few hair pieces back there.
3. Dust from the litter is another drawback that I found annoying. Although most litters will advertise 99% dust free, it is definitely not true as far as I am concerned.
4. Do not compare cats to dogs. Cats like to do what they want and snuggle with you when they feel like it. Dogs, on the other hand, will seek you attention all day, every day. Dogs show loyalty and obedience, while cats will display independence.
Do Not Be Discouraged
The above four things I listed, I found to be the most important things anyone should consider before adopting a cat. I will end with this. Cats are good company that you can create a strong bond with. I love my cat, and have accepted the drawbacks that came with adopting her. Below I have added an image of my cat!
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