Cats are some of the most popular choices of pets among apartment dwellers. Because they’re easy to care for and independent, they’re ideal for busy people.
What’s more, cats are irresistibly cute. They make for cuddly companions and offer a fun way to relieve stress and loneliness after a long day.
If you’re thinking of getting a cat, you have to consider a few things first. Doing so will help you figure out whether you’re 100% decided to care for a pet or you’re just getting one on impulse.
In this post, we listed five factors you need to consider before adopting a feline friend.
Time
It’s a widely known fact that cats pretty much take care of themselves. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have to devote some time to their needs. That also doesn’t mean you can leave a cat alone for long periods.
Before adopting a cat, you have to take a step back and figure out whether your lifestyle allows for a pet.
If you juggle several jobs, live alone, and often go out of town for several days, having a cat might not be a good option. But if you have a regular job and a roommate who’s fine with sharing the responsibility of caring for a cat, by all means, go for it.
Budget
Pets are for life. Some cats live for 12 years, while others can be with you for up to 20 years.
That said, you have to be ready to provide for your cat for years to come.
Apart from cat food, toys, litter, and other supplies, you’ll need to take yours to regular visits to the vet. You’ll also have to factor in the costs of spaying or neutering and vaccines, among others.
Cleaning
Before deciding to get a cat, you have to be ready to clean your apartment regularly.
Can you handle litter boxes? Can you fit the chore of cleaning cat bowls and toys into your daily schedule? Are you prepared to commit to over 10 years of cleaning up hairballs?
Besides that, you have to regularly remove cat hair from your pillows and furniture–whether you get a long-haired breed or a short-haired one. Remember: cat fur is going to be everywhere.
Grooming
Again, cats are fairly low maintenance. They spend a lot of time grooming themselves and keeping themselves clean.
On top of that though, you’ll have to do your part in grooming your cat.
To minimize hairballs, you’ll need to brush your pet every other day. And to keep its paws in good condition, you should trim its nails regularly and provide it with a scratch post.
People You Live With
By this point, you might already know that you aren’t allergic to cats. But is that the same case with your roommate or partner?
Besides ensuring that the people you live with don’t have cat allergies, you have to ask them whether they completely agree with your decision.
If you have a newborn baby or a toddler who has yet to learn to be gentle, you might want to put off getting a cat.
And if you have other pets, make sure you introduce them to your new cat slowly and carefully. That way, your pets can easily get used to each other and get along.
Woodhaven at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, GA