5 Things to Consider Before Getting a Cat

There are many things to consider before adopting a cat. Buying a cat is one of the best things I've ever done. He is a sweet, heart-warming, loveable companion and I look forward to seeing him everyday. Not everybody has the same experience though which is why it is best to be prepared and informed about the changes and preparation you will have to put in place to accommodate your new cat. Below are some important, and hopefully useful, questions to ask yourself before going out and choosing and adopting your cat.

This is the first thing you need to consider, as depending on which one you decide to have, the routes for adopting can be quite different.

There is no doubt about it, kittens are cute. If you turn on the TV it won't be long before you see the latest cat food advert with a gorgeous kitten with an adorable face and loveable, big green eyes. It is difficult not to fall in love instantly but kittens aren't all they're made up to be and you seriously need to consider your life style before taking one on. Are you out all day at work with nobody in the house? Kittens need lots of attention, ideally somebody with them most of the day. Remember, they won't be able to go outside until they are 4 months old and if they get bored you don't know what you’re going to find when you get home. Kittens (and cats for that matter) don't really care whether your carpet is brand new or if you've just had your leather sofa waxed, they'll scratch and claw anything and the younger they are, the more playful they will be. Seriously, if you work full time and you want your cat to stay indoors all day, choose a slightly older cat who is independent and can amuse his or herself and not at the expense of you furniture. Do you have young children? In which case is a kitten really a good idea or will your children try to pick it up, hug it and generally annoy it?

All cats are different, some cats will run off under the table at the first hint that they might have to go outside, whereas some you will never see except at dinner and breakfast time when they'll come sauntering over the fence with an expectation of food, love and affection before roaming off for another four hours.

My cat is both an indoor and outdoor cat. During the day he roams and guards the garden; at night he sleeps soundly on the sofa or outside my bedroom. He is always waiting by the backdoor for me when I get home and he is always happy to wonder out before I go to work. This pattern suits me because I know he is safe wondering around during the day outside and it means there are less accidents in the house when he's got sick of the litter tray. However, I live close to a busy road and it's at night when most cats get run over so I make sure he's tucked up inside.

Consider where you live. Is your cat going to be safe outside? Do you live on a main road or in a cosy corner? Do you want them in the house all day? Older cats may prefer to stay indoors. Also, if your cat is outside most of the time does he/she have somewhere to go for shelter?

Some of the decisions you make about whether to have an indoor or outdoor cat may relate to whether you have or can get a catflap. Not all modern doors and windows are adaptable to accommodate a catflap. If you want your cat to roam outside, he or she will need to be able to come and go, if not inside your house, then to a place of shelter.

I have a catflap that goes into our shed where there is a cat bed, food and water. My cat sleeps there happily if the weather is bad and I don't need to worry about him getting hungry during the day. If you do want your cat to go outdoors, get a catflap. There are many you cab buy, like ones where the flap only opens when it recognises a tag on your cats collar (to stop unwanted cats getting in). Most cat doors can also be set to only let your cat come in and not out or visa versa.

It is inevitable that at some point after you get a cat, you are going to want to go on a holiday or away for a long weekend. Who is going to look after and feed your cat? Catteries can be expensive. They get booked up quickly in the summer and the travel to and from the cattery will be stressful for your cat. For long holidays, catteries are ideal, as they will care for your cat and monitor it's health and wellbeing. Be sure to source a good one and check that its necessary registrations are up to date. However, for a long weekend, you're better off getting somebody to pop in and feed your cat rather than shelling out the expense. Who would this be? Do you have a neighbour who would be willing to help you out? Remember a cat is a full time commitment an they will need as much care as a child.

All cats like to scratch and claw it's a natural pass time for them and helps them to remove the outer shell of the claw as the new claw grows inside. They will want something to claw at so get a good sturdy scratching post. The scratching post must be large enough to support your cat's weight without toppling over. If you don't give you cat something to scratch, it will scratch your carpet, sofa, bed and curtains instead. Cats live by different values. Pristine furniture is pretty low on their list. Respect that and give them something of their own or expect to see the demise of you much loved decor.

There are many things to think about before buying a cat but these are probably some of the key things before you adopt. I have found owning a cat a really rewarding experience. You can see all of the benefits of owning a cat in the adjacent article. Remember, the more you put into your relationship with your cat, the more they will give back. Good luck!