- Adopting
A Cat
- by: Christopher Thomas
Cats are sweet and cuddly! It's
easy to get swept up in the emotion and buy a cat without thinking.
But that's not how it should be.
Whether or not to adopt a cat
is by no means an easy decision. It carries with it huge responsibility.
You will have to take care of a cat until its death, which could
be in 15 to 20 years. In addition, you should be ready to spend
a large amount of your time feeding the cat, grooming it, and
playing with it on a daily basis.
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Keep the following points in
mind before deciding to adopt a cat:
1. Prior to bringing a cat home, it is essential
to know if any member of your household is allergic to cats.
Having to get rid of your new pet would be cruel.
2. Cats are social animals and need regular attention
and care. They must not be left alone for extended periods, nor
be handled roughly, as this will make them aggressive and nervous.
3. Cat care can take a financial toll. You must
ensure that you have sufficient funds to take care of your cat's
food, toys, medication, and so on.
4. Decide whether you want to adopt a kitten or
an adult cat. The only advantage of getting a kitten is that
kittens are cute. On the other hand, an adult cat has a well
defined personality. Moreover, adult cats are more likely to
be litter-box trained and less likely to scratch every bit of
furniture in your house. |
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5. Children and cats can prove to be a bad combination,
especially if the child is very young. He or she may mistreat
the cat (knowingly or unknowingly) and get a nasty bite in return.
6. A cat requires proper care and medical treatment.
This includes annual check-ups, vaccines, and prescription medication
for any health problems that could occur.
7. It does not really matter whether you get a female
cat or male cat; both genders are equally affable. However, always
have your cat spayed or neutered. This helps avoid the unhealthy
effects of the mating season in female cats and curb aggression
in males.
8. Cat adoption is the most humane way to get a cat,
due to the large number of homeless felines. However, it helps
to remember that sometimes cats from the animal shelter can be
prone to stress. Moving a cat to a home environment allows it
to relax and show its true personality. Cats are creatures of
habit -- they don't like change. It may take them a month or
more to adjust to your home.
Keeping these points in mind
when choosing to adopt a cat can help you find the feline that
is right for you. It's a big decision, don't leave it to chance!
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