When contemplating buying a cat for the first time many prospective owners do not totally consider the full responsibility they are taking on. So this short article is to focus on those areas that are not considered until the priddy liddle kitty is ripping your house to shreds.
First of all, who is the cat for. Parents will often buy a cat for a child which is great. Cats can be really good pets for kids. They allow a child to care for them with the minimum of fuss. Our feline friends very much look after themselves. Or do they? What about cost. These are things to take into account:
cost of food
cost of equipment such as cat box; litter tray; cat flap(?) etc;
vetinary bills
insurance
cattery
And going on from the last point have you considered that the cat will be a tie to the house. If you are often off on holidays how will you deal with this? Get a cat sitter into the house? Send them to a cattery? How much will this cost?
Often people do not look to the future and do not consider that an average cat life-span is 15-18 years. That is a long time. Quite rightly a kitten should be taken on to nurture as another member of the family. Not a toy for a child.
With that it should be given the same amount of repect you would give any family member. It will need care, affection, attention, to be looked after when sick, a mop for its messes, and a healthy dose of patience.
Get as much information about the cats temperement as you can. Will it get on with children in the house? Other pets? Does it need to roam? A female cat will have different needs to a male cat. Will it be a house cat? If not what will it cost to fit a cat flap. Different cats have different personalities. Some can be very active and demanding. Others are passive and happy to sleep the day away. Does this match your life-style? In part 2 we will be looking more at how personality can make a massive difference to your choice of cat.
About the Author
More cat articles, online debates, product reviews, and forums are available at Nick cassells web site The Cat Community
