posted by fmoore on Oct 23
I wanted to move on to a new subject today but I need to make sure that you, the cat owner, understand that you are the deciding factor on how well and how long your cat lives. We are living in a time right now where many things are uncertain and seem out of our control. One thing that I want you to be sure of is that you control how long and how well your cat’s lifespan will be. Be sure to take this post to heart.
The one thing many people don’t consider when getting a cat is the lifespan of the pet. You will need to plan to be responsible for the health and well-being of your cat for between 15 and 20 years. I would like to discuss 7 factors that need to be taken into consideration when becoming an adoptive parent of a cat.
First, you should map out the expenses of owning a cat. You are going to need to factor how much money you will spend each month for healthy diet so your cat can reduce its visits to the vet to just routine checkups. When the time comes in choosing a veterenerain of your choice, make a concerted effort that it is practicing holistic care. You will want to make sure you have a concrete idea of how often the visits will be and how much procedures will cost when necessary.
Secondly, as with people, cats are long on personality. You will either find the cat whose personality is matched to your own or that balances the personality that you have. There are many excellent books available at libraries, bookstores and on the internet that will give you a good description of the type of personality to be expected from the various breeds of cats.
Thirdly, you will need to find out early how much attention you will be able to offer your cat. There are breeds of cats that require more attention than others. This is true particularly for those cats that tend to live inside. Breeds of cats that are happy to run around outside and keep themselves occupied tend to need less attention than most of their indoor companions.
Fourthly, aside from personality, cats with longer fur will tend to shed more fur than cats with short coats. They will require more grooming and they will require more cleaning. This means that you will have to want to spend more time to give them the attention they need and deserve to be comfortable.
Fifthly, the one major difference, besides diet, is that cats are much more independent than dogs and are usually more difficult to train. This is something that you need to realize and accept before you make your decision in becoming an adoptive parent of a cat.
Sixthly, if you enjoy travel or you are away from your home much of the time, you will need to arrange for a person or a service, that you trust, that can mind your cat and ensure that it gets fed regularly in your absence. It is always worth considering where you’re living and if the environment is suitable for owning a cat.
Lastly, the one thing that many people surprisingly don’t consider before adopting a cat is whether any person in the family, including themselves, is allergic to cats. There are quite a large number of people who are allergic to cats. Make sure that you, or your immediate family members, are not one of these people. If you are, make sure that your love for cats is greater than the remedies you may need to live with them.
P.S. If you want to make sure that your cat has access to the best choices for alternative healthcare, holistic veterinarians, the best cat food money can buy and non-toxic cat accessories, be sure to pick up a copy of Fur, Jaws, and Claws: A Complete Introduction to a Holistic Lifestyle for Your Cat, on your way out. Trust me, this one purchase you will make for your cat that you won’t regret.