Many families are reluctant to adopt a cat or other pet. The beauty of the cat, as well as its rather independent character, is too much appreciated. They are also fun, loving, and loyal animals. In fact, the price of a purebred cat is much lower than that of a purebred dog. You can even get a free cat without a pedigree.
Why adopt a cat?
The financial side aside, the benefits of the cat as a pet are many. They are legendary and know how to help themselves when hunting mice. Cat owners don’t have to spend a lot of time with them, while other pets require a lot more care. To be a cat, on the other hand, you have to earn it; a cat will not love its owner if he is tyrannical. Her affection once given, will last a lifetime, and will withstand even prolonged separation.
Cats don’t have the disadvantages of urban dogs. Letting a cat out of the house, in town, or in the country, can be a talking point, but it is certain that a cat will not be unhappy if it is kept locked up all the time when a dog needs to be walked at least twice a day. Another point in favor of cats is that they scrupulously bury their droppings; as for dogs, it is their owners who are to blame when these animals defile public places.
A cat can do a lot for children and the elderly, but first, you need to think about the practicality and the implications for the future. Parents should teach children to behave well with a cat, pick it up, hold it, etc. The children will thus receive a lesson in responsibility; they will have the opportunity to learn more if they attend the birth of the kittens; and finally, the presence of a cat that children can pet and who is reassuring and comforting. However, one should not acquire a young kitten until the children are old enough to somehow understand it. On the other hand, the existence of allergies in some people, children or adults, makes it impossible to own a cat.
Responsibilities of a cat owner
Anyone who wants to acquire a cat must first think about the responsibilities that come with it. Too many cats are abandoned or killed because the allure of novelty is gone, or because the adult cat is less fun than the old kitten. The lifespan of a cat is around 14 years, and you have to remember that, like any pet, this will be a strain on its owner. It will be necessary to feed it regularly, change its litter, comb it, play with it, and possibly open the doors to let it in and out.
Cats are very attached to a territory, and do not like to travel; so there can be problems if cat owners move often. For those who are traveling, you should consider making arrangements for someone to take care of the cat in their absence. Although the cat is a cheap animal, you still have to take into account the cost of food, litter, vet fees, and possible stays in cat boarding.
The sexuality of the cat, unless it is sterilized, sometimes discourages people who would like to adopt a cat. An uncastrated male will mark his territory with his smelly urine, and a female may give kittens very inappropriately. Spaying is a painless and safe operation, which should always be performed unless the cat owner absolutely insists on raising kittens. A neutered cat will be healthy, happy, and generally more loving.
Adopt an adult cat or a kitten?
Before adopting an adult cat, you should always know why the previous owner wants to get rid of her. It seldom happens that one wants to let go of a beloved companion; the animal may have a psychological defect, or a physical illness, especially if it comes out of an abandoned cat asylum where it may also have caught fleas, mites, or other parasites. It should be checked by the vet as soon as possible. It is advisable to do the same if you adopt an alley cat.
You should also know that an adult cat will take some time to get used to its new home and to its new owner; if he were allowed to go out, he could wander off or attempt to regain his old territory. This emotional insecurity can last for several months. A kitten, on the other hand, will quickly recover from the loss of its mother and the other kittens in the litter, and quickly become part of your household. His rowdy and mischievous demeanor will amuse everyone; and will quickly get used to the uses of the fireplace.
Much-taken care of and well-trained kitten will grow into a pleasant adult who will have very close emotional bonds with his owner.
Male cat or female cat: which one to adopt?
If you don’t want your cat to mate to produce kittens, you will have her spayed; it doesn’t matter if it’s a male or a female. The male will generally be a bit bigger and perhaps a bit more aggressive, but these traits are only significant in uncastrated males.
If you have an uncovered male cat, they will reach sexual maturity around six or eight months old and begin to explore the neighborhood for a female, marking their territory with their urine. If not released, it will likely “mark” the interior of the house with extremely smelly urine.
Unsterilized female kittens grow into more delicate adults; they begin to be sexually mature around the age of five or six months and will have a hot spell every three weeks or so as long as the mating season lasts. Estrus can be relieved by medication or shortened by induced ovulation.
