10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Becoming a Cat Owner

Are you thinking about becoming a cat owner? Before you take the plunge and bring a feline friend into your home, it’s important to carefully consider all aspects of caring for a cat.

This includes factors like cost, responsibilities, and time commitment.

To help you make an informed decision about whether or not to become a cat owner, ask yourself the following questions:

Question #1: How much time do you have to commit to caring for a cat?

Cats require a significant amount of time and attention, so it’s important to consider how much time you can realistically devote to taking care of your cat.

This might include feeding, grooming, playing with, and spending quality time with your cat on a regular basis.

It’s also crucial to consider how much time you’ll need to devote to veterinary appointments, cleaning up after your cat, and other routine care tasks.

Question #2: Can you afford to provide for a cat’s basic needs?

Caring for a cat involves significant financial costs, including food, litter, toys, and medical expenses.

In addition to these basics, there may also be additional expenses, such as cat insurance or pet-sitting services.

Before bringing a cat home, it’s important to ensure that you can afford to cover all of your cat’s needs and have a contingency plan in place for any unexpected costs that may arise.

Question #3: What type of lifestyle do you lead?

Cats are well-suited for many different types of lifestyles, but it’s important to consider whether a cat would be a good fit for yours.

For example, if you are an active individual who spends a lot of time outdoors or traveling, you may want to consider adopting a more sedentary breed that is less likely to get into trouble when left alone.

Similarly, if you have young children or other pets in your home, it’s important to carefully consider the personality and needs of any potential cat companions.

Question #4: Do you have the space for a cat in your home?

Along with considering how much time and money you can commit to caring for a cat, it’s also important to think about whether your home is an appropriate environment for a feline friend.

This includes assessing whether you have enough space in your home and yard, as well as whether you live in a safe, cat-friendly neighborhood.

Question #5: Do you have the support of your family and friends?

It’s important to consider whether you have the support of your family members and friends before bringing a cat into your home.

This includes getting buy-in from any other animal companions in your household, as well as discussing the decision with anyone else who may be impacted by having a cat in the home, such as roommates or neighbors.

Question #6: Are you prepared to care for your cat for its entire life?

When making the decision to become a cat owner, it’s important to keep in mind that cats can live for many years, often 10 or more.

This means that you will be responsible for caring for your feline companion from kittenhood through old age and must be prepared to provide for your cat’s needs over the course of its entire lifetime.

Question #7: Do you have any other pets in your home?

If you already have other animals in your home, it’s important to carefully consider whether a cat would be a good fit.

For example, cats and dogs may not always get along, so it’s crucial to do your research and prepare yourself for potential challenges that may arise if you choose to introduce a feline into your home that already has an established animal companion.

Question #8: Do you have children in your home?

Along with considering the needs of other animals or individuals who may be impacted by bringing a cat into your home, it’s also crucial to carefully consider whether a cat would be a good fit for any young children.

This includes getting buy-in from all family members and discussing potential challenges that may arise, such as young children unintentionally hurting or stressing out the cat.

Question #9: Do you have any experience caring for cats?

Caring for a cat is different from caring for other types of pets, and it’s important to be prepared to prioritize the needs of your cat over your own.

If you don’t have any prior experience with cats or are unsure about whether you would be able to care for one properly, it may be a good idea to start by volunteering with or fostering cats through your local animal shelter or rescue organization.

Question #10: Are you prepared to deal with potential behavior issues?

Even the friendliest, most well-behaved cats may exhibit certain behavioral issues at times, and it’s important to be prepared for these situations before bringing a cat into your home.

This may include being prepared to handle accidents or vomit outside of the litter box, as well as dealing with scratching and other destructive behaviors.

Additionally, it’s crucial to be prepared to handle any behavioral issues that may arise due to stress or anxiety before they become problematic.

By asking yourself these key questions and carefully considering your answers, you can improve your chances of successfully adopting a cat into your home and forming a long-lasting bond with your beloved feline companion.