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Should I Adopt a Cat?
Should I Adopt a Cat?
Yearning for a purring pal? Be sure you're
cat-compatible before
fulfilling your feline dreams.
The cat: sly, sleek, shy, playful, dignified,
ridiculous. Crossing the carpet
with indolent grace, she rises suddenly on her hind legs, Frankenkitty,
and hurtles after an unseen something. She scampers crazily up the
drapery in pursuit of a spider, executes perfect back flips in the hallway
in quest of a fly, and then rolls onto her back, begging for a belly rub.
Call her, though, and she sprawls motionless in your favorite chair,
eyes tight shut: She cannot see you, will not hear you.
Feel sad, or hurt, or worried, though, and the
cat is there, nudging
your arm, making biscuits on your chest, doing everything she can
to cheer you up, especially purring.
No sound is more comforting than purring, yet
we can't explain it.
We don't know why cats purr or even exactly how. Blood vibrating
through the chest may cause the sound, or bloodstream turbulence,
or even "false vocal cords." It's not necessarily a sign of
contentment:
Cats sometimes purr in the veterinarian's office - an unlikely setting
for contentment -- and even just before dying. Purring may mean,
"Please help me! I trust you!" as much as "I'm happy." For
cats, the
two messages may not be so different.
Trust, to a cat, is a crucial thing. Dogs
begin by trusting everyone.
Cats, at first, offer tolerance without trust. A cat's affection is not
unconditional. When it's finally bestowed, cat owners may well feel privileged.
Is a Cat Right for You?
Cats aren't for everyone. Before bringing that
adorable kitten home
from the shelter, consider these questions.
- Do you have the time? Cats
need two or three playtimes daily,
each lasting 15 to 20 minutes. Kittens need more playtimes of
shorter duration. Besides fostering a bond between you and
your cat, playtimes teach her what's acceptable and what
isn't (scratch the post, not the couch; climb trees, not curtains).
- Can your children or other pets adjust?
Most children love cats,
but a cat won't necessarily love your children. Kids generally play
rough. A 4-year-old won't understand why Kitty doesn't want to be
shoved into a stroller and forced to wear a baby bonnet. Cats tend
to run from such experiences; children tend to try to force them to
play. The cat has teeth and claws to protect herself - a dangerous
situation for the child, at least until he's old enough to respect the
cat's independence. Another animal in your home, happy to be the
only pet, may not want a new cat around. Consider the adjustments
that household members will have to make.
- Is your lifestyle stable? Will
your career require frequent moves,
as stressful for your cat as for you? Will you travel, leaving your
cat
alone for days? Are you thinking of moving in with someone or moving
to an apartment that doesn't allow pets? Cats have long lives. Few
people
know where they'll be in 15 years, but you can evaluate where you are
now and in what direction you hope to go, considering how a cat will
fit
in. Bringing a cat into your life only to give her away a few years
later
will hurt you both.
- Can you make a commitment? Not
long ago, the average cat's life
span was less than 10 years. With owners' increased awareness of
behavior and health issues, a house cat may easily live 15 to 18
years.
These days a 20-year-old cat isn't rare. Are you prepared to share
your
life for that long and to cope with an older cat's medical needs?
- Can you afford it? Medical
problems cause physical pain for your
cat and emotional pain for both of you. They hurt your pocketbook,
too. Cats are cheap to acquire, but cat ownership involves many expenses.
- Supplies: You'll
need a litter box, food and water bowls,
scratching posts, climbing poles, a special cat bed, cat toys,
and, if you plan to leash-train your cat, a leash and collar or
harness. Figure on $300 to $400 annually.
- Medical care: Your
cat will need yearly exams, with vaccinations,
$50 to $75. Unless you plan to breed specialty purebreds, your
cat should be spayed or neutered, a onetime expense of $100 to
$150. The big question mark is medical emergencies, which can
cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. To keep your cat healthy
and happy, plan to spend about $500 annually.
- Licensing: The
ongoing cat overpopulation problem has prompted
many communities to include cats in licensing ordinances. Costs
vary;
they're usually lower for spayed and neutered cats. City hall is a
good place to learn about local licensing regulations. Or check
with a local vet or the nearest humane society.
The First Steps
Congratulations! You're almost ready to head
for the animal shelter.
But first take time to read all you can about types of cats and how to
care for them. Browse the other articles on this site. Visit your public
library. Invest in some reference books. At the same time, look around
your home. What changes will you need to make? Will your new friend be
an indoor cat, or will you let her go outside? Remember, a cat is like a
small child -- curious, lively, constantly getting into trouble. You'll
need
to do some cat-proofing, and you'll need the right supplies. Make sure
your
cat will be safe in her new home. With other members of your household,
select the best time to bring her home -- those first days are critical.
Your
cat will need quiet and attention.
Okay, now you can start searching for the
perfect feline friend. Ask other
cat people where they found their pets. Tap their knowledge and
experience.
Make finding that special individual an event to remember. You and your
pet
will be together a long, long time, so pull out the camera, create an
album,
and record your family's reactions as well as hers. Preserve the memories.
When she's planned for, carefully chosen, and
happily settled, a cat can be
one of life's greatest joys. She doesn't require a big house or an
enormous
yard to be content. A small apartment will do just fine. She won't ask you
to get up and walk her at 5 a.m. in the dead of winter. She can amuse
herself with a few simple toys and accessories. In exchange, she'll offer you
love and even, as studies are proving, a longer, less stressful life.
Always
remember that a cat -- a loving, deeply emotional creature -- is a
longtime
commitment. When you give her care, nurturing, and love, a cat will be one
of the best friends you can imagine.
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"Make a friend for life!"