Bringing your new cat home
Bringing your new cat home
Welcoming a new member to your family always brings about big changes. Sometimes it is up to you, sometimes it is not.
With getting a cat it is always your decision, and it should be made consciously after careful consideration. This way you will spare yourself and the cat disappointment later.
The great majority of our conversations with potential cat owners usually starts by their “The kitten is so cute!” or “I really want it!” remarks. They rarely talk about what they can actually offer to the pet. Of course, we would not want to generalise but this attitude is quite common.
Once you have decided to welcome a cat into your life, there are still a few questions you should answer before bringing it home.
Firstly, “Am I really prepared for a cat?”. A new pet is not only a playful companion, it is also a huge commitment, including a financial one. You should therefore realise that you, as the cat owner, will be responsible for your pet throughout its life. You also want to make sure that the animal you want to bring home as a pet is a cat. If it is a cat – what breed?
The quality of your future life together much depends on decisions you make at this point, so be aware of your expectations and the cat’s needs. And again, make sure it is a cat, not some other animal, that you want.
In one of her books, Denise Seidl presents a quiz that should be compulsory for all future cat owners. Please see below for the entire quiz.
„Are you really prepared to bring a cat home?
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Yes |
No |
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Will you be the person mainly responsible for the cat? |
X |
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If you live alone, is there somebody (family, friends) who will take care of the cat when you are away or in hospital? |
X |
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Can you give the cat what s/he really needs? Are you knowledgeable about cat care and food. Are you willing to learn from specialist publications and experts? |
X |
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Will your job leave you enough time to take care of your cat? This includes not only daily feeding, but also cuddle and playtime. |
X |
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Have all family members / flatmates agreed to you bringing the cat home? |
X |
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Does everyone at home tolerate cat hair? If any of your family members is allergic to cats, it can cause a major problem! |
X |
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Does your landlord allow pets? |
X |
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Are you ready to adjust your home to your cat’s needs, including securing the windows and balcony with protective screens? |
X |
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Are you ready to put up with possible scratch marks on your furniture or wallpaper? |
X |
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Have you considered the financial outlay connected with having a cat? This includes buying cat food, litter, accessories, toys and paying the insurance, vet, etc. |
X |
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If you marked “Yes” in all questions, it means you are ready. Your cat will be happy sharing his territory with you.”
From “Mit Katzen leben” by Denise Seidl.