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You can’t judge a cat by their fur
Many people are tempted to choose a cat based on their appearance. There is however much more to a cat than solely its looks. In fact, it’s incredibly important that your cat’s personality is compatible with yours. Mismatched pets are the exact reason why thousands of animals end up in shelters each year.
Should I adopt or shop?
Of course, we are in favor of adoption. Our office cat Pixi was taken off the street as a kitten by a cat rescue organization and once she was old enough, we adopted her. She has been living in our Basecamp office ever since, and is spoiled as can be. However, it’s important to bear in mind what kind of cat matches your lifestyle. With shelter cats, their personality might be more uncertain than with pedigree cats, and if you were to adopt a kitten, their character might still evolve while they grow up. Don’t forget though that with the proper socialization and a lot of TLC, pretty much any cat will make a great pet.
The differences in cat breeds
Pedigree cats are generally bred for their looks, although this concentration of certain genes often makes for a typical personality per cat breed as well. Take the Bengal and the Persian, for example. Both make amazing pets, but their temperament couldn’t be more different. Persian cats are super laid back and docile, but their long, luscious coat requires a great deal of grooming. Bengals, on the other hand, are incredibly inquisitive and super active, while their coat barely requires any grooming at all. So, before you decide on a breed, make sure to do your research! The fact that your Bengal cat will look like a miniature leopard might not make up for them jumping and running all over the place, and keeping you awake at night with their piercing meows.
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Cats and kids
If you have young children in your household, this is definitely something to take into account when getting a cat. Adult cats might defend themselves when your child treats them too roughly, while a kitten could be severely hurt by your rambunctious child. Therefore, children should always be supervised around pets. In addition, ensure that all human family members are free of cat allergies. If it’s unknown whether someone is allergic, visit your future kitten/cat prior to making any decision.
Cats and other pets
Cats are often described as solitary animals, but most of them will happily share their home with other pets, including dogs, rabbits, and other cats. Still, cats are territorial and need their personal space. If you have multiple cats, make sure they all have their own hideaways, and if you have dogs, make sure your cat can get away from them.
Cats need your time and attention, too.
Just like most pets, cats require your time. You have to feed them, play with them, clean their litter boxes, take them to the vet, etc. And don’t forget about plenty of quality time! If you can’t be bothered to take a few moments out of each day for them, then cats, or indeed any pet, may not be right for you. Secondly, some cats can show unwanted behavior like scratching the furniture, spraying or fighting. Although most of these problems can be solved fairly easily, you’ll have to put in an effort to teach them. And finally, all pets, including cats, cost money. You’ll need to buy them appropriate food, litter, toys, beds, etc. Moreover, you’ll have to take them on a yearly vet visit, or even more frequently if they get sick or hurt.
All in all: think before you adopt or buy a cat, and ask yourself if you can give a cat what they need. But in the end, isn’t it all worth it for the love a cat can give you?
