Thinking of getting a pet cat? These tips will help you decide

Sharing your home with a furry feline usually sounds like a good idea. It means different things for different people. While some want a cat to cuddle and play with them, others are happy to stay with an independent cat that spends most of its time alone and is not a fan of human interaction. While there is no particular way to choose the perfect cat for you, understanding your expectations will help you make the right choice. 

The prospect of having a pet is usually very exciting. So much so that we usually forget the important aspects to be taken care of beforehand. If you are someone who is thinking of adding a pet cat to your family, here is a list of pros and cons to consider. 

Cons

A cat hunts: If you are a bird lover, getting a cat is not that great of an idea. Hunting is normal behavior for cats. While keeping a cat indoors may prevent it from killing anything, it will still need an outlet for its most instinctive behavior. Also, not all cats will be happy with an indoor lifestyle. One pro tip for you can be: that older cats are likely to hunt less than younger ones. Also, it is important to note that some cats don’t bother at all.

Added expense: Like any other family member, a pet also comes with a set of responsibilities, which often means an added expense. A pet cat, or for that matter, any other pet, will add to your living expenses. The initial costs will include that of a bed, grooming items, a litter box, and many other miscellaneous things needed immediately. Then comes the recurring expenses, such as the cost of food, toys, vaccines, and more. Before welcoming a cat into your home, you may also need to spend some money on pet-proofing your space. Meaning, that you will need to purchase bins, utensils, and add certain furnishing items. 

Pros

Low maintenance: Cats are usually one of the most low-maintenance pets that you can keep. As long as you change their litter box regularly and give them enough food and water, you are good to go. Cats are mostly independent animals, they like to be by themselves. Meaning, they don’t need your constant supervision. You can easily go for a weekend getaway without having to hire a pet sitter. 

Managing pests: Not many know but one of the major reasons that humans domesticated cats was to help control rodents and pests from spreading. Many domestic cats enjoy hunting and killing rodents, insects, and other small animals both indoors and out.