Thinking of adopting a cat? Sharing your home with a feline friend can be an extremely rewarding experience.
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However, just like everything in life, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. In a conversation with the Hindustan Times, Umesh Kallahalli, senior veterinarian at MARS Petcare India, shared a list of pros and cons to consider before adopting a cat:
1. They may require low maintenance
Unlike dogs, which require more attention and constant care, cats will be fine on their own as long as you feed them, change the litter box, and keep them hydrated.
It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend quality time with them, but cats are quite independent. They never overeat, clean themselves, can entertain themselves, and are less prone to separation anxiety.
2. They don’t require much space
You might be surprised at how little space cats need, as they love to snuggle into small spaces. Cats happily adapt to apartments or smaller houses as long as there’s a window where they can observe the world.
While they are comfortable staying indoors, you need to ensure that the spaces you allocate for them adequately meet their needs.
They require human contact and mental stimulation, but they also need proper space to hide and be alone to reduce their stress levels.
3. Cats take time to socialize
Although cats are remarkably bold, intelligent, and playful, they are also solitary hunters by nature and do not rely on groups to survive. That’s why domesticated cats need to learn social skills from a young age.
It takes a lot of time and patience for cats to socialize with other animals. It is recommended to keep the home quiet when bringing a cat home. If you have other pets, try to keep them away in the first few hours. Once a “base” is established for your cat, you can slowly introduce another animal to it.
4. Cats can develop behavioral problems if not cared for
If not raised properly, cats can develop behavioral problems. If their basic needs, such as nutrition and hygiene, are not adequately met, cats have the instinct to hunt even when they are not hungry.
When cats are stressed in the long term, some may exhibit behaviors such as peeing outside the litter box or becoming aggressive as a way to mark their territory. It may be necessary to provide scratching posts to prevent damage to curtains or sofas.
It is recommended to spay/neuter them if you do not want them to reproduce, as this can be a hassle during mating season, especially at night.
