Owning a cat as a pet comes with a lot of responsibilities to make sure that your cat lives a healthy and comfortable life. You need to be extra careful about their well-being and happiness. You have to make sure that whatever you do is in the best interests of your cat and it doesn’t make it uncomfortable around you or in your place. When you adopt a cat as a pet, you should adopt it from a reputable organization or institute which can provide you details of the cat’s hereditary and genetic information, their breed and other associated information. This information would be helpful for you to take care of your cat. It would be beneficial to decide what to feed your cat, what type of space to allow them to rest in, what type of vaccination do they require and what medical conditions they can face. It would let you decide how to take care of your cat’s well-being and make them comfortable around the environment you are bringing them in. There are several reasons why people adopt a cat as a pet, let’s have a look at a few of them:
A. Companionship
Cats develop a strong and affectionate bond with their owners. People usually adopt the cats due to these major reasons when they are in need of a constant and loyal companion. A companion who would be there for them without any expectation of reward in return. They would enjoy the unconditional love and strong bond with the pet. The companion which would help them to stay in control of their emotions and support them when they need.
B. Emotional Support
As mentioned earlier, cats tend to become the best companion when the owner needs someone to support them when they are too emotional. The calming presence of a cat reduces the stress and anxiety and their purring has a positive impact on the mental well-being of the owners which leads them to become relaxed and comfortable.
C. Low Maintenance
Since cats are one of those creatures which like to stay clean and tidy. This action reduces their maintenance cost as they like to keep themselves groomed. They use the litter box and do not make the mess around and are independent in nature. This shows that they are very sensible and can be easily trained if they are not behaving as per the need. The cats being low maintenance is one of the reasons why people like to adopt them as it is easier to manage the pet amidst their busy lifestyles.
D. Space Requirements
Cats are small in size and do not require large spaces to move around of to settle themselves. Due to this reason, they are suited for small homes and apartment settings. They can be accommodated in limited living space too. This makes them suitable for urban dwellers.
E. Health Benefits
According to the experts, owning a cat comes with a lot of health benefits for the owners. Petting the cat proves to be soothing which results in reduced stress and lowers the blood pressure. It also leads to a strengthened bond between the cat and the owner making them enjoy a happy and healthy companionship.
F. Entertainment
Cats are playful and extremely entertaining animals. They are curious and always try to learn something new. Their playful nature can bring joy and laughter to the household and keeps the owners and their families engaged in their small antics. The cute faces they make and the closure they make the owner feel makes them extremely adorable pets which take all the stress away in an instant.
G. Allergies
Sometimes there are people who are allergic to the dog’s or other animal’s fur. Cat’s fur does not make them feel that bad and the people with allergies can easily tolerate them. This is why the pet is suitable to be kept by those people. It keeps them safe and be able to enjoy the companionship with a pet.
H. Varied Breeds and Personalities
If you start looking for a suitable cat for yourself, you would come across a large variety of breeds of animals which might be suitable for you and your family. Some might not be suitable as the cats from different breeds have different characteristics and moods. Choose the one which is suitable for your and your family’s lifestyle but then keep in mind that you would have to train them a little bit so they can learn your ways. Ensure to reinforce the basic rules to adjust the cat as per your setup and environment.
I. Rodent Control
A long time ago, cats used to be adopted by people who had issues of rodents in their residential or commercial areas. The cats use to kill or eat the rodents resulting in the reduction of their population. Now most of the people adopting cats do not have such purpose but it is beneficial too as your house stays safe form rodent animals. This can also lead to reduction in pest problems in their houses.
J. Rescue and Adoption
A lot of cats are adopted by people for the purpose of having a companion, however; there are many people who adopt a cat just to provide a home. These people adopt cats from shelters or rescue organization to provide them with a new home and a safe and caring environment, where they are properly fed and taken care of. It reduces the number of homeless and stray cats leading to a safe and clean environment. This results in providing a chance of a better life to the cat which is adopted by the owner.
Since you are bringing a feline companion to your home, you should have information about some common expectations and responsibilities associated with cat adoption:
1. Basic Requirements
- One of the basic needs of a cat is the food that you feed them. You should provide them with a balanced and appropriate diet for your cat. Do not forget to provide them with fresh water at all times or a food with high moisture level as cats do not usually like drinking water. By providing them with food which is high on moisture would keep them hydrated.
- Keep their litter box clean at all times. Scoop it out on a daily basis and provide them with suitable type of cat litter. Put the litter box in an isolated place so the cat is comfortable while using it.
- Make sure that wherever the cat is made to rest is a safe place. The cat should be able to rest comfortably in isolation without any disturbance. Install some toys and objects which would allow them to enjoy and have some fun time. It allows them to release their energy and stimulate their mental and physical well-being.
2. Veterinary Care
- Look for a reputable veterinarian and take your cat for regular checkups, get them vaccinated so they are safe from viral diseases. Maintain their medical record and keep referring to it whenever needed. Observe your cat for ensuring that it is safe from any genetic conditions, if you observe something out of ordinary, you should take them for a checkup and get the cat treated as soon as possible before the conditions gets worsened.
- If you cat doesn’t get involved in breeding willfully then get the spaying or neutering done to avoid any unwanted litter or problems.
- If your cat every gets injured or is sick, seek for an expert veterinarian’s advice and get them treated. If you find your cat having issues with their urinary system, Diamond Urinary Cat food is a good option for your cat. It is a product of Diamond Pet Foods with specifications to treat any of the cat’s urinary health condition.
3. Grooming
- You should brush your cat’s coat regularly. If it is a long coat, it would require to be combed with specific tools which would reduce tangling and knotting in the coat fur. If it has short hair on the coat, then you can brush it with regular tools available.
- Trim the cat’s nails as the cats are one of those individual beings which like to stay clean and tidy at all times. Make sure your bathe them regularly and keep them in a comfortable and clean environment too.
- Take them to a reputable dental expert for feline beings. Feed them food which would strengthen their jaws and teeth. Take good care of their dental hygiene by brushing the cat’s teeth and providing dental treats.
4. Enrichment and Play time
- Cats are highly anxious animals and get bored easily. Make sure to provide them with toys which stimulate them mentally and physically. Engage the cat in interactive play and games, this would keep them busy and stimulated mentally. They have a natural instinct to scratch objects, so place objects which would satisfy this urge and keeps their claws healthy.
5. Identification around the collar
- Since you have to take your pet out for regular walks and play time, always put a collar around their neck. Make sure your contact information and other details are mentioned along with the collar so if the pet is lost, they can be found easily or you can be informed when they are found by someone.
- You can also insert a microchip in the cat’s collar, it would also be beneficial and is a more advanced manner to keep the pet safe.
6. Socialization
- Pets require a lot of attention and interaction. Spend quality time with your pet as it can strengthen your relationship and bond with the cat. Learn to understand their behavior and signals, allow them some quality lone time. If they are not comfortable in crowded place, let them enjoy some time alone so they have some space and independence.
7. Safety
- Make sure that your home is safe for your cat. Remove any harmful substances and objects which may prove to be hazardous for your cat. If you take them outdoor or allow them to play outside, make sure they are put on a leash or harness so they are in the close proximity and do not go to far off places wandering. Keep them safe from potential risks and take precautionary measures to keep them secure.
8. Responsible Ownership
- When you own a pet, it is essential to abide by the local laws and regulation defined by your local government regarding the pet ownership. Whatever pet you choose to breed, you have to breed them responsibly and take care of the well-being of the animal
- While you take care of the above-mentioned points, it is important to remember that owning a cat is a long-term commitment and it requires you to invest a lot of time, effort and financial resources. You have to ensure that you are meeting all of your cat’s needs and requirements which would lead to a happy and healthy affectionate bond being shared between you and your pet.
WHAT NOT TO DO?
When you adopt a cat, make sure you avoid the following:
I. Impulse adoption can be an issue if you do not verify the details of the cat and just adopt it for the sake of having a companion. It is important to gather all of their background information so you know what sort of pet you are adopting and what breed it belongs to along with the associated details.
II. Cats usually live up to 15 years or more. Make sure that you are ready to commit for such long while adopting a cat. This does not only include fulfilling their needs through finances but also it means that you would have to give them time.
III. If you are attracted towards a cat because of its appearance, make sure you have information about their temperament, their moods and their general needs to ensure that it is suitable for your lifestyle.
IV. Do not isolate the cat and give them proper time. Do not just let the cat live alone as it can lead them to become moody and stressed.
V.
- Do not skip maintaining the cat’s litter. Regular scoop the litter and clean it on regular basis to provide a comfortable and clean environment to your cat pet.
By avoiding the above-mentioned points, you would be able to enjoy a fun filled and loving relationship with your cat. If you need more information regarding pets, you can click on the following link: https://petsone.pk/vaccination-schedule-puppies-adult-dogs/
