Cats have a notorious reputation for being cold and indifferent, but don't let this scare you away. You may even call our feline friends "ice queens" because of how cold they seem to be. That's why caring and forming a lifelong bond with one makes it the most rewarding experience!
You might be persuaded to buy one from the nearest pet shop. Sure, they have purebred cats to your liking. However, nothing beats taking a cat from a cold steel kennel and welcoming it to your warm and loving home. Aside from gaining a forever grateful furry friend, you also serve the greater good.
Keep reading to know why adopting is better and how you can prepare yourself for such a serious commitment!
When you visit an animal shelter, you would most likely encounter mixed-breed cats rather than purebred ones. Purebred cats tend to find a home sooner because they are more desirable than mixed-breeds. However, most potential fur parents miss out on how resilient mixed-breeds are. They usually live longer because of their broader gene pool, making them less prone to hereditary diseases.
Animal rescue volunteers are one of the most passionate people out there. They lend their precious time and limited resources to animals that need their help. All of their rescue efforts come without a charge. When you choose to adopt a rescue, you also become a part of this passionate and dedicated community.
If you also have the time and resources to spare, why not spend your weekends volunteering at animal shelters and animal rights groups? In addition to doing good in the world, you also get to expand your network and meet like-minded people.
Life on the streets is not easy. Just imagine how cruel the world has been to each of the feline residents in animal shelters. Stray cats had to fight their way through and eat scraps to survive. So take one home today and see for yourself how grateful your newly rescued cat will be. It would mean the whole world to them!
If you're in a dark period in your life, a cat may also turn your life around. In one instance, a street ginger cat named Bob saved the life of its recovering drug addict owner. Never underestimate how you and your cat can help one another in the most challenging times!
Unfortunately, animal shelters are also subject to increasing prices. They cannot keep caring for rescued strays forever because of this. As a result, some animal shelters have to make room by euthanizing their older residents. When you decide to adopt, you save two lives: your newly rescued cat and the cat next in line for euthanasia.
Aside from freeing up space at the animal shelter, you also help sustain its operations by paying the adoption fees. That's why adopting cats instead of buying them from mills and stores is better for the community at large. Even if you don't volunteer at the shelter, you can support them by taking a cat (or two!) home.
If you are a pet lover, this shouldn't be the first reason to adopt a pet. However, it does help if you get to spend less for the same kind of love and bond that you get from a loyal four-legged feline regardless of its breed.
For instance, the Sphynx cat is one of the few very recognizable breeds in the world. Moreover, it stands out because of its baldness and expensive price tag, anywhere from $900 to $1200. Meanwhile, adoption fees at animal shelters are around $15 to $200. Most of these fees are actually for the cats' vaccinations at the shelter.
Now that you have made an appointment with your local animal shelter, you have to prepare yourself and your home for your family's newest member. While it sounds straightforward enough, this entails a serious commitment and thorough preparation on your part. So how can you be certain if you are ready for cat ownership?
Below are some things you should tick off your checklist before bringing your fur baby home.
Before buying anything for your fur baby, take a deep breath and collect yourself first. Don't rush to the nearest pet store just yet. Make sure that you completely understand first what pet ownership entails and what it will demand from you. For instance, if you're already a busy person, you have to squeeze pet-related chores into your jampacked schedule.
When adopting a feline friend, do a little research first on the animal shelter and the animal you will be adopting. This is to ensure you choose the right shelter with a good track record of taking care of the animals. Also, checking the animal's background will help you make the necessary preparations before the day of the adoption.
Despite their small size, cats can take up a lot of your floor space. When they get the zoomies, they will run frantically around your home. Your cat will leave no stone unturned. That's why you have to make room for your cat and make sure that it has a lot of space to play and run around. Plus, running around will help your fur baby stay healthy and physically fit!
Having a cat is drastically different from owning a dog. For instance, a dog is already satisfied with running and jumping around your backyard. A wide and open space is more than enough for dogs. However, the same does not apply to our feline friends.
Cats love to climb trees and get to the highest places where their paws can take them. As such, take advantage of your home's vertical space. For instance, you can install floating shelves on your walls and build a hanging obstacle course. Your cat will love it!
Hold your horses! We know how easy it is to spoil your cat, but you, too, have your own needs. So keep your expenses in check, and don't ever go over your budget! You can check the reviews for cat food, litter sand, and other cat essentials to ensure that you're getting your money's worth. Remember, the greatest thing you can give your fur baby is your love and attention.
We know how adorable and irresistible little kittens are. When you look straight at their eyes, you can't help but bring them home. However, taking care of kittens can be very demanding. They run around, get into tight spaces, and can wreak havoc on your desk. These little furballs can be frustrating if your patience runs short.
That's why some people encourage potential fur parents to consider senior cats. Senior cats have already had a full life behind them, so they need no potty training and can take care of themselves. They can show affection too despite their age! The only downside is that you only get to enjoy their company for a few short years.
Bringing a new cat home isn't as easy as it sounds. It becomes even more complicated and troublesome if you already have other domestic pets in your household. Whether it's your first cat or not, you have to prepare a safe space for your furbaby. So it can relax and observe its new and unfamiliar surroundings from a place where it feels safe.
This safe space should have your kitty's necessities such as food and water. Don't forget to place a litter box nearby. Then, let it venture out at its own pace. Your kitty is curious enough to explore your home without you pressuring it to come out of its hole.
It may come as a surprise to you, but many animals in animal shelters, especially cats, bond in twos. During your next visit to the shelter, notice that pairs of cats always closely follow one another. They are called "bonded pairs," and it would be terrible to separate them. This companionship makes them happier and healthier.
Your animal shelter takes notes of these bonded pairs and will advise you to take both of them home. Consider doing so for the sake of their physical and emotional wellness.
You can help your feline friend steer clear of any diseases by ensuring they have all the necessary shots. Aside from the vaccine shots, you also have to routinely send them to the veterinarian to check them for any illnesses. Doing so can help detect anomalies and treat them earlier.
That's why you have to pick a good veterinary clinic and establish a rapport with the veterinarian. As your kitten grows up, the vet will be able to keep track of its growth and well-being.
They say that one in ten people worldwide has cat allergies. So if you're one of them and still want to own a cat, there isn't a clear answer. Cats have allergens that are present in their saliva. As you may already know, cats lick their fur to keep it clean and groomed. In turn, their fur shed and can stick on surfaces, clothes, and people.
While there are no hypoallergenic cat breeds, a few breeds have been observed to trigger fewer allergic reactions. Some of these breeds include Balinese, Bengal, and Javanese cats.
Before your kitten even arrives, you have to kitten-proof every nook and cranny of your home. Aside from being incredibly small, kittens are fast and elusive. When they get the zoomies or something that piques their curiosity, they will quickly run towards it while evading your attempts to catch them. It might take you even hours before you find them again.
As such, you have to get down on the floor and see your home with fresh new eyes. Try to imagine the possible routes your kitten might take. Where can it possibly go and hide? While you're at it, ensure that there are no harmful substances like rat poison lying around in the crevices of your home.
Your cat is an independent living being. But no matter how cold or indifferent your cat may act towards you, it still needs to be fed. You may look up different diets for cats on the internet. Many recommend having a mixed diet of dry and wet cat food. You will find a hybrid diet may be better for your cat and your wallet.
Aside from food, you also have to buy a litter box coupled with a bag of litter sand. You have to be meticulous about the litter sand as it can determine how bad your home might smell. Some litter sand can absorb and clump urine for better odor management and cleanup, while others are too dusty and substandard in quality.
Pet ownership can be too much, especially if you are not prepared yet for such a serious commitment. A kitten will surely eat up a huge chunk of your time and attention. You have to feed it, bathe it, and attend to its needs. Aside from providing its basic needs, you also have to shell out some cash for a scratch post, its vaccination shots, and vet bills if it ever gets sick.
Sounds very challenging, doesn't it? If you have yet to prepare yourself, you might want to consider getting a Perfect Petzzz. They are life-like pets but without the trouble and costs of owning an actual pet. They are as adorable as real ones and can breathe too! Owning one can help you gauge your mental and emotional readiness for such a serious and lifelong commitment.
If this sounds interesting to you, be sure to check our website and meet our cute Perfect Petzzz!
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