Things to Consider Before Adopting A Cat

1. Cats are a long-term commitment

• Cats can live 15–20+ years.

• Think about future moves, relationships, children, jobs, travel, and changes in your living situation.

• Your animals are not disposable, and should not be given up/away due to a life change. When you adopt, you sign up to take care of them for life. If you have no problem giving your animals away, you should not adopt.

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2. The cost goes beyond the adoption fee. Plan for:

• Quality food and litter

• Annual veterinary exams and vaccines

• Flea/tick/parasite prevention

• Spay/neuter if not already done

• Emergency or unexpected veterinary care

• Medications and prescription diets if needed

• Pet insurance or an emergency savings fund

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3. Veterinary care is part of having a cat
Spaying and neutering is the most basic health care, and should be non-negotiable. Even healthy cats need routine care. They are very good at hiding pain. Yearly check-ups are important. As they age, dental disease, kidney disease, thyroid problems, arthritis, and other conditions can become more common. Pet insurance helps with these costs.

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4. Cats can have medical or behavioral needs.
Not every cat will be perfectly healthy or perfectly behaved. You may encounter:

• Urinary problems

• Chronic illnesses

• Anxiety or fear

• Scratching

• Litter-box problems

• Nighttime activity

• Difficulty adjusting to a new home

Be honest about what you can realistically handle. A cat deserves an owner who will work through these problems, and not give them up at the first inconvenience.

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5. Your home needs to be cat-safe.
Before bringing a cat home, consider:

• Secure windows/screens

• Toxic plants - Plants can be hung outside of a cat's reach.

• Exposed wires

• Small spaces where a cat could become trapped

• Unsafe household chemicals

• Open doors/exterior access

• Balconies

• Small objects that could be swallowed

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6. Cats still need daily interaction.
Cats aren’t completely “low maintenance.” They need:

• Fresh food and water

• Clean litter boxes

• Playtime

• Mental stimulation

• Affection or companionship, depending on the cat

• Grooming when necessary

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7. Litter boxes are non-negotiable
You’ll need to scoop regularly and keep them clean. A commonly recommended starting point is one litter box per cat, plus one extra. No one wants to use a dirty toilet, and dirty litterboxes will cause health issues for you and the cat.

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8. Scratching is normal
Cats need to scratch. Provide appropriate scratching posts/pads and don’t expect a cat to instinctively know which furniture is off-limits. If you are considering declawing, a very painful and horrible procedure that leads to behavioral issues and arthritis, you should not get a cat.

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9. Consider whether your lifestyle matches the cat
A very active household may not be ideal for a shy cat. Likewise, a highly social cat may struggle if left alone most of the day. Consider:

• Work schedule

• Travel

• Noise level

• Children

• Other pets including dogs with high prey drives

• How much interaction you want

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10. One cat vs. two
Some cats thrive alone; others benefit tremendously from feline companionship. Kittens in particular often do well with another compatible kitten because they can play and learn appropriate social behaviors together.

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11. Cats aren’t always affectionate on your schedule.
Some cats want to sleep beside you. Others want affection only occasionally. Some take weeks or months to feel comfortable in a new home.

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12. You need a plan for vacations and emergencies.
Before adopting, know who will care for your cat if you’re:

• Traveling

• Hospitalized

• Working long hours

• Suddenly unable to care for them

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13. Your landlord may have restrictions.
Check:

• Pet deposits/fees

• Number of pets allowed

• Breed/size restrictions

• Documentation requirements

• Rules about additional pets

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14. Consider allergies
If someone in the household has allergies, spend time around cats before adopting. There is no truly hypoallergenic cat breed.

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15. Adoption should be about finding the right match.
Don’t choose solely based on appearance or age. Consider the cat’s:

• Energy level

• Personality

• Medical needs

• Compatibility with children/other pets

• Comfort with being handled

• Need for an indoor-only or special environment

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 The biggest question:

“Can I care for this animal even if things don’t go exactly as planned?”

That’s probably the most important consideration. A cat may become expensive, develop medical problems, scratch the furniture, wake you up at 4 AM, or take months to adjust—and responsible ownership means being prepared to care for them anyway.