The Reality Of Owning A Cat

Being a cat owner is all about being ready to handle the feisty nature of these furry little friends. Cats may not be called man’s best friend, but they sure do offer just as much for owners as their canine counterparts. Cats offer a lot of fun for their owners, but it’s not always sunshine and rainbows.

Cats can be rambunctious, sassy, fierce, playful, snuggly, and sometimes downright mean, but they’re never a dull moment. If you want to become a cat owner someday, you need to know the reality of it so you can make sure you are ready for any kind of situation.

One of the things that make cats such an awesome pet is that they are very self-sufficient. They tend to do things their own way, when they want, and how they want which makes them a good pet for someone who is not always around the house for them. Of course, you want to be a good owner and still provide for them, but even a feeder from bestautomaticpetfeeders.com could be a useful addition for them to feed themselves. Cats love to be their own owner, so sometimes you should let them do just that.

However, cats still need your love and affection. Cats aren’t solitary animals all the time and they need their love and snuggles just like everyone else does so you have to make sure you can provide that for them. Shower them with affection when they ask for it, give them plenty of toys to play with, make a comfortable bed somewhere in the house, and keep them happy. A happy cat makes a happy owner.

This one is a general rule of owning a pet but it can help you be more attentive and the reality is, many pet owners are not aware of the fact that their animals don’t talk...considering they’re animals and all, obviously. Cats won’t always be able to show or tell you how they feel, so you need to pay close attention to how they are doing. You can often see it in their body language, like limping if they’re hurt or painful expressions if their stomach is upset. Keep a close eye on how they can show signs of discomfort, pain, or even sadness to make sure you can properly provide them the right medical care.

Hate to break it to you out there that don’t want to spend a lot of money on a cat, but you’re going to have to. You can adopt a cat from a shelter (which is a great idea), but the costs for food, toys, grooming accessories and all of the medical bills for shots and examinations are going to run up a pretty bill sometimes. This isn’t an attempt to scare off those prospective cat owners, but it’s a good reminder that this is about the realities of owning a cat, not just the convenient truths. If you want to be a cat owner, and a good one, you should know they aren’t always cheap.

If you own a dog (or even a small child for that matter), you are probably prepared for some fighting in the household. The reality is that cats and dogs do get along, sometimes a lot better than you could ever imagine. Cats are often solitary animals, while dogs are more social, but sometimes they become close because they spend so much time alone in the house together. Don’t be too afraid of your dog and cat not getting along, but make sure to introduce them slowly so they don’t go at it like a Tom and Jerry cartoon.

Finally, cats are going to cause some unexpected chaos around the house. Not always, but cats can get up to no good, even in the wee hours of the night. They will bounce around, run, play, and even occasionally knock things off of counters while adventuring. Expect this and you won’t get too perturbed when they end up messing around. This also is a good time to recognize if your cat isn’t getting enough play and activity from you. Many cats will start letting out aggression or energy because they need to be stimulated, so if your cat is exhibiting a lot of playfulness, you should facilitate it.

Being a cat owner is rewarding in its own right, but it can also be incredibly frustrating at times because of their nature. Still, knowing what it is really like to be a cat owner is a good way to prepare yourself before you decide to become a cat owner.