As far as pets go, cats require less upkeep than dogs, who require company, walks, training, etc. They do, however, require care, and some cats require more care than others, just like any other pet. Do you have little time, do you want to spend a lot of time with your cat, or do you want it to be demanding? Due to their independence, ability to be left alone, and preference for smaller apartments and homes, cats can fit into busy, modern lifestyles more easily than dogs. People who lead busy, stressful lives and seek companionship when they retire to their homes to unwind frequently choose cats.
What do you hope to get out of your friendship with a cat? If you’re the kind of person who needs a close bond with their cat in order to be able to handle it and have it interact with you, you might be let down if you adopt a timid cat that runs away whenever you enter the room. Consider one of the pedigree breeds instead of a moggie because they tend to be more social and perhaps more in need of human company. However, if you work all day and are only able to give the cat attention in the evenings or on weekends, this could become a problem.
Some cats require complete certainty regarding what will occur when in order to feel at ease. Such cats would be quite content living with an elderly woman who rarely has guests and leads a very quiet life, but they probably wouldn’t enjoy living in a house full of children and other animals where there are frequently guests and a lot of activities. However, other cats might thrive in a variety of interactions with many people and blend in perfectly in a busy household.
Avoid getting a Persian or a cat with a long coat if you don’t think you’ll have the time or desire to groom it every day. In pedigree lingo, any cat with a longer coat, other than a Persian, is referred to as semi-longhaired because it is still long and needs grooming but is not as full as the Persian’s and does not have as thick of an undercoat. Additionally, if you take great pride in your home, you might not want a lot of hair lying around.
Since most cats are obsessive about their coats and keep them in immaculate condition, choosing a shorthaired cat is much simpler. But that doesn’t mean they don’t shed; if you’re considering getting a white cat but have dark furniture, or vice versa, keep this in mind. A cat is also likely to sharpen its claws indoors, frequently on the carpet of the stairs, occasionally on the furniture, or even on the wallpaper. The environment you give your cat and the cat itself can both influence whether it does this;
Although there are things you can do to try and deal with this, it is best to recognise right away that your cat is an animal with free will and natural behaviour that might not suit someone who needs to have a spotless home.
