Owning a cat is a source of happiness and fun, but if you are thinking of getting one you need to be conscious of how much time and money you will need to spend to keep your little friend.
Money
The Blue Cross pet charity advises that, aside from the initial cost of a cat and the paraphernalia you’ll need to settle them in, these are the ongoing costs to be aware of:
• Cat food
• Cat litter
• Toys
• Annual checkups
• Vaccinations
• Flea and worm treatment
• Cat insurance
• Ill health or emergency vet treatment
Time
Any domesticated cat will need your company, and this you will give willingly as it’s the very reason you wanted a pet in the first place. But a quick stroke on the head before you leave the house for the day is not enough. You’ll need to allow time to:
• Play with your cat, particularly an active kitten
• Regularly clean their litter tray, food and water bowls
• Groom them – in particular, long-haired breeds need to be groomed daily
• Work with any behavioural issues, remembering this won’t be fixed overnight
• Take time off work at short notice to deal with health problems and vet visits
• Arrange care if you are away from home for more than a few hours.
If you still really want a cat, but the drawbacks are putting you off, consider getting an older animal. Young kittens can’t be left alone for a whole day so an older catmight be a better choice.
