10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Adopting a Cat

Cats are soft, cute, cuddly, and a lot of fun. They make great pets. They will entertain you, comfort you, lower your stress, reduce your chance of having a heart attack, and chase away loneliness. But if you have never lived with a cat before you might be in for a few surprises. Here are 10 things I wish I knew before adopting a cat.

Cats are a Big Responsibility

The average lifespan of a cat is 10-12 years. An indoor-only cat could top 15-17 years. It is becoming routine for well-cared for, indoor cats to live to 20 or beyond. I have had many cats live beyond 20, Chester lived to 25. When you adopt a cat you are taking on a big commitment. 

Caring for a Cat isn’t Cheap 

Adoption fees can range from $50-$300 depending on the area of the country, the type of organization you adopt from, and the age of your kitten. But even “free kittens” aren’t free. You might save on the adoption/purchase fee, but it leaves you on the hook for the cost of spaying/neutering your new feline friend and their initial vaccines. 

Expenses for your first year of kitty ownership will likely run you around $1200-1500 depending on where you live. According to experts, the year to year costs of caring for your kitty average from $800-2,500. Your cat’s age, health, dietary needs will determine the costs. There are ways to save on pet care but the fact is that annual vet check-ups, food, litter, toys and enrichment products, and petsitters if you travel all add up. 

Related Post: Learn more about budgeting for your new cat

Cats Need a Lot of Attention

There’s a long-standing myth that cats are independent, sleep all day, and don’t care about their people.

In fact, cats crave your time and attention. They want to be in the middle of whatever we are doing. They’ll follow you all over, including into the bathroom, sit on your book and walk all over your computer while you are working or scrolling your favorite social media.

Cats need enrichment and stimulation just like a dog or a baby does. It’s up to us to provide our kitty with the physical, mental, and emotional stimulation they need. This is true for all cats but it is especially true for kittens.

Playtime with interactive toys, self-play toys, training times, and environmental enrichment takes time and money. You’ll want to think about that when you consider how a cat will fit into your home and lifestyle.

Related Post: Enrichment ideas for Indoor Cats

Cats Can Be Trained 

You can train your cat but they are not dogs. Cats are very smart, but they aren’t inherent people pleasers. I’m sure you have heard it said “Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.”  You are your cat’s best friend but not their master. Don’t expect them to obey on command just because you say so. In that way dogs are like toddlers while cats are like teenagers. 

Aversive discipline or “training” techniques such as yelling, hitting, making noises, or spraying with water don’t work.Trying to modify your cat’s behavior in these ways won’t do anything except make your cat afraid of you. They might get off the counter if you yell at them but I guarantee they are up there all the time when you aren’t watching them. 

Instead, work with a cat’s natural desires. A cat will be happy to comply with your desires if you offer her an alternative way to meet the same need. Is she on the counter because she wants to see out a particular window? Give her a window seat of her own. Does she want to hang out with you? Train her to sit on a bar stool. We trained our cat to sit on a stool at the table instead of begging.

Related Post: Training Your Cat

But You Can’t Train Out Their Natural Instincts

Cats are more recently domesticated than dogs. They retain much of their natural instincts and behaviors. You can’t force them to ignore those needs. You either give them a way to meet that need that you can live with, put up with the behavior, or don’t get a cat.

Even well-fed, pampered kitties retain their prey drive.

They love you and want to provide for you. They will bring you the things they kill. Outside cats will bring you dead animals. Indoor cats will bring you their favorite toys or random things. If you live in the woods and mice get in your house, your indoor cats will bring you dead animals too.

Cats scratch.

Scratching is not a behavior problem, it is a need. Cats can’t be trained not to scratch but they can be trained where to scratch and where not to scratch. Don’t hide the scratcher in the basement or the backroom. Put it right out in the main room by the couch. If you don’t, Kitty will use the couch or a doorframe. 

Related Post: Why Cats Scratch

A good litterbox setup that your cat likes is essential.

We have to please the cats, not the humans when it comes to the litterbox. Cats don’t adapt to us just because we want them too. 

Litterbox maintenance is crucial. If you don’t take care of the box then Kitty will poop on the floor and pee on your bed and your house will smell. He is not doing it out of spite, he is reacting to having a dirty bathroom. 

Related Post: Why Cats Pee Outside the Litterbox

Cats are obligate carnivores.

Cats need a meat based diet, not one full of carbs. A poor diet can lead to urinary tract disease, dental problems, obesity and diabetes among other problems. Poor health = extremely expensive vet bills and none of us wants that.

Cats need a predictable routine. 

They need stability to thrive. They expect their meals to show up on time, that playtime happens routinely, that mom or dad comes home at the end of the day. That means no more sleeping in on Saturday or spontaneous evenings out after work while Kitty’s waiting for a meal.

You need to plan your work and social life around this other life you have taken responsibility for.  It means hiring a cat friendly petsitter if you travel. It means getting auto feeders if your job isn’t so predictable. If your lifestyle is a little more freewheeling it might mean adopting two kittens instead of one.

Related Post: Two is Better than One

Cats Can Get Into a Lot of Trouble. 

If it can be climbed, it will be climbed. Everything is a toy. Accidents happen, but just like with kids or puppies, you need to babyproof your house. The younger the kitten the more you need to secure the house.

 If you cannot bear the thought of fur in the house, an occasional scratch on wood or slightly frayed fabric, or a broken lamp don’t get a cat. 

Related Post: How to Kittenproof Your House

Cats Shed.

Cats shed. Fur is part of life with cats. Grooming can help keep it somewhat under control but you’re going to get fur on your furniture and your clothes.

Cats, Especially Kittens, Play Rough

Cat play is essentially hunting practice. It involves stalking, pouncing, chasing, kicking, scratching, and biting. You might think your kittens are fighting but they are probably just having a grand time. Kitty will play rough with you too. It takes training for them to learn to be gentle with you.

Cats are Crepuscular

Cats are active at dawn and dusk. They are more active at night than during the day. You might get run over while sleeping. The 3 am zoomies are a real phenomenon.

Related Post: Your First 30 Days with Your New Kitten

The number one thing you want to know before adopting a cat is: you might, actually you probably will, become obsessed with your furry little friend and his or her well-being. And that is the best thing that will happen for both of you!