Having a pet, such as a cat, has been shown to reduce stress and blood pressure. Bringing a cat home can be a joyous moment. However, it is important that you make a careful decision. Choose a cat that suits you, your lifestyle, family and environment to ensure your cat's health and happiness.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Considering Your Needs and Lifestyle
Step 1. Make a long-term "investment" commitment
Cats can live up to 20 years. If you adopt or buy a cat, it will live in your house. This length of time is equal to the length of time your child has stayed at home, and even more! Make sure you commit to giving your furry friend a "home for good."
Step 2. Make sure you are allowed to have a cat in the house
Cats can be the best choice for people whose living space is not too large, such as apartment dwellers. However, always make sure your host allows you to pet a cat.
Don't let your cat become a cat who likes to roam outdoors. In general, cats that are kept indoors live longer and are healthier than cats that are left roaming around. A wandering cat is at risk of getting sick or getting injured
Step 3. Make sure you have enough time to take care of the cat
Cats are not like dogs who need a lot of company. However, it is important that you consider the amount of time you have to spend with your cat. If you're not going to have time to play with your cat, provide him with food, attention, and closeness, then this might not be a good time for you to own a cat.
- You should set aside at least an hour per day for your cat. This can build intimacy and keep the cat healthy and happy. Daily grooming, which takes 20-30 minutes, is also important if you have a long-haired cat.
- Talk to your vet or volunteer at the animal shelter about your time commitment. They may recommend that you keep a pair of sibling cats. By having more than one cat, you don't have to worry about going to work or on long vacations because your cat has friends.
- Kittens need a serious time commitment as they need to be trained to use the litter box, not to scratch the furniture, etc.
Step 4. Check your financial condition
Feeding and caring for cats costs money. The average expenditure can reach around IDR 6,500,000 to IDR 13,000,000 in a year. This can vary depending on your age and race. The cost to the vet and treatment is a cost that is commonly incurred and continues to grow over time.
- Expenditures for kittens can be more expensive in the beginning as kittens need vaccinations, deworming, and neutering.
- While cats are naturally capable of taking care of themselves, long-haired cats require additional care. Cats with brachycephaly, or "protruding" faces (such as Persian and Himalayan) need frequent cleaning around the eye area to prevent infection.
- Check the price of quality cat food and snacks at the nearest store. This can help you weigh the cost of feeding your cat.
Step 5. Consider your home environment
You need to consider what your home environment will be like before you decide to adopt a cat. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you already have other pets? How can they get along?
- Do you have small children? Young children can be rude to cats and could accidentally harm a cat.
- What is your activity level at home? Are you energetic? Or are you more relaxed? Kittens tend to be very active and need constant supervision. Adult cats are generally calmer and require less supervision. But this depends on the breed and each cat.
Step 6. Consider health issues
If you or someone in your household has allergies or other health problems, consider whether animals could affect them. Many people are allergic to things like anger, saliva, dead skin, and animal urine. Taking into account the length of the animal's coat can also prevent allergy problems.
- Short-haired cats (shiny smooth fur) are the best choice for most people. This type of cat usually does not require excessive fur grooming. When the hair falls out, you can clean it using only a comb or vacuum cleaner.
- Medium-haired and dangling long-haired cats require grooming. You need to brush his hair regularly. Long-haired cats even need to be brushed and groomed every day.
- Some cat breeds are hairless (and hypoallergenic). However, this breed of cat gets cold easily and needs something like a sweater to keep warm. This breed of cat is not fluffy when you pet it. This is what makes some people reluctant to maintain it.
Step 7. Choose the type of cat that suits you
The breed and age of the cat you choose can affect your relationship with him. Do you want a cat who likes to sit on your lap to just relax? Or do you prefer cats that make you happy when you interact with them? Taking your expectations into account when owning a cat will help you choose the right cat breed for you.
- The nature of the kitten is not yet fully formed. Therefore it will be more difficult for you to determine what kind of relationship they will have when they are older.
- Check in encyclopedias, for example Animal Planet's Cat Breed Directory. Encyclopedias can help you learn about the traits of certain breeds of cat. For example, how to speak, independence, and intelligence. Remember that the nature of one cat to another is different.
Step 8. Do some research on purebred cats
Cat breeds have advantages and disadvantages. They have different characters from generation to generation. For example, Siamese cats who tend to always meow or Siberian cats who always want to be held. If you think a certain character is important for a cat to have, you should choose a purebred cat. But remember that these traits may not necessarily exist, depending on each individual cat.
Purebred cats also tend to have certain health problems. For example, Persian and Himalayan cats tend to have heart and kidney problems. Maine Coon cat has hip and heart problems
Part 2 of 3: Looking for a Cat
Step 1. Visit the nearest animal shelter
Animal shelters, humanitarian agencies, and nurseries usually have the best selection of cats that need new homes. In America, for example, there are 6-8 million animals in shelters each year, but only half of them are adopted. Visit your nearest humanitarian agency and animal shelter, or search the internet for cats that need a place to stay.
- Pets obtained from shelters can be cheaper than animals obtained from a breeder or pet store. Cats from breeding grounds can cost hundreds of thousands, millions, up to tens of millions. Rarely do animal shelters charge more than IDR 1,300,000 or IDR 2,600,000 for adoption.
- You don't have to go to a breeder to buy a purebred cat. At the shelter there are many purebred cats rescued from being neglected or mistreated. In fact, 25% of the animals in the shelter are purebred.
- Discuss with employees or volunteers at the shelter. They will usually tell you about the cat's life history and any health problems or behavior.
Step 2. Visit the animal breeding grounds
Check the reputation of the breeder before you buy. If you have time, visit and check the condition of the cat yourself. By visiting the breeding grounds you can also help animals if they are mistreated by their owners. If you find this, do not buy a cat from him.
- Look for signs of torture such as cat hair loss, pungent odors, wounds, and growing unkempt animal nails. The cat you want to buy should look healthy and happy.
- Ask about the cat you want to choose. Ask about their predisposition to illness, behavioral problems, or special needs. The seller has to look smart and honest when talking about it.
- Make sure the cat is comfortable around other animals or people.
- Suspicious low prices. A purebred cat that is supposed to be expensive but is selling cheaply indicates that the seller is cheating or being dishonest about the cat. On the other hand, the high price also does not guarantee the quality of the cat.
Step 3. Search the internet
You can find cats for sale or give away for free on the internet or in the newspapers. While you can adopt a cat that belongs to a neighbor or from a stranger on the Craigslist site, you need to be aware of the risks.
- The person offering the cat may not know the nature, history, or breed of the cat. Make sure you get a medical record or something like that from the person who offered you the cat.
- If the cat is sold, you may have a hard time getting your money back if it turns out that the cat you got is not what you promised.
Step 4. Visit the pet shop
The pet store might sell cats they got from the breeder or they might also have an adoption center, a place for rescued cats to be adopted. Keep in mind that even if the shopkeeper is an animal lover, he may not necessarily be as knowledgeable about cats as people at shelters or animal rescues are.
- Always ask the seller where they get the cats from. They may get their animals for sale from kitten "factories" where they are bred under unethical or dangerous conditions. Find out about their breeding grounds. The seller should have knowledge of the breed, potential health and behavior problems, and the life history of the cat (such as family etc.). Purebred cats also need to have documentation from a veterinarian such as a registration letter or a health certificate.
- If the store offers adoption from an adoption shelter or agency, choose one. It is certain that when you adopt a cat, you are not contributing to the profits of an unethical cat "factory".
Step 5. Adopt a stray cat
Sometimes, a cat just comes in front of your house and begs for affection. Even though this way you can have a cat, there are a few things you need to consider:
- Make sure the cat is not owned by someone else. Sometimes, a cat that “gets lost” intentionally leaves its owner who still wants it. Make an announcement in a classified ad or on the internet by describing the cat you find. Call animal shelters to see if missing animals have been reported.
- Keep in mind that stray cats may have behavioral problems. Life on the streets is tough enough for cats that they may struggle to adjust to home life, especially if you already have other pets.
- Check with your vet before you bring him home. Cats can carry disease and infection. Since you adopted a stray cat as a pet, check with your vet to make sure it is healthy.
Part 3 of 3: Choosing a Cat
Step 1. Pay attention to the cat's physique
Like humans, cats should not be judged by their outward beauty alone. While there's nothing wrong with being intrigued by a cute cat's face, make sure you consider other things before making a decision.
Step 2. Ask for guidance in adopting
Most shelters and caregiving centers offer free adoption guidance. Usually they will ask about your needs, lifestyle, and personality before making a recommendation. This is a great way to find a cat that fits you and your needs.
Step 3. Bring in the people who will interact with the cat
It's a good idea to bring people home, especially young children, to be introduced to cats. If possible, bring everyone in the house to see how they interact with each other.
Step 4. Ask to hold the animal you like
Ask the store clerk or shelter volunteer to show you how to hold the cat. Each cat has its own preference for how it wants to be held and the store clerk may know better. This is intended to prevent the cat from scratching or biting. If the cat resists, don't force it. Some cats are very affectionate but don't want to be held. Some other cats will feel uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment and will continue to be on alert.
- Make a fist and hold it close to the cat. This is a method of imitating the way a cat greets. If your cat sticks its head into your fist, it means that it welcomes your greeting. If your cat leaves when you greet her, she likely doesn't like meeting new people.
- If your cat tries to scratch or bite you, this doesn't mean you can't adopt it. Most cats scratch when they are nervous or scared. Still, a cat that likes to scratch or bite isn't a good choice for those of you with small children.
Step 5. Check for signs of disease
Make sure the cat is healthy. If you notice signs of illness, it's not a sign that you can't adopt the cat -- sometimes cats in shelters or in care have health issues. But love and care can heal it. Here are the things you need to check:
- The cat's eyes look sparkling and free of dirt.
- The cat's nose should be free of debris and the cat should not expose excessive sneezing.
- Cat ears are free of dark, odorless discharge. Cats should not scratch their ears and shake their heads too often.
- Cats have clear breathing sounds, not panting or coughing.
- Cat fur is clean and free of parasites such as fleas and mites. Check her armpits and belly for signs of lice.
- The cat's skin is clean and unharmed. If your cat has a scar, make sure the wound is healed and treated.
- The cat's buttocks should be clean and there are no visible signs of diarrhea or intestinal worms. Also check the litter box for signs of diarrhea.
Step 6. Ask about the cat's life history
This is important before you make a decision. Questions you can ask, for example:
- How long has the cat been there?
- Why is the cat even there?
- How does the cat interact with other cats, employees, and other animals?
- What is the cat's personality like?
- Does the volunteer/employee/breeder have any concerns about the cat?
- Does the cat have any health problems?
Step 7. Ask how the cat was trained
It's important to introduce your cat to new people, sights, sounds, smells and experiences in the first 12 weeks of life. Without it, cats can grow into animals that are afraid of humans and even become aggressive. Research has found that cats who have more contact with humans in the first 7 weeks of their life are more likely to grow up to be friendly, well-developed animals.
- Good introductions can be made by holding and petting the cat at least a few minutes a day since he was born. However, newborn cats should not be kept away from their mother even for a short time because the mother cat will be anxious and will not even acknowledge her kittens.
- Other important recognition processes include playing with toys, interacting with humans in games such as chase, and exploring different types of objects such as cardboard, paper bags, and scratching boards.
- Make sure you don't introduce your big toe as a toy. Kittens can accidentally scratch or bite while playing, but these behaviors should be discouraged. Point the cat at an object that deserves to be scratched or bitten if this happens.
- Kittens should also be introduced to a lot of people so that they are not shy about dealing with strangers.
Step 8. Consider an adult cat
When you glance at a cute kitten, you may get distracted and forget about an adult cat. However, actually adult cats also have several advantages:
- Adult cat personalities are usually trained so you will know how they will react and how they will behave.
- Adult cats have been trained to defecate in the litter box and do not require much supervision.
- Adult cats are generally calmer and therefore safer for young children.
- If your adult cat wasn't trained well as a child, you can still retrain it. This process may take longer, but with patience and practice, even adult cats may eventually become calmer or less startled.
Step 9. Find out if the cat you like has an affinity for other cats
Cats sometimes come to the shelter with other cats they are already familiar with, or build new friendships at the shelter. If separated they may suffer emotionally and will have difficulty establishing intimacy with other animals.
If you are planning to adopt two cats who are already close, then this is a good thing. They will comfort each other if they feel stressed during the move
Step 10. Check the health record with the veterinarian
If so, see what tests and vaccinations have been done. This way you can determine your overall health condition and predict future expenses.
It is important to check for Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia (FeLV) before bringing your cat home. Especially if there are other cats in the house. The disease is easily transmitted to other animals. Therefore, get your cat checked before adopting it, even if you don't have any other cats in the house
Step 11. Ask if a vet visit is included in the purchase or adoption fee
In many cases, a vet visit is included – even required – when purchasing or adopting a cat. Usually you will be given the opportunity to schedule the first meeting. Discuss your new cat's needs with your vet.
If you have cats or other pets in your home, it's a good idea to take your cat to the vet before bringing it home
Step 12. Ask about lodging options
Many animal shelters and caretakers will allow you to take your cat for a "trial" period (usually just a few nights to a week). If you prefer, this is a great way to see if your cat is getting along with other family members or pets.
Keep in mind that your cat may be very agitated at first. Be patient as the cat will get used to its new environment
Tips
- Most animal shelters have visiting hours. The best way to find out a cat's true personality is during the day. The later in the evening, the more cats are touched, picked up, or carried by other visitors and the more likely they are to start to fall asleep from exhaustion.
- Buy accessories (a litter box, litter, food, toys, etc.) before you buy or own a cat – this way you can bring your cat straight into the house. Also try to schedule a visit to the vet before you adopt a pet. If you are well prepared, you can see your vet right after you adopt a pet.
- Be a responsible and knowledgeable owner: Buy a few books on cat care before choosing a cat. Each breed of cat has traits, grooming needs, and health issues that you need to be aware of. Also, determine what your expectations are when it comes to spending your annual vet check-up, and what types of illnesses require more treatment.
- After the cat has been spayed, there will be no difference in the behavior of the female and male cats. However, male cats are usually more likely to mark their territory than females.
- Once you bring your cat home, your cat will normally be a little quiet and shy. He just needs time to adapt to his new environment.
- Be aware that a kitten's personality will change every year, depending on how often or rarely you hold her. His reaction when held or petted will be different from that of an adult cat.
Warning
- Beware of pet shops that force you to buy a cat but prevent you from doing any of the above. It's clear they put profit ahead of you and the cat being sold. A good pet shop won't mind if you want to hold your cat however you like. They will even provide a private room equipped with chairs and a cat play tower where you can meet the cats face to face.
- Be careful when bringing a stray cat into your home: Even a cat that looks healthy can develop leukemia, meningitis or other illnesses that can have a lethal effect on any cat in the house. Take your cat straight to the vet for a checkup before you bring it home.
