There are many people who enjoy sharing their lives with pets, and cats are one of the most frequently kept pets. While getting a new pet can be an exciting prospect, it's important to remember that cats are living creatures with many needs. In order to get a pet cat, it is important that you consider the various responsibilities as an owner and choose the right cat for you and your lifestyle so that everyone can enjoy life together!
Step
Part 1 of 4: Considering the Requirements for Keeping a Cat
Step 1. Ask yourself why you want to have a cat
It's important that you understand the motivation behind wanting to get a cat in the first place in order to choose the best cat you can pet. Some common reasons include:
- Want selfless love and loyal friends
- To fill the void resulting from the death of a pet or other spouse
- Want a friend for your child while teaching them responsibility
- Want to take care of someone/something every day
Step 2. Consider whether you are ready for a long-term commitment
Owning a pet is a big responsibility and the decision to own a cat means you are prepared to take on this responsibility for about 15 to 18 years. It's important for you to know that over the next decade or so, this cat will always be your life companion and your responsibility. Make sure you are prepared to care for the cat throughout your life and hers before moving on to the next process.
Step 3. Determine if you can support the cat's life
In addition to the price of a cat that can be very expensive if you decide to take it from a cat breeder (or as it is familiarly called a breeder), you also have to consider the costs of ownership. Keep in mind that you will also have to pay for the food, vet fees, ID, microchip installation and other incidental costs that can add up very quickly. A number of blogs and cat lover forums in Indonesia estimate that for the first year cat owners should prepare funds ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million rupiah, depending on the type of cat and the quality of the equipment chosen.
Step 4. Consider other difficulties in keeping a cat
You may really want to own a cat and may have reasons to have one, but there are a few other conditions you should consider before deciding that a cat is the right choice in this phase of your life:
- Do you have any other pets and will they react well to the new cat?
- Are you allowed to keep a cat in your current residence?
- Will your work and social life allow enough time to care for and interact with the new cat?
- What would you do with the cat if you went on vacation?
- Do you or anyone else you will interact with have allergies to cats, cat dander, cat litter or dander?
- Do you have children who may need a cat with a certain type of disposition?
Part 2 of 4: Deciding Where to Find the Right Cat
Step 1. Visit the animal shelter
Although most of the cats in the shelter are mixed breeds, it is still possible to find purebred cats there. Adopting a shelter cat also means that the cat has been examined by a doctor and has often been neutered before it can be adopted. Animal shelter is the lowest-cost option. Apart from that, adopting a cat also gives these animals a second chance at life and this is a noble cause.
Step 2. Call an animal rescue group
There are many organizations dedicated to rescuing cats and finding someone to adopt them. Some organizations save cats of any breed, while others are devoted to saving specific breeds. Search the internet or contact your local animal shelter for recommendations, as animal rescue groups often work with shelters. Many of these rescue groups do not charge an adoption fee and instead recommend a relatively low "donation fee".
Step 3. Avoid pet shops
Be careful when buying a cat from a pet store. Most of these kittens come from animal farms or animal mills that focus on breeding as many cats as possible instead of just a few quality cats. These cats are often born with abnormalities and raised in captivity and confined spaces, conditions that can cause behavioral problems. Pet shops are also much more expensive than getting a cat from a shelter or animal rescue group, often running from hundreds to millions of rupiah.
Step 4. Find out about the breeder
If you want a specific breed, do some careful research to find an accredited breeder with a good reputation. Since purebred cats are also much more expensive (around tens to tens of millions of rupiah), make sure you find out the average price so you know whether you are paying the right amount or not.
Step 5. Take care of a stray cat
First of all, it's important that you determine if the cat is truly ownerless; watch for "lost" cat announcements in your area, contact your local shelter, and take the cat to the vet to see if it has a microchip identifier. If the cat is truly homeless, it is important that you take him to the vet to check for any disease and to neuter him immediately.
Part 3 of 4: Choosing the Best Cat
Step 1. Do some research on the character of the different races
Different cat breeds have different specific traits, and it's important that you do some research to determine which breed best fits your lifestyle. Even though fewer than 10% of cats are considered "pure breeds" of any given breed, a general understanding of the racial group will be helpful even if you adopt a common house cat:
- Natural breed cats: these cats have long, thick coats that thrive in cold climates; box-shaped body and large; and is the least mobile of the three pure racial groups. The most common breeds in this group are the American and British Shorthair, Persian, and Maine Coon cats.
- Semi-foreign or hybrid: Considered a middle group, these cats have slightly oval eyes; slightly triangular head; and a leaner and more muscular body than other breeds. This type of cat has moderate energy levels compared to other breeds, except for the abyssinian breed, which has high energy levels. Other common breeds in this group are the Russian Blue and the Ocicat.
- Oriental breeds: These cats come from areas with warmer climates so they have very little body fat, thinner coat and very long legs, tail, ears and body. This group is the most active and happy to communicate among the three groups of cat breeds. Common breeds in this group include the Siamese, Burmese, and Cornish Rex.
Step 2. Consider the age of the cat that suits you best
It's important to consider the time you have available to train and play with your cat, as well as what kind of behavior you expect from him. If you work full time or have young children, it may be best to adopt an older cat as small and juvenile cats need a lot of exercise and attention. If this is your first cat, try to avoid cat breeds with a high level of need (craving your attention, desperate for personal space, etc.) as they can be too much of a challenge for beginners.
Step 3. Find a cat whose personality matches yours best
After doing some research to determine the best breed for your lifestyle, it's important to realize that these are just basic "best guesses." Be sure to go and interact directly with the cat you want a few times before making the decision to adopt him. In addition, adoption counselors at shelters often have good advice to help you find a cat whose personality matches yours.
Step 4. Discuss introductions to the breeder or animal shelter
It is very important for the cats you will be keeping to feel safe and comfortable interacting with the other people and pets that were in your life prior to their arrival. When visiting a shelter or breeder, make sure you bring your child, partner, or anyone else who will always see the cat. If you already have pets, talk to the breeder or shelter advisor about the best way to introduce these animals to see if there are any potential problems that might arise.
Step 5. Check for obvious signs of disease
A breeder will have a better understanding of the cat's history and behavioral tendencies, but an animal shelter or rescue group will only be able to estimate the cat's past illnesses and explain its current condition. While no shelter will want to offer a sick cat up for adoption, it's still important to teach yourself the common signs of illness in cats so you can ask questions and make observations:
- Changes in the amount of water consumed (either drinking more or less) may indicate that the cat has diabetes or kidney disease.
- Unexpected weight loss or gain despite normal eating habits may indicate diabetes or hyperthyroidism.
- Bad breath can mean rotten teeth, dental disease or digestive disorders. While breath that smells sweet or like fruit can be a sign of diabetes.
- Pay attention to the cat's habit of cleaning itself. If a once groomed cat starts to look unkempt, this is a sure sign of a potential illness. Also, cleaning too often can indicate that the cat is very stressed, restless, in pain or has allergies.
Step 6. Start preparing your cat to come home
Before bringing the cat home, choose a local veterinarian and make an appointment to see him within a few days of his arrival at your home. Don't forget to ask for health records from the animal shelter or breeder! Organize your home and buy everything the cat will need in your home. For a list of the equipment you'll need, see the "Things You'll Need" section below.
Part 4 of 4: Bringing the Cat to Your Home
Step 1. Prepare an area for your cat
Since cats are very territorial, walking into a home filled with new smells and dark places can be very stressful. To make the transition easier, create an ideal area for the cat.
- Look for a small room that can be used as a home for the cat for the first few days or weeks, an ideal room that has enough space to put the cat's water, food and litter box as well as space for you to sit and interact (slowly at first) with your new pet.
- Fill the litter box with a few centimeters (about 6 cm) of sand and place it in a place where it will provide privacy for the cat to use it undisturbed (for example, place a cloth over the edge of one corner of the box like a curtain).
- Keep food and drink bowls separate from the litter box area.
- Provide something the cat can scratch, such as a pole or rug that you can buy at the pet store and keep one in each room. If necessary, encourage the cat to scratch at the objects (instead of your couch) by placing a small amount of catnip on the scratching surface.
Step 2. Introduce the cat to your home in a controlled environment
Close all exits and allow the cat to sniff and listen to the surroundings. Be sure to perform this step while the cat is in the carrier case if there are other pets or small children nearby. Show the special area you have created for the cat and where the litter box, bedding, and food are located.
Step 3. Introduce the new cat to your other pets slowly
Cats are very protective of their territory, so introductions should be gradual. Separate your pets in different rooms and first share their scent by rubbing a towel on each animal and then swapping them. Feed the animals on opposite sides of a closed door and slowly begin to open the door at different times of the day. Keep in mind that it can take weeks or months for the animals to feel comfortable with each other.
Step 4. Be aware that there may be some restlessness in the first few days
You need to know that the cat will be hiding or not eating too much for the first few days or even weeks. Don't force the cat to come up to you and understand that some cats will hide and won't come out at all when you're around for a while. Just give the cat time to adapt!
Step 5. Take care of your cat
Even if the cat is hiding from you, don't forget to give him food twice a day and always have fresh water ready for him. If the cat is shy and won't eat during this adjustment period, it's very important that they stay hydrated.
Step 6. Take your cat to the vet for the first week for a health check
Take the cat to the doctor's appointment you planned in advance to give the cat vaccines and deworming, if needed. Don't forget to include any notes you have obtained from the breeder or shelter. Implanting a microchip under the cat's skin for identification is highly recommended if the cat needs surgery or is missing.
Step 7. Watch for signs that your cat is making adjustments
Know when your cat begins to explore areas outside the safe zone you created for the animal and start opening more doors and expanding the space the cat needs to know about. Make sure not to try to scare or shock the cat during this time! When the cat is ready to play, keep your pet from getting bored by giving it toys and interacting with it. Cats love to play!
Step 8. Happy cat
Now that you've researched what kind of cat you should keep, find one and buy one, prepare your home for the cat, and wait patiently for the animal to acclimate. Enjoy the friendship and affection of your new cat! The bond you will forge together will be great and forever.
Tips
- Consider taking this quiz to determine what kind of pet is right for you:
- Caring for a cat can be very expensive, especially if the animal is sick so consider purchasing veterinary insurance. The animal protection organization Humane Society also has additional resources for meeting medical expenses if you are experiencing difficulties:
- A cat should receive direct attention for at least one hour per day including for training, grooming, playing or sleeping time with the master.
- Cats with long hair should be groomed for at least 20 minutes a day to prevent dreadlocks.
