Adopting A Kitten: Pros and Cons

So you’re thinking of adopting a kitten already have adopted one. Just like with adopting other pets, there are pros and cons to consider when it comes to adopting a feline companion. Cats are considered to be the second most popular pets being adopted (US) with fish being the first.

Considering whether a cat is the best pet for you to adopt depends on a variety of factors as well, especially the lifestyle and personality. (Source: “Should You Adopt A Cat: A List Of Pros and Cons” from The Purring Journal)

Let’s tackle the pros first:

1. Cats Are Independent Animals – Unlike other pets, cats are known to be independent animals and not as “needy” as other animals but that doesnt mean that they don’t need plenty of love and attention to be happy.
   

2. They Can Relieve Stress – The soothing purrs of cats make humans feel relaxed and accoring to research, stress levels and blood pressure drop in people who cuddle with them.
   

3. Cats Don’t Need To Be Potty Trained – Unlike dogs, cats or kittens don’t need to be taught to use litter box as it’s within their instinct when to relieve themselves in dirt or sand. Human parents just need to show them where their litter box is placed as well as how to get in and out.
   

4. They Don’t Need Bathing – Cats are known to be self-grooming animals so they don’t need bathing at all (except when they rolled into something they can’t get off their bodies or when they have a certain health condition). However, they should be brushed at least once a week so as to prevent hairballs and shedding.
   

5. They Can Be Affectionate – Now there’s this misconception about cats being less affectionate than dogs. Cats do love their owners and just show it in different ways.
   

6. Cats Don’t Require A Lot Of Space – Cats don’t really require much of a bigger space , just as long as there are windows so they can watch the view. Cats make ideal pets for people who live in apartments.
   

7. They May Help Manage Pests – Hate the sight of mice or any other pests? Cats make a good household pet when getting rid of them as they love hunting mice and insects.
   

8. Cats Make Great Pets For Introverts – If you’re an introvert person like me who only loves to stay indoors, then keeping a cat may be a great idea. There are psychological studies that show how people who only have cats are more introverted than people who only have dogs.
   

9. They Make Great Companions – We can’t deny the fact that felines make great companions, regardless of whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, not only because they are adorable lap buddies, but they follow you around the house. If you’re someone who lives alone in an apartment unit or house, keeping a feline as a companion may be a great idea.
   

10. Cats Are Cheaper To Take Care Of Than Dogs – Believe it or not, cats are more affordable to take care of than dogs. Aside from the fact that they don’t eat as much as medium to large sized dogs, they don’t need or require grooming services.

With that said, let’s now proceed to the cons:

1. They Can Be Skittish – We can’t deny the fact that some cats can be very skittish, especially those who weren’t around people enough.
   

2. Your Cleaning Schedule May Need Adjustment – Keeping a cat as a pet may mean an adjustment to cleaning schedule, especially if they vomit from time to time (either a hairball or if they ate something they shouldn’t have).
   

3. Litter Boxes Require Regular Upkeep – While cleaning a litter box is one of the things we don’t enjoy when it comes to keeping a cat, it requires cleaning at least once a day as cats don’t use dirty litter boxes.
   

4. Cats Might Damage Furniture – Cats have this nature of scratching into things such as pieces of furniture which might possibly damage them. To avoid or prevent this, it’s best to provide them with scratch boards.
   

5. Cat Allergies Are Fairly Common – While you think you may not be allergic to cats, your friends and relatives or guests might be.
   

6. Veterinary Bills Can Be Expensive – Just like with dogs, regular checkups are important to make sure your cat is healthy. Regardless of whether or not they have health conditions, it is recommended they have all year round flea prevention which can be costly as well.
   

7. They Rarely Obey Commands

8. Cats Might Need Their Nails Trimmed

9. Cats Might Not Be Ideal For Extroverts

10. They Might Wake You Up At Night

With these in mind, do you consider a cat as an ideal pet or companion for you?