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Can You Afford A new Cat
There is nothing quite like the happiness a cat brings. Before taking on a new cat, however, it is important to make sure you are mentally and financially ready for the challenge. While most people don't realize it initially, there are major responsibilities in taking on a new cat.
Besides the financial costs of food, cat litter and veterinary bills, you must consider the time and energy needed to care for the cat every day. Owning and taking care of a cat is not for the faint hearted. Your children may be begging you to get a kitten, but it is important to make sure you have the finances, time and energy needed to take care of a new cat.
Naturally, the biggest factor to consider with any new pet is the financial implications. While food and housing may not seem like a huge financial burden, when combined with other expenditures like the occasional veterinary bill, this can easily amount to thousands of dollars over the course of the cat's life. For many cat owners, pet insurance is another number to be factored into the cost of owning a cat. While it is an optional cost, pet insurance policies are rapidly growing in popularity as they can save pet owners thousands in medical bills.
One of the most overlooked costs a household pet can bring is the cost of replacing damaged items. Although most people expect their cats to always behave perfectly, they have a habit of breaking and scratching things around the house. While not all cats are intent on destroying the contents of your house, it is important to take this into consideration, especially in the first few months before you have trained your cat properly.
Some of these destructive behavior problems can be eliminated or at least minimized by providing the new member of the family with their own furniture. It is a must for every cat owner to invest in a quality cat scratching post. Read the article on Cats And Scratching for additional information. A cat tree can provide an additional source for scratching, sleeping and lounging. Most cats that have a cat tree will spend hours lounging and playing on the tree. Remember every hour playing on the cat tree and scratching on the scratching post is an hour not spent on destroying your furniture.
Another way the costs of having a cat show themselves is when you go on vacations. Unless you are lucky enough to have friends and family willing to look after your cat while you're away, most cat owners will need the services of a pet sitting service or kennel. Of course all of these costs are minute when compared to the joy having a cat brings. The costs of having a cat are great, but most cat owners would agree, the rewards are greater. In order to give your cat the care and attention it deserves, it is important to ask yourself - can I afford a new cat?
Time is another major cost to any pet, especially cat owners. While cats do not need walking every day, they can still take up a large portion of your spare time. Cats, for example, require regular grooming, litter box cleaning and attention. For many people who have extremely busy lifestyles, before deciding to get a new cat it is important to ask yourself, do I really have enough time to properly care for a new cat?
