Preparing for adoption for cats is much easier than before Cat adoption tips And the trick is still money.
When I adopted my first cat as a young adult, I was totally ignorant. I thought I knew what I was obsessed with. I was looking at my friend’s cat and reading a book. This was a resourceless internet and cats were considered to be very easy pets.
I took my little kitten home with minimal supplies from naked and zero understanding of what I was actually signing up for.
Looking back now, after decades of cat ownership and more knowledge under my belt, I realize how unprepared I was for almost everything. If I can go back and have a conversation with my simple young self, there are some things I definitely want to share.
Think of this as a cruelly honest field guide from anyone who has learned most of these lessons through trials, errors, and some panicked calls to the vet.
Castration and Castration: Don’t wait like I did
World Spay Day: Why Cats Live Longer When Castrated/Captulated
This is probably my biggest regret since my early cat parenting day. I had planned to castrate my kitten, but I thought I had plenty of time and continued to postpone it. Then one day, about five months later, she began to make the worst howling sounds I’ve ever heard. I really thought she was in pain and distress, so I rushed her to the emergency vet before she told me it was hot.
That experience taught me everything I didn’t want to know about the cat replication cycle. The constant yelping, the escape attempts, and the way she put herself in every piece of furniture in the house were exhausting for both of us. After that I castrated her as soon as possible, but should have done it sooner.
What I know now is that early castration (before the first heat cycle) significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer in cats, like human breast cancer prevention. Most veterinarians currently recommend castration early within 8-12 weeks, and there are real health benefits to not waiting. Learn from my mistakes and schedule this early.
The myth of “independent” cats is exactly that and myth
Address one of the biggest misconceptions. Cats are independent creatures that do not pay much attention to. This may be true for some cats, but many are disguised velcro pets. I chase my current cat, especially the food man from room to room, sitting on my desk during every video call and leaving for more than a few hours I have separation anxiety.
In reality, cats form deep connections with humans and long for interaction in a different way than other pets. They may not welcome you at the door with obvious enthusiasm (some do so!), but they will show their love by bringing you dead insects at 3am or kneading your stomach while you are about to sleep.
Your sleep schedule is never the same
Speaking of 3am, be prepared for the truth about your cat’s schedule. Cats are skulls. In other words, it is most active at dawn and dusk. This leads to an enjoyable experience of serenadeing early in the night outside the bedroom door, and awakening at 5am by a cat who decides to groom her face.
The amount of automated feeder and puzzle toys does not completely eliminate this behavior. It adapts, but says goodbye to sleeping on the weekend without a furry alarm clock.
Reality check for trash cans
Here’s what the adoption brochure won’t tell you: Some cats are very specific to their bathroom situation. The general rule is one trash can plus one extra per cat, but you may still find yourself dealing with cats that refuse to use a box once used or have decided that bathroom rugs are a better option.
I have learned that trash can placement is an art form. Are they too close to their food? It’s not acceptable. In a busy area? It’s definitely not. In the basement they find vulnerable? Good attempt, human. Whether you want or not, you will become a trash can feng shui expert. If you want a happy cat, prepare to scoop the box more frequently.
Cats have expensive preferences and mystical preferences
You’ll spend $30 on flashy cat toys and they’ll prefer the cardboard boxes that came in. You buy premium food and they lift it up while ggling your sandwiches. I bought an expensive cat tree that was once used twice, and my cat spent hours in a complimentary cardboard box from the grocery store.
Unpredictability ranges from bedding preferences to the type of scratch surface you actually use. My advice? Start cheaply and go your way based on what is actually used.
Veterinary costs increase faster than you think
Every year testing, vaccinations and preventive care are just the beginning. Cats are the masters who hide illnesses. In other words, when showing symptoms, the problem may be more serious (and more expensive) than expected. Emergency veterinarian visits happen, and they always seem to happen at the worst financially.
Consider pet insurance or start an emergency fund early. The adorable kitten ultimately requires dental cleaning, and older people often develop conditions such as kidney disease and hyperthyroidism that require ongoing management.
Destruction is real, but different
Cats don’t bite shoes like dogs, but they have their own special way to renovate your home. Scratched furniture, knockover plants and shredded toilet paper are just the beginning. Door scrackers, other cats are curtain climbers, and some special cats find ways to open cabinets and redistribute their belongings.
Keeping your home is different from a dog’s defense, but it’s just as important. Ensure that it’s fragile, invest in post scratching, and accept that houseplants may not survive.
Cats communicate more than you notice
Before adopting, I thought that cats were basically listening for food. In reality, cats have complex communication systems that include various types of me, Purr, Chirps, and body language cues. My cat has developed a clear utterance of “I want breakfast”, “There’s a bird outside”, and “Please pay attention to me immediately.”
Learning cats’ communication styles takes time, but it can be incredibly rewarding when you start to understand what they’re trying to tell you. Some cats are chatting, others are more subtle, but if you know how to listen, they’re all communicating.
An emotional bond may surprise you
I thought I like cats. I didn’t expect to be completely struck by their individual personality quirks, worrying about them while traveling, or showing pictures to anyone watching. The bonds that develop with cats are different from other pets, but are just as strong.
Cats choose their favorite human. If you are lucky enough to be chosen, it is a special relationship. They will comfort you when you are sick, celebrate with you when you are happy, and always know when you need a terming heating pad on your lap.
Final Thoughts
Feeding a cat will change your life in ways you don’t expect. Your furniture may suffer, your sleep schedule will definitely change and you will find yourself talking to creatures that respond with judgemental gazes and occasional bongs of heads.
But here it is – it is definitely worth it. Called every 4am, all the fine furniture, fur balls, all emergency veterinary bills will become part of life with a particular cat. They are not low maintenance accessories. They are complex and emotional creatures with their own personalities and needs. But they make me smile every day.
If you are considering adopting a cat, enter with realistic expectations, a sense of humor and an understanding that you are not just getting a pet. You have a roommate with a very strong opinion on how your home runs. And somehow, that roommate may be the best part of your day.
Leave your comment with what you want to know before adopting a cat.
