Adopting a Little Purr in Your Life.

While this isn't exactly a topic I would normally cover in my blog, at the request of my sister, today's post will be in regards to things a person needs to consider before adopting a cat.

First off, as is the case with any pet adoption, you are making a conscious decision to bring an animal into your home and into your life. This is never something to be taken lightly, or to be done on a whim. Pets are not holiday presents to be discarded when the novelty is lost, or trophy's to be thrown away because they are no longer convenient. They are a commitment. I implore you, do not adopt a pet if you are not willing to take the time to not only ensure it has food and water, but to make sure it is happy, healthy, trained, and entertained as well. Animals have complex needs, just as we do, this must always be considered.

Animal needs also include veterinary care. While I understand vets can be quite costly and some people may neglect to keep up to date on checkups, it is important to at the very least make sure you have your new fur baby on file with it's own doctor in case something should ever happen to it. It is also important to make sure it has had all of its primary shots, just as you would do with an infant. If you intend to have an outdoor cat, (which in itself I do not personally advise due to fleas, tics, diseases, predators, and traffic, etc,) then I sincerely advise you not neglect any of the yearly shots. Now more than ever, we are seeing health threats to animals. At present, there is even a severe dog influenza virus circulating.

Also important, and a legal necessity in most districts, are pet licenses. Now I can't speak to other locations however, where I am located these rarely exceed $40 a year, and have discounts available for new pets or pets that are spayed or neutered. There are also three year and lifetime licenses available.

Cat sitters. If you plan on having any kind of a life or going anywhere during holidays, I highly advise considering this in advance. Many people may be of the mind that cats are more independent than dogs and that you do not require a cat sitter if you're just going away for a weekend but trust me in this matter... this is not always the case. My own cat Simi for example, has a temperament far more similar to that of a dog or a child. If I am not back on time, she notices it. If I am gone for a night, she makes it known that she took notice of it. I mean this to the extent that an hour late guarantees she is either waiting at the door for me or running up the stairs at the first sound of the keys in the locks. If I'm gone for a weekend, it becomes so bad that I am forbidden from closing the door to go to the washroom. She quickly develops the attitude of a needy toddler, relentlessly clawing and meowing at the door until it is opened for her. Let me tell you, if it's time for a bath and I've been gone for an entire weekend..... you'd better believe she is sitting herself on the toilet and staring at me until I'm done to ensure I don't disappear on her again. Though she is still quite clingy and needy when I've had someone checking in or her every day whilst away, it is the difference between being able to close a door or not. Not to mention, you never know when a cat may go on a food or water binge so it's always best to make sure someone is around to at least pop in and check bowls on a daily basis.

Declawing. I cannot even begin to describe how terribly opposed to this I am. Most people are in the dark to what this procedure actually entails, some prefer to simply ignore how gruesome it is because they value their furniture more than the well being of their pets. However way you put it, declawing a cat is the equivalent of cutting off your fingers and toes at the first knuckle. It is amputation, short and simple. Some may believe that it's not such a big deal if they adopt a cat when the damage is already done however, there are actually lasting effects to this procedure both physically and behaviourally. Neck and back issues develop as the cat is forced to attempt to readjust balance and weight (much like a human with bad feet and posture can develop severe back issues), cats become temperamental, angry and even aggressive (more so than the typical cat stereotype) as they have no other way to communicate their pain. Declawing can also cause a cat to become lame and unwilling to move around as putting weight on the affected paws can continue to cause them pain and discomfort. Many cats who have been through this process will also refuse to use kitty litters altogether due to the pain, which can obviously cause tension between human and fur babies affecting the bonding process.

Scratching is a natural process for cats and there isn't much to be done to avoid it altogether but there are alternatives to declawing. These include scratching posts, training, and if necessary, wax nail caps. There are many type of scratching posts and each cat seems to prefer something different. Simi prefers carpet scratching posts that simply lie down on the ground, as well as random boxes when I leave them laying around, she also enjoys scratching at the roped area of her cat tree (if your cat scratches wood, get one that is wood. If they scratch carpet, get a carpet post, ropes and fabrics? Same thing. Try to make sure your scratching posts are the textures your cat is going after). Other cats only use standing up scratching posts that allow them to stretch their back upwards, and some will only use the scratch pads made entirely out of cardboard. Unfortunately, the only way to find out which one works best is to circulate through them. Remember to give them sufficient time as it can take a few weeks for a cat to decide it likes something, or for the object to take on enough of the cats smell for them to want to go near it. Training in this instance can be whatever you discover works best for your cat. Sometimes it's a sound or squirt bottle to get them to immediately stop scratching what they are not suppose to (trying to give them trouble for something they did hours ago will only confuse them), or rewarding them with praise or treats when they choose to scratch what you've laid out for them. Finally, nail caps are something you can discuss with your vet. Prices will vary depending on where you are but the caps are placed directly over the cats nails so as not to do harm to the cat or the furniture of their clawing preference. Usually, these will need to be redone every four to six weeks. They can also be purchased and done at home but for the comfort of your cat, I would recommend having a vet show you how to apply them so as not to put your cat through the joy of experiencing the application process while you figure things out from scratch.

As previously mentioned, there are many tools and methods that can be used in training a cat. From clapping your hands loudly, to snapping your fingers (this can be used for either discouraging bad behaviour or calling a cat to you, but pick One desired result as consistency is key), spray bottles are useful if a cat is particularly stubborn when it comes to not taking no), hissing sounds and loud NO's will also discourage bad behaviour, while cat treats, and petting will encourage bonding and good behaviour.

Remember, each cat is different. They all come with their own temperaments and personalities that will take some time to learn. Personally, I find it helps to research the breeds as I have noticed trends among different cats. Tortoise Shells tend to be more stubborn but when they imprint on you, they are extremely loyal, whereas long haired orange Tabby's have always seemed much more mellow and affectionate to me. This may seem corny and cliche, but I am of the belief that it is always best to let the animal choose you. Once an animal has decided it wants you as its human, that's it- their decision will stick for them.

If you can commit to all that being a cat owner entails, then I wish you the best of luck finding the purrfect feline companion!

Cheers!

The Bra Street Rambler

P.S. My sister ended up opting for a dog her and her husband could take on the road with them. While dogs can be much more convenient for this purpose, there are still many things to consider when adopting. I'm happy to say, these things were considered by her and her husband, and their dog turned out to be a perfect fit for them. I'm happy for them and their little family, kudos on the excellent choice Lil Sis!


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