Should I get a cat?

[Artelus]

A few months ago I really wanted a cat, but I couldn't go to the shelter for one because I was a minor.

Then, my friend has a cat that gave birth to a lot of baby kittens, and they're giving them away.

Well it's been a few months since then, and now the kittens are available for adoption. I forgot about this and my cat-acquiring fever has died down, but I'm still interested in having a cat :|.

Still though, I'm going off to college in a few months, and getting a car soon so I won't be at home most of the time like before, so I wonder if the commitment of owning a cat is too great for the future.

But...cats are awesome.

[beast]

If you have to ask some strangers whether you should make a 15-20 year commitment to get a pet, my answer is probably no. Who will take care of the cat when you go to college, or will you bring him with you?

[ZephyrusX]

I adopted Maya from my neighbour a few years after moving out on my own. It was one of the best decisions I made. It is lovely coming home to my little cuddly cat and she is so playful

With school and work though, I am not home a lot of the time. But cats don't seem to need as much attention as lets say dogs. It can, however, cost a lot of money to care for a cat and this can be espeically hard for students since we don't work full time.

I think the benefits outweigh the costs though.

[Artelus]

Originally Posted by beast

If you have to ask some strangers whether you should make a 15-20 year commitment to get a pet, my answer is probably no. Who will take care of the cat when you go to college, or will you bring him with you?

That's the thing. I forgot to mention the circumstances.

My college is near my house, so I'm not going to be "leaving" my cat around.
However, if I choose to find a dorm and move out on my own, I will have to make arrangements to take the cat with me. Cats are a lot of work to take care of, so I'm wondering if I'm biting off more than I can chew by adopting a cat before I might move out, yaknow?

Asking strangers whether or not I should make a 20 year commitment to get a pet... I think I'm ready for the commitment of having a pet, but I'm not so certain. The reason I made this thread is so I can know what I'm getting into and be more sure of my choice.

[beast]

Originally Posted by Artelus

That's the thing. I forgot to mention the circumstances.

My college is near my house, so I'm not going to be "leaving" my cat around.
However, if I choose to find a dorm and move out on my own, I will have to make arrangements to take the cat with me. Cats are a lot of work to take care of, so I'm wondering if I'm biting off more than I can chew by adopting a cat before I might move out, yaknow?

Asking strangers whether or not I should make a 20 year commitment to get a pet... I think I'm ready for the commitment of having a pet, but I'm not so certain. The reason I made this thread is so I can know what I'm getting into and be more sure of my choice.

In that case, cats are famously low-maintenance.

Personally, I feel no warmth towards cats. But if you dig 'em, they aren't as much work as a dog. They're pretty independent, as long as you feed them, clean their litter box, and play with them a little bit every day, you're probably good to go.

[aelle]

Cats require minimal attention (especially compared to dogs) but they do cost money - food, litter, vet bills and toys, and possibly the stuff they destroy around your house - and they don't like to move. Leaving its territory can be very stressfull for a cat, whereas a dog's territory is wherever its human is. They're also, as Beast said, a 15 to 20 year commitment.

If you have no idea how you will provide for your cat 6 months or 2 years from now, or if you have no idea if you'll move a lot for the next 20 years, if you'll move abroad, if you'll be away from your house for several days in a row... then maybe now is not the right time.

Also remember that when you have a pet you can't spontaneously decide to spend the night out or go away for a few days - you have to go back home to feed your animal, or plan in advance to arrange for a sitter. My personal feeling is that this alone would put a serious hamper on the college experience.

If you're at an unstable period of your life, fostering might be a better idea, because it is generally a shorter commitment. To adopt a cat, I would probably wait until I get a sense of where my life is going in the long run and if there's a reasonable chance I can provide my animal with a good home for the rest of its life - this may happen in college, or later.

[Artelus]

Originally Posted by aelle

Cats require minimal attention (especially compared to dogs) but they do cost money - food, litter, vet bills and toys, and possibly the stuff they destroy around your house - and they don't like to move. Leaving its territory can be very stressfull for a cat, whereas a dog's territory is wherever its human is. They're also, as Beast said, a 15 to 20 year commitment.

If you have no idea how you will provide for your cat 6 months or 2 years from now, or if you have no idea if you'll move a lot for the next 20 years, if you'll move abroad, if you'll be away from your house for several days in a row... then maybe now is not the right time.

Also remember that when you have a pet you can't spontaneously decide to spend the night out or go away for a few days - you have to go back home to feed your animal, or plan in advance to arrange for a sitter. My personal feeling is that this alone would put a serious hamper on the college experience.

If you're at an unstable period of your life, fostering might be a better idea, because it is generally a shorter commitment. To adopt a cat, I would probably wait until I get a sense of where my life is going in the long run and if there's a reasonable chance I can provide my animal with a good home for the rest of its life - this may happen in college, or later.

That sounds like a good idea. I know a lot of my friends have active social lives but they own dozens of cats. (literally :O) And since I know that I'm going to have a lifestyle shift coming up in the near future, I don't know if it's the right time for me to get a cat.

[Painted Eyes]

Beyond the first pet and scratch behind an ear, I don't enjoy cats. I don't enjoy their personalities, their rituals, their litters, and the fact that toes aren't safe at the end of your bed. No, I don't find it's cute that a cat is piercing my toe before I awake in the morning. I have owned a cat before and will never again.

So presuming everyone thinks like I do, don't get a cat.

[Kaie]

Go for it, it sounds like you are thinking it through and making an educated decision. Many people don't put much thought into it and get a kitty just because it is cute. I have a dog and 2 cats, and love both dogs and cats, and I will say that little boxes are no fun, but otherwise, they are low maintenance.

Be sure to post pics of your new family member if you should decide to go through with it

[openeyes]

Given your timeline of availability, have you considered a chia kitten?

Chia Kitten

[Criseyde]

I'm going to weigh in against the general opinion that cats don't need a lot of attention. My cat gets noticeably unhappy when she spends a lot of time alone (or, alone with the dog). She is actually worse than the dog about this. It seems on the surface like she doesn't need a lot of attention because she doesn't spend that much time wanting to actively be petted, but she really likes to be in the same room with people and to have people in the house.

[ZephyrusX]

Originally Posted by Criseyde

I'm going to weigh in against the general opinion that cats don't need a lot of attention. My cat gets noticeably unhappy when she spends a lot of time alone (or, alone with the dog). She is actually worse than the dog about this. It seems on the surface like she doesn't need a lot of attention because she doesn't spend that much time wanting to actively be petted, but she really likes to be in the same room with people and to have people in the house.

Aww. Give your cat a hug for me

Maya likes to follow me around almost constantly when I am in the house so she obviously likes my company. But I never noticed her being unhappy if I happen to spend more time outside of the house than usual. I could just not notice though... It is more difficult to gauge Maya's mood more so than the dog's... They are pretty easy to 'read'.

I suppose it really depends upon the cat since they all have their own personalities.

[Criseyde]

Originally Posted by ZephyrusX

Aww. Give your cat a hug for me

Maya likes to follow me around almost constantly when I am in the house so she obviously likes my company. But I never noticed her being unhappy if I happen to spend more time outside of the house than usual. I could just not notice though... It is more difficult to gauge Maya's mood more so than the dog's... They are pretty easy to 'read'.

I suppose it really depends upon the cat since they all have their own personalities.

Yeah, Adia will start acting out a lot, like a little kid. She'll bite and tear up the carpet. :\

[aelle]

Originally Posted by Criseyde

I'm going to weigh in against the general opinion that cats don't need a lot of attention. My cat gets noticeably unhappy when she spends a lot of time alone (or, alone with the dog). She is actually worse than the dog about this. It seems on the surface like she doesn't need a lot of attention because she doesn't spend that much time wanting to actively be petted, but she really likes to be in the same room with people and to have people in the house.

Aw, sweet kitty. Inquisitive animals are awesome to interact with, when you can give them the attention they deserve. I agree that personality matters a lot - another reason why fostering is great!

[SimpleSky]

i think you should get a cat but probably wait until you have time to take care of it. i mean, unless there is someone that can take care of it for you when you can't give it attention needed.

[ZephyrusX]

Originally Posted by Criseyde

Yeah, Adia will start acting out a lot, like a little kid. She'll bite and tear up the carpet. :\

Maya will bite and tear up the carpet if I don't give her cat treats

This makes me sound like a real push over, doesn't?