For people who are just starting to raise a cat, many things have to be looked up online, just like humans consulting about food, accommodation, and travel. But did you know? Although there are tons of tutorials online, the truly useful ones are often those "unspoken" experiences. As a cat owner for 5 years, I will clarify these things for you today.
Window Security: Many people think "My cat is very good and won't jump out of the window." This thought is actually the most dangerous. Do you know why? Generally speaking, if a bird or a bug flies past the window, the cat's hunting instinct will be instantly triggered, and it is highly likely to pounce out. The cost of securing windows is not expensive, wire mesh is only a few dollars a meter, and diamond mesh screens are less than 100 dollars. This money must not be saved.
Stress: There is another thing that is easy to forget. When you first get the cat, it is actually very unfamiliar with the home environment. Therefore, do not force the cat out of the carrier to hug it. Even if it comes out, pretend not to see it and just let it walk around the house. This process may be quite long, but you must be patient. When it can run, jump, and eat, it means it has accepted this home.
Illness: Many beginner cat owners don't understand many symptoms. They rush to the hospital when the cat sneezes, or think "it might just be in a bad mood" when the cat hasn't eaten for three days. So remember these points: if the cat goes without food or water for more than 24 hours, go to the hospital; vomiting or diarrhea more than twice or with blood, don't hesitate to go straight to the hospital; hiding in a corner in a "hen crouch" and not responding to calls may indicate pain, go to the hospital; frequent urination, inability to urinate, or entering and leaving the litter box frequently, go to the hospital immediately.
Expenses: How much does it cost monthly to raise a cat? You need to think about this clearly. Generally, a bag of cat food is around 100 dollars, and the more expensive ones are over 200 dollars. As for cheaper or more expensive ones, they are not recommended for ordinary people. Cat litter is also dozens of dollars a month, plus some cat toys. Of course, there are cheap alternatives for many toys: use cardboard boxes instead of cat beds, cats don't need pet clothes at all, a simple teaser wand is enough for toys, and replace pet wipes with fragrance-free baby wipes, which is more than half the price. Finally, vaccines are absolutely indispensable. They are good for both humans and pets, and they are only needed once a year, costing about 200 to 300 dollars.
Therefore, aspiring cat owners must think carefully before getting a cat. Don't abandon it later just because you feel the expenses are too high.
