Time to Adopt a Cat? What You Need to Know.

As you scroll through funny pet videos on YouTube and heart all the cute kitten and puppy posts on Instagram, you might find yourself dreaming of bringing a little furry friend into your life. But before you decide, it’s important to weigh the many decisions involved in adopting a puppy or adopting a kitten. Should you bring home a playful puppy or an adorable kitten? If you know deep in your heart you want an adorable, sweet, kitten all for yourself, then you are in the right place. There are so many decisions to make first, though, and you should be aware of them before deciding to adopt.

Age of the Cat

You’ll have to decide whether or not to adopt a kitten or an older cat. Both have positive aspects as well as challenging issues, and it will be helpful to you to determine which type of cat is the best fit for your home and lifestyle. A kitten may be a lot funnier, but an older cat might be trained to cause less destruction. Or, an older cat may have health issues that a younger one won’t have.

Practical Considerations of Adopting a Cat

• You’ll want to consider if you have the time, energy, and money to care for a cat. There will be costs for food, litter, veterinarian visits, and of course, toys. Any new cat will take time to become acclimated to your home and family, and your family to the cat.
• Do you have other pets? How will they react to a new animal and how might the new animal react to the other pets? If they can’t get along, do you have a contingency plan?
• Will the cat have enough stimulation and company during the day, or will you need to consider adopting two cats, so that they have each other?
• What will you do when you go away on vacation? Will you hire a pet sitter or board your cat?

Once you’ve thought it all through, and bring home your own cat, you can post as many videos and pictures as you’d like. You know you want to.

If you decide to adopt, visit local shelters to select your roommate such as:

St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ

The Randolph Regional Animal Shelter in Mendham, NJ 

Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover, NJ

Home for Good Dog Rescue in Berkeley Heights, NJ

Denville Animal Shelter in Denville, NJ

Eleventh Hour Rescue in Randolph, NJ

Are you a pet parent in the Morristown, Warren or Montville, NJ area? To find out more about Morris Animal Inn’s award-winning boarding, grooming, training, and daycare services, give us a call.