A cat of your own - yes or no?
Having a cat means cuddling, fun, play, and always having someone by your side, a furry, purring hot water bottle in bed, and a lot of love. At least that's the ideal image of future cat owners, and of course, a cat is also there for cuddling, unless it is busy asserting its own will. So if it doesn't gently stomp on your face punctually at 4:30 AM, it has probably chosen its new favorite sleeping spot on your laptop.
Besides all these (sometimes very amusing) quirks, getting a cat also brings the demand for enough time, money, and space.
How much time does a cat need?
You need time for a cat - time for extensive and species-appropriate exercise daily, for mental stimulation, plenty of petting, and a clean litter box. Depending on whether your cat is an outdoor cat or lives indoors, you need to keep it sufficiently occupied and active. Since cats are generally not kept alone, they often entertain each other, so a working day shouldn't be a problem for your indoor tiger.
You might be planning a long vacation in the coming years or will undergo surgery and be in the hospital, where you unfortunately cannot take your furry friend. For such cases, you need a reliable caregiver for your cat.
How expensive is cat ownership?
Cats cost money. After the initial purchase, regular costs for food, supplies, and veterinary care will come your way - and for cats, you can count that as double, because indoor tigers usually rely on a feline companion. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, you probably don't want to have to cut into the rest for a cat. It's hard to say exactly how much a cat costs per year.
It depends on the size, susceptibility to diseases, age, and what kind of food you want to provide for your cat. Generally, the amount averages between €450 and €550 - and for safety, you should always assume you'll need to spend more. Fixed costs like these for food are always consistent, while veterinary costs and expenses for supplies can vary greatly.
How much space does a cat need?
Another question to clarify is whether there is enough space for your future furry friend. Your apartment should not only have as much space as possible (at least 50m² for one and 60m² for two cats) but also provide sufficient daylight. Dark apartments are only acceptable for cats if they have the opportunity to go to a sufficiently secured balcony or if you take them out on a leash into the greenery.
But it also depends on your future four-legged friend: Does it like to sleep and its favorite spot is the sofa? Or does it prefer to use the space as a racetrack? Activity plays an important role in the question of sufficient space and varies from cat to cat.
The issue with rental rights
It can be stipulated in the rental agreement that you must obtain permission from your landlord before your furry friend moves in with you. If you don't do this and your landlord finds out, they can easily terminate your rental agreement. Therefore, you can first look in your rental agreement for the provisions regarding cat ownership.
Certain disturbances like constant meowing or significant mess can prompt the landlord to withdraw their approval. Therefore, keep your indoor tiger sufficiently occupied so it doesn't hold a cat concert every day out of sheer boredom. Other reasons, such as allergies from other residents, can also speak against permission.
A four-legged friend rarely comes alone
Cats are rarely solitary creatures. If you plan to keep your furry friend in a species-appropriate way indoors, you also need to budget enough time, money, and space for another four-legged friend.
Species-appropriate care is almost always only the keeping of at least two cats together. When buying a young cat, it is therefore practical to adopt a pair of siblings. **No matter how much you can entertain your cat, unfortunately, you won't be able to replace the four-legged friend it naturally needs by its side.
Only in rare cases is it justifiable to keep a cat alone in the apartment. This could be, for example, an adult cat from the shelter that has been used to living alone its whole life. In all other cases, your future indoor tiger needs a feline companion in the household. If your darling lacks a cat friend, it can manifest in depression, aggression, and destructive behavior.
Seven whole cat lives long
You should be aware that when you buy a cat, you have it for its entire life and you cannot simply give it up after a few years. (You can, but then we will be very angry with you). This span, during which you must care for your indoor tiger, can be between 12-20 years, as that is the average lifespan of cats.
With larger plans, such as a job in another country, for example, you always need to include your four-legged friend and ask yourself: Would this decision also be the best for my cat? An indoor tiger can change your life quite a bit - you then have a new best, loyal friend who always wants to be with you and you must adjust your life to theirs. But it is a life that, from our perspective, is more than worth it.
