Is it good to raise cats? For many people, cats are little angels that heal life and bring joy. However, deciding to raise a cat is not a whim; it requires your time, energy, patience, and money. Before becoming a “pooper scooper,” there are some “truths” you must understand.

Is raising cats really good or not? From scientific studies, raising cats does have many benefits. The companionship of cats can help relieve stress and anxiety. When petting cats, the human body secretes the “happiness hormone” oxytocin, which makes people feel relaxed and satisfied. Especially for people living alone, cats can provide emotional support and reduce loneliness. Additionally, some studies show that long-term cat ownership may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, possibly related to the calming interactions with cats that help lower blood pressure and heart rate. For families with children, research shows that kids growing up with cats may have lower chances of asthma and allergies, and can also cultivate love and responsibility from a young age. The unique purring sound of cats is even believed to help improve sleep quality. From an environmental perspective, some studies claim that cats have a lower carbon footprint compared to dogs. Of course, the greatest benefit of raising cats is that they add countless joys to your life, letting you forget troubles while petting and playing with them.

However, raising cats is not all wonderful. Cats require fixed time and money investment. They shed hair, especially during molting seasons, and your home might become a “cat hair paradise.” Cats sometimes create “surprises” unexpectedly, such as scratching furniture or biting wires. For those who pursue perfection and dislike disruptions, these behaviors may cause trouble. Furthermore, cat hair and saliva are common allergens; if you or your family have allergy history, you should carefully consider before raising a cat.

In summary, raising cats is both beneficial and challenging. Before deciding to bring a little life home, please carefully understand all aspects of raising cats to ensure you are fully prepared.

10 truths beginners must know before raising cats

To become a qualified pooper scooper, there are many things you need to know and prepare. Here are 10 truths beginners must know before raising cats:

1. Raising cats is a long-term commitment: Cats usually live 10-18 years or even longer. This means you need to be responsible for them for over a decade, continuously investing love, time, and money. Don’t raise cats on a whim; make sure you can bear this responsibility.
2. Prepare financially: Raising cats is not a “free ride” pleasure; it is a “four-legged money-eater.” Besides the initial purchase or adoption fees, you must consider cat food, litter, toys, snacks, deworming, vaccines, checkups, and potential medical expenses. Monthly fixed costs may range from several hundred to more than a thousand RMB. Emergency medical fees may be even higher.
3. Cats need sufficient space and environmental setup: Although cats don’t need large outdoor activity spaces like dogs, they need a safe, comfortable home with enough activity areas. You should prepare a cat bed, litter box, food bowl, water bowl, scratching board, cat tree, and other essentials. Cats like to observe from high places, and cat trees satisfy their climbing nature. Meanwhile, cats need separate feeding, resting, cleaning, and playing areas that ideally do not interfere with each other. Especially, the litter box should be far from food and water bowls.
4. Cats shed hair, cleaning is routine: “There is no cat that does not shed hair, only owners who want to be lazy.” Almost all cats shed hair, especially during molting seasons. Long-haired cats shed more than short-haired ones. You need to be mentally prepared and regularly groom your cat to remove loose hair and reduce hair scatter at home. Air purifiers and lint rollers will become your good helpers. If the shedding is abnormally serious, accompanied by skin problems or poor spirits, seek medical treatment promptly.
5. Cats need socialization and companionship: Although cats look independent, they need their owner’s company and interaction. Long periods of loneliness may cause stress or even depression in cats. Spending some time daily playing and interacting with your cat greatly benefits their mental health.
6. Kittens require more patience and energy: If you decide to raise a kitten, you need to invest more effort in caring for them. Kittens have sensitive digestive systems and require small frequent meals and attention to diet. Basic toilet training and socialization training are also necessary. Beginners are advised to start with adult cats, as their personalities are generally more stable and easier to care for.
7. Regular deworming and vaccinations are crucial: For cats’ health, regular internal and external deworming and vaccinations are essential. These prevent parasite infections and infectious diseases effectively. Beginners can consult veterinarians to choose dewormers and vaccines appropriate for the cat’s age and weight.
8. Window sealing is a “lifeline” for raising cats: Cats are curious and like climbing and jumping. To prevent accidental falls or escapes, you must ensure doors and windows are properly sealed. This is the most important step to guarantee cats’ safety.
9. Understanding and guiding cat behavior is necessary: Cats express emotions and needs by scratching, biting, and other behaviors. Understanding their behavioral language and using proper guidance and training can help them develop good habits and avoid behavioral problems. For example, providing enough scratching boards and guiding cats to scratch designated places can reduce furniture damage.
10. Seek professional veterinary help: During cat raising, cats may face various health issues. Building a trustworthy veterinary relationship is very important. Regular checkups and timely medical care are key to ensuring cats’ health.

Which cats are suitable for beginners?

For beginners, choosing a cat breed with a gentle temperament, strong adaptability, and good health makes it easier to start. Some common beginner-friendly breeds include:

• British Shorthair: Calm and quiet, healthy, less prone to illness, short fur that is easy to manage.
• American Shorthair: Friendly, lively, and gentle, strong adaptability, rarely ill, easy to get along with people.
• Chinese Rural Cat (Tabby): As a native cat, the tabby usually is robust, highly adaptable, and relatively low maintenance.
• Ragdoll: Gentle and friendly, likes to interact with people, high appearance value, but needs regular grooming.
• Siamese Cat: Smart, lively, enjoys interacting with people, easy to groom fur, but quite clingy and needs more companionship.

Of course, breed is not the only deciding factor; every cat has its unique personality. Adoption instead of buying is also a meaningful choice, but adopting stray cats requires more experience and patience as strays may have complex personalities and health conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does it cost to raise a cat monthly? Cat expenses vary depending on breed, age, diet, and owner’s consumption level, but basic costs include cat food, litter, snacks, and deworming. According to some statistics, the monthly basic cost may range from several hundred to more than a thousand RMB.
• What to do if cats shed hair severely? Hair shedding is normal, especially during molting season. Regular grooming, providing balanced nutrition cat food, maintaining indoor cleanliness and dryness, and regular deworming help alleviate shedding. If shedding is abnormally severe with skin issues or poor spirit, timely medical consultation is advised to rule out diseases.
• What items are needed for the first-time cat owner? Essential items include: litter box, litter, food bowl, water bowl, cat food, cat bed, scratching board, cat toys, comb, nail clipper, deworming medicine, etc. Preparing these in advance helps cats adapt to their new home faster.

Conclusion

Raising cats is a wonderful journey that brings endless joy and warmth, but also comes with some challenges and responsibilities. Hopefully, by understanding these “truths” about raising cats, you can have a clearer view about cat ownership and be fully prepared to become a qualified pooper scooper. When you are ready to welcome your new member, believe that both you and your cat will have a happy and beautiful life together.