Shall I get a cat?

[Anonymous]

I’m a huge cat lover but when it comes to owning one I’m not sure because of a few things:

Expenses -as it will just be me looking after it
Leaving it alone when I go to work
Vet expenses when it becomes ill
The grief of it going missing/dying

Yes get one

No it’s a hassle

[ZamerZ]

Well, the costs are of course a very important thing to consider. Another thing would be the time you are willing to invest in a pet. You can of course have only one cat, but would you let it outside or just keep it in the apartment? Would it get lonely without another cat-companion if it would be stuck inside all day long? Could you take care of two cats, in that case, do you have the space, finances and mental capacities?

Would a single cat develop separation anxiety if you went on a vacation and left it with someone else? Can you even go on a vacation if you have the cat? Also, what age should the cat be?

All of these are important things to consider. And once you have it, there's no guarantee that your personlities are compatible - happened to my good friend. In retrospect, she said that she should've adopted an elderly cat from a shelter instead of a young kitten because he's too rambunctious, always wants to play and that's just against her whole character.

Don't only get a cat because you're lonely. Pets are a true life commitment and you have to love and care for them with everything you can give. For many, many years.

[AngryCarl2]

Cats usually aren't sociable as a group. I'd be less worried about one cat getting lonely than about two cats getting along, unless they are already socialized as a pair when you get them.

[ZamerZ]

@AngryCarl2 cats tend to be happier in pairs. Especially if OP won't let a single cat out of the house to socialize with something that isn't an inanimate object or human.

[HelpfulWoman]

Well, work out if you can afford one. You can get insurance for them for vet fees or put a set amount aside each month and build a "vet nest egg" if you'd rather not pay for insurance.
Cats are more independent than dogs so you going to work it will probably not care as much.

[Wonderingguyy]

Cats are super independent so they won’t be affected by you going to work. Also if the cat is healthy it can live as long as 16 years, so don’t worry about that. It’s worth all of the years of joy they will bring you. As for the costs, you need to mathematically work out if you can afford it I guess. Look up the costs of vaccines for kittens and how many you need, look up the price of the brand of food you’ll buy and the costs of bedding etc. If you keep your cat healthy you won’t really have any vet bills for years really, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

[AngryCarl2]

Expense is something to consider. If you can't afford to look after a cat, don't get one. You will need pet insurance for when it gets sick (all animals get sick). That cat will be fine while you're at work, they are quite solitary by nature. The grief when it dies/goes missing will be more than offset by the enjoyment of your pet.

[Paris13]

Forget it Then. xx

[strateguy632]

1st.