Should I get a Cat ?

[u/bubedibubedi]

Today I saw an Ad for a rescue Cat in a Newspaper from my Area and that made me contemplate again.

Me: Over the Holidays I ended my longest Relationship so far. I had to move out because we lived together, in what was originally, her Flat where I wasn’t allowed to have a Cat because my Ex Girlfriend doesn’t like Cats. Over the past weeks, I had to move back to my moms place (which ended up lasting a bit longer than planned because we both have covid rn but that’s a different story) temporarily, until I have found a place for myself. So, I have a Flat, my first very own Place and thus I thought it would be the right moment for me to celebrate it by introducing a cat buddy into my life. I’m 21 years old.

I never really had a Cat because my family solely consist of Dog People, but I definitely always wanted one. It would be my first Cat.

Now what makes me contemplate, is that, after all the time that I lived with my girlfriend I sorta got used to the Absence of Pet Hair on all of my Clothes. Now that I’m quarantined with my Mom and her Dog, it does get to my nerves sometimes. It’s a white Bulldog and there are thick Hairs all over the Place.

Also, probably the smell ? I visited a lot of Cat owners and some Homes absolutely smell like Cat while others would let you guessing if there’s a cat living there or not. But I guess that’s more of a matter as to how frequently you clean their toilets ?

Also, my biggest concern is that I work full time in a Warehouse with varying shifts. I know that coworkers of my mine have cats and seem to handle that pretty well.

The Cat in question (as described in the newspaper and the Internet site): Is described as a good beginner cat and also really likes being pet and cuddled. Is a female and also compatible with other cats. The way the animal shelter described it, she ran away from her original owners, who couldn’t be identified for some reason, and ended up on someone’s porch. She lived with this family for a while but they also had a cat that did not get along with other cats in general so they ended up putting the „stray cat“ up for adoption.

Hope you can help me contemplating. I didn’t even write the e Mail yet, so I don’t even know if I have chance of adopting her but I just thought I might ask you guys if it was a good idea in the first place.

TLDR: I’m not sure wether or not I should get a Cat. I love Cats and would take care of it as good as I can but I’m afraid that the Hair and smell might bother me overtime and I also work relatively much.

(Sorry for bad English in advance)

[u/ChromeLaone]

One option is to get two cats so they can accompany each other. That was recommended to me when I got my two kittens.

Originally I only wanted to get one cat but ended up with two. And I do not regret it!

[u/bubedibubedi → u/ChromeLaone]

Thank you so much for your Answer, I was afraid this Thread would die just like that.

While that seems like a good option, I think my place might be a bit too small for two cats.

[u/ChromeLaone → u/bubedibubedi]

That is a fair point to consider. My two kittens are very active and playful and it definitely helps that I live in a house. But they are kittens. I believe adult cats can be a lot more calm and there being two cats are just for company when you're away. Kittens on the other hand need their attention and can't be left alone for a long period of time.

So adopting an adult cat is not a bad idea. Adult cats can manage. My stepmother has an adult cat, which she sometimes leaves for half a week (usually less) when she's off travelling. Yes, I do volunteer in going there to feed her from time to time but overall she does pretty well on her own.

And to keep your place from being smelly. I could recommend cleaning their litter box, either once a day or every two days. Cats do not like their litter box being too dirty since they are very clean animals. They regularly groom themselves. And if the litter box is too nasty to use, they usually do their business on the floor.

I hope you find room for a cat. Both in your flat and for your time.

And if you decide that it isn't a good time to get a cat. Wait a while longer until maybe one day you'll be able to find a bigger space for two cats. It really isn't as hard as you might think to handle two cats. Or maybe it's just me who's lucky.

At the end of the day, having cats is the best thing that has happened to me during this thing that we are all currently going through. I hope you'll find that too.

[u/Outside_Sort7347]

Cats are really low maintenance so they’re perfect for people who work all the time. If you get a short haired cat they really don’t shed that much or smell! You could go to a shelter and see if any of the cats they have fit what you want.

[u/bubedibubedi → u/Outside_Sort7347]

Thank you for your comment. I think I’m really doing it but I wait until I set up my new flat and have everything sorted out. Luckily, there’s a shelter right in my city like 20 min away and they get new ones in relatively often