I love animals, and I really love having pets around me. You know that feeling when they trust you and just chill beside you? That’s the best feeling for me. I love cuddling with pets, so the pets I had in mind for myself were always something big enough for me to hug. I grew up with my family’s dogs but they never really felt like mine. So when I was old enough to afford it, I finally got myself a cat!
There’s a lot of information online about taking care of cats and the things to prepare for. You can say there’s a bit too much information. It was overwhelming and it did take some time to process. So here are some bits of information based on my experience with cats.
Not everything you read about cats apply.
Similar to kids, or meeting someone new, where we have to learn about their personalities and temperaments, cats are the same. Cats don’t share one personality and you can’t really choose how the cat would be. This is especially true if you’re thinking of getting a kitten. You can get a clingy cat who would always sleep beside you or one that loves being in their own little corner of the room. Some like to hide, some love to run.
One of the things that surprised me most about my cat is that she doesn’t meow or purr a lot. She only meows when she’s in pain, and even then, it’s just a small meow. So how do I know when she needs something? Let’s go to my next bit.
How my cat communicates
She rubs. This is how she communicates with me. She rubs her head on my legs or arms or the items I’m using. She follows me around. That’s what she does when she wants food, play, or a short cuddle break. Cats have different methods of communicating. Some cats purr or vocalize if they need something. Some cats scratch things to grab attention, or even scratch you (but really only a gentle swipe unless you’re hurting them or they’re scared).
They don’t always like each other.
Cats have specific introduction methods. Sometimes, this doesn’t even work at all. You’ll need to be extra careful and mindful about how you introduce a new pet into the household when you have existing pets in your space. This is still true with cats. Some cats accept younger cats better because they may also have a concept of hierarchy and territory. What surprised me most is that this remains true even if the new ones are their own kittens! Make sure to pay attention to the litter just so they are not neglected or harmed in any way.
It’s not about the expensive toys.
Yes, cats need enrichment through their environment. This means that while they can survive in a small space, they can thrive more in an environment that gives them opportunities to play and inspires them to stay active. To do this, you don’t need to “invest” in expensive furniture or toys. For me, I have scattered empty shelves that she jumps around on. She also likes to play catch with a crumpled piece of paper (yep! Even when she got new balls!). She prefers the cardboard nooks to the actual condo.
Same with everything else, what your pet prefers is really up to you to find out. Pay attention to how they communicate with you, any shifts, and patterns in their micro behaviors. Those are just some of the things I’ve noticed. Hope this helps you understand (or prepare for) your new furry friend!
