Mary Allen
Cats are often seen as very easy pets that don’t take as much of your time as dogs do. But that’s not true. Cats have a lot of demands when it comes to keeping them. Every cat owner should therefore meet these 5 requirements.
Every cat is different. That is why every cat has very individual demands on its owner. For example, some tend to be independent, while others are sensitive and affectionate. Each cat also has its own unique characteristics. However, there are still qualities that every cat owner should have, regardless of the cat’s personality.
Enough Time for the Cat
Cats are usually very independent animals that sometimes enjoy their peace and quiet or roam around alone in their territory. Nevertheless, cats are time-consuming pets! They need care, affection, and attention, they want to be petted and occupied. Daily rounds of play are very important to keep the cat healthy not only physically but also mentally. In addition, the litter box must be cleaned daily.
Cats can get lonely too. Cat owners should therefore avoid leaving their cat alone all day long, for example when they are at work. Above all, indoor cats then have too little response. In such cases, keeping two cats is recommended. In addition, the cats need employment opportunities that they can use without humans.
A good cat owner should therefore have enough time to spend a lot of time with his cat every day. If this is not guaranteed, you should thoroughly reconsider the purchase of a cat. Because young kittens in particular need a lot of talking while they are acclimating to their new home and can hardly be left alone. The same is true for many cat seniors.
Unconditional Responsibility for the Cat
When you get a cat, you make a commitment to care for it for the rest of its life. Since cats can live to be 15 to 20 years old, and in some cases even older, it is important to think carefully about whether you are willing and able to take on this responsibility.
An important quality of good cat owners is therefore the unconditional willingness to take responsibility for the cat. No matter what, they want the best for their cat and are willing to do anything for them. Good cat owners are aware of their responsibility and act in the interest of their cats. Veterinary costs are accepted and the time that a sick cat needs is gladly invested.
Be Patient With the Cat
One of the most important qualities of good cat owners is patience. Many have to prove this with the cat from day one because cats often take a long time to get used to and become trusting.
Patience is always required in everyday life with cats. Be it when the cat gets picky about food, keeps bringing home prey, or just has its wild five minutes.
Cats always have their own peculiarities. These may also require human patience. For example, there are many cats who wake their owners up at night when they are hungry or, in principle, change their minds several times before it is determined whether they would rather go outside or stay inside. Patience is required here, even if it can get on your nerves.
Understanding and Respect for the Cat
Cats have a mind of their own and prefer to do what they like best at the moment. That’s why it’s important to treat the cat with understanding and respect: there’s no point in yelling at it or even getting violent if it’s not behaving the way you want it to.
A good cat owner must understand their cat’s needs and then respect them. Cats show how they feel with their facial expressions and tail. A good cat owner understands this language and knows whether the cat is aggressive, prefers to be left alone or is happy about the presence of the human. If the cat wants to be left alone, a good cat owner will respect that.
If the cat is treated with respect, she will return that to you. For example, cats are quite capable of running up to you when called or of understanding a clear “no”. But the cat will only hear if it wants to. And that comes from respect.
Knowledge of and Interest in Cats
A good cat owner educates himself about his pet. Whether it’s diet, behavior, or illnesses: He knows cats and what their needs are. This is important in order to be able to take good care of the cat, prevent possible illnesses, or detect an illness at an early stage.
In addition, by learning about cat behavior, you will be able to understand their language more easily and avoid misunderstandings with your cat.
These conditions combined with a lot of love enable a harmonious human-cat relationship.