Is it worth getting a furry pet? Advantages and disadvantages of owning a cat

Once upon a time, the first domesticated cats personified something divine and guarded sacred places and temples. They were a symbol of fertility, sun, joy and home. Modern four-legged pets are valued no less. After all, it’s not for nothing that it’s customary to let them into a new home. They are credited with healing properties, the ability to calm and relax, relieving stress, and also warn of natural disasters. But no matter how good pussies are, a person should weigh the pros and cons in advance before getting a purring friend. After all, any animal in the house is, first of all, a responsibility.

The heart will thank you

Having a cat welcome you home and purr on your lap in the evening is a great way to reduce your daily stress levels. And where there is less stress, there is less stress on the heart and blood vessels.

In general, it is not surprising that the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases among owners of these tailed animals is significantly lower than among those who did not think of getting a cat.

Yes, scientists are quite categorical: they call the acquisition of a purring beast Cat ownership and the Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Diseases. Results from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Study Mortality Follow-up Study is an excellent strategic solution for those concerned about heart health.

Main advantages

Undoubtedly, purchasing a kitten has many advantages:

1. The best companion . Many people suffer from loneliness, so a cute fluffy pet will help brighten up the gray days; you can have a heart-to-heart talk with him. This is the best company for single women and senior citizens.
2. Subtle psychologist . Often, when a loved one is lost, the owner, experiencing mental anguish, is not ready to communicate with the people around him. And a cat, sitting comfortably on your lap and quietly purring, gives you peace of mind, a feeling of warmth and care.
3. Excellent "warmer" . The fur of cats is pleasant, silky, soft to the touch, several times warmer than a blanket, rug, or heating appliances. That is why, sitting on the sofa next to your pet and stroking it, it is impossible to freeze.
4. "Anti-dust" . The mustachioed tabby, moving over all pieces of furniture, collects dust from the surface, so it does not have time to accumulate. So, cleanliness in the house is another reason to get a cat.
5. Acupuncture abilities . The fact is that cats, trampling on the owner’s body, often dig into the skin with their claws. This works as a kind of acupuncture massage. So why pay for something that is given for free?
6. No alarm clock! If a cat has settled in the house, the owner does not have to worry about it oversleeping. From the very morning he will be awakened by a purring “bell” poking his face, demanding attention, affection and food.
7. Life extension . According to research, a “cat person” lives at least 10 years longer.
8. Way to earn money . Many people love to take pictures of their pets and post their photos, which get a lot of likes. You can make great money from this.
9. Doctor. In diseases of the heart and nervous system, the ability of cats to alleviate the condition has been clinically proven.

Muscles and bones will become stronger

No, no, for this you won’t have to carry the well-fed Vasily (or Murka) in your arms. Strong muscles and bones are attached to every cat, even the skinniest and smallest. All you have to do is pet the animal regularly to make it purr.

Purrs are sounds at a frequency of 20–140 Hz. Research proves Biomechanical stimulation therapy as physical treatment of arthrogenic venous insufficiency that frequencies in the range of 18–35 Hz improve the mobility of joints and muscles after injuries, and are also able to heal microtraumas and prevent muscle atrophy Why do cats purr? . This is called biomechanical stimulation therapy.

If you adopt a kitten, consider that you have acquired a device for effective physiotherapy. And he, the “device”, is happy with you.

Rules of behavior with a pet

Before bringing a cat into your apartment, you need to know about its physiological and psychological factors. They are freedom-loving and proud animals, so they need to be treated with love and affection. They will not bring slippers; you should not expect obedience or complete obedience from her. As soon as the pet gets into the house, he will feel danger in everything and beware of everything, since on an instinctive level they are used to always being in control of the situation. At first, you should let the cat get comfortable, get used to the environment and residents.

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It is also worth taking care of all the amenities for your pet. The first step is to close off dangerous places in the house where the kitten could get stuck or suffocate due to curiosity. Then you need to prepare a comfortable rookery and scratching post, otherwise all the upholstered and leather furniture will turn into a terrible sight. The cat should have a separate corner for food and a corner for the toilet if it lives in an apartment. In a private home, it is recommended to train the animal to use the toilet outside.

You should also follow the following recommendations:

• Hide or cover all wires, threads and small objects so that the cat does not get hurt and cause chaos;
• It is advisable to insulate corners and the bathroom from cat penetration, as this is a favorite place for the future toilet;
• The toilet must be closed at all times; the kitten can jump on it and accidentally drown itself;
• Books and documents should be kept out of the cat's reach so that they do not turn into scraps of paper;
• Buy a few fun toys to keep your pet entertained.

Once all these nuances are completed, you can get an animal. It is also worth surrounding him with your care and attention, but not through force. Some cat breeds are very adamant about excessive cuddling.

Mental health will improve

Several years ago, the reputable British company Cats Protection surveyed Pets and mental health more than 600 people, including both cat owners and people who do not have pets at all. Some of the respondents suffered from all kinds of mental disorders.

Scientists analyzed the responses and came to the conclusion: 87% of those who owned cats said that a mustachioed and striped pet had a beneficial effect on their psychological well-being. And 76% also added that a cat helps them cope better with everyday stress.

Small cons

• Their fluffiness also has its drawback: your whole apartment will be covered in wool. Sofa, carpet, outerwear - you will have to clean it all regularly. Are you ready for this?
• If you don't immediately wash the potty when your cat goes to the toilet, your apartment will smell terrible. Cat feces are already disgusting, but urine generally smells like ammonia. In addition, if you do not sterilize your cat in time, it may shit under your door or somewhere else.
• They can tear the upholstery on furniture to shreds. Despite their small size, cats are still predators. And they need somewhere to sharpen their claws. If you don’t take care of installing the scratching post in time, be prepared for the “fluffy” to scratch your sofa.
• Sometimes, after licking themselves with fur, cats suffer from bouts of vomiting. And it doesn’t matter to them where to do it. If they are on the bed, get ready to change the bed linen.

• Cats don't really care about people who sleep cutely. If they want affection, games or food at 6 o'clock in the morning, they will definitely wake you up. One of the cats comes and pokes his wet nose, another cat just yells at the whole apartment.
• If you go to the shower, let the cat into the bathroom, otherwise he will sit under the door and scream. But if you let him in, after a couple of minutes he will be screaming from inside for you to let him out. But this is more touching than infuriating.
• Parasites. Do you like kissing cats? Aren't you afraid of getting infected with worms? What about fleas? Sometimes getting rid of them is very difficult and expensive.

You won't suffer from loneliness

Throughout our lives, each of us experiences periods of loneliness and social rejection. They may be associated, for example, with moving to an unfamiliar city or country, or the loss of loved ones and friends. The feeling of loneliness that arises is sometimes so great that you want to give up.

A pet is a creature that forces the owner to organize his life: take care of him, feed him, and clean the litter box on time. But in the end, a person feels How Pets Help Manage Depression that he is needed and continues to live, no matter what.

Why should a cat be the first to enter a new home?

This tradition appeared a long time ago, and it is associated with the ability of cats to absorb negative energy and purify it, passing it through themselves like a filter. If there is bad energy left from the previous owners, the cat will correct this problem by entering the house.
If this is a new building, the pet can drive out the evil spirits that have managed to settle there and come to an agreement with the brownie about the safe residence of the owners.

And you'll sleep better

Surveys among patients suffering from sleep disorders give an interesting result: if a pet - the same cat - is in the bedroom or even bed, sleep becomes calmer, deeper and more peaceful. This is indicated by more than 40% of respondents. Are Pets in the Bedroom a Problem? .

Should your pets sleep in the bed with you? A new study's surprising answers, from Mayo Clinic sleep specialist Lois Krahn, say cats are akin to an effective and completely harmless sedative that can be prescribed to almost anyone.

Impact on the personal life of the owners

There is a sign that if single women want to get married, it is better not to have a cat, as it scares away men.
This is not entirely true. Indeed, if a cat lives in the house of a lonely mistress (or owner), she becomes attached to a person and begins to be wildly jealous if someone invades her territory.

However, over time, if the animal feels the positive energy of your chosen one, the relationship will gradually improve.

And, conversely, if the person is not yours and his intentions are not entirely good, the pet’s hatred will manifest itself more and more clearly. He can sense something that the mistress (or owner) will not notice and, perhaps, prevent an unhappy marriage.

When a married couple gets a cat, their relationship only becomes stronger. It promotes a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere in the family; it seems to glue relationships together, making them more reliable.

The stereotype that you need to have kittens

Often people make a choice based on a number of stereotypes: small kittens will love their owners more, and adult cats are boring, proud and harmful. Therefore, in most cases, kittens are born under the age of 1 year. But these stereotypes, like the vast majority of others, greatly distort the overall picture, speak less about reality than about the preferences of those who refer to them, and in some cases turn out to be completely erroneous.

To begin with, it should be said that kittens under the age of 2 years are considered small. Because after this the animal is considered physically developed and fully formed.

More about age: What do you need to know about the age of a cat?

The stereotype that it is better to adopt a small kitten is gradually becoming a thing of the past. People understand that getting an adult cat is like suddenly having an adult, smart companion.

The neighbor doesn't want cats

This is definitely a very big and widespread problem, therefore, no matter how much we would like to, it will not be possible to solve it quickly. However, there are two options that you can use if suddenly you can’t imagine your home without a furry friend from the word “at all,” but the person you live with doesn’t want it:

If your household doesn't want to get a cat, you can persuade them

• Discuss this. Find out why your spouse or roommate doesn't want a cat. Maybe they prefer dogs. Or perhaps one day they want to get a pet, but now is not the “right” time. Talk about the benefits of pets: love, enjoyment, friendship and, even better, health. Research shows that a cat can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and even combat depression. This is a counter-argument for you to take note of.
• Offer solutions. If your roommate or spouse is resisting buying a cat (or even resisting your desire to adopt one from a shelter) because of problems like shedding or odor that you know you can handle, talk about how they can be resolved. .
• Or maybe the problem lies in the numbers? Do you want several cats but can only handle one? See if you can compromise. Perhaps cohabitants are just not sure if they even want a pet.

The solution is to start a conversation. Ultimately, if your spouse or neighbor is still against getting a cat, you can satisfy your feline cravings a little by visiting a shelter.

Signs about material well-being

Mystically minded people are sure that there are magical ways to get rich. Some of them are related to cats. For example, to get an irredeemable ruble, you need to bring a black animal to the crossroads at midnight, stand facing west and pinch the cat so that it meows loudly. In response to these sounds, an entity will appear and ask you to sell the screamer to it. You need to agree, asking for a ruble as payment. This coin will be irredeemable, that is, under any circumstances, it will return to the owner and over time will make him rich.

According to legend, if a cat washes itself while sitting next to an empty wallet, money will soon appear in it. You can strengthen the sign by saying at this moment:

“The cat washes itself, and my purse is filled with gold! Let it be so!".

Another sign is that the more dead mice a cat brings, the wealthier its owners will be.

For a family with small children: who is better to have - a cat or a male cat?

Most families with small children prefer to adopt a cat . She is patient and affectionate and will not bite or scratch. The cat is used to dominance and can harm the child. But there is not much difference. Any animal cannot stand torment and tail tugging. You need to teach your child to treat any living creature with care, otherwise even the calmest cat will respond aggressively.

Toy bob cat

Advice: Toy bob cats can be a good option for a family . Breed qualities - low aggressiveness and stable psyche. These cats are involved in the therapy of children with developmental disabilities.

Who to get - a cat or a female cat for a long-term absent and busy person?

If you are away from home for a long time, for example, working, but you want to have a pet, then you can get a cat. The animal will wait for you and greet you in an empty apartment. Who to get - a cat or a female cat for a long-term absent and busy person?

• It is more difficult for a cat to live without the attention of its owner, but a neutered cat will calmly endure loneliness.
• But in general, what is more important here is not gender, but breed qualities and character.

Russian blue cat

Advice: For busy people with long working hours, the best cat breeds are Russian Blue or British.

Where do cats come from?

The question is not idle, and there are only three answers to it. You can:

a) pick up a cat on the street or in a shelter;

b) receive a kitten as a gift from friends;

c) purchase an animal in a so-called nursery.

In the first case, the cat will definitely have to be treated and fattened. True, solving these problems usually does not cause great difficulties. A kitten received from friends will most likely be well-fed, healthy and playful. The most difficult thing is to maintain relationships with cat breeders...

Start your acquaintance with the cattery website. If the resource is unaesthetic, crooked (the inscriptions overlap one another and on the pictures), has not been updated for a long time, and the photographs of champions at lunch are a hundred years old, this establishment is of no use to you.

A decent website provides a reason for a telephone conversation.

Reached an agreement quickly and easily? Find the opportunity to visit the cattery and get acquainted with the conditions in which the cats are kept. If you are warmly received, given comprehensive explanations and shown a standard package of documents for a kitten (and you like everything), pay a deposit and wait for a call.

Are you promised delivery? Request an introduction to the carrier. He will have to transport your future family member, and if, for the sake of economy, the carrier stuffs the cat with tranquilizers and keeps him in his bosom for two days, you will have to fight for the health and life of the animal.

If your cat comes from a cattery where breed characteristics are fixed by inbreeding, there is a non-zero probability of detecting genetically determined defects. But it depends...

Feeding the cat

The cat is a predator, and meat is its food. The cat receives a full range of nutrients by eating the whole prey - along with bones, intestines, brains and skin. It is unlikely that you will buy sterile mice from a pet store for your pet. It is best to purchase holistic-grade dry food and plant lawn grass in a bowl - fescue, ryegrass, meadow bluegrass.

Experienced cat breeders prefer to keep cats on natural feeding. If you know how to calculate the balance of BZHU and know how to supply the animal with the proper amount of taurine it needs, as well as vitamins, minerals and other biologically active substances, your cat will live long and happily.

Sometimes cats show a surprising love of eating grass. Your cat needs this to get rid of hairballs more effectively.

Cats fed an unbalanced diet may develop an addiction to eating foods that are unfamiliar to them. A small amount of cucumber, melon or black bread will not harm the animal. But do not experiment with human dishes! Cats do not know how to complain about being unwell, and ask for help only in the most extreme cases...

Source of income

Breeders can easily answer the question of why cats are needed in the house. For them, animals are a source of income. Breeding these pets does not require much trouble. But owners of representatives of valuable breeds make a substantial profit from the sale of elite kittens. In itself, such an activity should not be condemned. Breeders help people make their dream of a beloved pet come true. But discarded kittens, adult animals, unable to fulfill their purpose due to age, often join the army of stray cats.

Weather signs

Many “cat” signs are associated with weather changes. These days this is not as relevant as in former times. At that time, natural conditions were of great importance for human life. Therefore, they tried to find out the weather in every possible way, for example, by watching animals, including cats:

• curled up into a ball, covering his nose with his paw - to cold weather;
• sleeps all day, refuses to play - there will be prolonged rains;
• presses close to the stove (heating radiator) - to frost;
• intensively sharpens its claws - there will be a strong wind (in winter - a blizzard);
• sleeping on his back, spread out - to warming;
• sneezes often - the weather will deteriorate, there will be rain (in winter - snowfall).

Signs about the road

A sign known to everyone: a black cat crossed the road - to failure, there will be no way. You need to go back, take another road, or wait until someone passes first. If a person is about to leave the house or entrance, but suddenly hears a loud meow, he must return and wait a while, otherwise an accident will happen on the road.

If you are going to go somewhere, even for a short time, you need to ask your pet to save the house from uninvited guests, fire and other troubles. To do this, you should gently stroke him and say: “I’m leaving, and you stay at home, protect our home from harm!” The animal will fulfill the request by calling on its ally, the brownie, for help.

Before a long trip, people usually pack their bags. If the cat climbs and lies down in it, it means the journey will be easy and fun. If the fluffy one interferes with packing things or tries to throw them out of the suitcase, departure should be postponed. If this is not possible, you need to be especially careful on the road - meetings with unkind people, robbery, loss of property and other troubles are possible.

For allergy sufferers: who is better - a cat or a cat?

The cause of an allergy is most often a human reaction to a protein in the saliva that gets onto the cat's fur when licked. Some people develop immunity over time. It is also possible to be allergic to the epithelium of a cat or cat.

Cornish Rex cat

Tip: Pay attention to short-haired breeds: Devon Rex, Cornish Rex or Sphynx . Long-haired ones include Siberian and Balinese .

If you are prone to allergies, it is better to get tested and find out the cause before purchasing a pet. If you are allergic to wool, then you can follow the advice above and choose the best breed options, but if you are allergic to protein, then, unfortunately, reactions cannot be avoided.

It is believed that cats' discharge smells stronger. Therefore, an allergy sufferer will benefit from a cat or castration of a cat , which will reduce the production of allergens. There is also a little-studied study - light-colored cats are less allergenic than dark-colored cats. But still, be guided by your own individual reactions and take hygiene measures at home.

To summarize: what age is the best cat to choose?

As you already understand, there is no ideal and only right decision when choosing a pet. We advise you to choose an animal not only with your soul, but also with your head. And for this you need to understand the following questions.

1. Work schedule

The adoption team urges those who spend all day at work not to adopt kittens. After all, the baby needs very careful care: feeding, education, games. A little kitten will feel lonely and unwanted if you leave him alone all day. Therefore, for those who come home late at night, an older cat would be the best option.

1. Which behavior is closer to you?

It's no secret that kittens are like children - active, playful, always on the move and never tired. On the one hand, it's very funny. This behavior always makes you want to smile and join the game. You definitely won’t be bored with such a pet!

But if you want to come home and relax on the couch with your cat, and not run around the apartment with toys, then an adult cat is more suitable for you. Don't think that cats over the age of three are boring and immobile. They are easy-going and very playful. Especially when the initiative for the game comes from the owner. So we can say that a kitten will force you to play, but an adult pet will give you the right to choose.

1. Free time, energy and nerves

If you have all three things, then it will not be difficult for you to raise a kitten. Believe me, you will enjoy this process, but it is not easy at all.

An adult cat is suitable for those who want to see not a small child next to them, but an adult and smart animal that already knows how to do everything. Such a pet will save you both time and effort, which you can spend for your own pleasure.

Read about choosing a pet: Kitten or adult cat? Myths and reality

Signs about death

Since ancient times, representatives of the cat breed have been associated with the other world. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are many “cat” signs regarding death:

1. The animal suddenly began to meow loudly near the front door - leading to the death of one of the owners. By screaming, the pet tries to warn people and ward off trouble.
2. According to legend, if a cat sits near the bed of a seriously ill person, but does not jump onto the bed or caress the patient, it means that he will die in the coming days.
3. An animal often lying on the kitchen table is a sign of trouble. People said that it “watches out” one of its owners, that is, it predicts death for him.