My relationship with cats began somewhere in my late thirties: A feral cat gave birth in my back yard, I fed her regularly, and gradually fell in love with her and the kittens. A few years later, my beloved dog died, and my heart was too broken for bringing another dog, but I still needed to fill up the void that was left in my heart. So I adopted a cat and ended up with another one.
My cats helped me recover, and today I have a deep appreciation for this remarkable creature. I still love dogs (and know that sooner or later I will adopt one again), but cats now have a special place in my heart and home.
If you’re new to cats, I can tell you that bringing a cat home can be rewarding. However, if you never had one, there are probably a few things you should know before adopting one (or two. Trust me, you’ll see…).
Things you should know before adopting a cat for the first time
1. Each cat has a unique personality
Just like humans, cats have their own character. And just like you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, you should not choose a cat by its looks.
Adopting a cat should match your personality. You can’t tell whether a cat would follow you around the house and sit on your lap, or if one would just say “leave me alone.” You can’t tell these things until you meet the cat. And even that doesn’t always work: you met the cat in a certain mood, and that’s not his usual behavior. So if someone knows the cat, go ahead and ask some questions.
2. It’s better to have two cats
Cats are playful, and they need physical activity and social interaction.
Many people who adopt a kitten for the first time will regret not adopting two kittens. Because cats are better together: they play and groom one another, and keep each other company while we’re away.
3. Cats might sleep all day and party all night
Cats are more active at night. Cats are crepuscular, which means they hunt and are active in the evening and early morning. That said, night crazies can disrupt your sleep at night. When you bring a cat home, you should give it plenty of opportunities to play and eat during the daytime and early evening hours. This is so that the cat’s schedule matches that of the humans in the household. Another tip I have for you is to close the door behind you when you go to bed.
4. Cats need a rich living environment
Cat’s senses are sharp. They’re hunters by nature, so they need a wide variety of places to play. These include independent play, interactive play, search and chase, high climbing places, and comfortable and quiet places. A bored cat sleeps and eats all day. Boredom may become frustrating, and the road to behavior problems is short.
5. Cats like high places
Have you ever wondered why so many cat owners have climbing towers in their houses? Sometimes more than one. As hunters, cats are excellent climbers, and they like to reach the highest point in the room. Basically, they want to watch you from above and not the other way around.
6. Cats don’t want you to look into their eyes
Cats find direct eye contact threatening. They wouldn’t look another cat straight in the eyes unless they were preparing for a fight.ย When cats are relaxed, they look at you with half-closed eyes. This look is called “The slow blink”, and it’s a good thing. Basically, it’s their way of showing you they trust and love you.
7. Cats do show affection
People often say that cats aren’t as loving as dogs. And this is my friends, far from true. Dogs show their love in a more direct manner, providing you with immediate, reassuring feedback. Cats take longer to show love, and they do so in different ways.
So, how does your cat tell you she loves you? Purring, slow blinking, rubbing against your legs, and the Holy Grail: sitting on you.
8. Cats recognize their own names
Cats can recognize their own names, according to a study[1] published in Scientific Reports in 2019. Atsuko Saito, a behavioral scientist at Sophia University in Tokyo, led the study. BTW, her prior research demonstrated that cats recognize their owners’ voices.
[1] Hasegawa, Toshikazu, et al. Domestic Cats (Felis catus) discriminate their names from other words. Scientific Reports, vol. 1, no. 9, April 2019. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-40616-4