Things to Think About Before Adopting a Cat

Are you thinking about adopting a cat?  You may want to add a furry feline to your family because cats can be quite enjoyable and fairly independent.  However, before you decide to move forward with an adoption, ask yourself the following:

• Do you want a cat that has long or short hair?  Cats that have long hair need to be groomed and tend to shed a lot more than cats that have short hair.  Keep this fact in mind when choosing your pet.
• Is it important to have a male or female cat?  If you choose to adopt a female cat, you may want to have it spayed or else you will have to deal with its natural heat cycles.  Males, which tend to be larger, like to mark their territory and may need to be neutered.
• Would you prefer to adopt a kitten?  Many people want to adopt kittens because they are so cute and cuddly.  However, kittens demand a great deal of time, patience and training.  If you can't commit the time to a kitten, you may want to consider adopting an older cat instead.