Are You Ready for a Cat? 10 Honest Questions to Ask First

Cats have a reputation for being "easy" pets. Compared with a dog, many are — they don't need walks and they're happy to nap while you work. But a cat is still a 15- to 20-year commitment that affects your budget, your home, your holidays and sometimes your health. Shelters around the world take in cats every day because an owner didn't think through one of the questions below.

This guide is not meant to put you off. It's meant to make sure that when you do bring a cat home, it stays home for life.

1. Can you commit for 15–20 years?

Indoor cats commonly live into their late teens, and many reach 20. Think about where you expect to be in five, ten and fifteen years. Moving abroad, having children, changing jobs or moving in with a partner who is allergic are the most common reasons cats are given up. None of these has to mean rehoming — but plan for them now.

2. Do you have time every day?

A healthy adult cat needs, at minimum:

• Two meals a day (kittens need three or four)
• Litter box scooping once or twice a day
• 10–15 minutes of interactive play, twice a day — this is the part most new owners underestimate
• Brushing from once a week (short hair) to daily (long-haired breeds such as Persians)
• Attention and affection — many cats are far more social than their reputation suggests

If you are regularly out 10–12 hours a day, consider an independent adult cat, a breed known for coping with alone time, or two cats who can keep each other company.

3. Can you afford it — including emergencies?

Food and litter are predictable. Vet bills are not. A urinary blockage, a swallowed hair tie or a broken leg can cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Before you commit, decide how you would pay: savings, a dedicated emergency fund or pet insurance. For a realistic budget, see how much a cat costs or try our cat cost calculator.

4. Does anyone in your home have allergies?

Cat allergies are common and are caused mainly by a protein called Fel d 1, found in saliva and skin secretions — not by the hair itself. That's why "hypoallergenic" breeds are largely a myth (see cat myths debunked).

If someone in your household has allergies or asthma:

• Spend several hours with cats — ideally with the specific cat you're considering — before deciding.
• Talk to an allergist about testing and treatment options.
• Ask the shelter or breeder whether they'll take the cat back if it doesn't work out.

5. Are you renting?

Check your lease before you adopt. Many landlords require written permission, a pet deposit or monthly pet rent. Keep that permission in writing. Our guide to cats in rented homes covers how to ask, and how to protect your deposit from scratches and litter accidents.

6. Do you have young children?

Cats and children can be wonderful together, but toddlers and kittens are a risky mix: kittens are fragile and have sharp claws, and young children can't yet read feline warning signals. For families with children under about five, a calm, confident adult cat with a history of living with kids is often the best choice. Read introducing a cat to children.

7. What happens when you travel?

Cats are territorial and most dislike traveling. You'll need a plan for holidays, business trips and emergencies: a trusted friend, a professional pet sitter or a boarding cattery. Costs add up — factor them into your budget. See cat sitters and boarding.

8. Can you make your home safe?

Before your cat arrives you'll need to secure windows and balconies, move toxic plants (lilies are extremely dangerous), hide cables and store medications and cleaning products safely. It's not difficult, but it must be done. Here's how to cat-proof your home.

9. Are you OK with scratches, hair and the occasional mess?

Scratching is a natural, necessary behavior — you can redirect it but not eliminate it. Cats shed, sometimes vomit hairballs, and may have litter accidents when stressed or unwell. If a pristine home is a top priority, choose carefully (short-coated, calm adult cat) and budget for scratching posts and good cleaning products.

10. Why do you want a cat — and do you want this particular cat?

Impulse adoptions — a kitten from a friend's litter, a cute face online — are the ones most likely to go wrong. Think about the kind of cat that suits your life: energy level, sociability, age, grooming needs. Then use our breed selector or talk to shelter staff, who often know their cats' personalities well.

Your readiness checklist

• Everyone in the household agrees and nobody has unmanageable allergies
• You have permission from your landlord (if renting)
• You can afford start-up costs, monthly costs and an emergency fund
• You have a plan for holidays and for moving house
• You can give daily play, feeding and litter care
• You've chosen a vet near you (how to choose a vet)

If you can tick all of these, you're ready. Next, decide between a kitten or an adult cat.