Misconceptions About Cats
Before deciding to adopt, please be aware of some common misconceptions about
cats and cat care.
Misconception #1
Cats are low-maintenance pets
While a cat does not need to be taken out for daily walks as a dog does, they are
by no means low-maintenance– either in the amount of interaction they require
or in the financial responsibility they represent.
Taking on a pet of any kind is a large commitment in terms of both time and
money. Cats are social animals who want and need interaction with their
owners. As with any animal, cats cannot communicate verbally with their
owners, so it is the owner’s responsibility to be constantly watchful of the
animals behavior and alert to any abnormalities. Those who believe that
cats can take care of themselves will be unaware of subtle behavioral
changes that can be signs of the onset of serious illness or injury.
In terms of financial commitment, cat owners should plan to spend
between $800 to $1,000 per year per cat on the basics: food, litter
and regular vet care. These costs, of course, increase dramatically
should an illness or injury occur which would require additional
vet care and/or hospitalization.
Misconception #2
Cats can be left alone for a few days at a time and will take care of
themselves.
Not true at all! If an owner is going to be gone for more than 12-14 hours,
someone else should be assigned or hired to look in on and take care of the
cat. Cats who are left alone for long periods of time can get into all sorts of
trouble, become depressed, and even get sick.
For example, a cat who develops a urinary track infection can become critically
ill in less than 24 hours. Therefore, if you are even planning just a short weekend
getaway, a pet sitter or a friend should be looking in on the cat at least twice per
day. This person should plan to stay for a minimum of one hour so they can
observe the cat and make note of any behavioral abnormalities (ideally, it should
be someone who knows the cat fairly well so the better to notice if something
seems different). Of course, the caregiver should be provided with contact
information for the owner as well as the phone number to the nearest
emergency veterinary clinic and copies of all the animal’s medical record.
Misconception #3
Cats need to go outdoors and hunt in order to be happy, this is natural
for them.
In today’s world, letting your cat outdoors for any reason or any length of time is
akin to playing Russian Roulette. Outdoor cats are at risk for injury or death
a result of disease, other animals, poison, sadistic people, animal “bunchers” who
collect strays and outdoor pets to sell to laboratories, cars, foul weather, and a host
of other dangers.
Outdoor cats have an average life span of five to seven years, as opposed to their
indoor counterparts, who frequently live to be 15 or older. We have domesticated
our pets, and as such a responsibility to take care of them and look out for their
well being. Your cat may look longingly out the window as though he wants to
go out, but the bottom line is that it is not safe. Creating a stimulating
environment for them inside your home with cat trees, toys, etc., and giving
your pets lots of attention and exercise will ensure that they have a full and
enriched life while remaining safely indoors.
Misconception #4
Pregnant women cannot live safely with a cat.
Many physicians mistakenly inform their patients that they must get rid of
their cat or cats in order to ensure the safety of their unborn child. This
misconception is based on fear of a parasitic disease called Toxoplasmosis,
which can be transmitted from a variety of sources to a pregnant woman
and can be dangerous to her fetus.
Cats are exposed to this parasite through the ingestion of live prey (for
example, mice) and it can be passed by the cats to humans through
handling the cat’s feces, which most commonly occurs during litter box
cleaning. However, assuming the cats are indoor animals (not catching
live prey), there is no danger that a pregnant women or her unborn baby
will contract the parasite from the cat. In fact, pregnant women run more
risk of exposing their baby to Toxoplasmosis by handling raw or undercooked
meat in their kitchen than by handling their indoor cat.
That said, as a precaution, it is best for another family member to be responsible
for litter box cleaning during the pregnancy (and good practice, since after the
baby is born, Mom is certain to have her hands full and this task may need to
be permanently reassigned) or alternatively, for the mother-to-be to wear
gloves and wash her hands thoroughly after cleaning the box if she must
do it herself. Pregnant women should also use caution when gardening in
outdoor areas, which may have been used by strays as open-air litter box.
Misconception #5
A declawed cat is safer for a home with small
children than one which has claws.
In fact, exactly the opposite is true. A declawed cat, feeling as though its
first line of defense is missing, is much more likely to be a biter. Children
often do things that may irritate a cat, such as pulling its ears or tail, and
the animal’s natural reaction is to defend itself. A declawed cat does not
have the option scratching the child as a deterrent so it is likely to bite
first and ask questions later.
Unfortunately, while a scratch tends to be superficial and will heal easily,
bits are puncture wounds and are serious injuries to anyone, especially a
young child.
Expectant or new parents who declaw their cats in hopes that it will
protect their children are actually exposing them to much more serious
injuries. Children should be taught as early as possible how to
appropriately interact with the family cat, minimizing the occasions
on which the cat may need to defend itself.
It goes without saying that for the safety of both the child and the
animal, young children should never be left unsupervised for any
length of time with any kind of pet.
Misconception #6
My Older cat needs a kitten to liven him up!
In general, adopting a kitten (1½ years or younger) as a companion
for an older cat ( 5 years and older) is not a good idea. A youngster has
boundless energy, wants to play and run constantly, and requires very
high amounts interaction–all of which are likely to overwhelm and
irritate an older cat in short order. Likewise, a kitten is apt to be
frustrated that its companion does not have the same energy level
as itself. At the very least, this can lead to two very unhappy cats.
Worse case scenario, behavior problems such as litter ox avoidance
or destructive scratching can occur as one or both cats act out their
frustrations on their surrounds.
Long-term, it is almost certain that the two will never have a close,
bonded relationship, even after the kitten matures, since their
experience with one another from the beginning of the relationship
are likely to be negative. An older cat is better matched with someone
of their own age who has similar temperament. Likewise, kittens as a
rule need other young cats to play with in order to be happy.
If you insist on adding a kitten to a household that already has an older
cat, at least get two–this way they will entertain one another and the
older cat can participate or not depending on its mood.
