Cats as Companions
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
By: Lesley McGuffie

Celebrate National Adopt a Cat Month...

Approximately 60% of the animals available for adoption at the CT Humane Society are cats. Generally, more cats than dogs are surrendered to shelters for a variety of different reasons.  Many states allow cats to free roam by law and they do not require cats to be licensed with the town.  This increases the chances for cats to be allowed to roam.  If their families don’t have a fenced in yard, cats are free to travel away from their home. Cats are also less likely to have identification collars, which mean that they are often mistaken for stray cats and brought to a shelter. If these same cats are not spayed or neutered, they are more likely to have multiple litters every year because they have more opportunities to interact with other cats. This greatly increases the number of cats who need homes. At the CT Humane Society, we recommend that cats be kept indoors and that you always practice spay/neuter. Cats who live inside offer more fulfilling companionship to their families and can live longer. The month of June is Adopt a Cat Month and there are many great benefits to consider when choosing a cat as your pet.

Cats make good companions for people with a variety of lifestyles. For instance, cats generally require less time and money for basic care than a dog or exotic pet. For that reason, they can be well taken care of in all types of families including those who are busy or are on a tighter budget. Since cats don’t need to be walked, let outside every few hours, and can generally groom themselves, they require much less time and effort to maintain than a dog. This may make it easier to travel away from home for a few days.  Cats learn how to use a litter box very quickly, so kittens often require very little litter box training. This is perfect for somebody who isn’t prepared for house breaking a pet. Also, since cats don’t require large amounts of space for adequate exercise, they can live happily indoors for their entire life or even in an apartment. (Just don’t forget to provide them with plenty of playtime.)  Cats are also very quiet and unlike dogs or birds, don’t make noises that could bother the neighbors quite as much.  Cats are also very clean by nature.  Provided you keep their litter box fresh, cats will not have as much body odor as other pets. Cats also tend to be less expensive when it comes to general medical care as their routine veterinary expenses are usually less than those for a dog or exotic animal.  For these reasons, cats are great additions to many families.

Cats are also good choices for pets because their companionship is very rewarding. They live for about 17 years and can keep you company for a good portion of your life time. They are very social and really enjoy the company of their families. They greet their families, offer a lot of affection, and let their families know they’re appreciated by purring and rubbing. They also enjoy interacting with their families by playing with them, sleeping with them, and even eating with them. It has also been proven that interacting with a cat can reduce stress and lower blood pressure. This is because petting a cat can be very peaceful and therapeutic. Overall, cats are very fulfilling and long lived companions. 

Do you already have a cat or know a cat? Try letting him or her know that they are appreciated by providing them with some of these simple items that they are sure to love!

Home-Made Cat Toys

• Balls of Tin - These are light weighted so they are easy to bat around. They’re shiny appearance and their crinkly noise makes them enticing to cats.

• Cat Nip Toys - Simply stuff a sock with cat nip and tie it off with a knot and add a bell. (Make sure any string or other decoration can’t be swallowed.)

• Ribbon Tail - Cut a long, thin piece of fabric or find a ribbon. Tie it to a stick and whirl it around an open area. Your cat will love chasing it.

Health and Hygiene Items

• Toothbrush and Toothpaste - Keep your cat’s breath smelling fresh and their teeth healthy by brushing them once a week. Use a very small toothbrush and toothpaste for cats.

• A wire brush specifically for pets – Bristles on these types of brushes can penetrate thick fur and feel good to your cat. It will also help them to remove shedding hair and prevent mats.

• Styptic Powder – This will come in handy if you cut your cat’s nails too short, or if they tear, and cause the nail to bleed. Dip the cut nail into a tablespoon of this powder to quickly stop the bleeding.

Simple Luxuries

• A very fluffy and comfortable bed (home-made or store bought)

• A blanket of their own – Place this is in a window sill or on the back of a couch to invite them to rest near a window, or, place it next to a heating vent where many cats love to rest.

• An outdoor enclosure (for cat’s who want some outside time) - Examples include a screened off sunroom or patio, or a screened extension to a window that provides extra room for a cat to bask in the sun (make sure this device is secure so that kitty will not fall out of the window).