8 Signs You’re Ready to Get a Cat

If you’ve been watching cute cat videos nonstop, offering to pet-sit your friends’ cats, and have been low-key browsing adoption websites — your brain may be telling you that it’s time to get a cat. Although cats may have reputations for being less needy than dogs, that doesn’t mean that they’re (completely) low maintenance. Cats require food, water, a safe environment, and plenty of attention. (If you’ve never lived with a cat before, they want way more than you would think.) Below, we’ve listed key questions that you should ask yourself — and answer honestly — to ensure you’re ready for this lifelong commitment. 

8 questions to ask before adopting a cat

1. Am I a good match for a cat?

Before bringing a meowing cat home in a crate, you should think about whether you’re the best fit to be a feline parent. Cats aren’t always aloof creatures, and do want attention and love from their pet parents. You cannot assume that the cat you bring home will be aloof and sleep for 18 hours a day. And if that is what you’re expecting, maybe you’re not ready to bring a cat into your space after all. If you live alone and want a cat, but are really only home to sleep — your life probably isn’t suited to being a pet parent.

2. Do I have enough space?

You should also ask yourself if you live in a space big enough for a cat to run around, especially if they’re under the age of four. Sure, cats don’t require a lot of space, but they should be able to gallop across a long hallway or room. Cats also have the tendency to mess with their pet parents when they’re sleeping: If, for example, you live in a studio apartment and don’t think that you can handle being woken up a few times a night, then that’s another sign to hold off.

3. Do I have time?

Just because a cat is considered low maintenance doesn’t mean that they want to be alone all the time. You need to devote some time to your cat. They like to play, snuggle, and feel safe. As with dogs, they will wait for you to come home. Before deciding to get a cat, you should actually have enough pet-parent time in your schedule, or change your day-to-day to make sure you can prioritize your cat over many other things in life.

A prospective cat parent should also expect to feed their cat twice a day or shell out for a self-feeder. Some cats, especially those who used to be feral, struggle with food insecurity and will eat an entire bowl of food if it’s left out for them, so they need designated mealtimes to keep from overeating.

4. Are my roommates or family on board?

Although you might be all gung-ho about getting a cat, you should check in with your family or roommates to see if they are eager to welcome a pet, too. If someone isn’t okay with your decision, you might be told to find a new place to live or return the cat to the adoption center, which would be traumatic for the feline. It’s important to be respectful of the wishes of everyone in your household, especially if anyone has a cat allergy.

5. Am I patient?

At face value, cat parenthood might seem less time-consuming than being a dog parent. Like, there is no begging to go outside in the early mornings, but there are plenty of other demands. Cats get the zoomies in the middle of the night. They do not listen when you tell them to not knock that cup of water off the table. And they have no qualms about hopping up on your desk during a Zoom call, when you’re in the middle of a presentation. They can be willful, and that’s something a cat parent needs to have a lot of patience with. If you aren’t ready to allow this chaos into your home, you’re not ready for a cat. 

6. Am I financially prepared?

A cat is an added, recurring monthly expense: You have to pay for their food, litter, new toys, and vet visits. And that doesn’t include the upfront costs of adopting a cat. You’ll have to pay the adoption fee and buy a cat bed, litter box, water fountain (if they won’t drink out of a bowl), and mentally stimulating toys. You should write out a monthly budget to make sure that you can handle everything financially. In addition to that, you should have an emergency fund for unexpected vet bills. 

7. Have I had any major life changes?

If you’re moving, getting married, starting a new job, having a baby, or becoming a caregiver for a family member or friend — now is not the best time to add a cat or kitten into your home. Your pet must be the primary focus of your life. It’s going to take them a while to adjust to this new, scary space, and you’re the one who needs to help them through that transition.

8. Are you committed to a lifetime of pet parenthood?

A cat is not just your pet for a few months or even a few years. They will be a part of your family for as long as they live, which could be as long as 20 years. Think about where you might be 20 years from now and make certain that your life includes a cat. Otherwise, you’re not ready for that commitment.

Am I ready for a kitten?

Kittens are more high-maintenance pets than adult cats. They require constant attention, care, and patience. You should also expect them to damage any furniture they can put their little claws on, and they might have some accidents around the house if they have not been litter-box trained. If this all sounds like a little too much, you might be better off opting for an older, house-trained cat. 

Commonly asked questions

Should I get a cat if I work full-time?

Yes, you can get a cat if you work full-time. You just need to make sure to leave out some food (if they’re grazers and don’t struggle with food scarcity), water, litter boxes, and toys to keep them occupied. If you commute to work and go into an office, we recommend getting two cats, ideally ones that are paired together. Otherwise, a single cat might get lonely. 

What are the signs you’re not ready for a cat?

You should not get a cat if you are not home often, are undergoing a major life change, are not financially secure, or if everyone in your household is not okay with this potential new addition.

Why should you adopt a cat?

You should adopt a cat, because there are so many cats in shelters looking for forever homes. (Additionally, adopting a cat is much more affordable than buying from a breeder.) Adoption also opens up space in shelters for new cats who need rescuing. To look for cats in your area, start by visiting Adopt a Pet.

What is the best time of year to get a kitten?

Spring is the best time to get a kitten, because it’s full-on kitten season. Cats usually go into heat in January or February, which means their babies are usually born from April to June. There are plenty of cute, new kittens in shelters waiting to be adopted during this time of year. But don’t forget to check out the adult and senior cats at shelters year-round; they make great pets, too.