Читать книгу The Cat Owners Handbook - Graham Meadows - Страница 29

ο Why do you want a cat? Is it to be a companion, for breeding or to show?

ο What other animals do you have already, and will a cat integrate with them?

ο Is your property suitable for the type of cat you envisage? A small, high-rise apartment may suit a lethargic domestic longhair, but be inadequate for an active Oriental. A house bordering a busy highway could guarantee a short lifespan.

ο Who will look after it? Even if it is a family pet, make sure that one person takes on the responsibility of feeding a proper diet and ensuring that the cat receives the correct vaccinations at the right intervals and is regularly wormed and treated for fleas. Don’t rely on the promises of your children.

ο How will it integrate with any of the other animals in your household? Will the family terrier terrorize it? Will an incumbent cat consider the new one an interloper and try to drive it away? Is your favourite budgie likely to become a cat’s dinner? Will the goldfish in your garden pond continue to lead their current peaceful life?

ο Can you afford the cost? Cats may be cheaper to feed than dogs, but they still require health care. This can be costly.

ο Is any member of the family an asthmatic? Many asthmatics are allergic to cat fur, so do your homework.

Adult cats have less of a chance of finding a new home than kittens do, yet they can be the ideal choice for an elderly person who does not wish to cope with an energetic kitten.