FAQ of the Week: Should Your College Roommate Be a Cat?
Friday August 25, 2006
It is entirely normal that a college student, away from home for the first time, might want some companionship, and equally normal that someone might choose a cat, because as we all know, "cats are pretty low-maintenance pets."
Should you have a cat for a college roommate? The answer is a qualified 'maybe' depending on your degree of responsibility and other factors. Please read this article before rushing into adopting a cat at college.
Should you have a cat for a college roommate? The answer is a qualified 'maybe' depending on your degree of responsibility and other factors. Please read this article before rushing into adopting a cat at college.
Comments
I am sorry but I am not really a cat lover. I like looking at them especially the white ones but I am not really that fond with them. My hubby feels the same way too. Everytime he sees a cat he gets goose bumps. Could that be psychological?
Yeah-extremely psycho-illogical! But understandable,since there is so much false lore about cats. They’ve been maligned since the witch-hunting days,victims of old wives tales, and often portrayed as evil in movies and fiction. Once you get to know a cat personally, you learn that they have personalities- often affectionate and funny,and most are quite lovable. Up close and personal,there’s usually nothing creepy about them.
I feel strongly that cats should not be adopted until the owner is in a permanent home, preferably his (her)own. Too many cats end up in shelters due the fact their owner’s living situation changed. The acquisition of any pet is a committment for the lifetime of that pet.
Cats are NOT creepy. They give back to us exactly what we give to them!!!
I grew up in a family of dog lovers and had never really had any contact with cats (though never thought of them as creepy) until i moved to Japan and ran into the most gorgeous stray kitten under my building. I fed him and though at first couldnt get anywhere near gradually i won his trust. I hadnt intended to adopt him but i did and he is now a happy healthy young lad! I am amazed at how interesting he is and such a lot of fun! I am now a total cat lover and found this site in my research as i want to take care of him to the best of my ability. He has given me so much happiness already that he deserves the best back. Cats are amazing animals i can see why the Egyptians worshipped them!
CATS ARE NOT LOW MAINTENANCE FOR EVER. IF YOU ARE LUCKY AND HAVE A HEALTHY KITTEN, YOU CAN ENJOY THE LOW MAINTENANCE PHASE BUT REALIZE THAT AS THEY AGE, THEIR EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL NEEDS CHANGE, AND SOMETIMES YOU BECOME A REAL “CARETAKER” IN THE LATER YEARS. IT TAKES A LOT OF LOVE AND DEVOTION. NO ANIMAL IS LOW MAINTENANCE FOR EVER. WE ARE MORE VULNERABLE AND NEED MORE CARE AS WE AGE.
One of my cats “found me” when I was in college. Now, ten years later, I just can’t imagine life without her. Tips given in the article are ones to pay attention to. It can be challenging at times with a limited budget but it is all worth it. It also takes effort (of course) to make sure a pet is allowed in an apartment and to maintain vet visits. My little fluffball has been with me through a lot and I am so very grateful for her.