Responsible Ownership - Treating Cats as Family Members

That scheduled vet visit may be crucial to your cat's health. If you are tempted to skip it entirely, or delay it because it isn't convenient right now, or finances are a little tight, please give some thought to several considerations before picking up the phone and canceling that vet appointment. Your final decision may vary, depending on the...

Although genetics may have an effect on longevity, there are many things we can do to maximize our cats life potential, starting when they first come under our care.

When we take on the care of a cat, we assume responsibility for his well-being, health, and happiness. Part of that responsibility includes Respect. Cats are not dogs; they are not miniature furred people, and no two cats are ever alike. We need to respect those differences and honor cats for being their own unique selves.

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.

Being a responsible owner of a cat comes with certain financial obligations. If you are not prepared to meet these costs, it is better to not adopt a cat at all. Irresponsibility carries its own costs, in terms of sacrifices to a cat's health and well-being, along with the potential heartbreak of the loss of the cat.

All adult cats should be seen by their veterinarian, at least once a year, for a routine "well-check" examination. An annual veterinary check draws a baseline of the cat's normal physical condition, so that, should illness or emergencies arise, the veterinarian can more easily spot the differences in the cat's condition.

This essay has been translated into 25 languages and has been called the most published animal-related essay in the world. Although the main character is a dog, the lives of countless cats have also undoubtedly been saved because of this piece.

The shelters are full of them, these throwaway cats and dogs, whose only crimes were having the misfortune of being the pets of people who considered them "property" rather than "family."

These are my pet peeves about cats, but numbers one through six really have to do with responsible "ownership" of cats.