5 Things About Owning Cats Your Kids Don't Want You To Know

 If you're ever looking for a furry companion to join your household, and your kids are trying to get you a cat, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind before making the purchase. Cats can be cute and cuddly, however, owning cats has its downsides. Here are 5 things about owning cats your kids don't want you to know. 

1. The litterbox. 

The most infamous aspect of owning a cat is having to take care of the litterbox. Unfortunately, this process is about as unpleasant as it sounds. The key to alleviating the process is to do it frequently, at least once a week in order to keep your cat happy. 

2. Scratching

While cats can be friendly, they are more so known for their tendency to attack their owners. This is a very real risk that comes with owning a cat. Getting your cat declawed is considered by many to be inhumane, as it severely harms the cat, however, if you want to let your cat keep them you need to be prepared for your cat to scratch, not just you, but also your furniture. It's very important to train your cat early not to do things like scratch furniture. 

3. Latenight Surprises. 

Cats have a very different sleep schedule from humans. They take naps frequently throughout the day and night, and because of this, they are often wide awake very late at night. This means that if they want attention, or want to play, they might end up keeping you awake at night by running around or jumping on you or doing various other things which might make it hard to sleep. 

4. Moodiness. 

Cats are not at all like dogs in that owning a cat is more like having a roommate than owning a pet. The cat will not be loyal to you, and it will not obey you like a dog will. For the majority of a cat's life, it will completely ignore its owner and only interact with them when it wants attention (or food). As such, you should not expect your cat to be super cuddly and friendly all the time. It's important to give your cat as much space as it wants in order to have a good relationship with them. 

5. Suprise attacks. 

One of the things cats are most infamously known for is when they will act like they want you to pet them, then when you do they attack you. Usually, this is an instinctual reaction and indicates that the cat wants to play with you, however, if you let your guard down while rubbing your cat's belly, you may come to regret it as your arm becomes covered in scratches. 

Having a cat comes with its risks and downsides, however, if owning a cat is right for you it may just be worth it regardless. I have owned cats all my life and consider my cat to be one of my closest companions in life. The relationships you can build with cats will stay with you for the rest of your life and in my opinion, it is a risk worth taking.