When special occasions approach, such as birthdays, communions, or Christmas, many people would like to give their loved ones the best gift. Among these ideas, the following sometimes appears: surprise with a catHowever, it's not a good idea to give a cat as a gift, or really any animal for that matter. Cats are not objects or toysThey are not objects, but living beings that feel, suffer, and depend entirely on their caregivers. Even with the best intentions, our furry friends are not objects.
Usually, if we don't like a gift, we return it or put it away in a drawer, but with a cat, that's not possible without causing harm. A cat is a living being that It needs daily care, stability, and commitment. In order to be happy. For all these reasons, and for other issues that we will see below, The responsible thing to do is to let each person decide whether or not to live with an animal. and do it thoughtfully, never as an impulsive surprise.
A cat cannot be a whim
Many parents end up buying or adopting a cat for their children, either because they have been asking for one for a long time or because they would like them to grow up living with animals. The problem arises when the decision is made impulsively. and without considering the real consequences.
What usually happens after a few months? The kitten grows, ceases to be that tiny, calm baby, begins to explore, climb, play more vigorously, scratches, bites while playing, and can unintentionally cause harm. If it doesn't receive proper training and its energy isn't channeled through games and scratching posts, Many adults get tired of it and get rid of the cat.even thinking that "it turned out bad."
In addition, the gifts have a materialist connotationSomething that is given, used, and if it doesn't fit, returned or exchanged. When an animal is presented as a surprise, especially to children, it conveys the message that It is an object that can be handed over and taken back.not a life partner with their own needs.
That's why experts in living with cats insist that The whole family must agree before bringing a feline home, and that it should not be done as a surprise gift on a special date, but as a conscious and shared decision.
A cat can live 20 years (or more)
If any of us already find it difficult to know where and how we will be in, for example, ten years, Imagine how difficult it is to predict life two decades from nowHowever, that's about as much time as a well-cared-for cat can spend with us.
Under normal conditions, a domestic cat can live between 15 and more than 20 yearsThat means making a long-term commitment to:
- Offer you quality food appropriate to each stage of their life.
- Provide regular veterinary carevaccines, deworming and check-ups.
- Assume a stable annual economic expenditure (food, sand, toys, medication if needed, etc.).
- To adapt plans, vacations and moving to the presence of the cat in the family.
Life takes many turns: job changes, separations from partners, moves, births of children, illnesses… If those who will receive the “gift” have not decided for themselves to live with an animal or have not considered these scenarios, the risk of abandonment or poor quality of life for the cat increases significantly. Because of that, If we don't know for sure that they want and can care for a cat, we shouldn't give it to them..
A cat can get sick
It's a fact of life. Like any living being, a cat can get sick or have an accident. They may develop kidney, heart, or digestive problems, or suffer falls and injuries.At these times, your pet will need immediate veterinary attention and, sometimes, testing, hospitalization, or surgery.
This implies having time to take him to the vet and a cheap mattress to cope with unforeseen events. It's also important to have sufficient emotional stability to support the cat through illness, without seeing it as a burden. When giving a cat to someone who hasn't chosen to take on these responsibilities, one should ask: Will that person provide it? Will they take the cat to the vet when necessary? If the answer isn't a resounding yes, they shouldn't receive an animal as a gift.
A cat needs love, time, and stability.
It is not true that the cat is a cold or totally independent animal. He needs affection, companionship, and a stable human presence. to feel safe. Many cats form a strong bond with their primary caregiver and suffer when they are ignored, left alone for too many hours, or moved to a new home.
Living with a cat involves:
- Dedicate to daily play and attention time to avoid boredom and stress.
- Respect their space and its personalitywithout treating it like a stuffed animal that can be manipulated without limits.
- Provide you with a calm and predictable environmentwith routines that help him feel safe.
- Understand their body language signals (tail, ears, meows) to avoid conflicts, bites or scratches due to misunderstanding.
It cannot and should not be treated as an object, but as what it is: another member of the family with their own needsOnly people who have a deep respect for animals, and who can also care for them physically, financially, and emotionally, should consider adopting a cat. Even in those cases, it's best for the person to visit a shelter or adoption center, get information, meet several animals, and consciously choose with whom to create that bondinstead of receiving it as an unexpected gift.
In short, unless you know for sure that person She wants to live with a cat, has reflected on the responsibility involved, and is prepared to assume it long-term.Don't give cats as gifts. The best gifts for animal lovers are usually information, time spent together, and, if they so choose, support in adopting responsibly.