What to expect when adopting a cat?

Hi all, I want to adopt a cat but don’t know anything about having a pet. For context, I live in an apartment in Boston. My room is quite small, fitting a full-size/twin-xl bed, a large table, and some small furniture. I work 3 days from the office, leaving at 8 AM and returning by 5:30 PM.

Questions: Will this place be good enough for a cat or should I wait till I get a bigger place? What are the expenses of having a cat (initial and monthly)? What toys are good to keep the cat occupied when I leave for work? Would also like recommendations for animal shelters in Boston.

Start watching Jackson Galaxy videos on YouTube! They’ll give you most of the information you need.

Get an older cat. Kittens ruin stuff and need more supervision. If you don’t have someone to watch it while you’re away, consider an older cat.

Get an older cat that is used to being alone. Provide a climbing tree and scratching post, and make sure it can look out the window. Older cats tend to be more mellow.

How old do you mean when you say older cats? 4-5 years old is still young, right?

Grier said:
How old do you mean when you say older cats? 4-5 years old is still young, right?

4 or 5 is adult but still pretty active. I recommend adopting an older cat if that’s what you’re looking for.

I would suggest an older cat since they are a lot less work. Don’t worry about the size of your apartment; it’s bigger than the tiny crates some cats are kept in.

Read up on normal cat behaviors. It takes time for a cat to settle into a new routine.

I have a tiny kitty who loves running around my apartment. My neighbor thought she sounded like a horse!

Make sure the cat has full roam of your apartment. Also, watch Jackson Galaxy’s videos for great tips on cat behavior.

Always have at least 1 more litter box than you do cats. Spread them around the living space.

Consider adopting a bonded pair; they will keep each other company.

I think your place is too small for 2 cats, so focus on finding a cat that is good alone.