This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Eli Casas. Find them on Instagram at @elicasasnow. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Seven months in and I am still in disbelief that I own two cats! Me? A dog person who now loves everything about the two little felines my partner and I adopted! I love the way they purr when they make biscuits on me, and all the slow blinks. I apologize in advance, but this might all sound like a love letter to Apollo and Dalila just know that the purpose of this article is to share five things I have learned since they came into my life.
Number One
No matter what kind of furry friend you decide to incorporate into your life, you will never be prepared for everything. Cats are spontaneous, demanding, and love bugs.
I’m talking 1 am zoomies where Apollo and little D do parkour on the walls, swing from the curtains like a rock climbing wall, or full-blown masterminds at work jumping at full speed from across every corner of our apartment. Essentially they do what they want when they feel inspired, the more you fight it the more they persist. This is where routine plays an important role!
Of course, there are moments where we all get caught up with other duties but cats love schedules and routines. Proceed with caution if you mess up their feeding schedule! I’m only joking but also NOT! Although cats are independent for the most part I learned they rely on you heavily for feedings and enrichment. I have learned that sticking to their set feeding times and setting time aside for enrichment makes them feel content.
Man, our Little Dalila has the reputation of being independent but with the huge exception of morning cuddles! She will snuggle up to your nose and lightly make biscuits. I like to think of her as a love bug that’s undercover. Apollo on the other hand is not discreet at all, he is a love bug 25/8 all 365 days of the year!
In short, having cats equals being prepared to be surprised every day!
Terrible Twos
Ahhh, the agony of the so-called terrible twos, and boy, do those moments linger! For a while, I remember getting terrible nights of sleep, but others felt sleepless for sure. Sleep deprivation plus a relentless meow on repeat, can you picture that?! That was my life for a few months, I could almost cry recalling my zombie-like state of mind in those days.
A little back story, when we rescued both of them, they were both very attached, it was sort of everything and more. During the early kitten stages, we kept them in a giant playpen during the nighttime so we could sleep at peace, knowing they wouldn’t get into anything they weren’t supposed to. However, when they were older and more familiar with our home, we made sure to cat-proof every inch of our apartment, so naturally, we felt more confident about them roaming around at night.
Boy were they ready to conquer the night, the only problem was they did not comprehend boundaries or our need for rest. Apollo was so excited that he felt the need to let it be known, the thought process could have used some adjustments. He thought being as close to me as possible was a form of endearment but I prefer not to have a cat loafed up on my head. After months of redirection, he learned boundaries are important to me.
I wish I could say Little D found a way to contain her burst of energy at all odd times during the night, but she hasn’t, she did learn to grasp the concept of time and boundaries. Now, instead of using our bodies as trampolines like she used to for her parkour zoomies, she understands we require sleep. She refrains from jumping on us during the night, we call that GROWTH.
Three Tips
As a former dog owner, I did not think cats required similar precautions, as I always assumed they were more independent and laid-back animals. However, I quickly learned that they have some things in common. Here are three things that have resonated with me so far.
When baby-proofing, or in this case, cat-proofing, your home, assume they know how or will take it upon themselves to learn. That goes for doors, windows, electrical outlets, and anything accessible that is potentially harmful.
If your kitchen stove has exposed control knobs, try purchasing some stove knob covers they help prevent your cat from turning on your stove. Remember, furry friends are curious, especially during downtime, they find things to do even when that means it pertains to dangerous activity. For windows, you can use screen protectors or window locks. Last but not least, find some covers for your electrical outlets, it is better to be safe than sorry. On that same note, cover any exposed wires connected to electricity with cable covers.
I think cat-proofing came naturally to me, but finding the right food was new territory for sure. Research, reviews, and reevaluation are key in this department. I found that reevaluation is important as some cats find some foods more appealing than others, they may have some intolerance issues with certain foods, or the ingredients may not be the best quality.
Finding enrichment toys will save you headaches. Put it this way, if they are obsessed with their toys they will have less pent-up energy at the end of the day. You want that! I should say you need that! Especially after a long day of adulting.
Four Milestones
Kittens grow up so fast! Before you realize it you have tweens running around your home. Enjoy all the little moments as much as you can. Take pictures and videos trust me you will want to reflect as they get older.
One of the first big milestones is taking your fur baby to the vet! Ugh! It’s an emotional one, they get all their shots and an initial check-up. A quick Google search is all it took for us to find the right clinic, we confirmed by checking the reviews, so do your part and double-check!
Finding a vet for them will also play a big role when it comes time to spay or neuter your cat. From what I remember they feel extremely vulnerable and needy, showing up matters and contributes towards forming a bond.
Over time, you’ll also see their personalities unravel! Brace yourself for a lot of aww moments. In a short period of time, I noted that Apollo is food-driven and knows no bounds. Whenever he comes around, we hide our food because he is a little Dyson vacuum machine. On the other hand, Dalila is play-driven, and she will chew up anything, but she loves forbidden objects the most. Getting to know their personalities has allowed me to bond with them in special and different ways.
Now I should warn you, their first bath is also a big one. Most cats dislike water but if you minimize the overwhelming water sounds which they find triggering, you might avoid them attempting to flee the scene! Taking it slow is the best way to introduce them to bath time.
Five Traits Different From Dogs
Shifting gears from having dogs my whole life to becoming a cat person has given me a whole new perspective on pet companionship.
Cats will make you earn their love. You have to earn their trust, respect their boundaries, and attend to their needs. Dogs usually reciprocate affection almost instantly but cats will ignore you!
Be careful when interpreting a cat’s body language because when they wag their tail it does not always mean “I am happy to see you” more than often it translates to leave me alone. Other times it means they are feeling playful, in hunt mode, or affectionate. Dogs normally wag their tail because they are excited or happy, totally different body languages.
When dogs are vocal it’s usually noisy and persistent but it tends to become unbearable because of how loud they can get. I am happy to report that when cats communicate vocally it’s typically low-pitched and subtle meows, way easier on the ears.
From my past experiences dogs tend to have a ton of energy, they need to be walked and played with more. Cats generally have lower energy levels which means it is a less demanding campionship in that sense as opposed to canines.
Keeping all that in mind, another prime example of how both breeds are different includes their socializing habits. Apollo and little D have a different approach when it comes to meeting new people, it ranges from love at first sight to hiding under the bed. For dogs socializing comes more naturally.
These are all things to keep in mind when comparing cat ownership vs dog ownership. Lastly, if you have made it this far, I hope you enjoyed this brief but heart felt love letter to Apollo and Dalila.
Have you ever compared cat ownership vs dog ownership? Let us know in the comments below.
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