Is College Life Suitable for Owning a Cat?
Is it permissible to keep a cat in your living environment?
As a university student, if you're considering keeping a cat, it's inevitable that you'll have it in your dormitory. However, living with a cat in a dormitory requires careful consideration of your roommates' feelings:
Do all your roommates accept cats?
Is there anyone who is allergic to cat hair?
Will the cat's meowing disturb your roommates or other dorm residents?
Dormitories are public spaces with specific rules and regulations, and most likely, they do not permit keeping pets. Therefore, if you decide to keep a cat in your dorm, you'll have to face the daily challenge of evading dormitory inspections. What if your cat is discovered and not properly controlled? How would you handle that situation?
Additionally, dormitory spaces are often small and poorly lit, which is not conducive to a cat's healthy growth. The dense population also increases the likelihood of the cat being startled and experiencing stress reactions.
Do you love the cute and fluffy side of cats, or do you love them for everything they are?
Without personally caring for a cat, all cats seem pure and adorable, like ethereal beings untouched by the world. But once you've taken on the responsibility of caring for one, you'll discover that cats are not just magical creatures from another realm; they also have their messes, illnesses, and even destructive tendencies. When you see the whole picture of a cat, will you still cherish it with the same love?
Moreover, if a cat in a dormitory soils or damages your roommate's belongings, what should you do? And how would you handle any conflicts that arise from such incidents?
How much time and energy do you have to spend with your cat?
Caring for a cat requires a significant investment of time and energy. You might think that as a university student, with only a few classes a day and plenty of free time, you have enough time to look after a cat.
However, this is not the case. University students also have their own extracurricular activities, such as joining clubs, going on dates, reading novels, watching TV shows, and more. By the end of the semester, there's a mountain of homework to study for, leaving very little time to truly sit down and spend quality time with your cat.
Can your financial situation support the cost of keeping a cat?
Financial stability is another crucial factor to consider for university students who wish to keep a cat. While it's possible to keep a cat on a budget, necessities like cat litter, food, deworming, vaccinations, and spaying or neutering can be quite expensive. As students typically have no income source and limited living expenses, can you really ensure that you can take proper care of your cat?
What if your cat falls ill? Would you still be committed to taking it to the vet, even if it means incurring significant medical expenses and finding the money to cover them?
Some might suggest that students can work parttime to earn money, but parttime jobs often consume a large portion of their free time, leaving little to no time for companionship and care.
What about the cat during winter and summer breaks, or after graduation?
Every year, especially during winter and summer breaks and graduation season, a wave of cats are abandoned. While university students may have their own reasons for this, the cats themselves are innocent and可怜. How can you ensure that your cat has a safe place to stay during these times, and a stable home to return to?
Keeping a cat may seem simple, but it is actually quite challenging.
If you're contemplating keeping a cat, take the time to read through these questions and ask yourself if you can be a responsible pet owner. After careful consideration, make an informed decision about whether or not to bring a cat into your life.
Keeping a cat is a lifelong commitment. From the moment you take that tiny paw in your hand, you are responsible for its wellbeing, no matter what comes your way.
