Want to get a cat, or can't decide if you want one yet? Read this article to help you decide. It covers the basics of being a cat owner and explains things that you need to know about having a fluffy companion.

Unlike dogs, cats are independent creatures. They tend to avoid bothering you, and they stay oblivious to whatever you do for the most part. Whenever you want to play with them, you can. Otherwise, you leave them alone, they leave you alone, and you're both happy. Now obviously having a cat requires some work and you do have to give the cat some attention, otherwise there isn't really a point of having one. However, If you've always wanted a pet but were afraid of the commitment involved, then a cat is in fact the ideal pet for you. The main things you need to take care of when you have a cat are the obvious things:

Food - With food, all you need to do is find a brand that fits your cat. It usually depends on the cats age, whether its indoor/outdoor (explained later) and its preferences (flavor). When you've found that, you basically just refill your cats container every day or so and the cat will eat it whenever its hungry. Most cats don't really eat for indulgence and eat however much they need whenever they feel hungry, so you can just leave the food out. The only exception to this is if your cat is overweight and the vet orders you to control the amount of food the cat gets. My cat is almost 5 years old and hasn't had any problems with this thus far. Most cats are also fairly strict of routine, so you won't have to change the flavor of the food to keep the cat pleased. Cats like consistency so giving her/him the same food every day is okay.

Litter Box - Cats go to the bathroom on their own, you don't need to take them outside or anything. Whenever you see that there's something in the litter box, you can clean it. It usually requires cleaning once or twice a day (takes 30 seconds) and then you need to change the sand in the litter box every few weeks entirely. Once a cat knows where its litter box is, it usually won't go outside of the litter box. Whenever it does, it could be an indication of another problem.

Shots - Depending on whether your cat is indoor or outdoor, it needs certain shots. It should be taken to the vet at least once a year for a check-up and shots.

So maybe you've decided you want a cat, but what kind?