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The short answer: Yes, it’s possible—especially if you live in a small space and share a single room with them. Before I got my cat, all I saw online were the joys of cat ownership. No one warned me about the struggles. As a working professional, here’s what I learned the hard way. If you’re on the fence about getting a cat, read these points first.
1. Cats Can’t Be Caged Long-Term
You can put a cat in a cage, but they’ll meow nonstop—all night, every night. It’s not just noise; it’s distress. They’ll scratch at the bars, pace, and cry until you let them out. And if you’re a tired worker with an early morning shift? You won’t win the staring contest. Trust me: Their persistence will outlast your exhaustion. Caging feels cruel, so you’ll cave—only to face the chaos of a free-roaming cat.
2. Cleaning Becomes a Never-Ending Task
Letting your cat roam means saying goodbye to “good enough” cleanliness. They’ll squeeze under dusty cabinets, rub against baseboards, then leap straight onto your bed—essentially acting like a furry mop that drags dirt from the floor to your sheets. No corner is safe: crumbs under the fridge, fur in the couch crevices, litter tracked across the carpet. If you’re someone who cleans once every two weeks (guilty), this will drain you. You’ll either become a cleaning fiend or live with the constant awareness that your space isn’t truly “clean.”
3. Early Mornings Are Non-Negotiable
Cats are crepuscular—wired to be active at dawn and dusk. If your alarm is set for 7:30 AM, they’ll rouse you at 6:00 AM sharp. Their tactics? Biting your toes through the blanket, kneading your chest like dough, racing across your bed at full speed, or knocking objects off your nightstand (because why not?). For night owls who stay up late working or unwinding, this is brutal. You’ll stumble through the day exhausted, glaring at your cat as they nap peacefully—only to repeat the cycle that night.
4. Personal Space Becomes a Luxury
In a shared room, forget about “me time.” Whether you’re working at your desk, trying to read, or just scrolling on your phone, your cat will insert themselves into the moment: walking across your keyboard, plopping onto your book, or pouncing on your feet. There’s no such thing as “absolute quiet”—their purrs, playful scratches, or sudden zoomies will punctuate every hour. It’s endearing at first, but after a long day, it can feel like intrusion.
5. Kittens Are Tiny Tornadoes
I adopted a 3-month-old kitten, and her energy is relentless. She’ll zoom around at midnight, batting at my feet when I’m trying to sleep, then demand playtime at 6 AM. There are nights I lie awake thinking, “I never want to see this furball again.” Kittens aren’t just cute—they’re chaotic, destructive, and utterly unapologetic about disrupting your schedule. Patience isn’t optional; it’s a survival skill.
6. Caretaking Is a Daily Commitment
Cats need more than food and water. My kitten requires daily doses of fish oil, liver supplements, and vitamins—easy to forget when you’re rushing to work or collapsing after a long day. Miss a dose, and you’ll spiral into guilt. It’s not just the cost (though that adds up); it’s the mental load of remembering their needs on top of your own.
But Here’s the Catch:
For all the frustration, I’d never give her up. That little troublemaker turned my empty room into a home. She’s the first thing I think about when I leave for work and the reason I rush back at night. There’s a warmth in knowing someone (or something) is waiting for you—a silent reminder that you’re needed. Her antics, as exhausting as they are, give my days purpose.
Owning a cat isn’t all cuddles and purrs. It’s messy, tiring, and sometimes thankless. But it’s also transformative: You learn to be patient, to adapt, and to love something that doesn’t always love you back on your terms.
So, should you get a cat? If you’re ready for the chaos—and willing to see past the midnight zoomies to the quiet moments of connection—absolutely. Just go in with your eyes open: They’ll test your limits, but they’ll also teach you what it means to care deeply.
After all, even on the hardest days, that little head bump against your hand makes it all worth it. 🐾
