Living with Cats: The Joys and Challenges
Living with cats can indeed bring a great deal of comfort and happiness. Their companionship often provides emotional healing and joy to their owners. However, the reality of sharing a home with a cat is not always easy or carefree.
Many cat owners find themselves physically and mentally exhausted from the demands of caretaking. Some even experience imbalances in their mindset, slipping into periods of low mood. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as "cat caregiver depression."
Below are three common mindsets that cause cat owners a lot of stress, along with ways to adjust them yourself to help you regain balance and happiness in your life with cats.
1. Letting Go of Perfectionism When Owning Cats
Some people are naturally very demanding of themselves, and this often extends to pet ownership as well. When it comes to having cats, they want everything to be flawless—everything done without a single mistake, hoping all goes according to plan.
However, in reality, cats cannot always comply perfectly. They might suddenly scratch your beloved sofa, jump onto the table and knock over a vase, or even vomit hairballs on a brand-new carpet. If you keep imagining "the cat can't scratch me," "the cat can't vomit everywhere," or "the cat can't make noise in the middle of the night," it's easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed.
Many of the so-called "mischievous" behaviors of cats actually stem from their wild instincts. Trying to correct them completely is nearly impossible—more difficult than climbing to the sky. Instead, it's more practical to think of some coping strategies. For example, consider fitting protective covers on valuable furniture, or try observing what your cat is doing when it's awake in the middle of the night.
Most importantly, lower your standards of perfectionism. Only by embracing imperfection can you truly enjoy living with your beloved cat.
2. Don't Shoulder All the Problems Alone
Cats can get sick, be picky eaters, or start urinating in inappropriate places—these are all common challenges when raising a cat. For those who care for a cat by themselves, the most frequent situation is wanting to take all these problems on their own shoulders.
When the situation doesn't improve and stress accumulates, it can lead to anxiety, insomnia, and even feelings of frustration toward the cat they love the most. Be careful—this is a warning sign.
At times like this, it's important to reach out for help. Find a trusted cat friend to talk to! Sometimes, just sharing your concerns can ease a huge amount of pressure. They might say things like, "My cat does that too!" which will help you realize you're not alone.
If you meet a more experienced cat owner, you might even pick up some practical tips that can open your eyes and make everything feel more manageable.
3. Overdependence on Cats: Finding a Healthy Balance
Some cat owners, after bringing a feline companion into their lives, want to be glued together 24 hours a day. However, excessive dependence is unhealthy for both humans and cats.
Owners may become extremely anxious and overly intrusive, which can leave them physically and mentally exhausted. Meanwhile, cats might become uneasy or even develop separation anxiety, reacting by loudly meowing, scratching things indiscriminately, or urinating inappropriately whenever you leave.
This creates a vicious cycle: you worry about your cat getting hurt or feeling lonely, while the cat grows more and more unable to be apart from you.
In fact, maintaining a moderate distance from your cat can help build a healthier, more mature relationship. For example, not always responding immediately to your cat's affectionate meows teaches them to enjoy quiet alone time.
When both owner and cat can enjoy their own moments of solitude, you'll both rediscover a healthier life rhythm.
The Common Thread in These Situations
The common thread in the above three situations is that the pet owner traps themselves in a closed-off state, sinking deeper and deeper, which inevitably affects their cat as well. Remember, you don't have to carry everything on your own. Seeking help from others when appropriate and maintaining a healthy distance with your cat can make life much easier.
You can also try letting go of some of your small attachments and worries. Smile a little, and you'll find your stress reduced by half.
