The cat’s allergen is produced by the sebum, salivary and anal glands and distributed in the fur by the cleaning cat. This is where the term “cat hair allergy” comes from. Through our petting and cuddling hours with the cat, the substances get into our airways via the air, where they produce the symptoms typical of allergies.
If you don’t have a cat allergy yourself, you should still ask your close relatives. The general allergy risk is inherited: E.g. If one of the parents concerned is also at risk of having the same allergy, this is 25-30% . (1)

To determine whether you have a cat allergy, the Cerascreen company now offers a self-test that can be carried out comfortably at home. This eliminates the annoying journey to the doctor and the eternal waiting time there.

Further information → Cerascreen cat allergy self-test (Currently only in German.)

Can you give your cat access and either open the door regularly or install a cat flap? Where are possible sources of danger in your area: Are there busy roads? Are there cat haters or trained dogs in the vicinity? How many other cats or tomcats already have their territory in your neighborhood, so that injuries from territorial fights could occur more often? Regular vaccinations, wormer cures and also treatments for parasite infestation are indispensable, especially for outdoor users, and increase running costs.

Keeping an indoor cat is safer, but requires some additional considerations. Especially here you have to deal with the general basic needs of a cat: play and hunting instinct, rest and retreat phases, climbing and scratching behavior, a balanced range of food and various water points and, if necessary, an alternative program to the outdoors such as a balcony. Some cats also get used to a harness with a leash. Since the apartment hardly offers any variety, you have to provide the cat with the necessary entertainment. Only regular activity with the cat will reduce the likelihood of being overweight.

Nowadays, indoor cats can reach an average age of 15-20 years with proper care, mental and physical support and regular veterinary visits (i.e. in good health). (The supposedly oldest cat in the world “Crème Puff” is said to have been 38 years old. A long time for you as a can opener too!)
Outdoor users, on the other hand, are exposed to various dangers outside (accidents, dogs, other cats / hangovers, diseases and parasites), so their life expectancy is significantly lower. The average age of female cats that have been outdoors is 12 years, whereas for male cats that have been outdoors it is only up to 8 years.

Would it be more appropriate to keep two cats? Cats are not loners. Even if this popular belief still persists, some studies (2) have shown that cats have distinctive social behavior and (can) live in groups. Cats are individualists and “lone hunters”, but they seek physical contact with fellow cats, sleep next to each other, play with each other and help each other with grooming. So if you work or travel a lot and want to offer your cat a species-appropriate life, you should prefer to buy two cats. Always provided there is the necessary space and financial means for two cats as well as the human resources to play and petting twice. The keeping of two cats is also advocated by the German Animal Welfare Association (3).

Apart from the initial cost of a cat, there are monthly costs for food, litter and occasionally for new toys. In addition, you have to plan further expenses for the annual veterinarian visits (regular vaccinations and worming for outdoor animals) or unscheduled visits to the veterinarian (possibly for a castration, medication and expensive special feed in the event of illness).