I saw a post where looking for a owner for a diabetic cat. I've been wanting to have a cat for a long time, but I'm not sure I can adequately take care of someone. But I thought that probably a diabetic owner is the best option for a diabetic cat, because I know what to do with this disease. Although this is too much responsibility, because the cat will not be left alone for more than 12 hours and insulin is not cheap medicine. Besides, it may happen that I will have to flee the country or I will be arrested... what will happen to the cat in this case? I live alone and there will be no one to leave with the cat.
In general, have you ever had animals with diabetes (or other serious illness) and how did you cope with them? Won't the cat be bored in a one-room apartment?
In my whole life, I've only cared about ficus, but I'm not very good at it. How do you know if you are ready for cat?
A diabetic cat is a big chunk of your life... You understand the condition, which is wonderful, but that doesn't change a couple of things. Yes, you always have to be home at set times. I don't know if you like going on holiday, to theatre, out with friends, or as you mentioned, get arrested. But you'll have to navigate those things carefully. Some diabetic cats are easy: a neighbour or family member can inject them, no problem. Our Night however, was very attached to us, and whenever we left for more than 18 hours, depression would hit him. He always believed we'd never come back due to trauma's from his past, and that meant the stress would make his blood sugars spike more than a temporary carer could deal with. On top of him being very agressive to anyone who'd come close who wasn't us. So if you have stand-ins, wonderful, but if you have a cat who won't tolerate other people, that's not going to be a big help. As for insulin, well... Night'd need two to four units of Lantus (he didn't respond wel tot Caninsulin, which is for pets), which doesn't come cheap, but they don't usually need a whole lot, so that's entirely up to you and what your budget can take. The strips to check how his bloods were doing, were more expensive than the Lantus.
Coming back to the potentially getting arrested thing, or having to flee.... That animal has to be 100% sure you're going to be there every twelve hours, with the jabs he needs. If you know beforehand that's something you can't reliably do, whatever the circumstances,
don't do it. You've thought about this a lot, as you bring up a lot of good points, so in that regard, yes, you are ready for a cat. Just probably not a diabetic one. If there's a chance you might not get back, and not get back for days, make sure your animal can leave your apartment, because starvation and dehydration and sucky ways to go: they might have more luck outside, should it come to that. Automatic feeders and water fountains run out eventually, after all. A diabetic cat wouldn't make it, they need insulin to survive, but a healthy cat, (or one with a missing leg for instance, but not a condition that needs constant medical care) can survive without you if need be. There's lots of cats out there who need a home, a bunch of whom miss a leg, or an eye, or whatever.... making them less adoptable but not less a true CAT. Maybe consider getting one that will love you, but will not die without you?
Good luck!
Jo
PS: Your flat may be small, but you can go nuts with enrichment. We have a small place, but one wall is covered in little planks where they can scratch, snooze, play... Scratching posts in every room, blankets they can build tents with, lots of toys... Our house is ridiculously cat-oriented. If you keep the cat entertained, they won't get bored.
And if it's a really, rally small space, maybe teach them to walk on a leash and have time outside together for walks?
