-Space- Luckily, cats don't require much space. However, you'll want to make sure that your living space is allowed to house cats before having one. That should go without saying, but too many people illegally own pets, and it's not fair to the pet in the end, because they suffer the consequences if they're found out.

-Time- Generally speaking, cats don't require too much of your time, but some can be more demanding than others for resources. Some can be aloof and not want much attention, while others want to be your shadow. Feeding schedules are easily manageable, as are getting a routine down for grooming and litter box changing. For litter boxes, I will say a good rule of thumb if you have multiple cats one day is to add 1 more box than you have cats (so for example, 2 cats require 3 litter boxes). I know you'll probably only start with one, but just FYI for future. As for grooming, in general, if you have a long-haired cat, you'll want to brush it often to avoid matting in the fur. Otherwise, unless they have a knack for getting dirty, they don't require much for bathing. You may want to consider time for training, if necessary, against unwanted behaviors, such as clawing your furniture. There are easy solutions for these behaviors, but that can be saved for another post.

-Financial stability- No, you don't need to be a billionaire to have a cat, obviously, but they can come with their own health issues, and vet visits usually aren't cheap. Therefore, I'd suggest always having some money saved in case of emergencies. There are options for insurance out there for vet visits too, so perhaps look into that.

-Access to veterinary care- Do you have easy access to a vet in case you need? It's also a good idea to get a veterinary checkup routinely, depending on what your vet recommends. Not gonna lie, a lot of pets hate traveling for any reason, but sometimes it's necessary to make sure they're healthy, so make sure you can travel to a vet if needed.

-Research- Consider researching cats' needs before adopting. Different breeds may need different things. While you don't need to be an expert before adopting, it'll certainly help you in the long run to ensure a happy life for you both. <3

-Mental stability- Are you in a good place, mentally, to care for another animal? I'm not asking if you personally are in a good place, but it's a general question to ponder. If you're struggling to care for yourself in any capacity, I'd caution against caring for an animal until you can. An animal is more than just a companion, it's a life dependent on your care too.