Is it normal to regret getting a cat?
Yes, it’s normal to have second thoughts after getting a cat, especially while you’re adjusting to the cost, mess, and responsibility. Regret doesn’t automatically mean you don’t love your cat or that you made the wrong choice.
A new cat can turn your routines upside down: there’s litter to scoop, fur everywhere, bills to plan for, and a small creature who may take time to settle in. Even people who wanted a cat for years can feel overwhelmed or miss their old freedom at first. That adjustment can ease as you get to know each other and find a routine that works.
You’re not a bad person for having the feeling. Try to pin down what’s driving it—sleep, money, behavior, or simply the shock of a long-term commitment—and see whether practical changes could help. If you decide you truly can’t provide a good home, talk with the shelter or rescue you got the cat from, or another reputable organization, about safe rehoming rather than abandoning them.