10 things I WISH I knew BEFORE getting a cat/kitten!

[@Jan96106]

The most important thing to know: they live a long time, close to or sometimes over 20 years. Make sure you are ready to take the marriage vows before you get your cat or kitten: In sickness and in health. Till death do us part. Cats are not disposable items to throw away when times get difficult.

[@Toyon95]

Great point Jan!

[@doukzu]

@Stephen Anthony or, funny thing, you can... not adopt one. OR, another crazy idea, adopt them out.

[@user-mt8wx6ii5y]

@Stephen Anthony if you grow older poison your self

[@victoriacobb2370]

True! I had a family cat in high school, and when she got sick, instead of taking her to the vet, my dad just tossed her out in the wild to die alone. We'd had her since she was a month old - her mom abandoned her. She had no idea how to take care of herself and had no chance of survival. She'd lived with us her whole life, had a litter in our home, trusted us explicitly. Then, just like that. It bugged me so much. Especially since my dad always said she was part of the family.

[@tomm6789]

I have been making raw food for about 2 yrs. for my guys. Best thing ever. Wish I would of done it yrs ago. What a difference you can see right away.

[@drouhin]

An easy solution to most of these issues: adopt an older cat. They are so often overlooked at shelters when there are kittens available. The youngest cat I've ever adopted was 7. When you have an older cat, you don't have to deal with the crazy energy, the messiness, the getting-into-everything. They're mature adults who have some sense about how to behave. I'm glad people adopt kittens -- or any shelter animals at all -- but for myself, I prefer an older cat over a kitten any day.

[@anjumislam7075]

Okay I wanna know how do you make them accept you?

[@zeultimo]

Hmm, that's one way of doing it, a few do it for the experience as they find kittens way too cute and have longer time with one, I do see your side of things too... Where cats won't be overlooked no longer

[@zeultimo]

@@anjumislam7075 u don't, when one walks into a shelter... See what cats get along with you, and if they have a friend, I'd not want one cat even if he or she is 10 years old, I would rather have 2

[@drouhin]

@@anjumislam7075 Basically, give the cat a meal. Most cats will accept you after that. :) Being accepted by a cat you adopt won't be a problem unless the cat is feral. I wouldn't recommend adopting a feral cat to a first-time cat owner. Many, if not most, older shelter cats are NOT feral, though. They're there because their owner went to assisted living, or a new baby was allergic, or there were financial problems in the family. They're used to being loved, petted, fed, played with, and they will be grateful when a new owner gives them a good home.

[@RoughRiderElk]

I'd say that depends on your situation. and I have an 11 year old male cat that acts like a kitten. So no garentee.

[@IM-uh5tk]

1. Require a lot of attention and play 2. Get into everything 3. Get crazy active at night 4. Might destroy a lot of things 5. They need their own spot 6. Get everything ahead of time (litter box, toys, carrier, bowl, scratcher, treat, etc.) 7. Do not play with your hands 8. Get them used to nail trims, brushes (hair and teeth) and baths 9. Set up a feeding schedule

[@matthewalkman386]

Disagree with number 8. Don’t think they need any of that.

[@Chefgaming4]

@@matthewalkman386 The only thing they do need however is brushes if I am correct (except for the teeth)

[@matthewalkman386]

@@Chefgaming4 wrong. Let them outside and get natural sunlight. they wont shed.

[@samrtherat]

Number 8 all you really need to do is get them used to baths just incase they get covered in mud or something like that

[@cindyneff6499]

@@matthewalkman386 they do need nail trims and baths and to be brushed. Especially long hair breeds. Short hair cats still need to be brushed and checked for fleas (yes, even indoor cats), and anyone who doesn't want to be slashed on the regular trims their nails. True, cats don't NEED to be bathed, but they will be handled by groomers or vets, and any exposure to all kinds of touch and environment is good for their socialization.

[@jwenting]

my cat: - avoids the cat tree - avoids all scratch pads - avoids all cat toys - can play for an hour with a plastic bottle cap

[@smolpaws3816]

CaptainDuckman same the plastic cap is really entertaining for her

[@OhhhUtuchMYtralala]

try a sheet of paper crumpled up, works so well if you don' have a carpet floor. They go crazy for it, chasing it everywhere. The paper balls get stuck under furniture though.

[@mikaela4983]

Same bottle cap, or roll up paper, or plastic bag. I buy so much toys but he avoid everything

[@bear532]

y cat loves plastic bottle caps as well! I flick them using my middle finger and thumb so they fly sort of like a frisbee and he catches them. I literally have a ziplock bag full of bottle caps so I can play with him haha.

[@Yeewen88]

Or cardboard box

[@amyill9280]

1. Cats aren't low maintenance 2. They get into everything 3. They get crazy zoomies at night (basically, they're crazy active) 4. They might break/destroy a few things (note: be careful of what things you leave out when you walk away. Also be careful of house plants you have, as some house plants are poisonous to cats) 5. Cats need their own spot/territory 6. Get everything beforehand 7. Designate a small room/area for them when first bringing them home 8. Don't play with your hands. This trains cats to bite you. 9. Start grooming early and get them used to claw trimmers, brushing, teeth cleaning 10. Set up a consistent schedule, especially for feeding (preferably wet or raw food) ^ For the TL;DW (Too Long, Didn't Watch) people

[@saranya7892]

Thanks

[@arroyobaby38]

Amy Ill - THANK YOU!!

[@enkelikogane1734]

Zoomies can be decreased if you play with them before bedtime. I have two cats and they both sleep through the night unless they are hungry.

[@kelzbelz2621]

No 1 isn't true. They are easy as. Dogs...now they are high maintanence. Once cats are through the kitten stage, they are cruisy.

[@Audimann]

Nr 4 destroy a few things? When the cat of my neighbour goes outside for a walk cars are set on fire and every hoodlum runs for his life😆😆😆😆

[@duitk]

Adopting an older cat is a great beginner experience, they are awesome, calm, very loving and they are not destructive anymore. They are very sweet and love spending quality time. They are still cute as well. Kittens are great and when I was a child I had kittens that I grew up with so me and my siblings could keep up with the kittens being high energy as well. As an adult kittens are tougher because I have a job and less energy, but my older car is much easier to take care of. I love all cats anyways but older ones are easier in general.

[@koledzy2076]

Ce umuwisz franka dzwonisz do franka do Głogowa na osiedle Piastów słodkie kszorzego zależności na koputer jak ces koleżankom zostasz na niego

[@noodle877]

Hey do you leave your older cat at your home all alone when uou go for work? I'm conflicted about leaving mine but i can't afford day care atm

[@Ashleydountie]

@@noodle877yes you can but doing this to younger cats can cause depression and anxiety.I suggest you get a older cat for this.

[@marissarottaris9049]

What I wish I would have done instead of getting a kitten. How old is your kitty?

[@duitk]

@@marissarottaris9049 my kitty is now 13 I think, I have him and a 5 year old we found on the streets. The 5 year old is more demanding than the 13 year old, he just wants to cuddle and chill and is very smart and loving. Love them both but the older one is easy to tak care off.

[@CatMuto]

Also important note: you *can* teach your cat some things. You can teach them places they aren't supposed to get onto or into, like the dining table or kitchen counters. It's kind of like having a toddler. You teach them, you don't just let them run around without giving any rules.

[@NotSoNormal1987]

Yep. I always say off to my cats when they get on something they shouldn't, while putting them on the floor. Now they know the look as I say the word off.

[@lightningmcgeequeen8091]

Yes exactly, they have common sense and are able to learn things you do and don't want them doing. The cat I have atm is pretty much allowed on everything so there's no need to teach him that, but all my previous cats have known not to get on things.

[@NotSoNormal1987]

@@lightningmcgeequeen8091 I just dont want em on the counters where food gets prepared, or on my desk knocking my art projects off. 😅 they have toys.

[@lightningmcgeequeen8091]

@@NotSoNormal1987 honestly I'm a teen and I live alone with my grandma and we're both so lazy and depressed to the point where we don't care where he goes😅 we don't really prepare food ever so anything is fine for him to be on unless it's hazardous for him

[@leonchau6563]

@@NotSoNormal1987 q6 p

[@hollifugate9710]

Nothing beats having cats. I've had cats my entire life

[@RaycoGonzalez]

Untill u have a Finnegan Fox that does HEHEHEHEHEHHEHEH

[@phoebeblaze3668]

@@RaycoGonzalez I wasn't expecting to see this here lol HEHEHEHEHEHEHEH

[@akshayidurkar]

❤❤❤

[@IMAN7THRYLOS]

I suspect that you never had any birds.

[@hollifugate9710]

@@IMAN7THRYLOS hahaha! I love birds but no.

[@primordial_platypus]

Don’t forget to save all your Amazon boxes. Cats absolutely love playing/hiding/sleeping in boxes. Cheapest toy you can get.

[@ellenvandijk5585]

You forgot one: You have to vacuum and dust a lot more!

[@carlybishop6160]

Yes and don't forget the lint roll. I have one at the front door and one in the car. I find every journey starts with me de-hairing my clothes!

[@taracat7723]

Yes!

[@taracat7723]

I brush my. cat daily, I don't know if it helps but she likes it

[@angiemrto]

I have a lot of fans where I live and omg... they get so full of hair so often, even if I brush my cat often and he has short hair jajajaja

[@simonr6553]

I'm sure if you have an indoor/outside cat that will minimize the hair, because it will be much more spread about. In fact, my cat (a short haired tabby) only really moults in the summer, and even there there's virtually none of it in the house because he usually expends his energy outside (not all that much, as he's 12) and rests indoors for the most part.

[@lisac3577]

I am well into middle age and have had many, mostly rescue cats, over the years. I told my husband I wasn’t going to get any more cats after we had to put one of our cats down in 2017. I did tell him if I ever did though I would like to have one more black cat. My birthday surprise the following year was a black kitten. There were 3 available to rescue and I could pick the one I wanted. I thought about it and decided on 2 to keep each other company but felt guilty about leaving one. We now have 3.

[@ashleighfriends840]

I love this 🖤 currently looking for a black kitty to love.

[@nevannarence6542]

that is awesome it is so much harder for solid black cat have 3 currently. had 5 but lost 2 and also 2 torties

[@wildlandsairsoft5499]

Thats how I got my two newest 😂

[@ivy4417]

I recently ( to be specific one in September 2020 and January 2021 )lost my 2 childhood cats and I was devastated. I originally didn’t plan on wanting to get a cat at all but after going through all the stages of grief and moving on I realized I truly do enjoy and love taking care and having cats. I intended to only have 1 but as we went to the foster home I fell in love with 2, we officially pick them up on the 19th next week due to them having to get paperwork shots and stuff finished

[@lisac3577]

@@ivy4417 Enjoy your new kitties!!

[@derekdowney6362]

I had a cat that lived for 23 years. I took him to the vet twice. First to get his shots, second to be neutered. I fed him dry food only - and one cheezie once in a blue moon. He was such a great healthy and cuddly cat! The best ever!

[@koledzy2076]

Ces unuw się że frankem na telefon koleżanko na koputer do Głogowa osiedle Piastów słodki kszorzego zależności

[@user-uo7tm4sx9k]

Hey derek could you let me know more about your cat

[@user-uo7tm4sx9k]

Breed , dry food name , outdoor scheules ?

[@amazinga2514]

Really???? How??

[@amazinga2514]

One in a million

[@1AnimalWhisperer]

You asked what people should know about cats: 1. Cats are a desert animal. They are can easily dehydrated. The biggest mistake people make is they feed dry food. Cats should never be fed dry. In the wild, cats get their moisture from their prey. Feeding raw (frozen or rehydrated freeze-dried) is the most natural way to go. If not raw, feed canned. You can always add extra liquid to the canned or raw food. Anytime you can sneak in moisture, do it! I add water to my cats pre-made frozen raw. Pre-made raw (frozen or freeze-dried) cat food is the best way to go. You won't have to worry about calcium, phosphates, vitamin levels, etc. Too many cats suffer from kidney or liver failure because of not having enough liquids in their diet. Raw is also naturally acidic, like your cats body. Their body is designed to breakdown ingested hair (that doesn't mean you are off the hook for brushing). When you feed a cat a dry diet, your cat's system become alkaline and hairballs are more likely to develop. 2. Going off of "1". I hear it way too often, "I don't have to worry about dehydration, my cat drinks all the time". Thats simply not true. One, there's not a good sign to see your cat at the water dish so often. Two, cats would have to sit and drink continuously 24/7, in order to get the amount of moisture they need. 3. If always have as many water dishes as you have cats, if not more. In the desert, trying to find water isn't easy. Cats will naturally source guard their water and may be preventing others from drinking too. 4. Cats whiskers are sensitive! Dog bowls, or bowls with raised sides aren't cat-friendly. Ever seen a cat given wet food in a dish? Have you noticed how there is always food pushed into the edges of the bowl? Its too painful for a cat to get to the edges, so the food that gets stuck there, will be wasted. I feed my cats on bread plates or cat-specific shallow bowls (they will have an edge that angles outward and is widest at the top, not widest at the bottom of the bowl). 5. Read your labels. Corn, wheat, soy and by-products should NEVER be found in your cats food. Good rule of thumb, if you can buy it at a gas station or grocery store or you see commercials for the food. Chances are, the company has spent more on advertising than actually putting quality into their food. 6. Cats aren't as picky as you'd think. They are imprint eaters. They generally will only eat what they were fed as babies. If you get a kitten, give a vast variety of foods. Many different flavors and tons of different textures ( rehydrated freeze-dried, thawed frozen, paté, stews, shredded, chunky, minced, etc.) 7. Cats are territorial animals. People seem to believe you should have more than one cat. That simply isn't true. Many cats would prefer to stay as the family's only cat. Thats not to say all cats would. That's also not saying that you can't try to introduce another cat. Both of my cats were adopted. Lexi was only supposed to be with me for two weeks while her owner (my little sister's boyfriend) was couch hopping. They broke up, and I ended up keeping her. Its been almost 3 years now. Nimbus was dumped by his family. They moved out without him. It was the middle of winter and we live in the Northwest. I couldn't stand seeing such a friendly cat sleep outside and have to forage for food. 8. Get your cat used to EVERYTHING when they are young, as mentioned in the video. Even if you don't plan on bathing them like she does, still get them used to it. You never know when your cat might end up getting into something that could be toxic for them to clean off, or will have diarrhea, or will get old or have an accident, where they lose the ability to clean themselves. 9. Cats do best and live WAY longer as indoor only pets. Outside, they have to compete with wildlife, other cats, toxic chemicals that a neighbor might have left out, get lost, etc. Cats are also depleting the natural wild bird population. Its instinct to kill something that moves. Its not always instinct to eat it, therefore wasting that bird's life for nothing. 10. If there is no possible way to keep your cat inside, try making a catio or have an outside fully secured pen for them to play in. If that's not an option, microchip, spay/neuter, AND get your cat a breakaway collar WITH a bell. The bell will help to prevent unnecessary deaths of birds as they should hear the cat coming. Make sure the collar is a breakaway kind (either with an elastic stretchy piece or the buckle itself pops apart when pulled). Cat have a delicate neck and can strangle trying to break free from a bush, branch, fence, etc. they have gotten caught on. Microchip because if that collar does breakaway, hopefully someone will find your missing pet (if you don't) and they can be reunited with you. Nimbus was microchipped, but his family never registered his microchipped (MAKE SURE ALL OF YOUR MICROCHIPPED ANIMALS ARE REGISTERED AND HAVE CURRENT INFORMATION). Nimbus' microchip was implanted 14 YEARS ago by a spay and neuter clinic and no one ever registered his chip. If you don't register your microchip, someone else can and claim your pet as their own. Spay/neuter your pet. If your animal becomes pregnant or gets someone else's animal pregnant, you are now responsible for the life of the babies too. There are too many animals that desperately need homes as is. Don't be apart of the problem. Animals are also more likely to develop reproductive cancers, be more aggressive and run away when they aren't fixed. Plus, its irresponsible to breed animals without doing it for the good of their breed. You need to know the animals parent's health history, grandparents health history, and have both parents tested for ANY type of illnesses, allergies or defects that could be passed down. Leave the breeding to the licensed and professionals. There is SO much more I could add to this, but I would be here all day. None of this is meant to be a bash on other people or to make anyone feel bad about how they have patented their pets. If you feel bad about anything, you are a good pet parent and its never too late to change the way you care for them. Love is the most critical part of owning an animal. We all need it to survive. Have fun with your kitties and remember, they are a cat you can't expect them to be any other animal.

[@simonr6553]

All good points and I'm glad that despite your preference to cats being indoor cats unlike others in that camp you are not being dogmatic by insisting that that's the _only_ way of looking after cats. Except the bit about using a collar with a bell. I used to be in favour of that, not because it prevents them from catching birds, but simply I thought it was cute, but then I realized in recent years that cats have extra acute hearing and having that thing jingle all the time could be very irritating if not distressing for them. You admitted yourself that it's instinct for cats to kill animals, so why not accept that and let cats be cats? There's no evidence to suggest that domestic cats are directly responsible for the declines in bird populations.

[@blueharmony3096]

Marisa M my house is not a desert lol

[@1AnimalWhisperer]

@@blueharmony3096 I never said it was. 😅 I did say that the domestication of cats was started in the desert, though. Therefore making cats a desert animal. 😉

[@stephaniem2951]

Thank you so much for this information, because some I didn't even know about. I look forward to owning a cat(and dog) in the future because i still live under my parent's roof and is young, but I will remember this for when I do adopt in the future!

[@ThePepsiMinimum]

I’m so glad your first point was that dry food is so bad for cats!! Honestly dry food is for cats what potato chips are for humans. Not only is it super low in moisture but it’s also super high in carbs. Cats need low or no carb, high protein high moisture diets. I found this out the hard way after learning my cat was diabetic after 14 years of eating wet and dry food. Once I learnt he was diabetic I did some research and found out how unhealthy dry food was. So I started feeding him wet food only 3-4 times per day so he wouldn’t feel hungry throughout the day. One day I was going to be out for 12+ hours and I figured it would be better to give him dry food to graze on than leave him with nothing for the whole day. I came home, tested his blood sugar levels and they were through the roof! The past month his blood sugar had been perfect with the help of insulin, but one day of dry food and his blood sugar was 4 times higher!!! And this dry food was the expensive “healthy” kind. My cat’s diabetes meant he gained a huge amount of weight so couldn’t wash himself properly, started drinking crazy amounts of water (or probably splashing loads of water out of the bowl in a desperate attempt to actually drink some), became extremely tired and lethargic, had to have all his canines removed after they essentially rotted due to his high blood sugar, and eventually passed away from stomach cancer which was said by the vet to have been exacerbated by his diabetes. I miss him every day. He had a long life (nearly 18 years) and he was very loved and well taken care of, but I wish he never ate dry food. I think the diabetes probably could have been avoided had he only ever been fed wet food. Whenever I hear people say they /only/ feed their cats dry food my heart honestly breaks, knowing they are subjecting their cat to a lifetime of health complications. Like they’re essentially malnourishing their cat because ? Why ? They don’t like the mess of wet food? Wet food is too expensive? Their cat is “picky” and “only likes dry food” (because they haven’t tested the wet food options)? Or because they are listening to their vets who are on commission, rather than doing their own research? Like? I wonder why they got a cat in the first place. So thank you for pointing out the dry food thing. The only thing I would add to your food comment is that people must be extremely careful about feeding raw diets, as it’s very easy to get it wrong and cause serious damage. Like raw diets must be a reflection of exactly what a cat would eat in the wild, consisting of a variety of animals and all the parts of the animals, and thorough research must be done. I’ve heard so many stories of people just feeding their cats standard meat cuts that people eat and it’s so heart breaking to hear about the health complications that causes. Thank you for the care you put into this comment.

[@mindyshively4947]

If you want to avoid all the spazziness of kittens, consider adopting an older cat from the shelter. I adopted my cat Freddie, who is 12. He is chill, a gentleman and sooo cuddly and wonderful.😍

[@dallasbates9828]

I know this is a year old, but I plan on adopting a 1 year old kitten. And you are so wholesome for adopting an older kitty ❤️❤️

[@tylery2291]

Lol that is awesome. I feel bad for the older cats at shelters because everyone wants a brand new 2022 kitten lol. I'm glad you have a chill cat 👍

[@dallasbates9828]

@@tylery2291 I got my kitty, she a year old and the sweetest

[@sugloja]

@@dallasbates9828 so happy you love your kitten!

[@maupow3739]

Im trying to be like you Mindy Shively! Older cats are so wonderful 💕🥰

[@ryanschiferl4764]

I've had cats my entire life (when living with my parents). I adopted my first girl a few years ago. Amber recommended everything that you need. But I also recommend grabbing some kind of calming chemical that can mimic mother cat scents. My girl was hiding under my bed for days, but minutes I plugged Feliway in, she was on my lap. Now she is a heat-seeking lap cat and very social.

[@cheekybeannn]

Kittens really do get into everything 🙄 when my 7 year old cat was about 10 weeks old I kept hearing his meow but couldn't figure out where he was. He was in the fridge!!! I still don't understand how it happened

[@TjPhysicist]

teleportation...it's a well known fact that cats actually CAN teleport!

[@Anne231154]

@@TjPhysicist I was in my late teens still living with my parents. we had a few cats, but the funniest thing was when I went into the kitchen and was greeted by a superfast kitten running backwards with a can of cat food upside down on its head. The cat sat down complete with "tin head" and looked around. It was hilarious. I helped get the tin of the cats head, and figured out it had opened the cupboard door, eaten down to the bottom of the tin and got stuck. It then tried to back out from the tin.

[@ShareBearChelle]

This is so true. I almost lost my mind when I got my kitten. She was meowing like crazy but I couldn't find her. She was in the fridge the whole time.

[@carmengonzalez5200]

Omg 🙈... They are very creative...

[@elizabethsullivan7176]

My cat often got into the fridge too when she was a kitten. Now she's way too big 😄

[@makylemur7019]

Dogs have masters, cats have staff.

[@anthonyhudson3136]

ha ha ha ha brilliant

[@jiyanajojo9489]

YESSS!

[@jessiemessie4870]

lol sometimes I'm my cats slave

[@BalkanBoyBiH]

My litte dog does what ever he wants and he owns uss 😅😆

[@yumnjame546]

I felt this one.

[@avici0182]

I am adopting two beautiful boys today and my heart couldn't be more full

[@reallgenesis]

hi !!! how’d it go

[@raz0229]

#1: _Your cat owns you. Respect that or fear the wrath of the super-intelligent and advanced outer space cat civilization_

[@Goghahahahahaeej]

Yes, master cat

[@truleyjustray8998]

cats are smart intelligent animals who love clean inviorments and to be active in a way that they stay healthy but lazy hahahahah

[@cfjlkfsjf]

I would normally always run to my cat when he called me from around the house. I was his slave and he knew it.

[@Angelicwings1]

I am not owned by my cat thank you. (Says the Leo)

[@Be1smaht]

Nothing owns you. Idk why people say this

[@flav6226]

Despite being a dog person and not a cat, I adopted this small kitten who needed a home, and it's hard not to get attached, it really is.

[@chococrazd]

How was your experience? I’ve only had experiences with dogs, but I’m on my way to adopting a kitten (no older cats suitable to adopt..) I’m super nervous but also excited

[@BreezyArcher]

Same, adopted our cat just yesterday

[@BreezyArcher]

@@chococrazd my wife and I adopted a kitten and the experience for me is that our kitten loves to play (a lot). We bought him a few toys and he absolutely loves chasing the laser pointer. He didn't take long to warm up at all to his new home or us for that matter. He also loves to cuddle and purr. He likes to randomly run across the room and he takes little cat naps from time to time and when he awakes he wants to play again. We just adopted a kitten so he needs constant stimulation and supervision. He farts a lot and it's horrible but we love him lol. We have a 2 month old grey tabby, only had him him for a day now but this is our experience so far. Hope this helps

[@corajane114]

@@chococrazd I just adopted a 2.5 month old kitten. Give them time to run around and smell every corner of the place! And know that it's natural to feel weird or like you might have made a mistake given the new responsibility. Give it time; it takes time to connect. Soon enough they'll be following you around just like a dog :)

[@Jean-Denis_R_R_Loret]

I got a neutered male black european in december 2021, 3yrs old at that time, the chillest cat ever, when he wants to play (at dusk), he just grabs one of his toys and gives it to me, he always respects my sleep time and almost always sleeps with me, is very clean, never aggressive, the best cat at the vet (all is done under like 2 minutes). But having a cat is a commitment on the long run, my mother's aunt got a cat that lived for almost 29 yrs.

[@emmaripley9688]

They're basically toddlers.

[@Raevyn20]

Permanent toddlers! Our living room is like we have a young baby with all the toys and stuff for them 😂

[@audreysmith6052]

Emma Ripley I concur. I have 5 toddlers 😂

[@mariahgutierrez4481]

Yep, gotta "baby proof" the house

[@cl844]

With Claws and Teeth

[@cl844]

and a Killer Instinct your Cat is plotting to kill you !!!

[@adhikaralasomashekar3503]

CATS are intelligent, affectionate and playful. They are the perfect and best companions to Human beings.

[@kaiandpotatoes8463]

Adhikarala Somashekar your profile pic looks like a mug shot

[@vendetta2383]

@@kaiandpotatoes8463 lmao ikr but its probably a passport photo

[@kaiandpotatoes8463]

Shooky-Shooky Icey-Cakey ya probably lmfao

[@ravifirst9702]

It's Dog👍💟💟💟

[@someguy3766]

Dogs are better in my experience, but cats are similar and certainly less demanding. If you want a dog you have to be fully committed, to the point where you're willing to make sacrifices in other parts of your life in order to ensure the dog's needs are met. But if you can do that, there is no other bond more rewarding.

[@calisagem5978]

I’m getting a kitten on Wednesday, for the first time ever. This has been the best and most informative video I’ve watched! Thank you 🖤

[@driavlogs]

so, is it worth it? i mean-

[@calisagem5978]

@@driavlogs oh I love my kitty! I’m still learning but I wouldn’t trade him for anything!

[@driavlogs]

cooooll !! i'm getting a kitten too \(//∇//)\

[@blueside4496]

how is it going so far^_^ im thinking about getting a cat

[@calisagem5978]

@@blueside4496 for me so far it’s going great. I love him. He’s the sweetest. He’s still a kitty so he gets into EVERYTHING and follows me everywhere lol

[@Isabella66Gracen]

I can't imagine anyone wanting a cat after watching this video. I've had cats all my life. But this is overwhelming. I've been lucky I guess. My cat is so low maintenance. You aren't wrong by the way, this is all good information.

[@wadehelkey6274]

I totally agree I felt weird because my cats just tear my couches up a little but are not at all annoying or bad

[@Sunflowers9191]

I’ve grown up with cats and ours have always been low maintenance as well; they never broke things, don’t bite and are just generally very chill. I know that’s not every cat but it’s also what you make of it.

[@conansredbowtie]

I am honestly this close to texting my friend to tell them that I no longer want to take in their 2 month old kitten after watching this video. I may have underestimated the responsibilities.

[@alana3030]

right? im so used to my cats being so chill and low maintenance.

[@deed773]

😂 Indeed!!

[@chekayme1031]

Some plants: *are poisonous to cats* Me wanting to get a cat: My mom’s plant obssession:

[@tamannaqazi2743]

It's the same with me lol

[@jsmsj]

True

[@ramlaullah3135]

IKR I GOT A KITTEN A FEW DAYS AGO BUT MY MOM HAS WAYYY TO MANY PLANTS

[@meghanchism9167]

I have 100 plants my kids want a kitten and I’m in the process of getting rid of any toxic ones and getting an enclosed greenhouse cabinet for the toxic ones I can’t bear to part with

[@ZoeeeRodriguez]

bruh this is the same thing that happened to me but i was held accountable if my cat were to ever eat the plants and get sick

[@itsmeforreallyx5410]

This is a great video. Includes everything I’ve learned over years of cat parenting, condensed into 11 short minutes. Will save people a lot of hassle say this is overwhelming but this is just what it requires to be a cat parent. They can always come back to the video. Or decide it isn’t for them if they can’t handle the responsibility. But this stuff really does becomes second nature when you actually own one, you become pretty intuitive when it comes to their needs and cues ❤️

[@darlene126]

I didn’t realize what a delight my precious Yuki was until I saw this video. He doesn’t mess with anything. He does boss me around, but he doesn’t knock things over or destroy anything.

[@isabellag5132]

#1 They own you. It is no longer your house, room, bed, or life. It is the cats now.

[@cbryce9243]

LOL! Yep, and we love it.

[@tesapatrice]

A lie that cat don't come in my room period.

[@corenaelmer3000]

So very true

[@snowwriting]

Never thought I'd own cats.

[@LB-eh5fz]

Snow White five days ago I scooped up a teeny tiny kitten on busy highway doomed to be run over ,,,😬NOW I HAVE A KITTEN ,,DID I MAKE THE RIGHT MOVE ,,,, WILL IT DESTROY MY HOUSE😯

[@thisoneT]

Great tips! As an experienced cat owner, I agree most with feeding wet or raw over dry 100%. Also to never leave out plastic and plants because they will get chewed and thrown up. Great video for new kitten owners. Another commenter mentioned adopting older cats from shelters. This is also a great tip. They already know how to use the litter box, are much calmer and will be so happy to have a forever home.

[@LaylaPls]

ahhh this makes me so happy. i'm adopting a rescue kitty tomorrow morning, she's a little 10 year old lady and will be my first cat! fell in love with her as soon as i saw her today

[@thisoneT]

@layla Congrats ❤️ Be sure to go to a Vet to find out if there are any conditions to be aware of now, but also to know who to call if something unexpected pops up 🐈‍⬛️

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Cats are Crepuscular, not Nocturnal. They're active at dawn and dusk, they sleep at night

[@emilyball8373]

My kitten sleeps with me all night long... until 6am when he licks my face and arm pit to be fed😑😂😂

[@deed773]

I wish someone would give my kittens this memo as they both jump and play with each other on my feet and legs while I'm trying to rest😤😌

[@lesleyking9340]

Oops, should've read more comments before I made my own. That's exactly what I said ! 😊

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Kittens are a bit of an edge case, they have a sleep/wake cycle that's more like sleep when mums out hunting, wake for food and play when she returns. As surrogate mothers, they will play and sleep on us while we're sleeping. I get Penny Cat sitting next to the bed hoping I'll get up and play with her. If I don't, she'll start misbehaving, because any attention is good attention. Can't wait to live in house when she can go look for mousies outside at 4am instead of annoying us 😩😴

[@snowwriting]

THANK YOU SO MUCH now I'm not frightened by the idea of my kittens pouncing

[@soulsnatcher5408]

What I'm getting from this is that cats are almost exactly like children. High maintenance, get in to everything, put everything in their mouth, need a play area, need to watch them.

[@alana3030]

not all. they should mature and then become more chill and low maintenance. some can be sneaky, but the most my cats do is scratch furniture. other than that thats their only issue..

[@lightningmcgeequeen8091]

Everything in the video was regarding kittens and was very specific to her kitten. Every cat is different. I've raised 11 kittens in my home and have had 30+ cats in my lifetime. Ive never had any issues with them getting into anything, chewing things, destroying things, being too loud, being up at night, etc. All of my cats have been very chill and cats are some of the best low maintenance pets you can get. I mean you could ignore them all day if you wanted and they really wouldn't mind too much, not that you should lol

[@castielwinchester2748]

@@lightningmcgeequeen8091 I’m getting a kitten very soon, is there any other tips you have?

[@lightningmcgeequeen8091]

@@castielwinchester2748 how old is the kitten? I think just keep him entertained and give him love. If you can, try to get him a friend or find a kitten that isn't as hyper as other if you have that option

[@lightningmcgeequeen8091]

@@castielwinchester2748 also be prepared for possible scratches or bites. I somehow ended up with a mean kitty one year. He would attack my hands viciously randomly but I didn't mind because he was cute😂

[@PANTA-Music]

Most of the points you raise are specifically character traits, not general cats. Which is fine ofcourse, because there are chances your cat share some of these traits. But not all cats get zoomies at evening. Not all cats needs 'hardcore' playtime. Some cats are easy on maintaining part. It just depends what kind of type your cat is, and there's a big difference in character traits between male and female cats. But, mainline is, which I fully agree too, is always do your homework before getting a pet. Never let yourself be suprised and dissapointed. Be fully aware of what you can possibly bring into your house, and this video is another nice addition to do the homework. But make sure to find more information. But I am sure that won't be a problem, since the internet is specifically made for cat information, haha. All I am asking you, never get pets when in an emotional mood or when you are fickle in your thoughts. Once you get one, you need to take care for it till end do part. Not because you didn't do your homework and get rid of it. These kind of people are cruel, the worst and cannot be considered animal friends.

[@Yeewen88]

Btw: Some people don’t like using bells because the cat might be less active (imagine how annoying it would be if there is a ringing sound every time u move) and stops them from hunting (natural instinct) I believe its usually best for them not to go out unsupervised

[@Whiskeytoller]

don't leave it on 24/7 but if your cat goes outdoors, the bell can save a little critter's life!

[@crov.0375]

@everyday tenor really depends on the cat, but if you really don't like the bells on them, you can chip them instead incase they get lost or something.

[@Anakinuk007]

@everyday tenor - honestly it seems to be an American thing, the ‘norm’ to keep cats as indoor pets. I accept certain breeds are prone to illnesses or high/low temperatures and best kept indoors. For most cats, they need to be outdoors. If worried about whatever keep them in at night before going to bed. If you live adjacent to busy roads, or near potentially dangerous wildlife, or indeed people hunting with guns - don’t get a cat. You wouldn’t get a dog and keep it indoors, nor should you with a cat..

[@Anakinuk007]

@everyday tenor - cats poop where they like outdoors, nothing you can do to avoid that. Free compost for the neighbours! They can use deterrents and plant smart if it really bugs them that much. Domestic cats should be neutered as routine, it’s usually fights with either none neutered cats (mildly aggressive) or in areas where there are lots of cats in a small area. I would disagree outdoor cats have shorter lives, I think that’s bs meant to make owners feel better about their decision to have an indoor cat. Cats that can exercise properly outdoors, have a healthy diet and looked after properly will live as long, if not likely longer than an indoor cat. I’ve had many cats, and on average I’d say they went to the vet maybe six times, with an average age of 16-18. Outdoor cats are of course are given vaccines, and build up natural tolerances to illnesses. Indoor cats are kind of in a ‘sterile’ environment with poor immunities. Yes I would agree with you, cats in cities are going to be more at risk of everything going! Which brings me to back to original point, owners have to be sensible and weigh up whether the area they live is suitable and safe enough to even have a cat. The UK is different in many ways, we don’t have dangerous wildlife, people are mostly caring and considerate of pets, strays/ferals are very uncommon (generally). Most of the country is suburban, our roads are much smaller and less busy. Added to that, people are mostly responsible and won’t get cats if they are indeed exposed to too much risk. All animal charities and shelters would not (unless rare exceptions) allow you to home a cat unless it had access to outdoors. You’d have to have a home visit by an inspector of sorts, if you don’t ‘pass’ then no cat.

[@Anakinuk007]

@everyday tenor - sure I understand in your area, a combo of people and wildlife out to get your cat then yes of course indoors is the safest bet. If not the only viable option. Like I say, I’m in the UK your situation is completely unknown, most of UK would be deemed safe. Even the Chinese restaurants don’t slip in cats into their menu, not anymore. That and if anybody deliberately poisoned people’s cats, not only would the culprit face fines/possible imprisonment the owner would likely burn your house down. And likely the local community would turn on them forcing them to sell up and move. Pets are taken seriously over here. And the sort of people that would be that cruel to animals, I would deem very rare.

[@dlouise4351]

I recommend adopting older cats. Usually more mature and laid back.

[@colleenshaw1607]

Off to be fair she got herself a Bengal kitten so of course her hands are going to be full :-) usually people have to make cat wheels or take them for a walk to avoid bad behaviors in Bengals or inn oriental breeds like Siamese or Tonkinese. I kind of think it would be cool she made a cat wheel

[@colleenshaw1607]

Also a really good tip for Oriental breeds is to clicker train kittens, especially if you have more than one cat in the house. I've clicker train of my brother and sister kittens and they know table manners of not stealing each other's food which is important in case either of them needs to take a medicine or they come in contact with my other cat who is on a medicated food. Also just teaching a basic trick like sit or paw can go a long way on controlling behavior that could be problematic like doordashing, over owning, cat fights all kinds of stuff. It's how I help the brother and sister get along a little bit better

[@Whiskeytoller]

@@colleenshaw1607 he's a rescue kitty from the shelter ;)

[@mariahgutierrez4481]

I like older cats, you already know what personality you're gonna get

[@frenchiemum67]

My favorite cat age is 5 years :) They still have a lot of life in them, but they are way less zoomy and way less likely to get into things. Of course I say that and last week our 7 yr old cats ate the cord to hubby's new (godawful expensive) headset for Zoom. LOL

[@Ykskolme]

The thing about collars. Many cats also seem to know how to get those collars off. And cats some cats can also learn how to open doors, if theyre not locked Also my own cat eat very little so I can easily have dry food available for her 24/7 and also I change her wet food bowl to cleaned one every day, because my cat pretty much always leaves leftovers. And about 3 times a week I supplement her some plain sauce made for cats put on small coffee/tea plate and put some extra water on it to make she gets enought water. And so far I havent met a single cat who doesnt like those plain sauces, so if need to be, I can easily feet medicine with em as well (crushed pills, usually) My cat once suffered from contipation, so I went to the vet who asked me to get my cat drink more water. And my cat being extremely picky, I found that sauce+water to be the best solution. No constipation ever since! Also at first I gave her constupation medicine with the sauce (huge bottle actually, because the medicine was originally for use to us (relatively big humans) instead of cats

[@raistormrs]

People always forget about the Sunlight, you need a Spot like, at least a good window where they can chill in direct sunlight, even if it's cloudy it still counts, because cats do need sunlight to stay healthy even more than humans since they are nocturnal by nature, its always underestimated but important. Indoor cats without access to direct sunlight won't get old.

[@enechan5037]

Oh, good point

[@KellyDsWorld]

I wrap my cat in a towel when doing her nails... she looks like a kitty burrito

[@Whiskeytoller]

great for kitties who aren't super comfortable with it!

[@santos6002]

Lol wow

[@skiby]

purrito

[@JinaG83]

We call our cats the same thing when we wrap them up🙂

[@MsGraciie13]

I do my kitten’s nails while she’s sleepin

[@greghollander3950]

These are awesome shots of your cats. You really captured a lot of your cat’s behaviour wonderfully. One thing to add. Some cats are able to open doors. And what I mean is they learn how the door handle works…lol. Our Siberian is a prime example. We’re always finding her getting through closed doors. Anyway, thanks for the video. These are great tips.

[@karinalinareshuerta5120]

I only had 2 cats, but ended up finding a 2 week old kitten outside in the rain, she’s currently 2 months and extremely energetic, that’s a total of 3 lovely cats

[@JessieBanana]

I think cats are low maintenance, relative to other pets. Like they're living beings, not rocks, so hopefully people don't think that.

[@idrinkvapejuice]

If that's you in your profile pic i love your hair!

[@kynnethic8437]

On average that's true, however breed and individual personality can influence that a lot.

[@naturalQueeP]

My cat seems to be high maintenance. He requires a lot of one on one attention, begs for food and water, and then he wants to cuddle. It feels like having a baby at home. The only good thing is that you can leave cats at home alone without a sitter for a few hours.

[@JessieBanana]

@@idrinkvapejuice Thanks, that is me!

[@JessieBanana]

@@naturalQueeP IMO that is more of a personality thing and giving attention doesn't really qualify as high maintenance in my book. I'm referring more to their care and training.

[@tsunamis82]

Provide warmth during the winter months for your cat and cooling during hot summers. Many cats find tiles or sinks as these are cool. If you use heating pads make sure they can’t chew the wiring.

[@psychonaut1829]

Using your hands as toys is most peoples biggest mistake. Thats why most cats randomly bite.

[@square9424]

Interesting username.

[@mariahgutierrez4481]

*sadly looks at my arm covered in scratches*

[@Raevyn20]

@@mariahgutierrez4481 those are love bites lol

[@Raevyn20]

Declawed cats that have biting issues should be seen by a vet. The claws sometimes regrow and it causes them a lot of pain. Another reason not to declaw cats!

[@mariahgutierrez4481]

@@Raevyn20 they're scratches that makes me look like a 25 year old cutter 🤷 my cats don't bite lol

[@hitsujiyume]

i've had 9 cats in my lifetime, from newborn to 19 years old. i'd like to heartily second the wet food thing (make sure it's high protein!) - cats don't drink a lot naturally, especially if their food and water bowls are right next to each other. also, if your cat is constantly begging you to run them water from the faucet, try a cat fountain. if you have a cat who's going everywhere but the litterbox, try switching litters (especially if you're using something kinda hard/in big chunks like pine can be); the type of litter used could be hurting their paws. (not that this is always 100% the case, but it's easy to try and will eliminate that possibility should you take them to the vet/seek advice.) i also recommend a top-loading carrier (or one that has a top-loading option). i got one for my cat when she was only 5 weeks old (she was abandoned) and it makes vet trips so much easier for ALL of our cats (only 2 right now but still). tried to put a cat in a regular carrier many years ago and it didn't work out well for anyone involved. you can also kinda crate train a cat like you would a dog, if you have room to keep the crate set up - just make sure to put their food in the crate at mealtimes. (i did this with my now 1-year-old when she was little, but didn't have the space to keep it set up all the time...she still gets in the crate herself when it's open though, even if she's not the one who needs to be in it!) *just make sure to not shut the cat in the crate unless you're transporting them, so they still have access to the litter box! also, y'all. cats are smart. our dearly departed tortoiseshell would try so hard to open doors and was only stopped because of her lack of opposable thumbs, and my little girl knows what needs to be done to open the treat jar (but again, no opposable thumbs to unscrew the lid).

[@katekhardy]

Hi! You said 'if their water and food bowls placed together', would you recommend keeping them separated? Does it really help and does the cat start drinking more often? And thank you for your advices!!

[@idrinkvapejuice]

@@katekhardy i place them in the same room but not right next to eachother. If they are, the water can get dirty, too.

[@NyxGoldstone]

@@katekhardy It's not a "must" per se, but it'll probably make your cat a lot happier if you do separate the bowls and could possibly encourage them to drink more. As a rule, cats are sticklers for clean, fresh water. If you're using a bowl for water, I'd suggest dumping the water and refilling it a couple times per day, giving the bowl a quick clean probably when you do. Water actually goes stale when it's just sitting still and a fountain keeps that water moving, which is one reason why a fountain is considered a better option. If you get a pet fountain, you need to pay attention to how well the filter and pump are working to know when to give it a really good cleaning, with a filter change monthly no matter what. Added bonus for your pet if you decide to get a fountain, it makes drinking easier for them. Water is clear and pretty much scent-less, and cats have a particularly hard time finding where the water line is with a bowl. If you've ever seen a cat pawing at the water in their bowl, it's usually related to this. A fountain keeps the water rippling or gives them a waterfall-like stream to drink from, making it much easier to see where the water is, rather than taking a muzzle-dive into still water.

[@Alicia-wq2fs]

@@katekhardy really does make a difference for some cats. My cat wasnt drinking much when i had her food and water side by side when i first brought her home. I added water to her canned food to make sure she was getting enough, did some research on it and learned about this trick and moved her water dish across the room. Woke up the next morning and it was about half empty. She drinks from it no problem. She didnt like getting any food contamination in her water even though i change it at least a couple times a day. This way she eats, licks her face and walks over to her water and her water stays fresh. No food falls in.

[@zigbaligb]

Kate Khardy please try it ! Give plenty of separation between the food and water bowls! Our cat would barely drink out of her water bowl for a long time and would always appear out of nowhere to drink from the faucet. We later read about the contamination theory and it proved true for us. Once we moved the water bowl across the room she started drinking out it! No more crazy faucet takeovers!

[@steve4552]

This is a fantastic cat video for people who are considering getting a cat, thank you so much!

[@djfenn5049]

I’m over the quick urge of getting a cat. THANK YOU!!

[@b2rhianna]

HAHAHHA this made my day

[@conrade3988]

Opposite for me

[@cm88__ny]

I changed my mind with tip number 2

[@23annita23]

Im in between now

[@AffectsOfAsiaNicole]

Currently my thoughts 😂😂😂😂

[@peacestokrotka4571]

Hey, great video! Small suggestion, take off the bell, cats can hear a lot better then us humans and it irritates them so much. In the long run it can cause troubles with hearing and psychological problems. Just think, how would you feel with a constant irritating noise right next to your ear, all day every day? It may be convenient for you but it's really uncomfortable for them. There is a lot of research on the internet about it, so just google for yourself and see. Otherwise, your cat's are really cute.

[@SuperSaltyFries]

I'm sorry but I don't really buy this. I can't really find anything online about what you're saying at all, much less actual research. I think it really depends how sensitive the bell is. Most bells that come with collars are very quiet. Also, another great reason to put a bell on your cat is to save birds. Cats are an invasive species and unless you live in Africa, the animals around you didn't evolve to escape cats. This should really be known to people who let their cat out (which I think is a really poor idea, but you're a free person).

[@nervousdog3883]

PEACE Stokrotka Actually, that’s not true! studies have shown that cats don’t get affected by sounds under 80 dB, and according to vet PhD Rachel Malakani, bells sounds go up to 60 dB only.

[@zeultimo]

@@SuperSaltyFries atleast he means well, eh?

[@hellokitty4me]

@@SuperSaltyFries I was unable to find research on this either. My cat is outdoor/indoor, and we have to keep that bell on him, we don't want him hunting birds.

[@Cara-vd7yf]

Another plus for pine litter is that you can put in your yard to decompose instead of throwing in the trash.

[@Whiskeytoller]

Caren absolutely! That’s what we do :)

[@geko_editz5839]

Wow I did not know that thanks 😊

[@yazzybananas3106]

YES. My father in law does this but we have switched to another litter because we don't have a good sifter at all and it was messy for us.

[@sunflowerstudies8719]

i wanted to try but ive never seen it in my country :x

[@cathuchan7167]

We use Pine Litter with the Breeze Litter Box, on top of a regular litterbox and it's amazing. I can't say enough about it!!

[@Pepperpot666]

Do NOT put a collar on your cat, especially not with a bell. First, cats are very active climbing and jumping and get into tight places. If the collor gets stuck somewhere, the cat can strangle itself. Even quick release collars can be dangerous, if the release does not work properly. Cats have very good sense of hearing and sensible ears. The constant bellsounds is really torture to them. Cat saliva is responsible for the allergies. When a cat grooms itself, it spreads the saliva on the fur. If you are allergic, you just cannot bath, which you should not do at all, often enough, to prevent that.

[@stylexmarii8131]

Mine has a collar just in case it runs outside on accident, I got a collar that slides out when it is tugged on, you can get your cat a collar just be aware of the things that might happen 😁

[@chrish6001]

Avoid leaving a harness on a cat, but special cat safe collars are fine. Beastie Bands make neoprene ones with cool designs and allover stretch.

[@reepacheirpfirewalker8629]

I usually know when my cat is near me because her tail always touches my leg or shin bone area letting me know where she is.

[@mikej2489]

Yeah i hate people putting bells on cats. People who put bells on cats only do that for their own benefit not for the cats benefits. In fact the bell can actually make a cat deaf or partially deaf.

[@mckymcobvious3043]

my boyfriend's cat doesn't have a voice. he LOVES his bell, if we take it off, he picks it up and carries it around

[@monicachevalier2744]

Best advice ever! Delivery right on point. Every potential cat owner should watch!

[@QueenDarkChocolate]

I lived cats and kittens growing up and adopted 2 adults cats when I lived on my own. I got a kitten last October and can say definitely amen! to everything Amber has on her list. I had forgotten how demanding and time-consuming kittens can be but was reminded quickly. If you have the space it helps to get a 2nd kitten at the same time so they can entertain each other. It relieves you of being the primary source of play. Thanks and enjoy your kitten.

[@MissPikklz]

In my experience, adopting an adult cat is the way to go. They're already house-trained, and they also appreciate you. I've had kittens in the past as well, so I speak with experience when I say that shelter cats love you differently than kittens 💖💖 Kittens are cute, but they're also little terrorists with knives on their toe beans 🤣

[@GAMERchmp]

😂

[@crystalskylight9327]

I've had my cat for nearly 1 year (got her at 10 weeks old) And this is all great advice. We have a big backyard for her to explore, she chases lizards. But she always comes back into the house! She does love sleeping in high spots too!!

[@littlemeowmeow2496]

When i cut my Cat's nail,I use phone flashlight for make sure where Blood nerves are . it works.

[@Mopsey157]

How many hands do you have?

[@littlemeowmeow2496]

My sister helps me to complete the nail cutting goal by holding phone's flash light @mopsey157

[@littlemeowmeow2496]

@@naz.s3239 nail Caps can be okay. But this is not freedom for your cat.you can make scratcher for your future cat or buy one from any online store

[@hekskdjdnans2439]

Why would you cut your cats nails it helps them climb and hunt

[@berit8685]

I adopted my cat after our dog passed away and we hadn't anything prepared either. We went to the shelter, picked out a cat and headed to the petstore 😂 luckily the pet store was close to where we live and the cat didnt spend that long in the carrier. She did hide under the couch for a few days but the best way to get them to come out and get used to you faster is by playing with them. I used a toy on a string and a stick and was still able to play with her while she was hiding. And a few days later she was running around pretty much. We then removed the sofa though, so she couldnt hide there anymore because otherwise she would've taken longer to adjust. She still had places to go to and hide though, so we didnt completely force her to be out and about. I also suggest putting the scratching post in a corner especially if it has a little hide, they'll use it sO much more, for my cat, she never went into these hideys but once I put it in a corner, she did go! and yes the feeding time... I've fed my cat at 5am and she started yelling at me at 5am every morning to wake me up. Now she actually waits til I wake up and then yells at me. I use clumping litter, it's made of wood. It's honestly great! It's called "Cat's Best" if im not wrong. It might take a cat for a whiile to get used to you, especially if they're from a shelter, but once they trust you, it's the best thing ever. They're honestly giant lovebugs. And pretty much always up for a naptime.

[@crzyyyJ]

I’ve had my cat for 11 years and I’m just dying at how accurate this is.

[@franceswang3242]

I never had any pets and last night I was intrigued to adopt a 2m old ginger cat. I was this close to bring him home but I had a second thought at the last min. After watching this video, am glad I made the right decision . Absolutely not ready 😺 . I gave him my best wishes.

[@JenniferA.Minnear-Salaza-jb4qf]

It is a good video! I would add: do not ever, ever de-claw. That is where they don't just take nail off, but whole first knuckle off. People can get cat furniture, they can cat, or an 'old log', instead.

[@williamsmith7994]

Excellent point. Cats that are de-clawed suffer pain and discomfort their entire life. Also develop arthritis. Its like having part of your fingers cut off and other joints compensating.

[@Whiskeytoller]

absolutely!

[@sandybrown1033]

Jennifer A. Minnear - Salazar De-clawing is illegal in Canada now.

[@Sayyestoheaven31]

I so agree it's not only not good but it's barbaric the pain that they endore from this!!!!!!

[@genedrakes686]

Mine has been picking and same spot on couch for years! From a few feet away you barely notice the damage! It can be felt for sure! Not a single scratch since 2012 ! If she on my thigh and feels the need to stretch out claws directly on kneecap it hurts but has never left a mark!! She within reach and purring now!!

[@hkschubert9938]

Before taking in a kitten or cat you just need to be sure you have the extra cash you need for the cat. Veterinary costs run about $1000 per year right now (in 2023) and normal canned cat food is about $100 per month for Purina.

[@touficjammoul4482]

I've raised cats for my whole life I'm 27 now and I have 7 cats. I've had enough time to study cats behaviour and the relation between the cat's breed and colour. I can tell your cat from the sharpness and his long tail and black spotted colour and it's agile body it's a dominant cat around other cats you'll sense this when he grows up and understand what it takes to be an adult cat. but I just can't get over how cute he is. he's adorable.. ^^

[@myiablue_berry3379]

I got the cutest things for my cat to sleep in ... I've wasted so much money cause all she wanted was a box from amazon😐😂

[@karrelhadad8572]

🤣🤣🤣

[@billiest4nforlif3]

🤣

[@lola-yy6nj]

😂😂🤣

[@darshitapandey9305]

😂 😂 😂 Sorry to hear it bub

[@1976ulipur]

Mine Sleeps on the bed.He's literally got his own room.

[@kashar.savagehubert1927]

I got my 2 kittens when they were almost 4 months old. They are 6 months now. They are the craziest cutest babies. I'm obsessed

[@dcap9984]

I have 7 cats I've had cats all my life and I love all of them they're the best thing in my life

[@MsSexyDiva4Lyfe]

They really are! They are rude and cute at the same time, but they make me smile. How do you deal with 7 cats? I have 3 cats and it's work feeding and cleaning their litter

[@superhero6785]

Great tips! I was very deliberate about teaching our new kitten not to reach/claw at toys as I picked them up to play, then a friend came over and did not have the same mindset I did and the very next day she was clawing at my hands the moment I picked up her toy to throw it. It took a solid week of getting my hands clawed while re-training her. Definitely be deliberate and consistent when training. Any amount of slack you give them will teach them that it's ok and you'll have to start all over.

[@amara139]

I really appreciate you making this video based upon the first hand (or paw) experiences you have had. I learned a lot and I think you must have helped hundreds of thousands of other people as well. I have been researching getting a cat for a while now; however, I never really felt comfortable with the idea of trimming their nails. Your video has given me pause (paws?) on my previous ideas and I'd love to know more. So I will ask around and educate myself. Thank you once again, and hope you and your family are all happy and safe during this crazy time.

[@malaykav]

My cat got stuck in my boyfriend’s speaker when she was about 2months old. Lorddd he had to get the power tools out.

[@patrickcannady2066]

LOL

[@sisamusudroka3000]

If it could get itself in it can get itself out

[@dc47x]

Yes! Please keep posting about more cat videos! I’m just starting my research in getting a cat for the first time & I just love the way you explained everything! Thank you!

[@Whiskeytoller]

I have so many planned! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss them :)

[@DawnIsBreakingThroug]

I'll be honest. I have never had a cat before. My family has always been dog owners, so I was scared that you would tell me new things that I hadn't considered before; but I was happy to know that I'd done my research well. I really loved the bell idea!

[@orufoken]

A lot of it is similar between caring for a cat and a dog: regular brushing and bathing, the need to play, mental stimulation. That said, the bell is the only thing on this list I disagree with. A cat's hearing is 4 to 5 times better than ours so that jingle - which is obviously a lot closer to the cat's ears than to ours - is actually a constant stressors. Add to this that a cat's instinct is to slowly and quietly creep up to its prey - or in the domesticated case, its toy - which is made impossible by the bell and you can see why I don't think it's a good idea. I don't know if you just got a cat or are planning to get one (or two) in the future but I'd strongly advise against the bell tbh

[@Hookah_Haughty]

Finnigan is funny as hell lol him stealing food took me out🤣🤣🤣

[@nicoledeclue3759]

The cat in my profile picture once got into the cabinet and stole a donut. It was the funniest thing I ever saw

[@naturalQueeP]

lol

[@Whiskeytoller]

he is CRAZY! haha he has his own instagram now @finnriverkitty

[@mananchawda]

the most important question ..... How to convince parents to get a cat XD

[@mdahadparwez1990]

Bring a cat first they will Scold you for 2-3 days later they...will love the cat/kitten more than you.....as in my home...i rescued 2 Kitten and now....my mom She care her like a baby

[@genedrakes686]

2 words "Pest Control" ! If rodents know a predator around they don't come around!! We have 4 and never seen a mouse!!😀😂 The newest one has some serious fly catching skills!

[@swashed2675]

funny thing is- I wrote a whole essay on why I should get a Leopard gecko, the costs, the expenses, the amount of food, you name it, and after i sent it to my mom and she read it her first reply was "how about a cat?" and that's how I ended up getting a kitten- we're picking him up on Friday, hes a Maincoon and I named him Obi. Short answer? Bother them about your second choice of pet until they accept the cat 😂

[@julitolay]

RatedBforBi ' tomorrow my sister and I are adopting a kitten behind my dad’s back and he wont find out until friday when he comes home. I really hope he doesnt force us to get rid of it somehow..

[@crov.0375]

My mom got a cat because she read a sad book about a cat

[@neoscentt]

i’m getting two kittens next month and i’m literally binge watching these videos to make sure i didn’t forget to prepare anything 😭

[@Butfirstchaii]

How's it go?!!!!

[@eddie9753]

me too omg

[@LordOfNihil]

cats aren't a pet, they are a religion.

[@jameschan1791]

They are Family.

[@christina3478]

Ameown 🐾🙌

[@sarahbullard6303]

Well said sir

[@m.dwaynesteckley4832]

They aren't just a religion, they are the Laird. We are the congregation.

[@davidedwards8358]

yup

[@FireCracker3240]

This is an extremely EXCELLENT video, Amber. As someone who has had cats in her life, you hit each and every point spot on. Well done.

[@fredsmith2277]

pets are like magical creatures they bring so much joy to there owners that looking after their needs is not a chore but a joy, it's like doing a good deed and doing good deeds brings good feelings, pets bring a source of love into the owners lives, they are a tremendous asset !!!

[@sashkentus]

Amazing video! And your cat is amazing too ☺️ My kitten once got under the couch that was pulled out into a bed. Without knowing that he was there, I converted the bed back into a couch and later started looking for my kitten and couldn’t find him anywhere. Then I remembered about the couch and realized that it was the only spot where he could have hidden and I thought that I crashed my kitten in there..... It was an extremely scary moment, and even thought I thought that I’ll be getting a dead body from under that couch, he turned out to be completely fine! :)

[@Whiskeytoller]

Oh my goodness how scary! I saw finn trying to get into our fireplace and luckily blocked it before he did! Glad your kitty ended up being fine!

[@geko_editz5839]

Oh my that’s so scary

[@caesarthebritishshorthairc5029]

If you like British shorthair cats and think of getting one I want to give you some advice: 1. We have a lot of energy until we are 3 years old. That is when we reach maturity 2. We like to follow you around everywhere: in the bathroom, all around the house, we stay with you in the kitchen while you cook(and not because we want your food, but because we like being near you all the time) 3. We are very curious cats. If you want to fix something around your house we will stay there right beside you until you finish 4. We live around 18 years or maybe even 20. So be prepared to get old with us 5. We like to fetch just like dogs. Just throw me a ball and I will run to get it in my mouth and return it back to you 6. We are pretty low maintenance cats, we are happy with what we have: just a clean litter box, food and fresh and clean water 7. We communicate with you a lot. We like to talk to you and give and receive attention

[@deafengineer]

Cats DO need to be bathed, just not nearly as much as humans/dogs. A monthly deep clean bath and brushing can help with shedding and parasites. Especially for older and less flexible cats, bathing helps!

[@cristiangrimaldi7242]

dont put them bells, the noise is really anoying for the cat

[@carlybishop6160]

Agreed and I have never put a collar on my cat. (He always tries ripping it off anyway) I have heard so many horror stories of cats accidentally hanging themselves with them. If they get lost they sometimes have snapped off the collar anyway and they will always be checked for a microchip. That is the most important thing.

[@Whiskeytoller]

@@carlybishop6160 they make breakaway collars for a reason!

[@TheDawnofVanlife]

@@carlybishop6160 my cat wears a (breakaway) collar and harness when we go on nature walks. He travels with me on the road and he was introduced to it right away and could care less that it's there.

[@athinakt]

Actually bells were mainly used so that cats don’t bring dead animals inside houses. The bell was heard by the prey and it had time to escape. People also use them to hear where their cat is obviously. Also the collar bells produce sounds at about 50-60 dB and cats get affected by over 80dB sounds.

[@JoshuaCastillo6309]

It depends on the cat. Mine wears one and doesn’t care and plays whenever she wants.

[@gheffz]

Finn is a beautiful cat!!! He's got such a good temperament, that comes through the video! For what it is worth ... keep the foster kitten ... Finn and him played really well together ... and takes some of the pressure of keeping them amused off you! Good advice, by the way ... since we live in the country ... we trained our cats to go to the outside door instead of a kitty-litter solution, they come back within 5 minutes and there will never be any accidents! _(Oh, we chose to never clip our cat claws ... and yes, we had some issues with furniture ... but we trained that out of them, too!)_

[@alliecat4176]

Yes, I use the pine litter from Tractor Supply. Love it!

[@mimthyss]

It's also important to note that each cat is different. What you can do with one cat won't necessarily apply to another all the time. And even if you can do it to one cat, that same cat may not like it at a certain time of day or after having just eaten for example. So spend time with your cat and get to know them personally! Like with the litter one, we tried using natural pine type litter rather than the white litter, but our cats must have hated how it felt or smelt and refused to use it. They literally kept holding it and ending up pooping on the mats and such instead. So we had to stick to the white 'clay' litter haha

[@enviedcookie5773]

My Leonidas was a “bad kitty” as a kitten, getting into everything and breaking all kinds of stuff. Then he turned one and naturally calmed down. He’s 2 1/2 now and he’s my sweet baby. ♥️ Only he has a 72” cat tree and other scratchers around the house and he STILL scratches my couch. 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@mfry1970]

when i clip my kitties claws, i only take off a little at the very tip. this way im nowhere near the quick but it still blunts the sharp end and leaves most of the strength of the claw’s structure intact so it doesn’t hamper climbing, but requires more frequent trimming

[@OrganicJKW]

This is actually a really informative video! I used to have cats many years ago and had forgotten a few of these points. Good job!

[@federicoforte4096]

I suggest also find someone that can take care of the cat when you are away for several days.

[@Bubbles-od2tv]

Very important point.

[@lesleyking9340]

Surely if someone needs that pointing out, they hadn't thought through having another being dependant upon them!

[@okolona1]

You need to have more than one cat. Two cats, at least so that they can keep each other company. God bless.

[@MadeleineMedia16]

One tip for the furr, the Furminator for short fur :) And use it when they start loosing lots of furr. It's amazing!! And between this, a regular brush

[@wenthulk8439]

My first cat was a year old when we adopted him and he seldom got into everything. He was an outdoor cat too so the stimulation was not an issue. He also was good at getting out of his collars

[@Billylamar]

First few days of having Norah I couldn’t find her. Thought she snuck outside when I left. Cried thinking she was going to freeze to death. After I was done she pops up meowing next to me. Next day smarting. Couldn’t find her until I see some kitty paws poking out from my dish washer lol. She somehow squeezed through a 2 inch cap, and was able to go behind it lol.

[@elizabethsullivan7176]

I've been around cats all of my life, so I've seen it all. I've also had nearly 5 decades of communication with them so "cat" is pretty much my 2nd language. Also, I've never had a "problem" with "zoomies" because while cats are nocturnal, so am I, so we're a perfect match. First lesson I learned is never to "corner" a cat, unless you want to get scratched across the face, like I did when I was a baby. My latest cat, Zelda (yes, named after the video game series 😊) who is living with my parents right now, was happy with a simple scrunched up piece of paper for a toy. She'd chase it from one end of the apartment to the other. 3 of our cats we got from pet stores (who actually turned out to be the ones who lived the longest - namely Rikki, who we got in 1984 and lived until early 2001), 3 were rescues, one we got from a friend whose cat had kittens, and Patches was my mom's cat when I was born. Most importantly is to make sure that cats visit a vet regularly and get them their first vaccinations as kittens (unlike Eddie, one of our rescues who died from Feline Leukemia because he hadn't been vaccinated before I found him) Oh yeah, and, of course, LOTS of love. I know that's why cats and I have always gotten along so well. We've always had a very special bond

[@webjunkiesnoopy120]

i had many cats in the last decades, but i never trimmed a my cats nails.

[@Erika1965]

I don't either, I don't understand why I should, but maybe because I have careful cats.

[@psychonaut1829]

Its mostly for inside cats, If they have enough things to scratch they dont need trimming, but you should check every once in a while to make sure they arent getting ingrown claws.

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

I clip their claws it helps cut down on them scratching things up.

[@naturalQueeP]

Trimming my cats nails is a must. Otherwise, he’ll scratch me during play and cuddle time.

[@Alicia-wq2fs]

@@grandmasmalibu it's called a sheath

[@KateKrauss]

I love the "I love you" blinks from the mixing bowl

[@mo7medjameel632]

Cats get to everywhere that's true, they just got inside my heart 😍

[@TheFuschiaDragonfly]

The fact of cats getting into everything is SO true. My grandpa accidently locked his cat in the closet and when he opened it again the cat attacked him bc it was (rightfully) mad at him. He never had a cat after thay one but I don't think you should get discouraged like he did 💗

[@KerriLynnBulger]

Thank you Lots! I'm planning to get a cat soon. Even though I know cats your suggestions were practical & helpful!!

[@RISKxNoobOwner]

My cats fully grown and she cuddles allll the time, once im home i instantly get a furry ball under my arms purring snd drooling for hours haha

[@strawberryj7186]

I LOST IT WHEN HE CAME OUT WITH THE BAG OF FOOD💀🥺🥺

[@kavenkristoffer8458]

I learned a lot in this video. Owning a cat is really a responsibility

[@keness4768]

They are so worth it though. The harmony they've brought to me and my wife is immeasurable.

[@userpkcu]

i had such a want for cats for weeks but this vid realistically helped me get rid of the impulse. thank you!

[@Meditations89]

I gave into the impulse and I’m getting a 13 year old cat tomorrow!!!