Everything You Need to Know About Owning Cats

To me, every cat is absolutely unique in their own way; whether it be through their personality, their breed, or their fur patterns. However, there are many experiences all around that many cat owners share with one another. A lot of those experiences have to do with silly little things a lot of cats love doing, like baking biscuits(kneading), flopping onto their sides, etc. But, there’s also a lot of information that has been mutually gathered but hasn’t been brought into light together, and I am here to share both the informative side, how to take care of them, and the silly side of them, just being general cuties in this article right now!

1. Maintenance

Cats all around do not usually require much work to ensure they are happy and healthy in comparison to other animals; however, they do still have needs that need to be met, as backed up by the article, Cats 101: Basic Health & Care Tips to Keep Your Cat Healthy. To rapid-fire a few quick ones; Choose a cat-friendly vet who specializes in feline behavior and health. They are a very good resource in ensuring your cat is happy and healthy, and make sure to schedule regular veterinary visits, ensure your cat is chipped (microchip) in case it manages to find a way to escape your abode(they are very sly). Finally, groom your cat regularly to help prevent hairballs and shedding. As a bonus, grooming is also a good way to bond with your cat as it fosters trust and a deeper emotional connection! 

Make sure your cat has a litter box to use the bathroom, one for every cat if you have numerous cats. Make sure the litter is cleaned at least once a week or once every two weeks in order to promote good hygiene. Litter boxes are not boxes of sand in your house. The litter within them is specially made grain meant to stop the odors of your cats’ waste from wafting around your house and socking anyone and everyone in your home in the nose. It also clumps around their excreta, which allows it to be scooped and trashed quite easily, and if you don’t like scooping, self-cleaning litter boxes are a thing! 

Please teach your cats to use a scratching post in order to keep their claws healthy and in tip-top condition and to help prevent them from clawing your furniture. Cat carriers in cars are a must so as not to wind up crashing. Make sure your cat is maintaining a healthy weight and has a proper diet to further boost its health. Consider spaying or neutering your cat to prevent them from being able to catch reproductive related diseases, as they can be quite harmful. Also, taking care of kittens is a very expensive journey. On account of their largely known lazy status, you don’t have to play with them all that much, though I would recommend trying to play with them for at least three fifteen-minute sessions everyday which will vary based on your cat’s personality. It’s a good form of exercise for these balls of energy; it acts as a stress relief for them, cures them from their boredom, and can enhance your bond with your cat.

2. Body Language

You’ll hear a lot of inexperienced and sometimes experienced cat owners say things like, “Oh, how I wish my cat could talk so it could tell me how it’s feeling,” but the thing is, they usually are, and you just didn’t know what signs to look out for. A cat’s body language is how you can do so. When looking at a cat, the four key parts of their body you want to pay attention to are their eyes, their ears, their core, and their tail. Before getting into what these different parts can tell you, please remember that the context of the situation is very important in being able to properly tell how your cat is feeling, and that a lot of the information I am about to give you is just general indicators seen in many cats. So, let’s get to it! 

First, when looking at a cat’s eyes, pay attention to their dilation. Large eyes are usually indicative of excitement, anger, or fear, and when a cat’s eyes are narrower, it usually indicates aggression. As a bonus, if you ever notice your cat slowly blinking at you, make sure to do it back, as it’s how they tell you they love you! 

Secondly, pay attention to how your cat’s ears are positioned. Forward-facing ears usually indicate that your cat is feeling calm and confident, high or erect ears mean it’s on alert, and flattened down or ‘airplane ears’ are an indicator of your cat feeling angry or fearful. 

Thirdly, pay attention to the movement and actions of your cat’s tail. A quivering tail means your cat is excited, happy, and or comfortable, a down or tucked-in tail means your cat is uneasy or fearful, and a flicking tail can mean your cat is either on high alert, is agitated, or both! Lastly, pay attention to how your cat positions its body. A cat whom is standing sideways with a bit of an arched back is a good indicator of aggression, a cat who is facing you with their head and body is usually confident and receptive to your advances, and a cat who appears ball shaped or looks like it’s trying to appear small is usually a cat whos feeling anxious or fearful and is ready to spring away if need be.

3. Zoomies

It’s different for every cat, but they all have a dedicated hour of utter craziness, and I enjoy every single second of it. Although some cats’ hours may actually change depending on their personality, it doesn’t change what that hour is filled with. Running around at mach speed, leaping huge, cavernous jumps from counters to tables and from couches to beds, bushing their tails up and drawing their ears back as they look at you like you are the crazy one, despite how they are acting. It’s genuinely the best time of the day. It’s so great because it gets me pumped up chasing, or pretending to chase, my cat around the house. However, be aware that sometimes it can be caused by something like constipation or bowel issues, so pay attention to when they get zoomies. If they get it after using the litter box, it could be a telltale sign of this. But don’t be afraid, as usually it’s just a way of them telling you they’re having fun or simply their way of practicing their hunting skills and making sure they’re in good shape.

4. HeartMelters

Unfortunately, due to the heartless people of the past, cats have been linked to having bad attitudes and to being grumpy all day, every day. However, that simply isn’t true. All cats are unique in their personalities, just like us humans are. Some of them are absolute love bugs, some of them pretend to hate you while secretly loving you, some of them are both, and some of them actually are their grumpy stereotype. Sometimes, these personalities are linked to a specific breed or coat pattern. For example, orange tabby cats are usually referred to, in a joking tone, as the “dumbest” and “weirdest” of them all, due to their tendency to do some very crazy and very questionable things.

If you’re looking for a specific kind of cat, I would suggest one of the first places you should look is a kill shelter, which are unforgivable places in my professional opinion, as maybe the right cat for you is there and you can save them while gaining a lifelong companion. Non-kill shelters, such as cat cafes, are my second recommended places to go and give a visit. Lastly, buying a kitten is always an option. Of course, everyone loves kittens, but remember that cats who are older do, and always will, deserve a chance at being loved as well.

5. Danger of the Bootlegs

Please, please, please do thorough research on any and all things you buy for your cat! Especially if it’s something that either automates some of the steps of taking care of your cat, or of what brand of food, treats, and toys you are getting for them. Yes, sometimes buying off-brand feels like your only choice, but make sure to do very, very extensive research before you ever decide to do so less you put your cat in harm’s way without meaning to. 

Here are some quite trustworthy links to some automated lists that are based on personal experience and combined experience:

The 9 Best Automatic Litter Boxes, Tested and Reviewed 

10 Best Moving Cat Toys 2025: According to Reviews 

10 Best Automatic Cat Feeders 2025: According to Reviews 

If you find nothing to your liking on these lists, some solo research is in order, and please do not stop until you find some stuff you believe is cost-efficient and reliable!