I have been a lover of cats for as long as I remember. Pretty much any birthday card I received from family had a cat on it, and it was rare that I wasn’t with my family cat growing up. My first screen name was catluver189, and I even had a cat encyclopedia…I was a crazy cat lady before I knew the term even existed.

Cats are absolutely fascinating creatures. They reveal so much through their body language and are miniature versions of their lion ancestors. The only reason I think people can dislike cats so much, is that they are independent beings. They don’t need us the way dogs do. They can go to the bathroom on their own, monitor their own food intake, entertain themselves, and pretty much exist without us – and people don’t like not being needed. I don’t believe you’re either a dog or a cat person – that’s like saying you can only like chocolate or vanilla. The two are totally different and can simultaneously be enjoyed/appreciated.

Now that I’m “grown up” and have adopted 3 cats on my own, I’m here to share what I’ve learned along my journey! I always recommend adopting rather than shopping, since so many animals are brought to shelters and are in need of homes.

1) Ditch the dry food.
Some vets argue that dry food is better for the teeth, but cats get most of their hydration through what they eat. Dry food doesn’t provide any water, and this can lead to urinary/kidney issues – because cats are not huge water drinkers by nature. Dry food is also heavy on carbs, so it’s basically like the cat version of eating junk food all day. I noticed an immediate and substantial difference when I started feeding Milo wet food. He also quickly dropped a few pounds!

It can be really tough deciding between which food is actually best for your cat and which is just marketed as a “healthy” option, but in reality is just an overpriced version of any other cat food. I use CatFoodDB to check the quality of the food I get.

2) Change their water often.
Did you know cats can actually smell fresh water versus stagnant water? If your cat isn’t drinking much water, it’s probably because he/she can smell that it’s not fresh. Ever noticed your cat preferring to drink from the sink or after you shower? That’s why! I change Sunny and Milo’s water at least once a day, and I try to aim to change it with every meal. I have never seen them drink as much water as I have once I started doing this!

3) Cat trees are a necessity.
My completely destroyed couch is living proof of this. I am 100% against declawing, so that’s not an option for me (and once you do your research, you’ll realize why). Cat trees allow a place for your furry friends to sleep, stretch, sharpen their claws, play, and hide. They also provide exercise and comfort throughout the day. They are not always the cheapest, but worth investing in rather than sacrificing your furniture! I recommend one with an enclosed portion, posts to scratch, and a top portion for them to perch on. One with a toy is an added bonus! However, my boys ripped the toy off a few months in.

As you can see, Sunny and Milo love this tree! The two like to compete for Alpha aka who can stay on the topmost level during their play battles.

This is an affordable cat tree option. If you have multiple cats, I recommend one with multiple levels just so that they don’t always compete for the same spot.

4) Enclosed litter boxes are best. Cats cover their feces, but this doesn’t mean it won’t smell. An enclosed litter box helps provide a barrier between the box and your home and also provides more privacy. It also helps keep it discreet if you don’t have room in a low-visibility area of your living quarters.

I absolutely love mine (thank you Greg!) and highly recommend it. It’s chic, doubles as a coffee/end table, and no one would know what its true purpose is at a first glance. If you have enough room in your bathroom, this can go there as well – it has a convenient towel rack on the side.

5). Teach them rules young.
I have two rule for the boys that I will not waver on: 1) they can’t go on tables/counters (I would rather not have litter box paws where I eat/prepare food) and 2) no human food. Cats, especially young ones, have THE MOST sensitive stomachs. Plus, it teaches them that they can beg whenever you eat, and that will get old very fast.

I highly recommend having more than one cat/pet if no one else is home with them. While they are independent, they are also highly social creatures (mine are, at least) – and they can get really stir crazy when left alone all day. Milo actually started to act out, which led me to get Sunny.

For those of you who already have a cat and are looking to get a second, check out my 5 Things to Know Before Adopting a Second Cat post! As always, feel free to reach out with any and all questions. Chances are, I’ve either experienced it or know someone who has.

Truly,
Taylor