How to be a good Cat Owner

When you make the decision to take a cat or kitten into your home, you’re also about to welcome a new family member.
So here’s a quick list of some of the things you need to consider before kitty comes home for the first time. Sort of a mini cat owner manual for newbies!


Let’s consider a few practical matters.

You want to choose a litter box that’s big enough – not a problem for a kitten, but an adult cat should have space to move around in the cat litter.
I thoroughly recommend that you get in a supply of scoopable litter, which is one of the most valuable products for the cat owner. Using your pooper scooper, you simply scoop out ant litter that has been soiled – no need to change the entire litter every day.
But remember that clean litter is very important to your cat, so make sure you remove all the soiled litter. And of course, replenish with fresh litter.

You will want to have in a supply of good cat food. There are lots of brands on the market. You could ask your vetenarian for advice on the best food, or simply ask for advice from among your cat-owning friends.


If your cat spends a lot of time indoors, then it’s very important that you provide him with plenty of facilities for play, for play is very important to a house cat. A good selection of cat toys from your local pet store should do the trick. If you do not provide these things, then kitty will have to improvise with what he finds around – and that could be expensive to your furniture, curtains etc.

If you have a number of cat owners in your circle, you’ll find that cat toys can make a popular gift for cat owners.


There will inevitably be times when your cat will require the services of a vetenarian, so before kitty comes home for the first time you should do the necessary research to find a good vetenarian.
Ask around your friends, or call the local animal shelter for their advice. You could also visit local vetenarians – you are bound to sense whether they seem to be professional and loving in their ministrations to the animals in their care.


New cat owners are often surprised to discover that kitty sheds hair. Of course, a cat spends a lot of time self-grooming, but from the beginning you should buy a good cat brush, and spend considerable time grooming your cat.
This way, there will be a lot less hair on your furniture or your clothes – and a lot less chance of kitty suffering from hairballs – but the grooming will help you and the cat to bond very quickly.


Remember that you are bringing your cat into a strange and unknown environment, so you must be patient. The cat will need to get to know and to feel comfortable in these new surroundings, and to test what and where is permitted, and what not. A cat can be a very determined character, and it can be very difficult to modify his behaviour, so it’s doubly important that you establish the rules from the outset, and be firm and un-varying in following them.


But above all else, your cat will respond to your love. So spend time with your cat, and devote time to establishing your relationship – and you will be richly rewarded.


I hope these few tips help you in your early days with your new cat. For a comprehensive cat owner manual – why not check out myCat Care and Training book.