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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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

Dogs have masters, cats have staff.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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 ❤️

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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 🖤

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

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.

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.

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!!

Great video!!! You are such a good cat momma. I am so glad you told people that cats are not low maintenance.

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.😍

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.

Thank you for the video, and all of the advice in the comments! I've lived with cats for most of my life (roommates/family pets) but am taking home my very own adorable 2-month old kitten in 4 days and am soaking up every piece of wisdom I can find.

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

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.

They're basically toddlers.

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

I'm so glad i knew almost every single one of these, one thing i did recently learn is trimming your cats claws is different than declawing them, but i knew almost everything else already!! As someone who really wants as many cats as possible (and to be a foster parent for cats in the future too) i'm so glad to already know all of this at the ripe age of 15! :DD

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

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

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 🤣

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

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.

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

Thank you for this video. I've been caring for feral kittens and getting them ready for homes and this is a great video for 1st time cat owners. 🐈 It's very informative and helpful

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

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.

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

Incredibly useful thank you so much. Still scared to adopt but I know it's much better than being in a cage!

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

I truly appreciate your advice and can't wait to adopt my two kittens

Love this video! So informative! Thank you!

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

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

Such a good video. So informative. Very practical. Thank you!

Amazing video! Very informative.. so many people don't know what they're getting themselves into when getting a kitty!

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

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

Excellent cat video especially for first timers but also as a reminder about thinking about the cat and what they need so you are both happy. People do play a blame game with pets so this video is great. I am just a cat lover, old person and these types of videos were not around when I was young cat co-habiter. Thanks

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

THANK YOU!! THIS HELPED SO SO MUCHED!! I talked my mom into me getting a cat and this really helped!!

We just got a cat today and *HE IS THE CUTESSST!!!* He is like so tiny, hehe. And, yeah! Haha, he is easy to lose (lol). He has lots of energy, but I'm so so ready to give him lots of love and happiness from now on! There's so much we are learning at home (he is just 2 months old). I thing now it's all about teaching him where he is allowed to be, where to pee, where to sleep, what's his name, etc. Thank you for this video btw! So beautiful...

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.

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😐😂

Play time before night time is a very helpful tip. Thank you.

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

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.

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!

Kudos for mentioning that a cat can suffocate in a plastic bag! When I see videos that show cats with their head stuck in a bag or container, I comment that it's dangerous. An important thing, if putting a collar on a kitten, is that you should be able to get 2 fingers' width between the kitten's neck & collar. Check often bc they grow fast at certain stages! If too tight, it can actually become imbedded into their neck. That, in turn, can cause injury and/or infection for the cat!

This very good advice with suggestions. Kittens do require more preparation and consideration than older cats of 2 years of age, but in this video, there is sensible action advice to consider and practice. Thanks.

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!

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

I have learned a lot I am getting a 12week old kitten today. Never lived in cat environment I am exited but worried same time but this made me feel comfortable

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

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

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.

Also, if your cat gets diabetes, don't wait until "I'll bring my cat to the vet as soon as I somehow have an income". That's how I lost my cat.

this woman is such a wonderful cat owner ❤️ aww

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! :)

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).

Wow! Super informative and concise. Thanks!

I Love how you wore the cat shirt to share info about cats ❤

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

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.. ^^

This is such a good video! I've been taking care of a kitten for almost a month now (he was abandoned near our house and i took him) and everything you said is SO important! I also got stuff for him after his arrival since it wasnt planned, and i feel like i'm still learning how to take care of him cause he has SO much energy that even if he plays a lot with the toys i bought or made, he still jumps on my legs and arms or anywhere he can reach sometimes and i try to tell him NO and leave for a bit or stuff like that to teach him we are not his toys 🤣. We also put protection nets at our house since it has a lot of acess to the street, but even that will have to be redone later with better material (we used some nets we had home since it was an emergency matter). I'm also very interested in watching and reading about cat behaviour now, since the other cat i had years ago was SO different from this one and was already an adult (2yo according to the vet, he started showing up around our house and decided to stay). Very nice video, i loved it!!

Love love this video thankyou!!! I need one and am excited to have a cat for the first time

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

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.

thanks so much for this info! super helpful. hope your cats are doing well! god bless ❤️

very good acvice. i just got a kitten and im shocked at how small places she can go! and shell go every possible place and i lose her all the time and search for her. i also have small scars in my hands cause of the claws. otherwise ive had a great time playing with her. shes so sweet and clearly loves me. she started sleeping next to me at night too and its so sweet :)

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