Getting Started With Your New Cat

Being a first-time cat owner can be daunting, but we're here to help. Get expert advice on the supplies, food, and anything else your feline friend needs.

traveling with pet dog
8 Tips to Make Traveling with Pets Much Easier
Child on floor with white dog.
The Relationship Between Pets and Children: How to Foster a Positive Bond
Furry snuggles
The Science Behind Why Pets Make Us Happy
The 6 Best Pet Transportation Services of 2022
Best Pet Transportation Services

Explore Getting Started

All Cat Names Cat Adoption Kitten Care
Composite of cat toy, cat and wire brush on gradient background
Best Cat Subscription Boxes
rabbit in green hat
6 Ways To Celebrate Your Pets on St. Patrick's Day
Pug in sunglasses
5 Ways to Celebrate Your Pet This Valentine's Day
Black, brown and white dog laying on bed cover next to brown and black cat
10 Reasons Dogs Are Better Than Cats
Gray and black cat being brushed with dematting comb
How to Painlessly Get Mats Out of Cat Fur
Tan short-haired cat sitting next to box of tissues
How to Have a Cat If You Have Cat Allergies
illustration of checklist for first cat
Everything You Need to Know About Raising Your First Cat
Tan and white polydactal cat lying on brown surface
7 Amazing Facts About Polydactyl Cats
Gray and white cat sitting in front of open windows
8 Things Your Cat Loves
Photo of Ragdoll Cat Casper
Why Does My Cat Stink?
Portrait Of Cat Sitting Outdoors
10 Ways to Find Your Lost Cat
cat in the bathtub
How to Bathe Your Kitten or Adult Cat
black cat
How to Determine Your Cat's Age
Illustration of a DIY cat tree plan
8 Free DIY Cat Tree Plans
grey cat looking out toward the sun
The Costs of Responsible Cat Ownership
Cat food materials, bedding, toys and crate organized on wooden floor
Shopping List for Your New Cat
Gray and white cat in front of scratching pole and household items
How to Keep Your House Clean With Indoor Pets
Cat between owner's feet looks up at camera
Top 5 Reasons Some People Just Don’t Like Cats
where cats like to be pet
7 Places Where Cats Like to Be Pet
cat claws
How to Manage Your Cat's Claws
Brown striped cat playing with toy
Top 10 Ways to Show Your Cats You Love Them
Angora cat
What Is the Difference Between Cat Hair and Fur?
Photo of Ragdoll Cat Casper
How Old Is Your Cat in Human Years?
Black and tan kittens standing on cushioned seat next to houseplants
How to Kitten-Proof Your Home
cat birthday
8 Fun Ways to Celebrate Your Cat's Birthday
10 Dog-Friendly Ideas for Apartment Balconies
10 Dog-Friendly Ideas for Apartment Balconies
Person and cats lounging on couch
What Is Cat Dander?
cat playing with owners hair
Why Do Some Cats Groom Their Owner's Hair?
Flame point cat playing with a pink catnip mouse toy in the grass
Why Do Cats Like Catnip?
Older cat and kitten on gray sofa
How Old Is My Cat in Human Years?
A cat and a child sleeping in a car
8 Tips to Help Cats Enjoy Car Travel
6.5 week old kitten is alert and active
Convert Your Cat's Age to Human Years
A cat sitting on a cat tree and looking into the camera.
10 Amazing Cat Trees You Have to See
Brown striped cat eating birthday cake with candle
How to Make a Special Cake for Your Cat's Birthday
White cat without collar sitting on bench outside.
What to Do if You Found a Lost Cat
Cat lying on owner
Purrternity Leave: Welcoming a New Cat into Your Home
Cat getting nails trimmed
How to Trim Your Cat's Nails
Christmas cat
13 Cats Who Love Christmas
Dogs and Cats in Travel Bags
The Best Pet Boarding Services of 2023
Kitten nibbling on shoe
Why Do Cats Like Shoes?
Cat in apartment
Is Your Apartment Big Enough for a Cat?
The Best Animal Charities You Should Know About
The Best Animal Charities You Should Know About
maine coon kitten on scratching post
Top Reasons to Keep Cats Indoors
Playful kitty Cat
Explore the Sources of Your Cat's Personality
Woman with pet carrier
How to Take a Car Trip With Your Cat
Tabby cat's face with yellow eyes closeup
Cats and Their Very Unique Eyes
Brown and black cat sitting on perch tree while being petted
How to Find a Cat Sitter
Cat walking across grass outside; feral cat vs stray cat
Feral Cat vs. Stray Cat: What's the Difference?
Brown and white cat next to scratching pole and orange ball and cleaning materials for messes
Tips for Cleaning Cat Messes and Accidents
A cat lounging on top of a high dresser
Why Do Cats Like High Places?
kitten in grass
Should You Allow Your Indoor Cat to Go Outside?
Vaccination Timeline for the Average Adult Cat
The Average Adult Cat Vaccination Schedule
Black cat getting teeth brushed with wooden finger toothbrush
How to Brush Your Cat's Teeth
British shorthair cat wearing a funny costume
15 Purrfect DIY Halloween Costumes for Your Cat
portrait of senior woman and golden retriever dog
The Best Pets for Seniors
Microchip Pet Scan
Do Microchips Cause Cancer in Pets?
Cat with toy
Why Won't Your Adult Cat Play?
Cat claws in a scratching post
Top Reasons Not to Declaw Your Cat
White cat smelling a bouquet of flowers
Any Cat's Sense of Smell Is Used for All Aspects of Survival
cat
11 Things Only Cat Owners Understand

More in Getting Started:

Cat Names Cat Adoption Kitten Care