Top 10 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Getting a Cat

After years of cat guardianship and research, here are the top 10 things Mallory wishes she'd known before getting a cat. Note: every cat is different and the ideas in this video may not apply to yours. The video is based on personal experience and should not be construed as veterinary advice. Please contact a veterinarian for personalized recommendations on your cat's diet and health.

Video Navigation:

0:00 Introduction
0:40 Backstory
1:57 What to Expect From This Video
2:33 #1 Moisture and Hydration
3:38 #2 Dental Hygiene
4:51 #3 Scratching Habits
5:35 #4 Training
6:44 #5 Personality Changes
7:42 #6 Varied Diets
8:46 #7 Bathing
9:54 #8 Vertical Territory
10:46 #9 Cat Litter
12:06 #10 Staying Present

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[AllAboutCatsYT]

What is the most surprising and/or valuable thing you've learned during your time as a cat guardian? Tell us about it in the comments!

[deviceology]

26 things my cat wished he'd known before he got me.

[atomiclisa]

The only thing I'd add is to NOT get in the habit of early morning feeding or you'll never sleep in again.

[greigclement]

4:00 "I thought it was pretty normal for a cat to have bad breath...". In the background cat is licking its butt.

[PhuckHue]

I see a lot of cat owners ignore their cats. You have to give them daily attention and they'll live longer. cats get sad and lonely too

[Morcheeseplz]

My cats personality definitely changed A LOT over the years. He was a super sweet kitten, but after he was neutered he became a little grouchy and started biting people. My family wanted to get rid of him but I worked with him over the years and he got a lot better by the end! Once he moved with me to college and traveled the country with me more he basically just started sleeping under the covers and cuddling with me every night. He’d rest his head on my arm and would let me put my arm around him sometimes too lol. On our road trips to school he’d just chill in my lap. My little road trip buddy ! I knew he appreciated me taking him with me rather than leaving him with someone who didn’t know him as well as I did. The night before he passed away I knew he wasn’t feeling well and he crawled under the covers with me and pressed himself against me and it definitely felt like he was wanting my comfort. He was a wonderful cat even though he had a lot of biting issues, it was just overstimulation from people who just try to go in and constantly pet him. Cats get overstimulated! He rarely bit me by the end. Please don’t hit or yell at your cats if they’re trying to tell you to stop. Don’t give up on them because they just want love too and we can only control how we communicate with them and learn how they communicate with us.

Rest In Peace Skyebee :( May 2020

[kjmcarl]

Cats can live well into their late teens and people adopting should be prepared to make the long term commitment.

[misskothy]

My one best tip is - read and prepare your space for the cat. A cat is not a toy or a decoration, it is a living being with needs and you can safe yourself a lot of trouble by first properly preparing than to get a cat on a whim cause it looked cute in the store window.
I can't stress this enough because I see so many people not trying to understand their cats and later abandoning them and causing them so much mental pain. Cat are a responsibility but once you know the basics and you have the patience to train them- they're one of the best companions you could ever have ❤

[fawndrawnart]

I let my cat choose his food every morning 😊. I present him 3 different cans & he presses his face against the one he wants. It always goes well 😂😂

[southpaw]

I'd LOVE a video dedicated to cat dental products!

[flowerpower]

I love how she says cat guardian instead of cat owner.
It just feels better to have them as a family member rather than a possession

[zaprct]

I agree big time with the last point. My Zoe was disgnosed with kidney disease at 15 and I spent every day worrying sick about when her last day would be. She managed to survive almost 6 years from then! When I think back now I wish I hadn't worried about 'the end' so much, and just relaxed and enjoyed my time with her more! RIP Zoe <3

[jeffbiddle]

My best advice for new cat guardians would be, if possible, adopt siblings or a bonded pair. I have six cats and four are related (grandma, mom and two brothers). The other two are “uncle” Oliver and baby Nyx. The related cats are all bonded, with the strongest bond being between the brothers. It is so nice to see the relationships between the cats and when I was surprised to find a stray 3 month old kitten, the kitten brothers immediately made her feel at home. Having one cat means that you’ll be their source of social interaction. Having two means that they will always have a pal (if they’re bonded). That’s just my two cents. Cats are VERY social animals. Anyone who says differently hasn’t spent time with a group of cats. Even though six is a lot of cats, I know that they’re all happy with me and their cat family.

[kittenlizey]

I love how you said “cat guardian” instead of “cat owner” because you can’t own a cat even if you adopt or buy them.

[ericapoe]

Love this video.. Wessy is almost 13? He doesn’t look a day over 4 years old lol.. I rescued my cat when he was 4 weeks old and next month he’ll be 1yr old I love him dearly.. will definitely look into harness training.

[kee]

Forest’s story is straight out of a fairy tale

[aswizzzleee]

I really love the last tip you gave because that's currently me, always worrying about my cat and her behavior or health. I'm definitely being more conscious when I spend time with her to appreciate the moments we have and I love it. I think something I wish I'd known before getting a cat is to be patient with them. Cats can have such varying personalities and of course it takes time for them to trust you. You can't take things personal if a cat doesn't bond with you the second you meet and take them home. It takes time to build a connection and don't give up or feel discouraged if it isn't there right away! Some cats also do not show affection in the way that would be obvious to humans. For example, sleeping at the foot of your bed or blinking slowly back at you.

[Yu-ryts]

That is so true - my sensitive cat was so shy and feral when I adopted him. 1 year later he started to sleep under my comforter and even on my lap :) he’s so sweet now. I’d say to feral cat owners: give them time and your efforts will pay off :)

[rislachius]

Lol at Wessie cleaning himself in the background. I'm so surprised he is almost 13! he looks so healthy :)

[kathyroberts]

My son bought me a kitty in November after I have been retired a year. (To full-time be a caregiver for a family member).
Since a husband was a big fail . He felt I needed to look forward & love something/ someone less stressful . Ha!
Love my Whiskers & all this time I did not know my head was cold. She is so sweet❤
to keep it warm by laying on it🙄