| | Adopt a cat from a shelter or rescue. If you want a purebred, there are breed-specific rescues out there and you can often find purebreds at shelters. |
| | Regular vet care is essential and yearly physicals are a must. |
| | Rabies vaccines are legally required. |
| | If the cat you adopt isn't already spayed or neutered, make sure to have it done as soon as possible after adopting them. There are low-cost or free spay/neuter clinics available, so talk to your vet about these if money is tight. |
| | Keep your cat(s) indoors. It's proven indoor cats live longer and are healthier. If you do want to allow them time outdoors, make sure it is in an enclosed area they cannot escape from. |
| | You will need a litter box, cat litter, food, a dish for food, and a dish for water. |
| | Milk jug caps and rings and crumpled paper balls make excellent cat toys, so no need to buy expensive toys from the pet store. Favorite hiding places are boxes and paper bags. |
| | Do not let them play unsupervised with string and do not let them play with twist ties at all. |
| | Chocolate and Tylenol are VERY toxic for cats, so do not ever let them have either. |
| | ALWAYS talk to your vet before giving your cat any kind of medication or drug. |
| | If your cat is not drinking water or is vomiting, they need to see the vet. |
| | If your cat is straining to urinate, it is an emergency situation. Do not delay seeking vet care as urinary blockage can become fatal very quickly. |
| | Be aware of what plants are toxic for cats and choose your houseplants accordingly. |
| | On a lighter note, there is no need to buy your cat a special cat bed--to a cat, anywhere it decides to lie down is its bed. They love enclosed places like drawers, shelves, and under furniture. |
| | If you do not want your cat to jump up on furniture, using a squirt bottle to 'zap' it any time it tries to can work as a deterrant, as can putting loops of tape sticky side out on the furniture. There are a host of tips and tricks available from your vet and online. NEVER do anything that will cause harm to the cat. |
| | If your cat likes to jump up on the stove, after you're done using a burner, leave a pot with some water on it on the hot burner to keep the cat from stepping on the burner (the water in the pan is to absorb heat transferred to the pot from the burner). |
| | Almost universally, cats love to be scratched behind the ears, on the cheeks and under the chin, and right at the base of the tail. |
| | Never try to pick up a cat who does not know you straight off. Allow it to sniff your hand and then try to pet it. If it allows you to pet it, do this for a while to allow it to become comfortable with you. If a cat does not want to be picked up, don't (unless there's a need to do so). If it does not want to be touched and/or tries to move away from you, let it go. |