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.
Explore Getting Started
![Black, brown and white dog laying on bed cover next to brown and black cat](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/1JfWo9jr-uTEfopwGtOlL6YLWF8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/reasons-dogs-are-better-than-cats-hero-586c4c603dd440f2b2acaa5af65ff09c.jpg)
10 Reasons Dogs Are Better Than Cats
![Gray and black cat being brushed with dematting comb](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/wnRmf-Q-Zi8EgmxWrcyTxkV3zIY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-de-mat-a-cat-552043-hero-5b73bb2c3cf44a52b2f6527f9478a4f2.jpg)
How to Painlessly Get Mats Out of Cat Fur
![Tan short-haired cat sitting next to box of tissues](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/QwzTkLMyqBCU_N-SvBHamEZrvwk=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/controlling-cat-allergies-553869-hero-35fd7b86d7784384a3ffd82508a23265.jpg)
How to Have a Cat If You Have Cat Allergies
![illustration of checklist for first cat](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/gR9ZEG4BZBwuFAPghp6Cy6Icpjc=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/your-first-cat-tutorial-555305_v1-5bd3696046e0fb0051c86410.png)
Everything You Need to Know About Raising Your First Cat
![Tan and white polydactal cat lying on brown surface](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/UVskuPcKaWHUfQM0oSevnffo09g=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/polydactyl-cats-4175908-hero-e7b73c479b284a2b9f322d116a320204.jpg)
7 Amazing Facts About Polydactyl Cats
![Gray and white cat sitting in front of open windows](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/KltLp94rkGFP2P8bfApvfTyiU5o=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/top-things-cats-like-554309-hero-427bbf4a4d77472b88cedf37f7c3f61e.jpg)
8 Things Your Cat Loves
![Photo of Ragdoll Cat Casper](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/ZJwitaupTqu1Q_Et8v6ii3i3RQE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-RagdollCatCasper5137x3424-577ef1195f9b5831b59cc053.jpg)
Why Does My Cat Stink?
![Portrait Of Cat Sitting Outdoors](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/el82wrdjYGZnVT0bYTKl7EiZHkg=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/portrait-of-cat-sitting-outdoors-733523681-5c4fb03f46e0fb0001dde120.jpg)
10 Ways to Find Your Lost Cat
![cat in the bathtub](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/d15wUewAAKLgx3U_LyYk7-GqBjI=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-142108951-ae261beb0c5f4afc87807c79a8538e61.jpg)
How to Bathe Your Kitten or Adult Cat
![black cat](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/KR4MoqPXNGoA_Pw5yRoMeTasBY0=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-is-a-cats-age-determined-554296-01-52252e4c987b4655a4bf14394757e54e.jpg)
How to Determine Your Cat's Age
![Illustration of a DIY cat tree plan](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/6jrVqYh4rtSDU1j7RUf_bnPVV_c=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7-free-cat-tree-plans-1357112-3a1e18060d254bd4acc8a7faf7c2c170.png)
8 Free DIY Cat Tree Plans
![grey cat looking out toward the sun](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/XcE-hWc_EJb5cL5sAwooIu-FdH4=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-845712502-9c14d149753046ea97ae2e2d74b5d746.jpg)
The Costs of Responsible Cat Ownership
![Cat food materials, bedding, toys and crate organized on wooden floor](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/ODBc5nCmZ3MmNW-UiXDP6vcnGtE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/shopping-list-for-your-new-cat-552019-hero-630022c02209485396d4fd3977dd1e6b.jpg)
Shopping List for Your New Cat
![Gray and white cat in front of scratching pole and household items](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/AHB4S8g8-R-k6UGNKXc6m7QOsBo=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-keep-your-house-clean-with-pets-4685306-hero-95911bf0fe48482784a61d1e84b304cc.jpg)
How to Keep Your House Clean With Indoor Pets
![Cat between owner's feet looks up at camera](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/4ywsbinUeplEerHFx0aqVvJ0zro=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cat-between-owner-s-feet-looks-up-at-camera-961582446-e769aa4de4df4ba0a485310213f06fea.jpg)
Top 5 Reasons Some People Just Don’t Like Cats
![where cats like to be pet](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Ekj7Oro7AJHuQw8Uxb7WnZlnZsM=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hand-of-man-stroking-tabby-cat-673115623-babcf2be9ddd49d6878b1fa08a41a422.jpg)
7 Places Where Cats Like to Be Pet
![cat claws](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Vwnx61WRLaR_wlL6ldweyjCVwmY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Stocksy_txp0236e522vao100_Medium_672532-5a673db9d163330036021c3b.jpg)
How to Manage Your Cat's Claws
![Brown striped cat playing with toy](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/0H9IDEB_VcnFMydcXXmc3IgQJfs=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-show-cats-love-554090-hero-deb0a337721b48eeb096fd26b24ff839.jpg)
Top 10 Ways to Show Your Cats You Love Them
![Angora cat](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/KW4tiGBuLPx0GHW6VKnGt-HedQQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-549096065-59b442ae685fbe00118ed887.jpg)
What Is the Difference Between Cat Hair and Fur?
![Photo of Ragdoll Cat Casper](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/ZJwitaupTqu1Q_Et8v6ii3i3RQE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-RagdollCatCasper5137x3424-577ef1195f9b5831b59cc053.jpg)
How Old Is Your Cat in Human Years?
![Black and tan kittens standing on cushioned seat next to houseplants](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/V75gTDGoUtrTrNiOdpv_qpOq1j8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/kitten-proof-your-home-552283-hero-3afb7901791e42459363a4c921426703.jpg)
How to Kitten-Proof Your Home
![cat birthday](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/3ylB0SkXjJZUgKGflLL16FByhJw=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/25024576_964146167083404_3861086710460841984_n-5a723f6f1d640400375221dd.jpg)
8 Fun Ways to Celebrate Your Cat's Birthday
![10 Dog-Friendly Ideas for Apartment Balconies](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/8PqEV67yeglWhwR87gFdEzGK8sg=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-543221175-57c4f0cc3df78cc16eff8211.jpg)
10 Dog-Friendly Ideas for Apartment Balconies
![Person and cats lounging on couch](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/F-imW9o8kWOoVAdCaLliiHSDQgI=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/low-section-of-woman-with-cats-at-home-597181673-597659c1845b34001181a2a5.jpg)
What Is Cat Dander?
![cat playing with owners hair](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Yx47BEJYhf38qVIFHz4t-xF2glY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-585550386-59a065ba845b340011fbf3bf.jpg)
Why Do Some Cats Groom Their Owner's Hair?
![Flame point cat playing with a pink catnip mouse toy in the grass](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/zpBN5MooeVUEMfehw2a0UXjuCvw=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/WhyDoCatsLikeCatnip-e9fe7ce5139e4b498485b2d786adff30.jpg)
Why Do Cats Like Catnip?
![Older cat and kitten on gray sofa](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/nubzynOSqcqKa6y6tt9DuTOrMTs=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-923760914-5acfcc0918ba01003727099c.jpg)
How Old Is My Cat in Human Years?
![A cat and a child sleeping in a car](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Hg5uMFKrkC4NcbAVi-KxEBFZQaE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cat-sleeping-in-car-57b72c773df78c876384715f.jpg)
8 Tips to Help Cats Enjoy Car Travel
![6.5 week old kitten is alert and active](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/YTYfATwmvhGeyJuUwI_OzPv67Uk=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/185939148-56a111b03df78cafdaa914ed.jpg)
Convert Your Cat's Age to Human Years
![A cat sitting on a cat tree and looking into the camera.](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/lfc25-Wc0lPdbImgnnqJaZhJGz8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-10411840741-311593c35fc74c35aa91bdeb47e86a45.jpg)
10 Amazing Cat Trees You Have to See
![Brown striped cat eating birthday cake with candle](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/tLmbK7nM464o6ILUg0BaMOKANqw=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cat-birthday-cake-5184012-hero-ae20d693ff824e28900fb8e30c37a2cb.jpg)
How to Make a Special Cake for Your Cat's Birthday
![White cat without collar sitting on bench outside.](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/olhn_66LWMpZ1-gHqscPel0jDyY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-477238849-9b58e838116d4bdcadc217e4d3d539d2.jpg)
What to Do if You Found a Lost Cat
![Cat lying on owner](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/xVS0PVIwbWXtyUjg0XDfNdWYV3E=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Westend61-f54cd6869644487796a05a684febf1f1.jpg)
Purrternity Leave: Welcoming a New Cat into Your Home
![Cat getting nails trimmed](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/XMgE0XA4Ky12R8BYcuJO7tP5yms=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/a-nail-cut-cat-638345300-5b2fe182119fa800366fcaa9.jpg)
How to Trim Your Cat's Nails
![Christmas cat](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Z3RYSCUWKJipdEi8tMLPYw7qcsc=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cats-who-love-christmas-4153572-hero-d410e427d04342c7bbe367f7a9706b32.jpg)
13 Cats Who Love Christmas
![Dogs and Cats in Travel Bags](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Xb4jJLaew5xY_xcZMES8ZNT_n1Y=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TheBestPetBoardingServicesof2022-61e6c8afe7244e14abf69e8ca065c309.jpg)
The Best Pet Boarding Services of 2023
![Kitten nibbling on shoe](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/yeH81X3cSi9qgsoERAbsAvIxad4=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/kittenandshoe-GettyImages-532112084-40dbe91379b74c2bad654faf6292f505.jpeg)
Why Do Cats Like Shoes?
![Cat in apartment](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/1BTuqCVC3d8accSn61hGIczjvTU=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Stocksy_txpf0bd8085tPW100_Medium_1351647-59317e975f9b589eb4686c84.jpg)
Is Your Apartment Big Enough for a Cat?
![The Best Animal Charities You Should Know About](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/bTPYDryv5aBP5PuXH9dUhFYdVLc=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/polar-bear-on-melting-ice--svalbard--norway-534966902-90c4c2ba308d4c148efe4fef770d3cce.jpg)
The Best Animal Charities You Should Know About
![maine coon kitten on scratching post](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/WQCDRD1kQe0Yk3ALYj7bXoTM8xc=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/maine-coon-kitten-on-scratching-post-1085283872-6a3f9172048c45f8989dee24e1943614.jpg)
Top Reasons to Keep Cats Indoors
![Playful kitty Cat](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Kn0hxf3uuHZ3vobX0QD5Xa8hXoo=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/playful-kitty-cat-160515715-5c3b911346e0fb0001b27f46.jpg)
Explore the Sources of Your Cat's Personality
![Woman with pet carrier](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/gDL2L2tWCNVG6rYxWYxFjvwxbIM=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/woman-with-pet-carrier-157638031-5c3b6bb7c9e77c000101b68a.jpg)
How to Take a Car Trip With Your Cat
![Tabby cat's face with yellow eyes closeup](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/2ocdudSHs2K_2EZ8gzB0W5TFHI0=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/guide-to-cat-eyes-552114-hero-75d820458de24543a35543a584b9eec6.jpg)
Cats and Their Very Unique Eyes
![Brown and black cat sitting on perch tree while being petted](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/5MT2QTHr3YD62lueLPcHZdUpWDo=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-find-a-cat-sitter-4687507-hero-f1096fc3396b4d20bd0fd25b4e3219f0.jpg)
How to Find a Cat Sitter
![Cat walking across grass outside; feral cat vs stray cat](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/5DKKe3ux-AOHDdvjEvz7egxPKsE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CatOutdoor-135259e2262340c3a924dfac9ca4b3fa.jpg)
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](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/8y-QKY0h0w6vmFR8i3IZT2dmMQc=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cleaning-stinky-kitty-accidents-552061-hero-c33b0554900548b5822977cf176d8787.jpg)
Tips for Cleaning Cat Messes and Accidents
![A cat lounging on top of a high dresser](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/aTtuv9YN7GlStDUeODS3sn_bwbw=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/why-cats-like-high-places-4773676-hero-6014db8a320040c69ad494289b56c6bc.jpg)
Why Do Cats Like High Places?
![kitten in grass](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/yQf5cP-lzgZx8APH4ANjdvJwVUE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/kitten-in-gras-187787036-584347c43df78c02300cd259.jpg)
Should You Allow Your Indoor Cat to Go Outside?
![Vaccination Timeline for the Average Adult Cat](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/_IkT9A2Tyu9ymUiWG8Ztuk39tiw=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/adult-cat-vaccination-schedule-4846632_V2-31ce9ac5ef8141e3a7f4cf2b2886eeca.jpg)
The Average Adult Cat Vaccination Schedule
![Black cat getting teeth brushed with wooden finger toothbrush](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/6cT2aRgJE3IterVmXFtLim5R4lU=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/brush-your-cats-teeth-4778262-hero-9b2c8ee454904454a195642ceaa5454e.jpg)
How to Brush Your Cat's Teeth
![British shorthair cat wearing a funny costume](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/gU6K5eJcxpfUo4ZUspkVjhaxqLU=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/british-shorthair-cat-wearing-a-funny-costume-962803078-a11577f5e7d54c49a123facf45e1672b.jpg)
15 Purrfect DIY Halloween Costumes for Your Cat
![portrait of senior woman and golden retriever dog](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/iNZmdufOwZ9D_kmqB7XncvtDzdM=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Stocksy_txp2500ecc17h6200_Medium_658344-5bbb620046e0fb0051830ac0.jpg)
The Best Pets for Seniors
![Microchip Pet Scan](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Om-aW9KwmwE7y8u5kPAFleIaKEs=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-ScannedDog1-ad8635b32b2c429cbece9887784baeba.jpg)
Do Microchips Cause Cancer in Pets?
![Cat with toy](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/AxoD7XdGB_LDs9Mzqwfu_bPOoow=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/playing-kitten-467517301-57d965155f9b584c16a28994.jpg)
Why Won't Your Adult Cat Play?
![Cat claws in a scratching post](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/-j4ewCjXbyb_S_urWfvti4uiGoY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cat-claws-in-a-scratching-post-496775924-e9e0a86048a54efab0f3c7cceb8ac34e.jpg)
Top Reasons Not to Declaw Your Cat
![White cat smelling a bouquet of flowers](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/H94A7vxlRUrrOuaEupjScQ2PoRQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/white-cat-smelling-a-bouquet-of-flowers-163394308-5c47dee846e0fb0001c22930.jpg)
Any Cat's Sense of Smell Is Used for All Aspects of Survival
![cat](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/U9M-mmZ4Ccum-KsaAyARbGbNgRM=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2017-11-23at8.02.46PM-5a176fd813f1290038658a2b.png)
11 Things Only Cat Owners Understand
![cat sitting in basket](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/1oTt428kw9DxVeROnJvh3CtjP_0=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/31286200_836152419903534_1369303820995133440_n-5af1ef91a9d4f9003749de73.jpg)
If I Fits, I Sits: 10 Cats Who Squeezed Themselves Into Tiny Spaces
![Black and White Cat](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/HTLYK1cGFBtNE-3gyHML8zD6ZwQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1202917792-a3e07d0c752e4282a133214228a64932.jpg)
100+ Names for Black-and-White Cats
![Siamese kitten](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Gj08aH8tHz6YpzzTyoJxnlYc2t4=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-987232298-07222e95659147ebb4ff3bd822a31420.jpg)
95 Siamese Cat Names