Some honest, helpful things you should know before owning a cat 🐾 1.

Some honest, helpful things you should know before owning a cat
1. Cats are independent, not low-maintenance. They need daily care, play, mental stimulation, and affection just on their terms.
2. Vet care is non-negotiable. Vaccines, spay/neuter, emergencies and aging care can be costly and long-term.
Cat parents, what would you add. Drop your best tips, lessons learned or things you wish you knew before getting a cat.
#cats #catlovers #cat #caturday #CatsOfMastodon

Some honest, helpful things you should know before owning a cat
1. Cats are independent, not low-maintenance. They need daily care, play, mental stimulation, and affection just on their terms.
2. Vet care is non-negotiable. Vaccines, spay/neuter, emergencies and aging care can be costly and long-term.
Cat parents, what would you add. Drop your best tips, lessons learned or things you wish you knew before getting a cat.
#cats #catlovers #cat #caturday #CatsOfMastodon

Some honest, helpful things you should know before owning a cat
1. Cats are independent, not low-maintenance. They need daily care, play, mental stimulation, and affection just on their terms.
2. Vet care is non-negotiable. Vaccines, spay/neuter, emergencies and aging care can be costly and long-term.
Cat parents, what would you add. Drop your best tips, lessons learned or things you wish you knew before getting a cat.
#cats #catlovers #cat #caturday #CatsOfMastodon

Some honest, helpful things you should know before owning a cat
1. Cats are independent, not low-maintenance. They need daily care, play, mental stimulation, and affection just on their terms.
2. Vet care is non-negotiable. Vaccines, spay/neuter, emergencies and aging care can be costly and long-term.
Cat parents, what would you add. Drop your best tips, lessons learned or things you wish you knew before getting a cat.
#cats #catlovers #cat #caturday #CatsOfMastodon

Some honest, helpful things you should know before owning a cat
1. Cats are independent, not low-maintenance. They need daily care, play, mental stimulation, and affection just on their terms.
2. Vet care is non-negotiable. Vaccines, spay/neuter, emergencies and aging care can be costly and long-term.
Cat parents, what would you add. Drop your best tips, lessons learned or things you wish you knew before getting a cat.
#cats #catlovers #cat #caturday #CatsOfMastodon

Some honest, helpful things you should know before owning a cat
1. Cats are independent, not low-maintenance. They need daily care, play, mental stimulation, and affection just on their terms.
2. Vet care is non-negotiable. Vaccines, spay/neuter, emergencies and aging care can be costly and long-term.
Cat parents, what would you add. Drop your best tips, lessons learned or things you wish you knew before getting a cat.
#cats #catlovers #cat #caturday #CatsOfMastodon

@Annacats that whatever vets write down on their notes becomes a pre-existing condition, whether they've been tested for it or not. Always read your vets notes before agreeing/paying, never let them write anything down that they haven't qualified via a test or proof, because one day you could try to claim for a pets veterinary care and find out your vet has been writing down s*** on their notes for years that preclude you from any pet insurance support/payout whatsoever, challenge everything.

@Annacats last year my vet tried to blame a neurological issue on a pre-existing kidney problem, I asked them what tests they had done to evidence this and he said oh it's just what I believed has happened based on the results, none of the tests have backed this theory up, that little piss take could have cost me £8,000, I told him in no uncertain terms if he ever makes an assumption or fills out an opinion ever again I will personally have him investigated for fraud...

Some honest, helpful things you should know before owning a cat
1. Cats are independent, not low-maintenance. They need daily care, play, mental stimulation, and affection just on their terms.
2. Vet care is non-negotiable. Vaccines, spay/neuter, emergencies and aging care can be costly and long-term.
Cat parents, what would you add. Drop your best tips, lessons learned or things you wish you knew before getting a cat.
#cats #catlovers #cat #caturday #CatsOfMastodon

Some honest, helpful things you should know before owning a cat
1. Cats are independent, not low-maintenance. They need daily care, play, mental stimulation, and affection just on their terms.
2. Vet care is non-negotiable. Vaccines, spay/neuter, emergencies and aging care can be costly and long-term.
Cat parents, what would you add. Drop your best tips, lessons learned or things you wish you knew before getting a cat.
#cats #catlovers #cat #caturday #CatsOfMastodon

Some honest, helpful things you should know before owning a cat
1. Cats are independent, not low-maintenance. They need daily care, play, mental stimulation, and affection just on their terms.
2. Vet care is non-negotiable. Vaccines, spay/neuter, emergencies and aging care can be costly and long-term.
Cat parents, what would you add. Drop your best tips, lessons learned or things you wish you knew before getting a cat.
#cats #catlovers #cat #caturday #CatsOfMastodon

@Annacats

Their nails need trimming. Get a propper cat nail clipper and learn how to do it for them. Save your furniture and your skin. They often learn to appreciate not getting stuck on everything.

Most cats also adore being brushed with a rubber grooming brush. It's good for them and saves you a lot of shed hair as well.

Never use negative reinforcement like yelling, brooms, or spray bottles to train your cats. Instead, be gentle, kind, caring, and relentless. Don't want your cats on the dinner table? Tell them in a clear voice that they must get down as you walk over and lift them down EVERY TIME. They'll get the message eventually and you won't damage your relationship with them. Removing temptations where you can helps a lot.

Lean to speak cat. It's mostly body language. It's comforting and builds trust and understanding, both ways.

@xmacdonald @Annacats omg my cats LOVE being brushed! Instant purrs every time!

@Annacats
They really like company

@Annacats
1. Keep water bowl separate from food by a bit of distance (multiple water bowls in different places is also great). Cats instinctually don't want to drink water near what they eat. As carnivores, water near a dead animal could be contaminated.
2. Have +1 litter boxes for the number of cats you have, if possible (e.g. 2 cats, 3 boxes)

@Annacats Forget about having nice stuff which isn't full of holes and scratches. Either don't have a cat, or put it all away for as long as you do.

Don't make the mistake of thinking the cat will only live into their teens. Many cats live into their 20s, some their 30s. They will be friends for a biig chunk of your life.
If you're aging yourself, make plans for their succession early as they may outlive you.

@Annacats get an older cat, adopt or rehomed, or kittens from a foster home that knows cats. Some cats thrive in busy homes and others really need quiet. Get a cat who fits in your situation. You will both be much happier for it.

@Annacats Cats aren’t aloof, grumpy animals. With rare exceptions they are friendly and talkative and seek out your touch and desire to be close to you.

@Annacats that whatever vets write down on their notes becomes a pre-existing condition, whether they've been tested for it or not. Always read your vets notes before agreeing/paying, never let them write anything down that they haven't qualified via a test or proof, because one day you could try to claim for a pets veterinary care and find out your vet has been writing down s*** on their notes for years that preclude you from any pet insurance support/payout whatsoever, challenge everything.