Everything You Need for Your Cat | 10 Cat Essentials for New Guardians

I've just been aggressively adopted by an outdoor stray. He keeps trying to get into my house, so I can't help but be amazed at the timing of this video. I think this might be a sign.

I ran a half marathon in an ice storm. I got home so tired and cold I was in tears. I pulled off all of my wet clothes and curled up in a blanket and shivered so hard it hurt. I couldn’t stop shivering. But then, my brand new rescue cat who still didn’t 100% trust me jumped up and curled herself up behind my knees and purred until I was toasty warm and fell right to sleep. After a three hour nap she was still there - warm and purring. She will always be the cat that saved my life.

I was 27 years old when my Husband brought home a kitty for a present for me. I had no idea how to take care of a cat. I called my Mom in a panic. I think she laid it out real simple for me. She told me a cat has to eat just like you do, so you supply the food. It comes out the other end just like it does for you so you need to supply the toilet. Then just love it, and you will both teach each other as time goes on, pay attention. That got me by when there was no internet to refer to. We taught each other. I must have done something right because my first cat lived to be 20 years old. My second cat lived to be 22 years old. I am now on my 5th cat. 43 years of cats and counting. Yes, I am old now but have set things in place so that when I die she will not go to a shelter. They have taught me a lot in all those years, but the most important thing they taught me was love. I have cremated all of my cats when they died and had nice boxes made for them. When I die, I have asked my Granddaughter to place them in my coffin. I'm taking them with me. Laugh if you will but I love my cats. They are better than people for the most part. Until that day comes, they await my arrival at the rainbow bridge.

My late cat was a vertical scratcher, he had the door of our shed torn to bits so I nailed a fresh row of wooden planks to it every month or so and he'd get super excited every time fresh wood went on! His tail would go all fluffy when he'd rake his claws down it! He was such a good man, he never ever scratched the furniture in the house. I miss him so 😭

My cats and I have a bedtime routine every night. First, we play for 20 minutes or so. Then, we head upstairs to bed, for a brushing first, then some treats, then bedtime snuggles. My cats actually know where to go when I tell them it’s bedtime. And, they also get antsy when its a little later than normal and I am still downstairs. We’ve been doing this for almost three years, since the day I rescued them and brought them home. They are both special needs, so it took a while longer for them to warm up to me, but I kept at it, and now, three years later, it is our bedtime ritual. I think it has not only helped to reinforce the fact that I will never hurt them or leave them, and it has just brought us closer together overall. Plus, its the best part of my day every single day!

This is a great list. I once got a stray kitten as a gift in college. I didn't want a cat, but it had no place else to go. I was so poor, I could barely get anything for it. I used an old plastic bin as a litter box and went outside and got some dirt for it. Later on I found sand in various places for free. I put old newspapers on the bottom as a liner. We put an old board under a window using some shelf hangers. And put an old towel on that. He loved to sit there because it was over our steam heating. We eventually got a little harness to take our cat for a walk outside. Back then, this was considered very unusual. He wanted to go outside so badly, I just had to get him used to a leash. I just wanted to say that, even though cats should have all these things, they don't have to be new or expensive. You can even make a lot of these things. If you give a stray cat shelter, you are saving its life. Eventually, my cat went to a better home than I could give it.

My best advice to a new cat owner is don't assume your cat doesn't like a certain toy or thing you've bought them just because they don't play with it or seem interested in it within the first few weeks of adoption. My cat Venus was super loving and adjusted to our apartment within just a few hours after we adopted her, but she had zero interests in the toys we got her. She just want to be petted and cuddled. Then one day she just decided she liked the toys and wanted to play with them. I just kept showing them to her each day and tried playing with different things for about five minutes each so she didn't get bored or annoyed. You just have to give them time to adjust to everything and let them do things in their own time. Once they realize you are their human and this is their home and THEIR toys, they will start to come out of their shell more.

We have two dogs! And one day we opened our door to let them go outside and a freaking small black cat walked up the porch, came into our house, and went up on a shelf and started rolling around, got comfy and looked at us purring!!!!! She adopted us and know I have to figure out everything I can about loving this cute thing that stole our dog loving hearts! <3

me: has cats for years... volunteers at shelter with cats and kittens... read 2 of Jackson’s books. also me: enthusiastically watching this video.

We adopted two cats from Greece but we live in The Netherlands. Guys, adopt, don't shop! The warmth you get from adopted cats, wether it is in a shelter near your city or like us overseas is something you can't put into words. I love them both, I spoil them both and man, I get so much love back from them! Love my fur babies <3

My fiancé taped together a bunch of cardboard boxes and made short tunnels and look/ paw holes. It’s about 2 feet high at its tallest. Our kitten LOVES it! No need to spend lots of money for lots of fun 😻. Thanks for all you do for our kitties!

I adopted my boy last year. He has defo saved me as much as I him! He helped me through quarantine and gives me a reason to keep going each day ☺️

I really respect he has a good recommendation for kittens. I respect people who can say "You know what, I'm not the expert here, but I know exactly who you should know." And encouraging information to spread and helping out another channel is overall really great. Good job man

I was chosen lovingly by a beautiful brown tabby kitten at a rescue 2 weeks ago! It was on the 17th to be exact and your videos have helped me immensely. I’m a brand new cat daddy, as I mentioned, she picked me. Saw me, stretched her tiny pay through the bars and began these long adorable meows at me. I couldn’t resist and 2 hours later a trip to a pet store with a friend found me bringing home the most beautiful little soul. She is so sweet and loving and we’re so fortunate to have people like you who kindly show us how to be better parents. Thanks so much for all you give!

im a child, not overly experienced- but i have volunteered at shelters, and have several cats! and what i found out is some cats (not all. some dont care) like their food dishes a bit more shallow, so their whiskers dont bend when they try and eat.

I automatically adore this man and what he does i came across stuff about him on tumblr a million years ago and what he does is so important. Im so glad we are turning this generation to respect their pets. I'm not treating my pet as a kid specifically I'm treating it as a LIVING THING with a consciousness and FEELINGS

Me, a 23 year old with 4 cats, who's only been without cats for like 4 years of my life: watches intently

This is a great checklist. I think cats have different personalities, just like humans have different personalities. As a blind person I personally like the backpack style cat carriers. Because when you’re blind you already have one hand tied up with your cane or guide dog so having that backpack carrier can really free up your hands. I also think a collar with a bell is a great idea so you can hear where they are. Especially with kittens because they have a way of getting into everything.

Watching this made me realize just how un-picky my cat is, he'll eat anything, scratch on any pad I get him, he'll play with anything and he doesn't care at all about his litter box, he'll go in any box I get him scent or not, cover or not, liner or not. He's never scratched where he isn't supposed to from day one, nor has he ever gone outside the litter box, has never been violent or scratched ever. He's got a bin of toys, but his favourite is literally a ball I got from the dollar store and he just plays fetch all day with it. I didn't even know half this stuff existed until I watched this, he's so chill that I've never really had to worry about any of this lmao

I just found a 6 week old cat in a trash can on a really warm day. He barely meowd, but I picked him up, and brought him home. I put down some water and he immediately started drinking. I took him to the vet, cheked his health, thaks God it was OK . I've never been a cat person, but after I saved his life, he was such a cutie. So we fall in love with each other. Now, he learned how to sit, stay and if I call him, he come. He is very clever and I would do anything for him. Thanks for your videos, they helped a lot at the beggining!