New to Cats - Getting Your First Cat

Taking in a cat for the first time is a momentous event, and we would love to see your stories and photos. Read other First Cat stories, then use the form to share your own.See submissions

If you are thinking of getting your first cat, you should read first this list of Myths and Misconceptions About Cats.

Cat food is one of the most important expenses of feline guardianship, next to veterinary care. It is important also to note that proper diet can eliminate or delay veterinary expense for a number of serious medical conditions.

FAQ about cats - Is my apartment big enough for a cat? I'd like to get a cat for companionship, but I'm not sure if my place is big enough for a cat.

Just as you may need a TV, books, or a garden, for the quality of life you enjoy, so does your cat have certain needs. By providing him with the essentials, your relationship with your cat will grow, and kitty will truly feel "at home."

Guest Writer Kelly L. Henderson shares her experiences in learning to live with her very first cat. She says the experience has been both frustrating and rewarding, but never a dull moment.

Join me in following the efforts of a friend of mine who is trying to overcome his allergies to cats while wrestling with all the details of preparing to adopt one or two furkids. While you're there, feel free to post your comments.

So you think you might want to get a cat, and don't know where to start. You no doubt have dozens of questions running through your mind: "Should I get a male or a female, a kitten or an older cat?" "I'd really like a purebred (name your favorite breed), but maybe I should adopt a mixed breed instead." This tutorial helps answer those questions, as well as a few you haven't thought of.

The decision to adopt your first cat is a monumental one, both for you and for your new cat, which I hope will be a family member for life. Whether you are thinking about getting a cat, or have just adopted your first one, this tutorial has been designed to make your relationship with this special cat a lasting one. This is what we mean by the...

Before adopting a cat for the first time, do your homework to avoid these top mistakes made by new cat owners. By avoiding these mistakes, you and your cat will have a much better chance at a happy long-term relationship.

Introduction to Cat Care - Your New Cat. The same content as the online course, but delivered by email once a week. Subjects cover intelligent food choices, avoiding litter box problems, and claw management, to name a few. The class is also self-paced, so take as long as you need.

Caring for a cat or kitten is a big responsibility--make sure you're ready for this commitment before making that decision.

A reader is interested in getting her first cat and asks whether an adult cat or kitten is the best choice. Read my reply to this cat FAQ.

Make it easy on both family and your new companion by doing a little judicious house-proofing.

Plan ahead so you won't have to make rush trips for necessary supplies on the big day.

Cats are basically pretty well-behaved critters, and rarely "act out" unless there is a problem. Learn how to analyze "behavioral problems," and the appropriate ways of countering them.

You may have concerns about your furniture, drapes, and carpet, but proper claw management will ensure your cat gets the scratching exercise he needs for strong muscle tone and supple limbs, and save your furniture at the same time.

Now that your new cat is home, here are the essentials you'll need to bond him into your family, and enjoy his company for many, many years.

It's amazing how many people who formerly preferred dogs, or just plain didn't like cats, became 'accidental cat parents.' Cats have a way of tiptoeing into your heart when you least expect it. Perhaps a cat appeared outside your door on a rainy night. Or you went to an animal shelter to adopt a dog, and a paw reached out of a cage to grab your sleeve as you passed by the cats' area. Did a child come home one day with a cat, pleading "Please, can we keep her?" Share your own story here. See submissions

The first cat I can remember was a Manx mix gray tabby, predictably named Bobby. I was about 12, and found Bobby as a kitten while walking home from school. We had no pets, and my step-father, Bud, who was from Texas, was vehemently a "dawg" man, and held no accounting for cats. I don't remember the details, but somehow my mom and I convinced Bud to let Bobby become our pet.