Caring for Cats and Kittens: What Every Cat Owner Should Know
Cats make affectionate and playful pets, but it's important to understand their needs before welcoming one into your home.
This guide will walk you through important cat facts to help you get to know these amazing animals better and provide essential care tips for keeping your kitten or cat healthy and happy.
Cat Fact File
No two cats are the same, but understanding their biology and behavior can help you care for your cat more confidently. Here are 10 must-know cat facts:
1. Cats Have Highly Developed Senses
Cats can detect higher frequencies of sound than both dogs and humans. They also have an excellent sense of smell, and their night vision is significantly better than ours.
2. Cats Are Expert Hunters
Cats often spend 6–8 hours a day hunting in the wild. They can hear the high-pitched sounds made by small rodents, and their whiskers (vibrissae) are incredibly sensitive to vibrations, helping them detect nearby prey.
3. Cats Are Agile
With powerful muscles and fast reflexes, cats are naturally agile. They’re skilled at running, climbing, jumping, and stalking — all with grace and precision.
4. Cats Communicate in Many Ways
Cats use vocalizations like purrs, meows, trills, chirrups, growls, yowls, and hisses. They also communicate through body language, scratching, and by leaving scent markers like urine or feces.
5. Cats Are Independent
Cats are known for their self-reliance. They often groom, find shelter, and defend territory alone. While cats can be social, they usually prefer to choose their own companions.
6. Cats Are Territorial
Cats defend their territory from intruders and mark it using scratching, urine spraying, and feces deposits. If your cat goes outdoors, it’s important to help keep them safe in their environment.
7. Cats Are Meat Eaters
Cats require animal-based nutrients and cannot survive without them. A meat-based diet is essential for their overall health.
8. Cats Love Cat Naps
Cats typically sleep 12–18 hours per day. Sleep is important for energy restoration, especially for animals that rely on alertness to hunt.
9. Cats Are Playful
Play helps cats develop motor skills, mental sharpness, and social behavior. It's also a great way to bond with your cat. Provide toys and playtime for both physical and mental stimulation.
10. Cats Are Clean Animals
Cats groom themselves using tiny hooks on their tongues. This grooming helps maintain a clean coat and also removes fleas and parasites.
Cat Care Tips & Daily Advice
Thinking of getting a cat? Here are some essentials to keep in mind for their daily care:
- Cats need space to be active
- They thrive on regular interaction with people or other animals
- Avoid leaving cats alone for long periods
- Provide clean, fresh water at all times
- Feed a meat-based cat food
- Groom regularly (especially long-haired breeds)
- Provide private access to a clean litter tray, ideally replaced once a week
More to Know
From understanding behavior to neutering advice and kitten care tips for those first weeks and months, having the right knowledge makes a huge difference in how your cat thrives at home.
