How to Take Care of a Cat: What Every Owner Should Know

Learning how to take care of a cat properly is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a pet owner — and one that most people approach with far less preparation than the responsibility deserves. Cats are often assumed to be low-maintenance, independent animals that largely take care of themselves. While it’s true that cats are more self-sufficient than dogs, they have specific physical, nutritional, and psychological needs that, when unmet, lead to serious and sometimes irreversible health problems. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to take care of a cat — from the first day home through to senior years — so your cat lives a long, comfortable, and genuinely happy life.

Before You Bring a Cat Home

How to take care of a cat begins before they arrive. Setting up the right environment from day one makes an enormous difference to how quickly your cat settles, how confident they become, and how healthy they remain throughout their life.

What You Need Before Day One

Before bringing your cat home, cat-proof the space. Check for toxic houseplants — lilies are extremely dangerous to cats and must be removed entirely. Secure loose cables, check for gaps behind appliances, and ensure windows have secure screens. The first 48–72 hours should be quiet, calm, and confined to one room while your cat adjusts at their own pace.

How to Feed Your Cat Properly

Nutrition is the foundation of how to take care of a cat. What you feed your cat determines the health of every organ in their body, the quality of their coat, their energy levels, and their long-term lifespan. Cats are obligate carnivores — they have evolved to eat meat and only meat, and their nutritional requirements reflect this completely.

Wet Food vs Dry Food

This is the single most impactful dietary decision you will make for your cat. Cats have a naturally low thirst drive because their wild ancestors obtained most of their hydration from prey. A cat eating exclusively dry food is in a state of chronic mild dehydration — a direct contributor to kidney disease, urinary crystals, and bladder problems, which are among the most common serious health conditions in cats.

Wet food contains 70–80% moisture — close to the natural prey diet. Dry food contains around 10%. Feeding wet food, or a combination of wet and dry, is one of the most straightforward improvements most cat owners can make to their cat’s long-term health. If your cat currently eats only dry food, transitioning gradually to wet food over 2–3 weeks is strongly recommended.

How Much and How Often to Feed

Adult cats do best with two meals per day at consistent times. Free-feeding dry food — leaving a bowl out all day — is one of the leading causes of feline obesity, which significantly increases the risk of diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Measure portions according to the food packaging guidelines, adjusted for your cat’s ideal bodyweight rather than their current weight if they are overweight.

Foods That Are Toxic to Cats

• Onion, garlic, leeks, and chives — In any form including powder. Cause red blood cell damage and anaemia. Even small amounts are dangerous.
• Grapes and raisins — Cause acute kidney failure in cats. Even a small quantity can be fatal.
• Chocolate and caffeine — Contain theobromine and caffeine — both toxic to cats. Can cause seizures, heart arrhythmias, and death.
• Xylitol — An artificial sweetener found in many human foods, chewing gum, and dental products. Highly toxic to cats even in tiny quantities.
• Alcohol — Even small amounts cause severe neurological and liver damage in cats.
• Raw dough with yeast — Expands in the stomach and produces alcohol as it ferments. Can cause life-threatening bloating and alcohol toxicity simultaneously.
• Lilies — Not a food, but extremely important: all parts of true lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) are fatally toxic to cats. Even the pollen is enough to cause acute kidney failure.

Water and Hydration

Hydration is one of the most overlooked aspects of how to take care of a cat — and one of the most consequential. Chronic dehydration in cats is directly linked to kidney disease, the most common serious illness in cats over 7 years old. Here’s how to maximise your cat’s water intake:

• Provide fresh water in multiple locations around the home — cats prefer variety and some refuse to drink from the same spot consistently.
• Use ceramic or stainless steel water bowls — many cats refuse water from plastic bowls due to taste contamination from the material.
• Keep water sources well away from the food bowl — cats instinctively avoid water near their prey (food) as it may be contaminated.
• Consider a cat water fountain — moving water is more appealing to cats than still water, and many cats that barely drink from a bowl will drink readily from a fountain. This single change can meaningfully increase daily water intake.
• Change the water at least once daily — cats are highly sensitive to water freshness and will reduce intake if the water has been sitting too long.
• Add a small amount of low-sodium tuna water or chicken broth to the water bowl occasionally — many cats find flavoured water more appealing, which increases intake.

Health Care — The Non-Negotiables

Understanding how to take care of a cat’s health means knowing which preventative measures are essential rather than optional. These are the health care steps that every responsible cat owner must commit to.

1. Register with a vet before you need one. Find a cat-friendly vet practice in your area and register as soon as you bring your cat home. Do not wait until your cat is ill — knowing your vet and having your cat’s records established makes every future interaction faster and less stressful.
2. Vaccinate on schedule. Core vaccinations protect against feline herpesvirus, calicivirus (cat flu), and panleukopenia — all serious and potentially fatal diseases. Outdoor cats additionally need protection against feline leukaemia virus (FeLV). Keep boosters up to date according to your vet’s recommendations.
3. Neuter or spay. Neutering is one of the most health-protective decisions you can make for your cat. In females, it almost eliminates mammary cancer risk (if done before the first season) and prevents life-threatening pyometra. In males, it eliminates testicular cancer and reduces fighting, roaming, and associated injury and infection risk.
4. Microchip your cat. Microchipping has been a legal requirement for all cats in England since June 2024. A microchip is the only permanent form of identification and the most reliable way to be reunited with a lost cat. Ensure your contact details on the microchip database are always kept up to date.
5. Maintain year-round parasite prevention. Fleas, ticks, roundworms, tapeworms, and lungworm are all common in UK cats. Use vet-recommended treatments consistently throughout the year — not just in summer. Flea infestations can establish in the home within weeks and are notoriously difficult to eradicate once established.
6. Annual vet check-ups — twice yearly from age 7. Cats age approximately 4 human years for every calendar year. An annual check-up for a cat is equivalent to a human visiting their doctor every 4 years. From age 7, six-monthly visits with blood and urine tests provide early detection of kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes — all of which are far more manageable when caught early.

Warning Signs That Need Immediate Attention

Because cats hide illness so effectively, knowing the warning signs that require prompt veterinary attention is an essential part of how to take care of a cat responsibly.

• Not urinating or straining without producing urine
• Open-mouth breathing or laboured breathing
• Complete refusal to eat for more than 24 hours
• Sudden hind limb weakness or paralysis
• Pale, white, blue, or yellow gums
• Collapse or extreme weakness
• Persistent vomiting — more than 3 times in 24 hours
• Visible trauma or suspected injury
• Sudden behavioural changes — hiding, aggression, confusion
• Seizures or loss of consciousness

Urethral blockage — the inability to urinate — is the most time-critical emergency in male cats. A blocked cat can die within 24–48 hours without treatment. If your male cat is visiting the litter tray repeatedly without producing urine, crying out, or licking his genital area obsessively, this is an emergency requiring immediate veterinary care — do not wait until morning.

Grooming — How to Take Care of a Cat’s Coat

Cats are meticulous self-groomers, but owner-assisted grooming is still an important part of cat care — particularly for long-haired breeds, older cats, and those prone to hairballs.

Brushing

Short-haired cats benefit from brushing once a week — it removes loose fur, reduces hairballs, distributes natural skin oils, and provides a bonding opportunity. Long-haired breeds like Persians, Maine Coons, and Ragdolls require daily brushing to prevent matting. Mats are not just cosmetic — they pull the skin painfully with every movement, cause skin infections underneath, and require professional grooming or sedated clipping to remove safely.

Nail Trimming

Cat nails should be trimmed every 3–4 weeks. Overgrown nails curl inward and grow into the paw pad — an extremely painful condition that requires veterinary treatment. Use cat-specific nail clippers and only trim the clear tip — avoid the pink quick (the blood vessel inside the nail). Introduce nail trimming gradually with positive reinforcement, starting from kittenhood where possible.

Managing Hairballs

Hairballs are a normal but manageable part of cat ownership. Regular brushing significantly reduces the amount of fur swallowed during self-grooming. For cats prone to frequent hairballs, a hairball-specific diet or lubricant supplement can help move fur through the digestive tract more efficiently. Frequent vomiting of hairballs — more than once per week — warrants a vet check as it can indicate a digestive issue rather than simple fur accumulation.

Understanding Cat Behaviour

A large part of how to take care of a cat is understanding what their behaviour is communicating. Cats communicate primarily through body language, vocalisation, and behaviour — and misreading these signals leads to stress for both cat and owner.

Normal Cat Behaviours

• Kneading — A comfort behaviour inherited from kittenhood. A cat that kneads on you is expressing deep contentment and security. It is never a problem behaviour.
• Head bunting and cheek rubbing — Your cat marking you with their scent glands as a member of their social group. A significant sign of trust and affection.
• Chattering at birds or squirrels — A natural predatory behaviour — the sound mimics the killing bite. Completely normal and harmless.
• Bringing “gifts” — Outdoor cats that bring dead or live animals home are demonstrating natural hunting instinct and social bonding behaviour. Do not punish this — redirect with more interactive indoor play instead.
• Slow blinking — A cat that slow-blinks at you is expressing comfort and trust. You can reciprocate — it’s one of the most effective ways to build rapport with a cat.

Behaviours That Signal a Problem

• Sudden aggression — Unprovoked aggression is often a sign of pain. A previously gentle cat that suddenly bites or scratches when touched in a specific area should be seen by a vet.
• Inappropriate elimination — Urinating or defecating outside the litter tray is almost never spite or bad behaviour. It signals either a medical problem (urinary disease, pain) or a litter tray issue (too dirty, wrong location, wrong litter type).
• Excessive grooming or hair loss — Can indicate allergies, parasites, pain in the groomed area, or psychological stress. Always investigate rather than dismiss.
• Hiding more than usual — One of the most reliable signs that a cat is unwell or in pain. If your cat is hiding in unusual places and not coming out for food or interaction, see a vet.

Environmental Enrichment — The Part Most Owners Miss

Environmental enrichment is one of the most underappreciated aspects of how to take care of a cat. Boredom and under-stimulation are direct causes of stress-related health conditions, destructive behaviour, and obesity in cats. A cat that is mentally and physically engaged is a healthier, calmer, and happier cat.

Supplements That Support Your Cat’s Health

Even on a high-quality diet, targeted supplementation can fill nutritional gaps, support organ function, and reduce the chronic inflammation underlying many common feline health conditions. Here are the most valuable supplements for everyday cat care:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA) — Reduce systemic inflammation, support kidney function, improve coat quality, and protect cardiovascular health. Cats cannot convert plant-based ALA into usable omega-3s — marine-source fish oil is essential. One of the most broadly beneficial daily supplements for any cat.
• Probiotics (cat-specific) — Support gut microbiome health, immune function, and digestive regularity. Particularly important after antibiotics, during illness, or for cats prone to digestive upset or stress-related conditions. Always use cat-specific strains — not human or dog formulas, which contain different bacterial species.
• Taurine — An essential amino acid cats cannot produce themselves. Required for heart function, vision, immune response, and reproduction. While complete commercial foods must contain taurine, bioavailability varies — supplementation provides a reliable safety net, particularly for cats on home-prepared diets.
• L-theanine and calming herbs — For anxious cats or those in stressful environments. L-theanine promotes calm without sedation. Stress is a primary driver of FLUTD, immune suppression, and over-grooming — reducing it has genuine health benefits beyond behaviour.
• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) — Supports cellular energy production in the heart, kidneys, and liver — the organs most vulnerable to age-related decline in cats. Levels drop significantly with age. Particularly valuable for cats over 7 years old as a preventative measure for heart and kidney health.

Your Complete Daily Cat Care Routine

Putting it all together — here is what a complete daily and weekly cat care routine looks like in practice:

• Every morning: Fresh water in all bowls. Morning meal at a consistent time. Quick visual check — eyes, coat, movement, behaviour. Any changes from normal deserve attention.
• Every evening: Evening meal at a consistent time. Two interactive play sessions — 10–15 minutes each. This is non-negotiable for indoor cats. End with a small treat to mimic the hunt-catch-eat sequence.
• Daily: Scoop the litter tray at least once — ideally twice. A dirty tray is one of the most common causes of inappropriate elimination and stress. Add a dental water additive to the water bowl.
• Weekly: Full litter tray clean. Brush short-haired cats. Visual check of ears, eyes, coat, and gums. Weigh your cat if monitoring their weight.
• Daily for long-haired breeds: Brushing — non-negotiable to prevent matting.
• Every 3–4 weeks: Nail trim. Parasite prevention treatment (per your vet’s recommended schedule).
• Every 6–12 months: Vet health check. Full dental examination. Blood and urine screening from age 7.

The Bottom Line

Knowing how to take care of a cat properly is the difference between an animal that merely survives and one that genuinely thrives. Cats need more than food and shelter — they need appropriate nutrition, preventative health care, mental stimulation, a safe and enriching environment, and an owner who knows the subtle signs that something is wrong.

The good news is that once you have the foundations right — diet, routine, vet care, and enrichment — maintaining a healthy, happy cat is genuinely straightforward. The time and attention you invest in getting these things right is repaid many times over in the form of a longer, healthier, more companionable life for your cat.

At MyHealthyPet, we stock only natural, quality products chosen because we’d trust them with our own animals. Browse our cat health supplement range or contact us if you need help finding the right products for your cat — we’re always happy to help.