I used to think cats were easier than dogs. Independent, self-cleaning, no walks needed. Wrong. Completely wrong.
After three years with Luna (British Shorthair) and Mochi (domestic shorthair), here are the mistakes I made and how I fixed them:
Mistake 1: One litter box for two cats
Golden rule: number of boxes = number of cats + 1. Cats are picky about cleanliness. Not enough boxes means they find alternatives — usually your favorite corner.
Mistake 2: Feeding dog food to cats
Cats are obligate carnivores and need taurine from animal tissue. Deficiency can cause blindness and heart failure. Luna’s eye issues after three months on the wrong food taught me this the hard way.
Mistake 3: Delaying spay/neuter
Mochi started calling at five months. Early sterilization (4–6 months) reduces stress and prevents reproductive cancers.
Mistake 4: Assuming cats don’t need playtime
Indoor cats without hunting outlets build energy → stress → destructive behavior. Fifteen minutes of daily play with a wand toy solves most issues.
Mistake 5: Ignoring water intake
Cats naturally drink little. Dry food plus low water intake = kidney stones. Use a fountain or add wet food to the diet.