The day has finally come where I’ve gone full blown cat lady. I recently got a kitten about three months ago, and y’all, I was nervous. I had no idea what to expect, since I had only grown up with dogs. I spend countless hours watching Jackson Galaxy videos on what to do. I messaged friends that loved cats if she did anything out of the ordinary. And, I’m sure many people have felt this way. So, if you’re planning on getting a cat and have no idea what the hell to do; I got you. The goal of this is to make the new cat experience easy and flawless.

1. Do not declaw your cat.

     I cannot stress this enough. Declawing isn’t just clipping your cat’s nails, it’s literally taking off a bone. Long story short, it’s an amputation which can cause a great deal of pain for your cat. Either learn to trim your cats nails with a cat clipper or have your vet do it at least once a month. The easiest way to trim your cat’s nails is to get it used to you touching their paw. I always do mine when she’s half a sleep and purring.

2.) Invest in at least two or more scratching posts and plenty of toys.

     People can’t believe when I tell them that my cat hardly scratches on the furniture. Why? Because the minute the rescue dropped her off, I got scratching posts. They don’t have to be expensive and stores like PetSmart usually have them on sale. If you find that your new fur baby is messing with the furniture, simply redirect it to the scratching post. The same goes for toys. I found that cats tend to be more destructive when they’re bored, so toys are a must. Fishing toys are great as are interactive mouse toys. I’ve even downloaded cat apps on my iPad and phone to entertain her while I’m doing work… don’t judge me. And try not to reprimand, they don’t respond to discipline the way dogs do.

3.) Do not introduce them to your dogs immediately.

     This was the biggest thing that freaked me out. How would my dogs react? One of them is sixty pounds, would she hurt her if they played too rough? Every website I checked said it could take up to a month for the animals to get used to each other. It took mine two weeks. The key is a slow introduction. Have your new cat walk around freely while your dog is in the cage. And of course, always keep it supervised. Now? They’re obsessed with each other.

4.) Grooming.

     Oh my God the hair. My life has now turned into my face itching because a thin piece of cat hair somehow stuck to my makeup. A lot of cats don’t like being brushed, but just like with nail clippings, you have to do it on their terms. Go to any pet supply store (or a Marshall’s/ T.J.Maxx) and you’ll be sure to find a mitt with bristles attached. Put the mitt one when your cat comes to you for attention and simply pet it. They won’t even realize they’re being groomed. Your house and vacuum will thank you.

5.) Be prepared for a lot of love.

     There is a common misconception that cats aren’t as lovey as dogs. This has not been the case for me. My cat needs to be everywhere you are. She’ll spend time by herself for a few minutes, but it won’t be long until I hear her running up the stairs. She’s basically the cat I would use as an example to prove cat haters wrong.

     Adopting my cat was the best decision I could have made, and she’s brought us so much joy. As always, consider adopting (especially senior cats) before getting a cat from a breeder, as there are countless in shelters looking for a home. I’ve found that rescued animals know when you save them. And most importantly, don’t get a cat if you feel that they’re easier and more independent than a dog. To me, they’re more work. Do not get a cat or any animal for that matter if you’re not going to put in the time and the effort to train them.