Cat care sheet
Independent, territorial, and quietly demanding about their setup. This is the complete cat care guide: housing, feeding, cleaning, routine, handling, life stages and the setup checklist.
On this page
Quick facts
- Typical lifespan
- 12–18 years (indoor cats)
- Adult size
- 6–20 lb depending on breed
- Litter boxes
- One per cat, plus one extra
- Meals per day
- 2–3 small meals suits most cats
- Sleep
- 12–16 hours a day
Environment: 65–80°F (18–27°C). Humidity 30–60%. Natural day/night cycle. Activity: Crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk). Diet: Obligate carnivore.
Housing & setup
- Vertical space matters more than floor space to a cat: a sturdy cat tree or shelves let them retreat upward.
- The litter box rule is one per cat plus one extra, placed in quiet but reachable spots — never next to food.
- Give at least one hiding spot per cat; a box on its side with a blanket works.
- Keep food, water and litter well separated; cats dislike eating near their toilet.
Feeding
How often: Two or three small meals a day; many cats also do well with portion-controlled free feeding if weight is stable.
How much: Most adult cats need roughly 20–25 calories per pound of body weight per day — about 200–250 kcal for an average 10 lb cat.
- Wet food adds hydration; cats have a naturally weak thirst drive.
- Use wide, shallow bowls — deep bowls press on whiskers and some cats refuse to eat from them.
- Water fountains increase drinking for many cats.
- Weight gain is the single most common feeding mistake; weigh monthly.
Cleaning & hygiene
- Scoop litter boxes daily and fully replace litter every 2–4 weeks, washing the box at the same time.
- Brush weekly; long-haired cats need daily brushing during shedding season.
- Trim front nails every 2–4 weeks; provide scratching posts so they can maintain the back ones themselves.
- Most cats never need a bath — they groom themselves. Bathe only for a specific reason.
- Wipe eyes and check ears during your weekly brush.
Care routine
Daily
- Scoop all litter boxes
- Feed measured meals
- Fresh water
- 10–15 minutes of interactive play
Weekly
- Brush
- Check ears, eyes, nails
- Wash bowls and fountain
- Top up or change litter
Monthly
- Weigh your cat
- Trim nails
- Rotate toys
- Wash bedding and tree covers
Handling
- Let the cat choose contact; petting against their preference is the fastest way to lose trust.
- Pick up by supporting the chest and hind legs; never by the scruff in an adult cat.
- Watch the tail and ears — a flicking tail means "enough".
- Handle paws and mouth gently from kittenhood so nail trims and tooth care stay possible.
Life stages
Kitten (0–12 months)
Frequent meals, litter training, scratching post training, play-based socialization, vet vaccination schedule.
Adult (1–10 years)
Stable routine, weight control, daily play, tooth care.
Senior (10+ years)
Lower-sided litter box for arthritic joints, ramps or steps, softer bedding, twice-yearly vet checks.
Setup checklist
Everything you want in place before your cat comes home:
- Litter box (one per cat, plus one)
- Litter scoop and clumping litter
- Cat tree or shelving for vertical space
- Scratching post (at least one per cat)
- Wide, shallow food and water bowls
- Carrier for vet trips
- Interactive wand toy and a few solo toys
Not veterinary advice. This guide covers husbandry — housing, feeding, cleaning and handling. If your animal is injured, lethargic, off food for an unusual length of time or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How many litter boxes do I need?
One per cat, plus one extra, on different floors if you have more than one level. This is the single most effective fix for a cat who starts avoiding the box.
How often should I change cat litter?
Scoop solid waste every day. Fully dump and wash the box every 2–4 weeks for clumping litter — more often if you have multiple cats sharing.
Why does my cat knock things off shelves?
Usually a mix of hunting practice and attention-seeking: an object that moves when batted is rewarding, and you reliably react. Give a sanctioned bat-able toy and stop reacting to the shelf version.