Food, health, and the 4 a.m. zoomies

Figure out what your cat is actually telling you.

A clear-headed guide to living well with cats. We dig into what to actually feed them, how to read the behavior that baffles you, the grooming and health basics that head off bigger problems, and the gear that earns its place — written plainly, by people who scoop the litter box too.

Cat Food Portion Calculator

Get a daily calorie target for your cat from weight and life stage, using the standard veterinary energy formula.

About 242 kcal/day for a 4.1 kg cat (resting energy requirement of 202 kcal, scaled for neutered or spayed adult).

This is a starting point for a healthy adult cat. Indoor cats often do better at the low end of the range. Adjust over a few weeks based on body condition, count treats toward the total, and check with your vet before changing a kitten's, senior's, or medically managed cat's diet.

All free tools →

Fresh from the cat

50 guides
Kittens

Kitten-Proofing Your Home Before They Arrive

A room-by-room guide to kitten-proofing your home before your kitten arrives, covering cords, toxic plants, chemicals, gaps, and windows.

July 4, 2026
Grooming & Care

Litter Box Hygiene: A Cleaning Routine That Works

Learn how to clean a litter box properly, how often to scoop, and which products keep litter box smell under control without irritating your cat.

July 4, 2026
Nutrition & Feeding

Wet vs Dry Cat Food: How to Choose

Wet or dry cat food? Learn the real trade-offs for hydration, dental health, cost, and your cat's life stage so you can make the right call.

July 4, 2026
Behavior & Training

Enrichment and Play That Calms a Bored Cat

Learn practical cat enrichment ideas to entertain your indoor cat, ease bored cat behavior, and build a calmer, more contented companion at home.

July 3, 2026
Nutrition & Feeding

Feeding Kittens, Adults, and Senior Cats: What Changes

A plain-language guide to feeding a cat by life stage, covering when to switch foods, how nutritional needs shift, and what to watch at each phase.

July 3, 2026
Health & Wellness

Keeping an Indoor Cat Active and at a Healthy Weight

Indoor cats are built to hunt and move, not nap all day. Here's how to build a daily routine that keeps your cat active, engaged, and at a healthy weight.

July 3, 2026
Gear & Home

Beds, Perches, and Hideaways Cats Actually Use

Learn which cat bed types, window perches, and hiding spots cats actually sleep in, plus where to put them so your cat doesn't ignore the whole setup.

July 2, 2026
Grooming & Care

Shedding and Coat Health: What Actually Helps

Learn how to reduce cat shedding with a consistent deshedding routine, the right diet, and smart brushing habits. Plus, when to call the vet.

July 2, 2026
Health & Wellness

Spaying and Neutering Your Cat: What to Expect

A plain-language guide to spaying and neutering cats: timing, the day of surgery, and what home recovery actually looks like.

July 2, 2026
Kittens

Helping a Kitten Sleep Through the Night

A practical guide to kitten bedtime routines, why kittens cry at night, and how to build habits that lead to quiet, restful nights for both of you.

July 1, 2026
Nutrition & Feeding

How Much Water Your Cat Needs and How to Encourage Drinking

Find out how much water a cat should drink daily, why cats skip the bowl, and practical ways to encourage better hydration before dehydration becomes a problem.

July 1, 2026
Gear & Home

How to Choose the Right Litter Box: Size, Type, and How Many

Find the best litter box for your cat: the right size, covered vs. open, automatic or basic, and how many boxes your household actually needs.

July 1, 2026
Gear & Home

Setting Up a Cat-Friendly Home in a Small Space

How to create a cat-friendly apartment your cat will actually use, covering vertical space, core zones, window access, and hiding spots.

July 1, 2026
Behavior & Training

Curbing Counter-Surfing and Other Cheeky Habits

Learn how to stop cat jumping on counters using humane, reward-based redirection. Practical tips to keep cats off kitchen tables and surfaces for good.

June 30, 2026
Kittens

Kitten Feeding Guide: How Much and How Often

Age-by-age guidance on how much to feed a kitten, building a feeding schedule, and when to adjust kitten food amounts as your cat grows.

June 30, 2026
Gear & Home

The New Cat Starter Checklist

Everything a first-time cat owner needs to buy before bringing a cat home, from litter boxes to carriers, organized by what's essential versus nice-to-have.

June 30, 2026
Grooming & Care

Grooming a Long-Haired Cat Without the Fuss

A practical guide to grooming a long haired cat at home. Learn daily brushing routines, mat removal, and bathing basics that keep your cat comfortable.

June 29, 2026
Behavior & Training

How to Introduce a New Cat to Your Resident Cat

A phased guide to introducing cats to each other: separation, scent swapping, visual contact, and supervised meetings so both cats adjust without serious con...

June 29, 2026
Nutrition & Feeding

Is Grain-Free Cat Food Worth It?

Grain-free cat food lines premium shelves, but is the science behind it solid? Here's how to cut through the marketing and evaluate cat food by what actually...

June 29, 2026
Kittens

Your Kitten's First Week at Home

Bringing a kitten home? Here's exactly what to do in the first seven days — setup, feeding, sleep, and what to watch out for.

June 29, 2026
Health & Wellness

Cat Urinary Health: Warning Signs, Common Causes, and Prevention

Learn the warning signs of urinary problems in cats, what causes them, when to call the vet immediately, and daily habits that help keep your cat's urinary t...

June 28, 2026
Behavior & Training

Reading Cat Body Language: Tail, Ears, and Eyes

Learn to read cat body language through tail position, ear angle, and eye signals. Practical guide for beginner cat owners who want to understand what their...

June 28, 2026
Health & Wellness

Senior Cat Care: What Changes With Age

A practical guide to older cat health: what to expect, which signs to watch for, and how regular senior cat checkups keep your aging cat comfortable.

June 28, 2026
Gear & Home

Choosing Cat Litter: Clumping, Clay, and Natural

A plain-language guide to clumping vs non-clumping litter, natural cat litter, and low-dust options so you can pick the right type for your cat.

June 27, 2026
Grooming & Care

Dealing With Matted Cat Fur the Gentle Way

Cat matted fur can range from a minor tangle to a skin problem. Here's how to assess, remove, and prevent mats without stressing your cat.

June 27, 2026
Nutrition & Feeding

Helping an Overweight Cat Slim Down Safely

A practical guide to cat weight loss: how to spot excess weight, set a safe rate of loss, adjust food, and keep your cat healthy throughout the process.

June 27, 2026
Grooming & Care

How to Brush Your Cat Based on Their Coat Type

Learn how to brush a cat properly based on their coat type — from short to long hair — with tips on tools, frequency, and matting prevention.

June 27, 2026
Kittens

A Kitten Vaccination and Vet Visit Schedule

A plain-language guide to kitten vaccinations and vet visits, covering core shots, timing, outdoor readiness, and what to expect at each appointment.

June 26, 2026
Health & Wellness

Hairballs: Causes, Prevention, and When to Worry

Learn why cats get hairballs, what you can do to reduce them, and which symptoms mean a vet visit is overdue.

June 26, 2026
Nutrition & Feeding

Human Foods Cats Can and Can't Safely Eat

A practical guide to which human foods are safe for cats and which are toxic — with a quick-reference table and vet-flag warnings.

June 26, 2026
Gear & Home

Cat Water Fountains vs Bowls: Which Is Better

Fountains or bowls? We break down the real differences, when each makes sense, and how to encourage your cat to drink more.

June 25, 2026
Grooming & Care

How to Clean Your Cat's Ears and Eyes Safely

Learn how to clean cat ears and wipe away eye discharge at home — what's normal, what to use, and when to call the vet.

June 25, 2026
Kittens

How to Stop Kitten Biting and Scratching

Kittens bite and scratch during play — it's normal, but it needs redirecting. Here's a practical, step-by-step guide to teaching bite inhibition.

June 25, 2026
Health & Wellness

Flea, Tick, and Worm Prevention for Cats

A practical guide to year-round flea, tick, and worm prevention for cats — what to use, how often, and when to call your vet.

June 24, 2026
Nutrition & Feeding

How to Read a Cat Food Label Like a Pro

Learn to decode cat food labels fast: ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and what the wording actually means for your cat's health.

June 24, 2026
Behavior & Training

How to Stop a Cat From Biting and Rough Play

Learn why cats bite during play and how to redirect that energy so your hands stay scratch-free. Practical steps for kittens and adult cats.

June 24, 2026
Behavior & Training

Why Cats Scratch and How to Redirect It to a Post

Cats scratch for real biological reasons. Here's how to stop cat scratching furniture by giving them a better outlet they'll actually use.

June 24, 2026
Grooming & Care

Bathing a Cat: When You Truly Need To, and How

Most cats never need a bath, but when they do, here's how to do it calmly and safely — step by step, without the chaos.

June 23, 2026
Gear & Home

Picking a Cat Carrier and Making Vet Trips Easier

Find the right cat carrier and actually get your cat inside it. A practical guide to hard vs soft carriers, sizing, and stress-free vet trips.

June 23, 2026
Kittens

The Kitten Socialization Window, Explained

The socialization window closes at around 9 weeks. Here's how to use that time wisely to raise a confident, friendly cat.

June 23, 2026
Health & Wellness

At-Home Cat Dental Care and Why It Matters

Learn how to care for your cat's teeth at home — brushing, dental treats, and the signs of tartar and gingivitis to watch for.

June 22, 2026
Nutrition & Feeding

How to Switch Cat Foods Without an Upset Stomach

Learn how to switch cat food safely using a 7-10 day gradual transition, plus what to watch for and when to slow down.

June 22, 2026
Behavior & Training

Litter Box Problems: Why Cats Stop Using It

Cat not using the litter box? Here are the real reasons — medical, behavioral, and setup — plus how to fix each one.

June 22, 2026
Health & Wellness

The Core Vaccines Every Cat Needs

A practical guide to the cat vaccination schedule every owner should know, including core vs non-core vaccines, indoor cats, and rabies boosters.

June 22, 2026
Gear & Home

Choosing a Cat Tree and Scratching Posts That Get Used

Find a sturdy cat tree and scratching post your cat will actually use — with placement tips, material breakdowns, and size guidance.

June 21, 2026
Grooming & Care

How to Trim Your Cat's Claws Without the Drama

A calm, step-by-step guide to trimming your cat's claws at home — how to find the quick, which tools to use, and how to handle a resistant cat.

June 21, 2026
Kittens

Litter Training a Kitten, Step by Step

Kitten litter training is usually quick when you set things up right. Here's exactly what to do, what to buy, and how to handle accidents.

June 21, 2026
Nutrition & Feeding

How Much to Feed a Cat, by Weight and Life Stage

A practical cat feeding chart with portion sizes by weight and life stage, plus calorie guidelines and answers to the most common feeding questions.

June 20, 2026
Health & Wellness

Signs Your Cat Is Sick and When to Call the Vet

Learn to spot the early signs your cat is sick, from subtle behavior changes to genuine emergencies, and know exactly when to call the vet.

June 20, 2026
Behavior & Training

Why Your Cat Meows at Night and How to Get Sleep

Cat meowing at night and keeping you awake? Learn the real reasons and practical fixes to get both of you sleeping better.

June 20, 2026

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