Said It Here

What should I expect when getting my first pet cat?

Bringing home a first cat without meeting them in person beforehand naturally causes nervousness and uncertainty about what to expect. New owners worry about practical details, such as where the cat should sleep in a multi-story house relative to the litter box. Without guidance, this inexperience makes it difficult to settle the new pet into the home smoothly.

Overview
People affected8 accounts across 2 forums
Workarounds found15 items attempted
Community agreement45 total upvotes

What the numbers show

Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count

  • People have been saying this in most months since September 2026.
  • This comes up 20.7× more often in r/dogs than across the site as a whole.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

15 items+ Contribute

Found another way around this?

Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.

  1. 1
    Buying a lot of supplies and toys ahead of time
    Did this help you?
  2. 2
    Figuring out routines and complying with the cat's demands as they arise
    Did this help you?
  3. 3
    touching kittens everywhere early on for vet checks and nail trimming
    Did this help you?
  4. 4
    getting two kittens so they keep each other company while at work
    Did this help you?
  5. 5
    keeping cats inside 24/7
    Did this help you?
  6. 6
    providing solo toys, puzzle toys, and automatic feeders
    Did this help you?
  7. 7
    leaving a tv or radio on at low volume
    Did this help you?
  8. 8
    securing windows and providing napping spots looking outside
    Did this help you?
  9. 9
    visiting a shelter and asking staff for recommendations
    Did this help you?
  10. 10
    testing dog compatibility with a friend's cat
    Did this help you?
  11. 11
    researching online videos and trainers like Jackson Galaxy
    Did this help you?
  12. 12
    Watching instructional videos and reading books on cat care
    Did this help you?
  13. 13
    Asking for personal, practical advice from experienced owners on forums
    Did this help you?
  14. 14
    seeking reassurance from online communities
    Did this help you?
  15. 15
    reminding themselves that the anxiety just means they care
    Did this help you?
Tried another approach not listed above?+ Share your workaround ↑

In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.

r/cats5 people · September 2026 – November 2026

“I’ve never had a pet cat before and I’m kind of nervous but she looks adorable and was very very friendly.”source ↗

Poltergiste · r/cats · 21 upvotes

“I’m getting this gorgeous baby home on Sunday, but what should I expect?”source ↗

“I could need some advice, we live in a 2 storey house, and the litter will be downstairs, but should I take him upstairs for when we are going to bed, or should he be downstairs.”source ↗

FunkyButterfly02 · r/cats · 12 upvotes

“As seen in the title, I’m becoming a cat ma 🥹. But I’m really anxious.”source ↗

“I’ve watched many videos and read books on how to take care of a cat as a beginner, but I’m still lacking some knowledge.😖”source ↗

Electrical-Fox7470 · r/cats · 3 upvotes

“I don't know. I have intrusive thoughts. What if i somehow crush him while im asleep, hes so little! Also both of us work, what will he do when we're not home. I know they sleep alot but still. I had a dream last night where he accidentally jumped off our window. 😭”source ↗

“Most of my fears come from the fact that we had a stray kitten once when i was little, he was meowing at the door i thought he wanted to get out, i opened the door, he went outside and i found him dead with his legs crushed later, most probably from a car. I'm super scared now.”source ↗

FammasMaz · r/cats · 1 upvotes

“I’m thinking of adopting a cat, I have no idea what to look for.”source ↗

Hazardoes · r/cats · 1 upvotes

“I’m curious about their cats health such as grooming and nutrition etc. and I’m wondering how often I should take my cat to checkups”source ↗

Electrical-Fox7470 · r/cats · 1 upvotes
r/dogs3 people · November 2026

“I’m feeling sooo anxious almost to the point I’m questioning it as a life decision. We love animals, have the room and money time and love so why am I feeling almost nauseous about it?”source ↗

Gold_Gur2037 · r/dogs · 8 upvotes

“I had a lot of anxiety the few days before. I cried, felt sick and thought it was going to be a huge mistake and I needed to change my mind immediately.”source ↗

iwatchyoutubers · r/dogs · 1 upvotes

“man, the nausea is real. felt same way before bringing my dog home, like what am i even doing.”source ↗

Desperate_Example655 · r/dogs · 1 upvotes

Where this came up

People with this problem also raised