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.
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.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
What should I expect when getting my first pet cat?
- 1Buying a lot of supplies and toys ahead of timeDid this help you?
- 2Figuring out routines and complying with the cat's demands as they ariseDid this help you?
- 3touching kittens everywhere early on for vet checks and nail trimmingDid this help you?
- 4getting two kittens so they keep each other company while at workDid this help you?
- 5keeping cats inside 24/7Did this help you?
- 6providing solo toys, puzzle toys, and automatic feedersDid this help you?
- 7leaving a tv or radio on at low volumeDid this help you?
- 8securing windows and providing napping spots looking outsideDid this help you?
- 9visiting a shelter and asking staff for recommendationsDid this help you?
- 10testing dog compatibility with a friend's catDid this help you?
- 11researching online videos and trainers like Jackson GalaxyDid this help you?
- 12Watching instructional videos and reading books on cat careDid this help you?
- 13Asking for personal, practical advice from experienced owners on forumsDid this help you?
- 14seeking reassurance from online communitiesDid this help you?
- 15reminding themselves that the anxiety just means they careDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I’ve never had a pet cat before and I’m kind of nervous but she looks adorable and was very very friendly.”source ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“I’m thinking of adopting a cat, I have no idea what to look for.”source ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“man, the nausea is real. felt same way before bringing my dog home, like what am i even doing.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 8Why does dropping your cat off for surgery cause so much anxiety?
- 75Why does my anxious cat scream and panic over closed doors?
- 19Feeling guilty about getting a new pet too soon
- 171Why is my new high-energy puppy so overwhelming?
- 6How to trap and transport an unfamiliar stray cat to the vet
- 48How to help a terrified rescue cat adjust to a new home