Life with Cats | Things I’m Glad No One Told Me

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Fresh Step Lightweight Extreme Litter. All opinions are 100% mine.

I can’t really think of an animal I don’t like. At least in the sense that I can appreciate them all to some extent. And I am a “pet collector” by all intents and purposes. I have always had a cat in my life in one way or another for as long as I can remember. But it’s just over a year now that we’ve had indoor cats. That’s a whole new ballgame.

1. Cats Will Love You On Their Own Terms {And you will like it}

Cats aren’t dogs. You think you know that until you get one but you don’t, not really. It might even be the thing that keeps you from wanting one. But I’m telling you, there are days when needy is what you….need. Or want. And cats will love you truly, madly, deeply. But on their own terms. And you really will like it.

2. Cats Can be Scary {until you get to know them}

Our first cat, Gracie, was found huddling against a building in the middle of February during a hard freeze. All 1.5lbs of her. She snuggled up to our oldest son and won over his heart immediately. We were three hours away from home with a 9 yr old begging for a cat. We were able to track down her “owners” who said they had no desire to keep her. It was settled. She loved and cuddled us all the way home. What suckers we were. Our second cat, Malfoy (yes that’s a Harry Potter reference) we adopted without meeting to give our first demon cat someone to “play with”. When I got him home and opened up that crate out stalked a 30lb, 4ft tall panther cat. Who’s approximately as tall as our now 4 yr old child. And he was not happy. Cats can make some strange and scary sounds. Especially when they are afraid. We are embarrassed to admit that we were kind of afraid of our gentle giant (the one lazily playing dress-up on my son’s bed a few pictures below) at first. Of course, he’s the one who hides under things during a thunderstorm and graciously accepts whatever our boys can dish out.

3. They Will Fight {and you will think they are killing each other}

I think if you have one cat, you should have two. Or three. Or at least one cat-loving dog. Especially if you get a kitten. They need a companion. Our plan of getting a playmate for our first crazy kitty definitely worked out for the best. Don’t worry though, when you hear the hisses and see the fur flying, they aren’t really hurting each other.

4. Litter boxes S.T.I.N.K.

Ok. It’s not like I was completely unaware of this but, really! And I swear, girl cats stink worse. A good litter is important. Not breaking your back putting it into your buggy or hauling it home and out of the car into the house is a bonus. I am excited to try this new Lightweight Extreme Litter litter available at Target from Fresh Step®. It was $10.99 with a $1.50 off coupon, 5% off with my Cartwheel app and I had another $2 off coupon from my catnip scented mailer. It’s easier to carry and pour while still providing odor control, absorption and clumping. You need this. All of it. For real.

5. They Are Natural Furniture {and everything else} Inspectors

It never fails. If you bring something new home, they must inspect it. I find this to be true particularly with new furniture. They are now my official furniture inspectors and if they decide to take a nap on top of said furniture, I know I’ve made a good choice. That’s how they signal their stamp of approval.

6. Cats Sleep. A lot.

And you know what’s really crazy? They always look so regal while doing it. Except when your children take nap times to mean dress up time. On the plus side, it keeps the kids from getting bored.

7. They Attack Your Feet Without Provocation {because they don’t need any}

Shes’ cute. She’s fluffy. She’s cuddly {not so much, but she looks like she could be} but Gracie will randomly attack your feet. In the dark as you walk down the hall – it’s especially fun {for her} when you don’t know she’s there. She is also fond of this game while your feet are under your desk or in the bed. Asleep.

8. Catnip Is Kitty Crack

I always thought this was just an old wive’s tale. And maybe it isn’t true for all cats but it is absolutely true for ours, especially Malfoy, who undergoes a complete personality change when he’s having his “alone time” with his catnip toys. We first noticed it’s addictive qualities when he climbed to the top of Christmas tree to retrieve his catnip present. Although it was expressly marked, ‘Do Not Open Til Christmas’ and I am certain he can read.

9. Cats Are Divas. Get Used to It.

Cats live by certain expectations inherent to their kind. For example. my big boy cat will not drink water unless it is fresh and flowing. He prefers you turn on the sink and allow him to drink from it when he’s thirsty. That’s inconvenient. So I bought him his very own kitty water fountain. He will drink from it for approximately 3 days before he requires you to clean it and fill it with {for real} fresh water. There’s no fooling him on this point.

10. You Won’t Be Able To Imagine Life Without Them

You may not have expected to have them in your life, and certainly you didn’t expect what these aloof creatures could do to your heart, but it will happen. And you will love them. Truly, madly, deeply and on their own terms. And you will like it.