Cat care, explained plainly
MeowWise is a free guide to living well with cats: choosing a breed, everyday care, the health warning signs that need a vet, body language, feeding, kittens and senior cats. Each page answers the main question first and links to the veterinary sources behind it, such as the Cornell Feline Health Center, the AAFP, AAHA and International Cat Care.
Start with cat care basics Is it toxic to cats?Is this plant toxic to cats?
Lilies first: check cut flowers, houseplants, essential oils and household products, with sources.
Breeds compared
Coats, traits and the inherited conditions to ask a breeder about.
Everyday care
Litter boxes, scratching, play, grooming and a cat friendly home.
Health and warning signs
Vaccines, checkups, poisons and the signs that mean go to a vet now.
Behavior and body language
Tails, ears, slow blinks, purring, kneading and scratching.
Nutrition
What cats need, wet vs dry, treats, weight and foods to avoid.
Kittens
Socialization, vaccines, neutering and the first year.
Senior cats
When a cat is senior, common age related diseases and home changes.
Myths vs facts
Milk, landing on their feet, purring and more, checked.
Glossary
Plain definitions of the terms vets and breeders use.
Blog
Answer first posts on the questions cat owners ask most.
Four facts every cat owner should know
- Lilies can kill cats. True lilies and daylilies can cause fatal kidney failure, even from pollen or vase water. Lilies and cats.
- A cat straining to pee and passing little or nothing is an emergency, especially a male cat. Why urinary blockage cannot wait.
- Cats are obligate carnivores. They rely on nutrients found only in animal products, such as taurine. Cat nutrition.
- Vets class cats over 10 as seniors and recommend checkups at least every six months from then. Senior cat care.
Latest from the blog
- Are lilies poisonous to cats?
Yes. True lilies and daylilies can cause fatal kidney failure in cats from a bite, pollen or vase water. Which lilies are dangerous, the signs, and what to do right away. - Cat straining to pee: emergency signs
A cat, especially a male, straining in the litter box with little or no urine may have a urethral blockage, which can be fatal within 24 to 48 hours. Signs and what to do. - How many litter boxes per cat?
The rule is one litter box per cat plus one, in separate places. Here is why, what size and litter to choose, where to put boxes, and when the rule is not enough. - How often should a cat see the vet?
Kittens need several visits, adult cats at least once a year, cats aged 10 to 15 every six months and cats over 15 every four months. A schedule by life stage, with sources. - Why do cats slow blink?
A cat's slow blink is a relaxed, positive signal. A 2020 study found cats slow blink back at people and approach strangers who slow blink. How to slow blink at a cat.