Guides
Every cat question, one clear page each.
Pick a topic, choose your cat's life stage, or just search. Every guide follows the same order: short answer, what to do, when to call the vet.
New to cats? The first-month essentials
Setting up home, feeding, the litter box and the first vet visit, in the order you will need them.
All guides
24 guidesHow much should I feed my cat?
Portions by weight and life stage, and how to adjust.
Wet, dry or mixed? Building a feeding routine
What each offers and how to set regular mealtimes.
Foods cats should never eat
The common kitchen items to keep out of reach.
Daily calorie estimate
A starting number from weight and life situation.
Signs it is time to call the vet
Which changes can wait a day and which cannot.
What happens at a routine check-up
What the vet looks at and what to ask.
Cat age in human years
Convert age and see the life stage it falls in.
Reading the tail: positions and what they mean
Upright, puffed, tucked or twitching, decoded.
Why cats knead
Where the habit comes from and what it signals.
Scratching: why it happens and where to redirect it
Protect the sofa without punishing the cat.
Night zoomies explained
Why energy peaks at dusk and dawn, and what helps.
Brushing a cat that hates brushing
Short sessions, the right brush and good timing.
Trimming nails without a fight
A calm step-by-step, one paw at a time.
Your kitten's first week home, day by day
A safe room, first meals and first introductions.
Litter training a kitten
Box, litter and placement, plus fixing accidents.
Socialising a kitten
Gentle exposure to people, sounds and handling.
Making home easier for an older cat
Steps, warm beds and low-sided litter boxes.
Diet changes after ten
What tends to shift with age and what to ask your vet.
What changes in the mature years
Weight, activity and check-ups from seven onward.
Cat-proofing checklist
Room by room: cords, windows, plants and cleaners.
Introducing a new cat to a resident cat
Scent first, then sight, then shared space.
Plants that are toxic to cats
Lilies and other common houseplants to avoid.
Tabby is a pattern, not a breed
The main coat patterns and how to tell them apart.
Choosing a cat that fits your home
Energy, coat care and temperament over looks.
Reading paths
Not sure where to begin? Follow a path
Bringing a kitten home
- 1 Cat-proofing checklist
- 2 Your kitten's first week home
- 3 Litter training a kitten
- 4 How much should I feed my cat?
Understanding behaviour
- 1 Reading the tail
- 2 Why cats knead
- 3 Scratching and where to redirect it
- 4 Night zoomies explained
Caring for an older cat
- 1 Cat age in human years
- 2 Making home easier for an older cat
- 3 Diet changes after ten
- 4 Signs it is time to call the vet
Worried about your cat right now?
Trouble breathing, not urinating, a seizure or a suspected poisoning needs a vet now, not an article.
Frequently asked questions
How are Purrview guides written?
Each guide starts with a short answer, then walks through what to do and when to involve a vet. All claims are checked against WSAVA guidelines or equivalent veterinary references before publishing.
Are the guides suitable for all cat breeds?
Most guides apply to domestic cats in general. Breed-specific differences (such as flat-faced breeds' breathing or Maine Coon cardiac screening) are called out within each relevant guide. International Cat Care is a good secondary resource for breed-specific advice.
How often are guides updated?
Guides are reviewed whenever their key source changes — typically every 12–18 months. A "reviewed" badge and date are shown at the top of each page. Outdated pages are taken offline until re-checked.
Can I search for a specific health symptom?
Yes — use the search box above and type the symptom. The explorer also has a Health & vet care category that groups all symptom and when-to-call-the-vet content. For emergencies, contact a vet directly rather than consulting any website.
What is the emergency banner for?
If your cat shows signs of breathing difficulty, is unable to urinate, has a seizure or may have swallowed something toxic, those situations need a vet immediately. The RCVS guidance on out-of-hours cover helps you find an emergency vet at night.