Review Detail

Please Look After This Cat: A Guide to Taking Care of Me

Kids Nonfiction 284

The 411 on Felines

October 12, 2025 (Updated: June 23, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

Learning Value

4.0

Dot the cat wants readers to know all about taking care of their feline friends, and guides readers through what cats' needs are. Starting with an introduction about how the book is set up, Dot proceeds to offer a page from the cat's perspective, with information for humans on the facing page. Topics include not only what to feed cats, but how to present the food, as well as the importance of running water. I didn't know that cats preferred water this way, since their ancestors knew that still water could have germs! Cats also need fresh air, litter boxes, and in some instances, walks, and there are great details about how to best handle all of these situations. Pages also include information about grooming cats, what to do if one isn't feeling well, how to handle more than one cat, and how to provide high perches for cats to use. The last set of pages addresses the needs of older cats, which includes more frequent visits to the vet, more rest, and of course, more quality time with their humans!

Good Points

Starting with bright end papers illustrated by four-year-old Wiki, the pictures are informative and amusing. There are interesting color combinations, like yellow, green, and purple, and the small insets under "How You Can Help" offer a lot of detail. The use of shapes to highlight information is helpful, and the black lines make things nice and clear. The main text is large enough and short enough for reading aloud, and more detailed information is set in a smaller font.

Being able to look after a pet independently is often an expectation parents want met before a pet is adopted, but there are few picture books that delineate exactly what needs to be done. As a dog person, I certainly learned a lot about the different needs that cats have, and gained some insight into their personalities as well. Pair this with Sekaninova and Wolf's Cats Are Great BUT (It's Great to Have a Pet) for all the details about how to welcome a cat to your household.