Omg- tysm!! I don't have much advice. All I can say is to study references, not just pictures of real cats but how other artists draw them and their anatomy. I've been studying Louixie & Finchwing the most. (You can study my work aswell if you want to, idm) Find the shapes. Practice, practice, practice.

Tracing is very much valid aswell!! Don't feel bad about it as long as you have permission to do so; also recommended you don't post it but if you want to, get permission from the artist you trace from.