First time cat owner

[u/PercentageJealous914]

Hey guys, I just got a cat yesterday and it’s my first time owning a pet in general. When i brought it in my house yesterday, dude was a lil scared I think cuz of the environment and went under my couch a couple of times. So I moved him to my laundry room, just to get him in one small room so he wouldn’t escape or freak out.

This morning I checked in on him and he’s doing better and cuddling with me.

Just wanna say I’ll appreciate any advice as a first time cat owner

[u/Exotic-Student7266]

Oh wow! You got an orange one?! You in for a wild ride, lol!! (Just kidding, all kittens are wild). Make sure he’s got all his shots. Make sure he’s neutered before he gets to the age where he starts spraying. What worked well for me with my cat was I was very hands on with him when he was a kitten. Lots of cuddles, pets, and picking him up. So that way he was used to being handled. It made vet trips much easier since he was used to being picked up. What I WISH I did, was clip his nails and play with his paws. Now he’s all grown up and is freaked out by the idea of getting his nails clipped. So get started early so it becomes normal. LAST THING, either get pet insurance OR set aside a few dollars each week in savings for vet visits. My cat ended up having an autoimmune disorder (took like 10 years to figure it out) and it was a SUPER EXPENSIVE journey.

HAVE FUN!!!!

[u/PercentageJealous914 → u/Exotic-Student7266]

I got pet insurance from the shelter and I’m gonna be getting him rabies shot and Frcp shot in a few days. He was neutered before they gave him to me

[u/nomorecheeks → u/PercentageJealous914]

Great job and congratulations! As Exotic Student said, get him used to being touched in all kinds of ways- touch his paws, his ears, start brushing his teeth. Do everything slowly with positive reinforcement. There are great videos online for how to start brushing their teeth, clipping their nails, wiping them down, giving them a bath, etc. And get him used to meeting different people. Ideally, you can also get him used to going in his cat carrier for things that aren't the vet- put him in it for a car ride or a walk, etc., and then give lots of positive reinforcement after, so he doesn't just associate it with negative things.

Cats have a natural rhythm- play (hunt for their food), eat, bathe (to get the smell of their "prey" off them, nap. Understanding this will help you a lot. Also, I know others have recommended Jackson Galaxy videos, and I completely agree. He'll also tell you how important play is to cats. It's exercise, satisfies their predatory instincts, is mental stimulation and fun for them, and it builds their confidence. Kittens especially need lots of playing to get their energy out and to learn to explore the world.

Cats have faulty design in their kidneys and most cats wind up with kidney disease if they live long enough (usually around 10, so when they still hopefully have many years left). Do things to encourage drinking water (don't keep the food bowl right next to the water- in the wild, they would think the water is contaminated), and try to feed only wet food if you can (it helps them hydrate, which is less taxing on the kidneys). Avoid plastic as much as you can (bowls, etc.)- there is some research that microplastics might contribute to kidney disease. (There is a potential breakthrough coming for this very soon, so hopefully it stops being a problem for cats soon!).

Cats communicate really well, if you "listen" to them. If your cat seems like he's trying to communicate something, he probably is. Try to think like he would and see if you can get what he's saying. Also, despite what people say, cats are trainable, and I think they do want to please their people. Mine sits, high fives, and lies down on command (and enjoys doing his tricks!). If you're interested in training him, you can find videos to teach you online.

Pay attention to his litter box habits. Male cats are built with faulty urinary tract wiring and are more likely to get urinary blockages than female cats- these can be deadly, but area treatable. If your cat ever doesn't pee for 24 hours or doesn't poop for 48, that warrants an immediate vet visit. The same with vomiting. And learn what things are toxic to cats so you can avoid them- Advil is toxic for them to eat, as are some plants and flowers. NEVER have lilies in the house- even the pollen in the air can be fatal to cats. I am not saying any of that to scare you, just to help you avoid stress in the future and to have a long happy life with Aiko.

[u/bwsmith201 → u/nomorecheeks]

All very good advice. Definitely keep an eye on the litter box to be aware of the urinary retention issue. One of our male cats had one incident with that when he was very young and has now been eating a specific food the vet put him on and it’s never happened again. But it can happen quick so just keep an eye out. Our other male cat has never had it happen so it’s certainly not a sure thing!

Beautiful boy. He’ll bring you a ton of happiness! Just ride out the occasional irritation if and when they happen. He has a lot of love to give once he’s settled!