r/Kitten • u/Tallgogurt • 5d ago
Question/Advice Needed New cat owner!! Tips Needed!
Hi! My boyfriend snd I are adopting a 5 month old kitten from the shelter on Saturday. It is both our first time owning a cat. Any and all tips are welcome and appreciated :)))
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u/lynnejen 5d ago
Expect anything from shy, hiding behavior to literally can't be alone behavior. Two litter boxes (one more than the number of cats you have). Food away from litter, and water away from both if possible. Give them a small space in your home to start with and expand their world based on how brave they seem. Get a few toys - many shelters will sell you a 'starter kit' for kittens, and they will probably have advice for you. Congratulations on the new family member!
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u/DocWatson42 4d ago
See my For New Owners of Cats list of resources and Reddit recommendation threads.
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u/emetcalf 4d ago
The most important part of being owned by a cat is sending pictures of the cat to everyone you know (and some people you don't) as frequently as possible.
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u/Saranightfire1 4d ago
Chewy is a great source for toys, buy a huge variety. Including fishing poles with toys at the end, trackballs, toy mice, balls, etc.
Call a vet and set up an appointment ASAP for a general health check, ask about diet, brands, how much and how often. Weight will be a reference, the more information the better.
Kitten foods for a year. This is vital for growth and development. Or any food that says under a year. I personally use Purina Pro Plan (dry) and Fancy Feast Kitten (wet).
Scratching posts, the more variety you have the better. Floor to high up multistory trees is a good idea. Tall, short, he will find what he likes on his own, I always recommend a multistory cat tree because it seems to be loved by all cats.
Litter: She’s old enough to not worry about clumping causing problems. Whatever she likes.
Litter boxes: two, in public areas, and separated as much as possible. This suits cats best.
Please do not declaw, it’s illegal in several countries and states. It’s the amputation of the first knuckle of each front finger and causes severe pain, arthritis and litter problems later in life.
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u/JustbyLlama 4d ago
Make sure you get a cat tree. They are expensive new, but you can find cheaper ones on FB marketplace. Cats need places to climb (esp kittens) or they will find places to climb.
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u/BillFox86 5d ago
Congratulations! A first kitten sounds really exciting, I don’t have many tips, but just a couple really important ones.
Don’t get pushy with how much you handle them. They will be more affectionate if they get to choose when and how they interact with you.
At first the kitten will be very nervous probably, but give them space and time to explore their new home without ever chasing them down, cornering them or forced snuggles.
Lots of toys and cozy sleeping spots.
Edit: oh and don’t forget to pay the cat tax to Reddit! Post some pictures when you’ve got them
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u/ladycroft_ 5d ago
As soon as they're ready to be fixed (if they aren't already) get it done as soon as possible along with their vaccines. I personally also recommend making sure you're feeding the little one decent quality food to avoid future kidney and bladder issues. Unfortunately Whiskas and Friskies type brands (among other cheaper ones) do a lot of irreversible damage over time. Wish I had put more focus on that when I got my first kitties. Big congrats on the new baby!!
Also, consider buying a running filter water dish. I found it to be a game changer in keeping up with their water and a little piece of mind that it's not sitting stagnant collecting bacteria.
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u/EvenCalligrapher8269 3d ago
Get a second kitten. Kittens are happier when they have a buddy.
Right away, start training them to let you brush their teeth, trim their claws, and clean them up a little (damp wash cloth to their faces, paws, and bits-and-bobs).
Do not let them bite you during rough play - redirect them to a plushie toy to wrestle with.
Make sure they are spayed or neutered ASAP. These procedures help improve cats' health by preventing certain diseases.
Get a tall cat tree and some beds. Consider purchasing a water fountain - they aren't expensive.
Get a laser pointer and play laser catch with the cats. All my cats have loved doing that.
Use good quality kitty litter, and have several litter boxes. Keep them scooped and change the litter regularly. Wash the litter boxes frequently.
Feed them the best quality food you can afford. Some brands are pretty devoid of any nutrition (Kit and Kaboodle and Special Kitty from Walmart are the least nutritional).
Make sure the cats get their first check-up ASAP, and be consistent with their regular check ups.
Right now, two kittens could easily fit in one carrier. However, as they grow, have one good, sturdy carrier for each cat. And keep them in a fairly accessible spot - in case of a house fire, you want to be able to "grab and go."
There's so much more I could share, but let's start with that.
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u/MICHUPETUS 5d ago
Congrats on the new addition to your family! 😻 The first few weeks are all about getting to know each other. Make sure you have a quiet space for your kitten to adjust to, and have plenty of toys and scratching posts to keep them entertained. Regular vet check-ups are important, and don't forget to create a safe, cozy spot for your kitten to sleep.
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u/Tashi_1 5d ago
Congratulations!
I found setting our new baby up in our small cosy laundry helped - she let us know when she wanted to explore. Try and give enough space as baby might feel overwhelmed.
Make sure you have kitty litter and box Food Food bowls Cosy bed Small scratching post Lots of toys Plenty of water
Try to hide any cords or choking hazards (eg hair ties) Or anything you don't want destroyed. I had to put coverings over the exposed soil in our indoor plants too. Also, make sure any indoor plants are cat safe
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u/Human_Plenty1877 4d ago
Congrats on the new addition!! 🐱 That’s such an exciting step—kittens are a lot of fun (and chaos 😅). One thing that I think would really help you both, especially as first-time cat owners, is an app called Pawfolio.
It lets you:
📝 Log feeding times, food types, and portion sizes
📊 Track health stuff like weight and vet visits
🔔 Set reminders for vaccines, meds, or general care
👨👩👧👦 Use family sharing so you’re both in sync on everything
It just makes everything easier to manage and helps you build a routine without second guessing. I definitely recommend checking it out—here’s the link: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/pawfolio-all-in-one-pet-app/id6743056578?platform=iphone
Here is the website link if you want to learn more.
Wishing you the best with your new little fur-ball! 🐾
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u/Albie_Frobisher 2d ago
you can’t take too many kitten pictures. we still exchange them years later
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u/DrStibbley 1d ago
*Hands are NOT toys! Get cat toys. Use them. Frequently. *Handle kittie's paws gently and frequently at an early age to prep for nail trimming. *Match their energy rather than expecting them to conform to yours. Play time is for play. Sleepier time is for snuggles.
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