Feline Admirer Adopts Adorably Cute Kitten and Asks for "First Cat" Advice, Resulting in Wholesome Responses from The Kitty Corner of the World Wide Web

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jun 16, 2024 12:00 PM EDT

Hey there, I Can Has-ers. Remember adopting your first cat? Or rather, remember when your cat adopted you? Maybe you went to a shelter and found one there, or maybe one just followed you home one day and that was that, but we're sure you all remember how many questions you had when you first got the little stinker. Every burp, every bowl of food not eaten, or anything out of the ordinary was a Google-worthy question filled with anxiety. Today's cat community is very wholesome and helpful, so after adopting their first kitten, this Redditor asked for "first cat" advice and received a litter box full of wholesome and helpful responses.

We wish we had had this when we were with our first fur babies. We only had a number for the vet and our old dial-up modem to type something into AskJeeves. So whether you're a fluffy feline expurrt or a first-time cat owner, this helpful and heartwarming list of advice will be a pleasant and useful scroll, guaranteed!

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  • 01
    First time cat owner: Are there things that are good to know but rarely talked about?
    via u/nuhBoi
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10360875776
    via u/nuhBoi

    This kitten is absolutely awwdorable. We remember when we got our first little baby - every time something happened that was unexpected, we rushed to the phone to call an expert. The first one is always looked after so carefully, the next one basically ate rocks and we didn't care.

  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10360875264
    via u/nuhBoi
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10360875520
    via u/nuhBoi
  • 05
    Pretend-Sundae-2371 1 day ago My advice is this: people will say if your cat is lonely, get a second cat. I followed that advice and my existing cat is 1. Yes, it may be better for him long term. But if your cat hasn't come as a bonded pair already, think very very hard before getting a second. Introductions are incredibly hard work. Eta: that said, it may be easier when they are kittens. Mine are both adults.
    via u/Pretend-Sundae-2371

    As with anything with cats, patience and consistency is key. Actually, this is true for all pets. But especially cats when it comes to introductions. They don't like change, and sometimes, it takes time to warm up to their new friends.

  • 06
    lemon_cake_plz. 2 days ago If you have the space, multiple water bowls that get fresh water daily or those little fountain ones.
    via u/lemon_cake_plz
  • 07
    Elfje TinkerBell 1 day ago. Leave the carrier out, somewhere your cat can access it and use it as a bed. Feel free to put it in a corner you don't see, as long as the cat can reach it easily. This makes the carrier part of their territory instead of the thing that comes out before scary things (car rides, vet, etc). If I need to go to the vet, I just put the carrier in the hallway, my cats will want to know why I moved it, check inside, I close the door and we're ready to go in less than 2 minut
    via u/ElfjeTinkerBell
  • 08
    YellowSpeech Bubble 2 days ago Lilies. No lilies. Even little exposure
    via u/YellowSpeechBubble
  • 09
    Rich_Pangolin_2933 2 days ago Cats are very smart and will use "yell til im understood" to show you exactly what they want (prompting you to follow them and standing/ meowing). if you're not careful they will train you instead, and find ways to make you give them what they want. Stand firm on your feeding ritual, keeping their litter box clean, and obviously enriching them.
    via u/Rich_Pangolin_2933
  • 10
    Toronto David · 1 day ago They'll hunt and eat any bugs in your home.
    via u/TorontoDavid
  • 11
    EastSideTilly 1 day ago I have a deaf cat and over the years I've learned she's very responsive to hand signals, moreso than most people would assume for cats! So that's a fun fact to tuck in your back pocket.
    via u/EastSideTilly
  • 12
    • electric-boogalooo 1 day ago No essential oils! They are extremely common in households, but some essential oils can cause respiratory damage and organ failure. There are some that are relatively pet safe, but it's just better to keep those away as well!
    via u/electric-boogalooo
  • 13
    • Actual_Person_0001 2 days ago Cats are surprisingly unique individuals, and highly adaptable. A kitten or young cat will become the product of how you raise it, meaning they can be trained, and will figure put what tugs your heartstrings and learn the difference between what they are and aren't allowed to do. When I see pictures of cats on this sub asking "Why does my cat do this?" With something odd or uncomfortable-looking, my first response is usually "Because it's a cat."
    via u/Actual_Person_0001
  • 14
    Ok Airline_9031 2 days ago Dont ever be afraid or ashamed ti ask questions. After 20 years in rescue and foster there are still things I learn I didnt know. Cats for dummies os a good primer in being a cat servant.
    via u/Ok_Airline_9031
  • 15
    Find a vet you trust to tell you the TRUTH, not what they think you want to hear- an honest vet will save you time, money and worry. And remember, cats can have everything humans can- colds, asthma, acne, stupidity, allergies. Plus they have the CAT stuff too. So you cannot possibly know everything- and that's okay.
    via u/Ok_Airline_9031
  • 16
    Ps: assume anyone who gleefully gives you advice with confidence probably doesnt know what they're talking about. The real experts will almost always start by telling you they cant be sure, but here's what I think. Anyone who is sure they know everything is probably an idiot.
    via u/Ok_Airline_9031
  • 17
    Dry-Pomegranate8292 2 days ago Get kitty used to you handling her paws so that you can cut her claws easily
    via u/Dry-Pomegranate8292
  • 18
    AngrySmapdi 1 day ago Don't actually eat their beans. They need those for walking around.
    via u/AngrySmapdi
  • 19
    Lifeformz · 1 day ago • Kittens lose teeth like children do. • Freckles are common, and appear over the cats life on the nose, inner mouth, lips, and pads. Play with the paws and get kitty used to clipping claws. Only take the very tip off. DO NOT CLIP LARGE AMOUNTS FROM. It would be the same as cutting into your fingers past the nail.
    via u/Lifeformz
  • 20
    • Don't the cat off too much with rough play. You are teaching kitty that biting and chasing and attacking is ok and you will get very fed up very quickly, and not be able to break that habit. Play with toys, and when kitty nips or chews on you, stop it, and reinforce it with no, and give her either chewy stuff, or redirect with a toy. Even pretending to yell out in a high pitch or cry will distract and they learn that it's not good to do that.
    via u/Lifeformz
  • 21
    • cat's generally don't like water, don't spray they. They haven't a clue how water spray in the face equates to what they were doing. • cats will go on anything, and often like to knock stuff off. If you don't want a cat on furniture/countertops/whatev er. Don't get one. They're not trainable like a dog in that aspect. • They will scratch, get a decent scratching post that doesn't fall over, or move when they scratch.
    via u/Lifeformz
  • 22
    • get a decent sized cat tree, more they go for that, less they go for furniture or arms etc. • cats hate dirty litter boxes. If you can't empty daily, with most cats then you can expect accidents outside of the box. Generally 1 box per cat +1 extra. • Whatever the cat says, goes. • You lost ownership of your house, it now belongs to the cat.
    via u/Lifeformz
  • 23
    • You are its servant, bow down to their awesomeness, or fear consequences! They will eat stuff that is not good for them. Things like string, wool, hair ties. Put them away from them. As much as they love to play with it, don't let them, use appropriate toys and wands.
    via u/Lifeformz
  • 24
    • One day they'll get old and sick and then you have to decide their end. It's super sad, but you will look back on their life with you, and whilst you'll grieve them desperately, you can be proud that you loved them, they loved you, and you gave them all the life. This is the saddest part of having a kitty, but important to know that it happens to us all. You're gunna love this fluffy thing like you've never loved something so much before. Take lots of video and photos, and just keep loving the
    via u/Lifeformz
  • 25
    Annnyyywaaay 1 day ago Kidney disease is incredibly common, so always have access to multiple sources of fresh water. Better if its running water. Good quality food will add years to their lives, especially if you can feed them the good stuff when they are kittens - that's up to 2 years old.
    via u/Annnyyywaaay
  • 26
    Groningooner 1 day ago. Train your cat, not the other way around Cats aren't stupid and push boundaries. If they get their way and know something works, they'll keep doing it.
    via u/Groningooner
  • 27
    Also, they're nosy little things. They will find a way to get into every nook and cranny in your home that they've not had a chance to explore. There is also nothing on the planet that is more interesting to them than what you're doing at that very moment. In short, if there's any area of the home that you know they won't be allowed into, or something that they must not be allowed near, then the only thing to do is to not let them know of it's existence in the first place
    via u/Groningooner
  • 28
    Justby Llama 1 day ago Give her vertical space! Cats Love to be up high!
    via u/JustbyLlama

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aww wholesome adorable cute cute cats advice feline kitty Cats cute kittens animals corner
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