Any Advice for a first time cat owner?

[Sidedraft]

My girlfriend and I decided to rescue a kitten and keep it, and I was wondering if you guys had any advice or tip or things you learned that would help. I really don't know how to train a cat because I'm more of a dog guy. She's between 6-9 weeks old, and Litter Box trained.

 

[Eejit]

If will probably grow up to be more or less vocal depending on how much you talk to it when it's a kitten.

 

[Krynn72]

I really don't know how to train a cat

Litter Box trained.

Well, your job is done. Just sit back and feed it. Do what the shelter says regarding vets and it takes care of itself. Cats are very hands off unless they're jumping on top of you for petting. Will it be an indoor or outdoor cat?

 

[Sidedraft]

If will probably grow up to be more or less vocal depending on how much you talk to it when it's a kitten.

Hmm interesting.

Well, your job is done. Just sit back and feed it. Do what the shelter says regarding vets and it takes care of itself. Cats are very hands off unless they're jumping on top of you for petting. Will it be an indoor or outdoor cat?

It will be indoor.

 

[-smash-]

Cats pretty much take care of themselves. Just clean their poop boxes and feed them regularly and they're happy. And make sure you play with it a lot because it builds character.

Oh and make sure it eats plenty of wet food because the water inside is a good source of hydration. Dry food should only be used as a "snack."

 

[Aizawa]

oh nice my sister also just brought a cat to our flat, so this thread is also useful for me

 

[Krynn72]

It will be indoor.

Leave cardboard boxes out every once in awhile, cats love playing in them. If you put something flat (paper, books, your closed laptop, etc) on the floor, it will become a cat chair. Just be prepared for that. They also like "perches" so that they can be up high. Get a "cat tower" and put it near a window.

Cat toys are usually shit. They'll play with bits of paper more than your $10 cat toy. The only good one is that feathers on a string on a stick thing.

EDIT: Is BBcode not a thing on this forum anymore?

 

[-smash-]

EDIT: Is BBcode not a thing on this forum anymore?

Looks like some updates were made to the site, but I do notice some bugs. In what way is BBcode broken?

 

[Krynn72]

Looks like some updates were made to the site, but I do notice some bugs. In what way is BBcode broken?

Looks fixed now, the image was just a tiny image with an "x" in it like the link was broken.

 

[Omnomnick]

Looks fixed now, the image was just a tiny image with an "x" in it like the link was broken.

Don't take any cat advice from this guy, I don't trust what he's saying for some reason...

 

[Pikminiman]

Oh and make sure it eats plenty of wet food because the water inside is a good source of hydration. Dry food should only be used as a "snack."

I don't fully agree with this. It's true that you need to keep your cat hydrated, but wet food is substantially more expensive over time than dry food, which can easily serve as the cat's primary diet as long as you make sure the cat also has a water dish.

Also, buy a cheap laser pointer. I know it's a stereotype, but cats absolutely love it when you play with them with laser pointers, especially when they're still kittens. Just be sure not to overdo it to the point that the cat gets bored.

 

[Eejit]

We feed our cat 50% wet food, 50% dry. Though we also have one of these which helps make sure your cat stays hydrated. Pro tip: don't put it where splashing might be an issue.

If your cat doesn't get enough fluid they're likely to get kidney stones which is gonna cost you at the vet.

Oh, and I strongly recommend you consider Pet Insurance.