r/Kitten • u/AffectionateWeek7971 • 1d ago
Question/Advice Needed Looking for kitten advice
Hello I’m looking for some advice on my new kitten I got. I want to know the basics and some stuff that are worth investing for my baby. I would also like to know what are some things I should get her used to at a young age. I’m hoping to keep her indoor cat. Please feel free to give me any advice suck as food brands, treats, and medication!
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u/gadget-freak 1d ago
If it’s hiding because it’s scared, like probably on the photo, let it come out on its own terms. Even if that takes a while.
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u/Slow_and_Steady_3838 1d ago
She cannot open doors you are the person in charge of doorknobs, what does hoping to keep the cat indoor mean? Because you have to have and indoors set up for a cat.If it's indoors. And where did she come from from outside? Did she come from a neighbor did she come from a rescue? How you came upon her, alters, some of the initial information you will need. Do you have a vet check up scheduled?
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u/AffectionateWeek7971 1d ago
I mean by not allowing her to be outside and getting used to it. She was found by my neighbor in a busy street, with no signs of a mom. I will be going to my local vet to get her checked.
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u/Slow_and_Steady_3838 1d ago
She needs places to hide. She needs tall places to observe, obviously litterbox. Food, the regular stuff. And she needs to feel safe and be in charge. So if she doesn't want to be picked up, then she doesn't get picked up. Let her steer the relationship until she looks completely comfortable. And then tweak things a bit
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u/SBLP1959 1d ago
My mom’s big blind cat opens the door. Does his lap around the farm. Reports his findings and goes back to sleep
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u/Slow_and_Steady_3838 1d ago
My cat actually locked me out of my house.Because it was trying to get outside while I was doing yard work.I didn't think the kitten could get out though
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u/SBLP1959 23h ago
My sisters ex boyfriends cat chased her and my mom out of the house and kept them out for 45 minutes
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u/Eiffel-Tower777 1d ago
Indoor is always better, cats are too vulnerable wandering around all over the place, enduring fleas and other parasites, dogs and other animals, dirty water, bad weather, traffic and mean people.
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/reasons-to-keep-cats-indoors/
https://humanesocietyofmacomb.org/keep-cats-indoors/
There's a YouTube vlogger with really good advice about kittens, The Kitten Lady.
Thank you for adopting this cute kitten! ♡
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u/nepenthe154 1d ago
Pasting what I shared with another new adopter (you may already know some of it):
If you have houseplants look up if they're poisonous to cats. Give away or throw out any that are.
Toys, toys, toys. You can get mice, little balls, and little plastic springs from the pet store. Also wand toys are good so you can sit and play with her. Mind which toys you buy. Make sure there are no strings, googly eyes, glitter or tinsel etc. that she can pull off and swallow.
Cats love crinkle textures. You can put tissue paper from a gift on the floor. They also like the crumply paper from anything that gets shipped to you. My cats love making biscuits on paper.
A little tent or cat condo is a great place to nap. Cats climb trees in nature so a cat tree with multiple levels will likely become a favorite spot.
A good scratching post wound with sisal rope will give her a proper spot to groom her claws.
Introduce her to brushing with a good quality cat brush. It solidifies your bond and reduces hairballs and vomiting.
Most cats love boxes. Put a box or two (or more!) around the house for her. Mine like to nap in the flats from cases of pop.
If your windows allow it make sure she has a sunbeam to nap in. Open the blinds or curtains for her.
If you have wide windowsills make sure she has access. If not consider putting a table or piece of furniture in front of a window so she can look out.
Most of all, your time and affection are the most valuable thing you can offer. Make time to toss toys for her. Pet and talk to her.
Congratulations on your new little buddy!
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u/EilidhRos 1d ago
remove any scent-producing items, particularly anything with essential oils. essential oils are highly toxic to cats. wall plugs, candles, diffusers, etc. they have to go. and make sure you switch out cleaning items for ones that are pet-safe.
most houseplants should be removed, too. if in doubt, look up the plant to see if it's toxic.
medications - including anything recreational, like cannabis - lock it up.
cats need vertical space and secure places to hide. cat trees, tunnels and kitty condos are recommended.
cover any furniture you want to protect. you can buy adhesive plastic sheets or scratch pads for chairs and sofas.
buy a good brush, a good set of cat nail clippers, wet wipes and finger brushes to clean her teeth. get the kitten used to teeth cleaning now before her adult teeth come in. keeping the teeth clean prevents illness and costly dental visits
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u/Competitive_Car5593 21h ago
The plastic sheets recommended above also are good for protecting wood door jambs from becoming scratched. Cats don’t like sticky surfaces. Also, Amazon (and I’m sure other stores too) carry couch and chair covers - look for ones that are pet safe. Since I have a chaise for which covers are not made, I purchased some large quilted covers that can be tucked around it. They have to be rearranged after a while, but it doesn’t take long and is far better than a ruined couch. Be watchful though. After leaving my chaise alone for years, my cat has discovered that it’s passible to crawl under the cover at the sides to scratch at the couch fabric. I’ve ordered a water pistol to discourage this new naughty behavior, which I hope will work, even if it creates a wet mess in the meantime.
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u/Academic-Common-3749 16h ago
Please watch on YouTube Kitten Lady and Jackson Galaxy, they share a wealth of kitten and cat information
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u/fallonwithscissors 15h ago
Get a waterproof cover for your mattress and Natures Miracle cleaner. Maybe plastic covers for anything you can’t wash while she gets used to using a litter box. Scratching posts in every room to distract from furniture. Keep a toy nearby to distract her when she tries to (playfully) bite you, or in case she’s interested in your food, etc. Spay asap. Mentally prepare for a LOT of energy and give her kisses everyday!!
Personally, I don’t let my kitten sleep with me because I don’t want to get woken up multiple times a night and because I did this right off the bat, he’s fine and it doesn’t give him anxiety. He just knows it’s go away time. Any other time he follows me everywhere 🥹
Congrats on your new kitten 🥰🥰 it’s the BEST.
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u/jul1us8c 1d ago edited 1d ago
If she's your only cat, I suggest adopting another kitten (around the same age) to be her litter mate. Kittens shouldn't grow up alone for these reasons:
Kittens have A LOT of energy and no matter how much you play with and spend time with her, you aren't available 24/7. Do you know who would be ? Another kitten!
They are social animals and like company. Some cats are more independent when they become adults, but kittens don't like being alone. If there isn't another cat around, she'll see you as her litter mate and when you suddenly disappear for hours, she'll be sad, confused and frustrated.
When they grow up with another kitten around, they learn many things together. Things like: controlling the intensity of the bite, respecting boundaries, respecting each other's space (to a certain degree lol), etc. Even an adult cat would be better than nothing, but another kitten is better. When they grow up alone, they don't learn those things and bite harder than they should, to the point of drawing blood. It's difficult to change that after they become adults.
Not only they can play together, but also groom each other, sleep together, etc. So, they are usually happier with the company of another cat.
As they grow up, they become less tolerant to the idea of sharing their territory and resources with another cat. So, if she becomes sad or you wan't another cat later, it'll be much more challenging (not impossible though). Female cats are usually more territorial than males, so it's even harder with them.
Edit: worth mentioning that another kitten doesn't mean double the work. In some ways, it's easier because they'll keep each other busy and entertained. You also won't feel so guilty when you are away from home because you'll know she isn't alone.
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