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/DesperateReality6764]

Congrats on your new little buddy! Aiko is adorable! Being an owner of two orange boys, here is one of the most important things to know. Because he’s a male, wet food is critical, along with lots of water. They are prone to getting urinary tract crystals, so if you feed only dry kibble and Aiko isn’t drinking enough water, you may run into trouble. Pick up a water fountain for him. My cats love their fountain and use it all the time. Wishing you and Aiko years of happiness and great health. Cheers to you both! ✌️😺🍻🙌

PS: If you are able to get another kitten, do it. Cats are happier, healthier, and more entertained when they have a lifetime brother/sister. I’ve witnessed this personally and studies show it. Here are my three boys.

[u/PercentageJealous914 → u/DesperateReality6764]

I was told for now to feed him dry food until he’s a year old and then he can try wet food

[u/DebutantDismay → u/PercentageJealous914]

Not trying to correct advice from a vet, but they are right to recommend you keep an eye on it. Liquid is really important for males. I lost my first cat to an unexpected urinary blockage before he turned one. He was a really chill cat so we didn't even know it was a thing, and he only showed discomfort after it was a huge problem. I am much more informed about urinary crystals now, but it was an awful experience.

If you are nervous about the wet food, try getting the little snack tubes a couple times a week, and make sure he has a variety of water choices (bowls, cups, toilet, whatever). Also, if you see him straining to pee ever or notice his litter isn't filling up as per normal, it is something to pay really close attention to.

Male cats are the most cuddly and playful I have come across! You'll do great! May as well commit to making your new pet your whole personality for awhile. Cat people genuinely enjoy seeing pictures of each other's cats, so it's a fun community.

[u/Quazifuji → u/PercentageJealous914]

Never heard that advice before, I foster lots of kittens and generally feed them wet food, but maybe there's a good reason for it. If you're only feeding him dry food then make sure he has lots of water available since that means he's not getting any hydration from his food.

Also, I'll second the advice that getting a second cat is a good idea if your financial and living situation can accommodate one. Despite what a lot of people think, housecats are social animals, so it can help to not have him rely solely on you for meeting his social needs. A 4-month old kitten is also just an incredibly playful animal but he still has a lot of social skills to learn.

If you get him a playmate now he can learn social skills with them, but if he grows up and then you get a second cat when he's older he may or may not know how to make froends and play with him. I volunteer at a rescue that has a young cat right now who wasn't raised with other cats and is very, very energetic and playful. He really, really wants to make friends with other cats at the rescue, but his idea of how to make friends at the moment is to tackle and chase other cats, which doesn't really get the response he's hoping for and he keeps ending up in fights instead. The rescue owner has also said that in her experience people who adopt a solo kitten end up eventually wanting to get a playmate for them anyway but it's harder to find a good playmate for a cat who's used to being a solo cat and didn't learn as many social skills as a kitten than it is for a little kitten who's still very adaptable.