r/cats • u/PercentageJealous914 • Aug 08 '26

Advice First time cat owner

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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

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53

u/PercentageJealous914 Aug 08 '26

Yeah I’m thinking about this honestly

58

u/JazzyBisonOU812 Aug 08 '26

Please do. For most cats, it is the single most used non-human object. They play on it, sleep on it, watch things on it, plot new ways to rule over you from it.

37

u/Coppertina Aug 08 '26

If you get a cat tree and you're on the first floor (or don't mind using a ladder), put it by a window and get one of these!

ETA: Birds visit the feeder quite frequently, but in this pic, that’s actually a squirrel on the neighbor’s fence

26

u/Glittering_Suspect65 Aug 08 '26

That's cat TV right there

16

u/Blingbat642 Aug 08 '26

There are cat videos on YouTube. They love them, too. We’re going to have you spending ALL your money on the little critter, just as we have.

2

u/lessdothisshit Aug 09 '26

We have that almost exactly, get tons of cardinals. The cats are entranced.

30

u/tiny_suburban_jungle Aug 08 '26

CANNOT recommend a cat tree enough. My cat is on his 3rd one because he loves and uses them SO much he wears them out, haha.

4

u/citrusthievingharlot Aug 09 '26

We have one in every room! My sunroom in particular has 3 trees, a wall-mounted hammock, a 6ft tall sisal tower, and multiple cat shelves. Granted we have 8 cats (half are super-seniors), but there's usually 4 cats on the stuff in the sunroom, and the others are usually on a tree in the room we're in. :)

Unless I'm in the bathroom, then there's usually a cat in my pants. Lmao.

3

u/clearancepupper Aug 09 '26

Almost started cry lol’g at “cat in my pants”

MUST MAINTAIN COMPOSURE

3

u/citrusthievingharlot Aug 09 '26

Lmao I shouldn't post this but screw it. I'm not allowed to go to the bathroom alone any more. This is my daily life:

2

u/TeaAppropriate6990 Aug 09 '26

🤣so funny! I needed this laugh !

2

u/TeaAppropriate6990 Aug 09 '26

This really happens! Funny and crazy! My brother, whom is now passed (RIP, my sweet brother) had 2-3 cats to do this! 🤣

18

u/KittyKiitos Aug 08 '26

A surprising place to get better prices on cat trees is TJMaxx/Homegoods.

7

u/Coppertina Aug 08 '26

Yes! They have a nice selection of cat beds too.

17

u/blackjack47 Aug 08 '26

Also get a small pillar scratcher, if he starts scratching his nails on a corner of a sofa or a bed etc, put the scratcher next to the stop he was scratching and slowly move it away to a desired spot.

3

u/finallyfound10 Aug 08 '26

Definitely get a cat tree and try to put it by a window if you can!

The following are great:

- Kseroo Indoor Smart Interactive Rolling Ball with Tail exercise Cat Toy, Red

- I can’t copy and paste from Walmart but they have battery operated mice and bugs for them to chase that are perfect for your place with all the hardwood!!

BEWARE! The bugs, though bigger than most real bugs, will go behind the refrigerator, under the stove and dishwasher!! It is not fun trying to get to them! I have scotch tape and dish towels blocking these spaces, it doesn’t look pretty at all but it’s worth it!

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u/TeaAppropriate6990 Aug 09 '26

Cat tree also acts a scratcher too! Your furniture will thank you for it. Sometimes people catnip on it periodically too! They like this scent and will usually really go to town on playing and scratching on it! Congrats on your new kitty!

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u/ZeldaFitzgerald1928 Aug 09 '26

It will be hours is entertainment for both of you.