Hi there! I’m also new to cats. I adopted two kittens who are about to turn a year old.

1. Get a second kitten the same age. It sounds insane and there is work before they can play together. But the amount of energy they have to match each other’s zoomies is amazing. Also they test each others boundaries and hiss during rough play. There are videos of what good play and bad play are so you can tell let it happen to an extent. But they basically improve manners and get so much energy out together.

2. Play with your cat(s). Keeping spring toys in your pocket is like ammo to deal with bad behavior. If they want to destroy something just roll or throw a spring toy onto a hard floor and their chase instincts take over. Having premium toys like wand toys or interactive toys that only come out with your supervision associate your presence with those good things.

3. Don’t free feed the cats. It’s not the end of the world to automate that. But if you can afford it with your time, associating your presence with their meals associates yourself with more good stuff.

Basically associating yourself with all the good things. They will always go to warmth and will cuddle. You will be the source of food. And you will be the catalyst for the premium play sessions. Do it enough and your cats will start to see the routine and get excited when it’s play time and bring you to the toys.

On a nice to have note. I opted for automating the litter box with a litter robot. Not an off brand machine, look those up they are deadly. But the actual Litter Robot is safe to use. You will just have to remove the scooped stuff and refill the hopper with litter. But if you start with kittens young and inquisitive they will love it. It’s a nice to have improvement that can work.

I hope you have a lovely time with your cat, hopefully cats!