i want a little buddy not an obedient kitten. I wanna have conversations with my cat through our actions not tell him to do everything i say. I would love for him to think for himself and learn. but hes sooo stupid guys i know he's young (a year and 8 months i believe) but im also not speaking his language. he's smart im sorry. but he keeps biting me even though im like heyy stop!!! and he's been knocking over his water dish. and eating our roomates plants! he has so much spark and when i teach him sit/stay it breaks my heart because i don't see any of his personality, just a cat who is really in want of a treat. im his only source of food!!! of course he'll sit/stay but he KNOWS hes better than that! maybe i should hide little bits of food around the kitchen living room and bedroom (all the rooms i and him have access to) so he can feel like hes hunting and he'll eat the food instead of wrecking plants? or would that just encourage that behaviour. even know as i type this up i ignore him and he scratches at me. he wants my attention so bad! i don't wanna be an absent mother!!!! he deserves stimulation and attention and praise and patience !!! sit stay is bullshit!!!!!!! hes really cute but hes cute regardless. sit stay is to show off! how well trained he is! i don't wanna train him just teach him what I prefer he does ! im kinda high and i love my cat please share cat tips/advice
edit: added an image of him!!
There is something that took me a long time to fully realize about having cats that went a long way to helping me both understand how best to care for them and how to handle the frustrations that caring for them brings. I'm a caretaker for basically wild animals. I'm not their owner. I'm not their parent. They are wild animals that are not really adapted for the environment that humans have put them in, so we as a society need to do what we can to keep them healthy and happy. That means inviting them into our homes and making it as hospitable as reasonably possible.
I've done a lot of research on cat's needs. Healthy diet and mental stimulation are foremost of these. I found healthy food that they like and keep them to a feeding schedule. I play with them actively on a regular basis and give them lots of space/things that they can enjoy on their own as well. All that done, my cats are appreciative of the environment they're provided and the food and occasional treats they get. They are two of the most well behaved and loving cats. One is pretty independent most of the time, but will snuggle in calmer moments. The other is a snuggly goofball who just wants to live in my lap.
Teaching them tricks can also be part of that mental stimulation. It's recommended by cat behavior experts. And part of being a caretaker is keeping them safe, so teaching them "no" and boundaries is important. What helped me with all of this was setting aside specific times for play/trick teaching time (Before feeding is best, as they're more motivated to do things for food if they aren't full). Routine is important for cats. And then an occasional random play session when they're not used to it is a special treat for them.
You clearly care for the little guy and want the best for him. That's great and so important. You'll do great.