Pets make horrible gifts, they are closer to babies than computers. They are living creatures that need care. And from the sounds of it you are a caring person who wants the best for the kitty. If it really isn’t good timing and your heart is not in it, I would suggest doing as icprncss pointed out. There is nothing wrong with that.
If at a later time you find the time and interest to get a pet you can take time researching what is best for your lifestyle. I wish you and the kitty the best, just don’t feel bad if you discover the cat isn’t for you. No reason to feel guilty.
You should not feel bad, some people are not cat people and most cat people forget what a handful a kitten can be. Some people really need to start with older animals period, puppies can be just as big a handful. Your friend gifted it to you not thinking about the fact they understand the kittens needs and you would be new to the experience. I would give the kitten back and explain why, if you still want a companion animal I suggest your local animal shelter. You could pick out a animal that is past this stage of life but would still bond with you and turn into a great friend.
I really feel he is just a baby. This kitten is so adorable and if he weren’t so young I would be totally on board. But this is why people should have their pets fixed. Because they don’t know what to do when they have babies and just start giving them away. At least at the shelters they vet you and try to fit the pet to the person.
I can already see his little cat mind working on a solution to the boundary spray dilemma he has too.
And don’t feel bad about keeping it isolated sometimes for it’s safety and your sanity. It’s part of taking care of pets. You are responsible for it and yourself and sometimes you make tough decisions. Obviously you don’t want to keep them locked up, but for safetly you needed to.
My dogs are 6 and 7 years old and I still keep them in the doggy area when I leave the house. And when I’m home they have to be in the same room as me most of the time. Otherwise they eat the trash, battle with each other and stuff like that.
And yes I totally believe people should fix their pets. I had a friend that refused to because “he felt bad” about doing it. How come? If they aren’t fixed they still have desires that aren’t being met and thats why doggie used your pillow for fun time. But whatever, some people don’t get it.
Animals should never be “given.” The bond between an animal and its caretaker should be made from the beginning. Animals have “personalities” just as people do, and some types just clash. If they are willing, ask the givers to take the kitten back. Especially if they have the parents and/or siblings. It sounds as if this kitten is not old enough to be separated from its mother. There are certain behaviours that the young cats will pick up from their parents very quickly, and your kitten hasn’t learned them yet.
If you cannot get the kitten back into the care of a qualified caretaker, you need to get kitten formula from a pet care center immediately. If this poor thing is too young, it may still need the extra nutrition.
Secondarily, you sound really fond of your fish. Once the kitten gets a little more confident, the fish is in danger.
Also, young animals and home offices don’t work well together. Puppies are especially loud when they want/need attention. Both pups and kittens love to shred paper and forms *will* fall victim.
Oh and speaking of home offices particularly for dogs if you have a paper shredder keep it unplugged when not in use. not just off but unplugged.
its very rare but dogs have put their tongue in the shredder before and lost enough of their tongue that they could no longer eat. Which then means of course they got put down.
Not trying to be a downer, but its a good practice anyway, just keep that shredder unplugged.
The litter box needs to have low sides to allow the kitten to get in and out without difficulty.
I placed my kitten on my shoulder when i was working at my laptop or watching TV. She was able to hear and feel my pulse and heart beat and relaxed totally.
OMG I hear him digging in the litter I hope this is a turning point because the peeing in the bed is a deal breaker. I think the people who gave him to me didn’t train it because he wouldn’t even go near the litter last night no matter what.
I think I would luv an adult cat who is more independent but a kitten is needy and I’m a first time cat owner. The true test is my niece who stays with me a lot. If she can tolerate him then he has a good chance. We’ve talked about getting a cat or dog for a long time, but reality is a lot different than fantasy. This kitten is adorable as all kittens are, it’s in it’s little hiding place, the entrance to a box I set up for it.
I would be right in line with the folks telling you to give him back and get an older cat when you’re ready, but it sounds like you’ve already attached to him… better find out how old he really is, and see if he still needs kitten formula, as others have suggested. Evaporated milk (unsweetened) can be used if you can’t find kitten formula. Don’t use regular cow’s milk from the store—your litter box will get very stinky that way!
People don’t housebreak kittens. Their moms usually do it, or they figure it out on their own.
Is he eating solid food?
Be aware that there’s no turning back once you’ve given him a name… it’s much harder to give them up once you do that.
The sort of Kitty litter you use may make a difference to him as well. My 2 don’t like the sort of clay pellet stuff, are much happier with the wood chip one, which breaks down into saw dust as they scrape around.
We find it is more economical as well, last longer than the clay type ones, and much more environementally friendly
Male cats have a tendency to mark their territory even after being ‘fixed’ so ...
To an extent, that depends on what age the cat was fixed. Both of my male kittens (7 months old) have yet to mark anything in that way, they just rub their faces on things.
I now suggest to Romancefantasy that what anikad said is totally right, but don’t stop there. Ask friends who own cats for advice, and look online for things like reading cat body language, what kinds of food to start feeding him when he grows older, and so on. Six years ago, a friend gave me my first cat, Shinju, who is currently asleep on her bed right beside my computer table. I knew nothing about how to take care of a cat, so I went straight to the sources I just mentioned. She’s now a happy, calm kitty, who snuggles with me when I sleep, and always has to be in the same room as me. The vet listed her health as “perfect”, she has a soft, shiny coat, and though she finds the kittens annoying, still seems to want to take care of them.
Being a first time cat owner can be scary - but if you do your research and ask for advice, it can be very rewarding, both for you and for the little fuzzball.
I hope this is a turning point because the peeing in the bed is a deal breaker. I think the people who gave him to me didn’t train it because he wouldn’t even go near the litter last night no matter what. 
