What do I need for 2 cats joining the family?

scottishspendaholic

Hi everyone,

We are about to adopt 2 x cats from the CPL next week - yay, I'm so excited!

I've always had cats at my mum and dad's but have never had full responsibility for one (or two!) before!

I am currently paying back lots of debts (see sig.) so would like to get cheap but good quality stuff to welcome them to their new home.

I think I'll need:-

2 cat carriers (will see if I can borrow these and then buy them at a later date)
2 cat flaps (1 external, 1 internal door) - got, 1 still to fit.
1 litter tray (will one be enough - they are brother and sister - will they want seperate ones?). This is temporary as they will go outside once they are settled.
Litter
2 bowls for food (already got)
2 bowls for dry food
2 bowls for water
Mat for floor
Food (wet and dry)

Is there anything else? Have I missed anything? Does anyone have any suggestions of anything else I need or anywhere I can go for cheap but quality pet goods?

Thanks everyone

scottishspendaholic x

Strepsy

Congratulations! It's lovely having 2 cats around, I love mine to bits.

I got a cat carrier from Wilko's for £7.99, I think it was, and it's ok quality, it's only used rarely so not too much bother. They also have pretty cheap beds if you want to bother with those (possibly not much point as they sleep where they like). I would imagine 1 litter tray would be fine. One point with the food, have they told you what the cats are being fed on at the moment because cats are generally very sensitive to diet changes and are likely to end up with the runs if you don't introduce a change VERY slowly.

I'm sure you'll acquire anything else, like toys, or whatnot over time. I presume they'll have been treated against fleas and worms so find out when they will need re-treatment.

And good luck from Mally and Paro

smokey112

scottishspendaholic wrote:

Hi everyone,

We are about to adopt 2 x cats from the CPL next week - yay, I'm so excited!

I've always had cats at my mum and dad's but have never had full responsibility for one (or two!) before!

I am currently paying back lots of debts (see sig.) so would like to get cheap but good quality stuff to welcome them to their new home.

I think I'll need:-

2 cat carriers (will see if I can borrow these and then buy them at a later date)
2 cat flaps (1 external, 1 internal door) - got, 1 still to fit.
1 litter tray (will one be enough - they are brother and sister - will they want seperate ones?). This is temporary as they will go outside once they are settled.
Litter
2 bowls for food (already got)
2 bowls for dry food
2 bowls for water
Mat for floor
Food (wet and dry)

Is there anything else? Have I missed anything? Does anyone have any suggestions of anything else I need or anywhere I can go for cheap but quality pet goods?

Thanks everyone

scottishspendaholic x

HI Scottish

its good that you are getting them from the CPL - it's not the one in Auchinloch is it.

We have three cats - one from the CPL - they are primarily indoor cats but get out occassionally in the back garden.

If they are going to be allowed out a lot then 1 litter tray should be enough - I have one large one for my three and it is sufficient.
We use the ASDA smart price litter - £1.19 a bag
The cats have 1 tin of food a day between the three of them - they have separate dishes for that and at night they have a dry food in their Sylvester bowl and they take turns and share

You will want a brush to groom them with and maybe some small toys - saying that my three love chasing rolled up pieces of paper

will try and think of what else

Ang
x

tina68

Hi scottishspendaholic...I stay in Greenock where are you???
Anyway i have 2 cats bro n sis and they are indoor cats..
they share food and water bowl..i have an indoor litter tray with lid...loads of toys(mice, things on string xmas baubles etc) i keep mine on dry food only mix of whiskers and tesco's own...they prefer water to cat milk which is good..i have only one pet carrier as the only time i needed it was when they had their jag and they both fitted in it..most time you take them to vets is because one is sick not 2..
If i think of more i will let you know
Tina x:T

Claude_2

I think even when the cats go outside they will need a litter tray - otherwise yours neighbours will not be too happy!

Toys - but these are quite cheap.... (ping-pong balls, etc.)

Scratching post - or they'll use your furniture....

And budget for any vet bills: either buy some insurance or put some money aside. Vet bills are not cheap and if you need an out of hours appointment for an emergency the fees are actually exhorbitant.

scottishspendaholic

Hi everyone,

Thanks (it's so annoying not having the button!). Great advice there!

I'm in East Lothian so we are going via the Berwick branch which cover South East Scotland. I guess we will get lots of advice from the fosterers (who have them at the moment).

I wasn't sure about the beds as I thought I'd just see where they liked to curl up and it might be a waste of cash.

Oooh I'm so excited, I'll be sure to post a photo!

scottishspendaholic x

OGB03

Hiya

I've got 2 myself. Your list looks pretty comprehensive, how about:


Clumping litter & scoop
Litter tray liners
Litter deoderant
Cat collars (with name tag, glow in the dark/perhaps a flea collar)
A couple of sisal cat scratch posts (with catnip)
Any old bit of string! Cat toys with cat nip, anything that moves!


HTH

WeirdoMagnet

worming tablets
frontline/other flea treatment (cheap supermarket ones are false economy!)
cat beds

Have they had their vaccinations?

Book them in to be spayed/neutered ASAP, so you don't have more expenditure with kittens! They will also be less likely to disappear when castrated!

Try your local poundshop for bargain toys.

HTH

Georgie

apprentice_tycoon

As the proud mum of 4 cats I recommend not bothering with cat beds, we have the traditional cat beds but given the choice they'd always go for a cardboard box, if you put an old sweater in then even better. You can always see cat carriers at boot sales so if you can I'd borrow them for a while until you can buy them for £3 or £4. I'd suggest a getting scratching post too, you might have to show them what it's for.

ellie14

Re

Vets bills if you claim housing benefit you will be entitled to use the PDSA free vetinary but donation they do vaccinations too.

Jay-Jay_4

I really urge you to consider insurance. I think its about £6 per month per cat.

I've had my cat for two months and so far she's had eye drops, two lots of ear drops, three lots of antibiotic tablets, five visits to the vets, one general anaesthetic, treatment for cat flu and a dental scale.

I'm lucky that the RSPCA are still paying for her treatment as she was ill when she came to us but if they weren't I would be hundreds and hundreds of pounds out of pocket.