New giant kitty :-)

scrabbles_2

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Oh I didn't mean he looks overweight

:eek: You calling my baby fat?! :rotfl: Oh I know you didn't, I was just saying that he is, a bit but on the plus side he doesn't seem to be quite so obsessed with food as other rescue cats I have had, so I am sure it is all down to portion control. Unfortunately my local rescue place insists that cats don't overeat and advise you to let them graze. I'm not mentioning their name because I'm not trying to badmouth them, it's just I have never owned a cat who knows where to stop on their own.

This morning we are on shopping mission Not too MSE is it? I was certain I had everything we needed but of course we don't. I need:

Name tag: We're having the microchip updated of course, but I always prefer to have a proper name tag, 9 times out of 10 it is easier. Plus, new name tag makes new name official

Scratching post: Mittens never used one, and we gave them away in the end. I don't know if it will get used once he can go outside, but hey. I think OH might be able to make one, I just need him to think he's offered to do it :rotfl:

Harness: We do want to get him used to a harness if possible, if he is okay with a harness and okay with travelling we can take him camping with us. Also we can let him explore the garden while he's acclimating. Except the harness we had for Mittens doesn't even fit around Baloo's middle, let alone fasten up I think we need to look for one made for a smallish dog...

Possibly: New litter tray: Thanks Fire Fox for the suggestion - short-term a storage box is probably the solution because we need a bigger box! There's been no misfires yet but he's having to be very careful to get it in the box and long-term it's not fair on him.

bethie

what a lovely big kitty!!!


I found that http://www.kittycollars.co.uk/ have lovely embroidered collars. I prefer them to ones with name tags as they dont weigh the cat down as much (but i suppose one that size wouldn't actually notice!!)

for scratching posts, I'd actually avoid most store bought ones. My boy isn't nearly as large as yours but most of them just get knocked over when he uses them. You can get a nice ancol fat boy from http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/ancol-fat-boy_1_20833.html which won't knock over so easily.

zooplus also have a good selection of scratching posts as well. I'd advise going for a very large base and not quite as tall....

Lidl have previously had really tall scratching posts in stock, and i think i saw somewhere that it is this or next weekend? They screw into the wall.

I think paddypaws may have also done a home made scratching post, which is quite tall which would probably be good for such a big guy.


i use rogz or red dingo harnesses on the cats. Once they get used to lifting their leg it is fine....


for litter boxes, this is the largest i've seen http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_litter_litter_boxes/hooded_litter_box/litter_boxes_filter/300153 I have the catit jumbo at home, but i wouldnt want a super big cat in there. (though saying that, my little one has to literally jump into it!!!)

picklepick

I've never put the cats actual name on a nametag. It's never sat right with me. Don't want well meaning, or not so, neighbours using it to lure my cat away! Paranoid? Moi?

Those kitty collars are great though, that's where I get mine from. I usually have a mobile number and DO NOT FEED on the collar.

scrabbles_2

Hmmmm well impulsive old me has just come home with a freshly engraved tag and reflective collar I suppose I never thought of it like that, I've just always put their names on. I do like those collars, though, I've bookmarked the page for next time.

That litter box looks like just what we need! As I think most cats prefer a little privacy (and Baloo is pretty stinky, though that may just be from nerves). The pet shop showed us stuff they could order that is meant for bengals, but it's all super-dear and that looked way more reasonable. Plus, I'll be ordering from zooplus soon anyway as I need to get him onto decent food, he came home with some IAMS, even though they reckon he's been on Burns?!?

As I'd hoped, OH has offered to make a scratch post for me All the ones we looked at were far too flimsy as well as waaaay expensive for what they actually are. We've got everything he needs around the house already so he's going to get on it this weekend. He says he's going to have a go at making him a den as well.

Turned out that the standard harness JUST fits him so we can take him out to maybe have a sniff of fresh air in the garden if he wants to later.

paddypaws101

OOh, I do love a big chunky black n' white moggie.
What a lucky boy to have found you as a new home.

gettingready

Scrabbles- you may rethink that Iams.. if not opened yet...perhaps return to shop and get something else.

Google Iams and decide for yourself if you are comfortable feeding your cat something that lots of animals suffered for...

I have a massive covered litter tray and litter locker for sale - but I am in east london, not sure where you are?

scrabbles_2

gettingready wrote: »

Scrabbles- you may rethink that Iams.. if not opened yet...perhaps return to shop and get something else.

Google Iams and decide for yourself if you are comfortable feeding your cat something that lots of animals suffered for...

I have a massive covered litter tray and litter locker for sale - but I am in east london, not sure where you are?

I do know about Iams and that's why I want him off it as soon as possible! It's not just the testing that bothers me, I don't think it's that great nutritionally either considering how it is marketed. I was quite surprised that they made a huge thing of the fact he'd been fed on Burns and how great it was then gave me half a bag of Iams to come home with! So I was thinking I'd give him Burns as he is allegedly used to it.

I'm in Coventry so too far but thankyou though

Paddypaws101 I am a new convert to the chunky B&W thing but right now I think that we are the lucky ones! He is a lovely, cuddly, sweet-natured cat and I feel privileged that we get to share our lives with him

gettingready

Opss misunderstood you, I thought you bought Iams for the big boy....sorry

Brallaqueen

he's a beyoot

Fire_Fox

IAMS and Burns are both pretty ropey IMO. You might try a grain-free diet if you end up needing to think about weight management, Bozita from Zooplus is an excellent wet food. A change of diet can help with stinky poops, raw is particularly good or again grain/ cereal free can improve matters. But do switch over slowly, the gut flora and enzymes need time to adjust.

Cats can definitely overeat whether allowed to graze or not, especially ex-strays and especially indoor cats.