New cat

Moomum

Friend is a local vet and has had a cat bought in a little while ago and we have now been asked if we are willing take it in. We are happy to but is our first cat and no idea where to start.
The cat is about 5-6 months old and has been spayed , what should be in the shopping list? Do I need a cat flap put in?


Thanks guys

Horseunderwater

No need to put in a cat flap right away. Let the poor wee thing explore your home and settle in first.
Basic needs - food and water and a litter tray and possibly somewhere to hide for a while. To train it to use the tray, plonk it down in the tray once or twice, so that it knows where to go. Cats have a good memory or instinct about it. Cats are pretty simple creatures with complex personalities and we have had a number of them over the years. Currently we have 2 - an old female nearing 18 and a younger chap approx 4-5. Both like exploring and being curious. My boy cat will climb into any space that looks interesting. The latest one was my trousers while I was on the loo. I kid you not. I found it highly amusing. He is also a good mouser and catches several a week. For a cat that was originally homed with a man in a very small one bed flat and was never allowed out, it is amazing. With us he has the freedom to be his own catself if you like. He opens the food cupboard door when he wants feeding as well.

Grimbal

Horseunderwater wrote: »

My boy cat will climb into any space that looks interesting. The latest one was my trousers while I was on the loo.

our kitten hides behind the loo seat - feeling a little furry paw on your behind during one's morning ablutions at least makes you wake up quickly !!


OP: welcome to your new feline overlord


I'd echo what HUW said - food, water, place to hide, accessible litter tray etc


Places to hide can make her feel a bit more secure in the early days : when we took home our 2 year old, she was very nervous & hid for about a day. We'd made lots of little hiding places in the utility room for her (where we kept her overnight), and so she parked herself behind the breadmaker that we'd pushed into the corner for her. A day or so later, we opened up the main kitchen to her & let her explore in here - she hid behind the microwave this time


so, I'd get:

litter tray & mat
litter (check to see what she's been using previously, often helps to use the same one)
food (again check for current, but in time you may like to try swapping her slowly to higher protein brands)
food bowl
water bowl
feeding mat
bed perhaps ?
dangly thing on a stick seems to be a hit with most kitties

Fire_Fox

Welcome to slavedom. MICROCHIP before she comes home please!! Also start researching 'for life' pet insurance, AXA is well worth running a quote on.

Large cardboard box tipped on its side with a cheap fleece inside to hide in/ sleep in the first few days
Litter tray(s) - underbed storage boxes are huge and under a fiver at Home Bargains and other discount stores
Litter - something clumping but fine grained, ideally not clay
A litter scoop
Food - anything with a decent meat or meat derivatives/ low cereal or grain content because cats are obligate carnivores (must eat meat). From the supermarkets Butchers Classic (anywhere) and Toplife chicken dinner (Asda) are good value, but longer term the best products and prices are online. Pouches are a rip off if you look at the price per kilo, stick with large cans or tetrapacks
Food bowl - metal or ceramic, plastic can cause skin issues
Water bowl - can use a human soup plate, should be wide and shallow
Cat carrier - adult sized, you don't want them growing out too fast
Scratching post/ tree - tall so they can stretch full height when fully grown and VERY sturdy or your furniture will get used. May need two longer term
Pet nail clippers and grooming brush or mitt
Combined 'spot on' flea and worm treatment from the vet
Best cat toys ever nothing like what you get in pet shops, you NEED a knock off Da Bird, the Da Sparkler and Da Mousey attachments and a laser pointer to start http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/shop/

GlynD

You've had good advice up to now from other posters. I would recommend you do get a bed but make sure it is big enough for kitty to grow into. "Da Bird" cat toy recommended by others is a must. You'll get so much fun playing with it. It is cheap and has availability of replacement parts. Get it here: http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/shop/best-cat-toys/da-bird-uk-gocat-da-bird-cat-toy-2-part-easy-store-rod-38

We find that small, realistic looking mice toys are best. Throw them once and watch kitty go mental. You'll find as well that kitty will make amusement and mischief without interaction so get ready for the fun.


Also, and I get asked this a lot: don't have set mealtimes. Cats are grazers so leave something available round the clock. Biscuit feed is good for this. You can also have great fun feeding kitty from your hand as a treat if you use Whiskas or Felix treats.

Fire_Fox

GlynD wrote: »

We find that small, realistic looking mice toys are best. Throw them once and watch kitty go mental. You'll find as well that kitty will make amusement and mischief without interaction so get ready for the fun.

Have you seen Da Mousey for Da Bird? My Lulu carries it around in her mouth whether or not the pole is attached, seen photos of other cats doing the same. :rotfl: Must place an order, ours is lost.

GlynD

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Have you seen Da Mousey for Da Bird? My Lulu carries it around in her mouth whether or not the pole is attached, seen photos of other cats doing the same. :rotfl: Must place an order, ours is lost.

I've checked it out but it looks the same as the small toy mice we already buy for ours. We find that she won't play with mouse toys unless they look realistic so we have a bundle of them.

gettingready

.. camera for taking photos and posting on here for us to go "owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww"

bethie

my two are obsessed with da mousey. They wont even entertain the other attachments now.

the boy in particular, and he is very very picky about what he chooses to let entertain him...

we have nightly battles over what happens when da mouse is caught... i think i should get it back so we can play again, where as he tries to take it (and me) down the stairs with him... he is a very persistent, and very strong cat....

he also likes to have a good gnaw on it.... must help his toothless gums!

Moomum

Thanks guys, given me some idea of where to start. Have been out and got the basics as hubby is picking him up after work! Excited to meet the little fella

GlynD

Moomum wrote: »

Thanks guys, given me some idea of where to start. Have been out and got the basics as hubby is picking him up after work! Excited to meet the little fella

Just let him run about to find his bearings and if he goes into a dark place just leave him as long as he's safe. If he comes to you though give out abundant cuddles.