New cats...what do we need....?

pigeonpie

Hi (from a cat maniac lol). If they are kittens, catnip won't work as well until they are older, but definitely worth getting them some really good catnip stash when they are a year old or so!

Immediately: would get a plug in Feliway diffuser if you can - alternatively a feliway spray. This gives off calming kitty pheromones (odourless for humans!) and can help in a new environment. If they are rescue, they may have been through a tough time and be nervous at first.
One carrier or two - I would get them 1 each. Mine curl up together but going to the vet or in the car is stressy and I find they prefer to be separate. Plus, it weighs a lot less when they grow

Food - only stick to what they've been given if that suits them. I got a cat which had constant diarrhoea as it was a kitten and the previous owner had put him on Felix - too strong, adult cat food. There's special kitten food if you can afford that. Personally I prefer Royal Canin or Denes to Hills.

One thing all my cats love is a radiator bed. Happy hours of zzzzzing.

lastly don't put their water right next to their food as they tend to prefer it some distance away. And once they've decided where they want to eat and drink, don't move it. Cats are incredibly conservative critters.
People have some weird idea about cats, that they aren't as loving as dogs. Not true at all, but you do have to put in the effort, then you will get years of love and purrs back. Good luck with the kittens.

PS if you can, would get them pet insurance now too.

Murtle

Look at burns pet food

http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk/cat_food.htm

My cats love it and I'm happy knowing it's not pants food!!
My cats have a bed each and although they sleep where they want, they love sleeping in their beds. I also have blankets on sofas and beds that they like...I also have blankets in the cupboard that they don't like!!

They will like to play, and screwed up balls of paper is still one of the favourite toys here....they can play for hours with them...

Get them microchipped, and consider pet insurance if you want to.

We have two baskets for travelling, but they prefer to be in together, they don't really fit together as they are huge, but they prefer it so stay together!

Hope you have a wonderful time with them!!#

oh yes litter trays - we use "the worlds best pet litter" research the pros and cons of pet litter as some of the cheaper stuff isn't very good for cats, and kittens WILL eat some of it which isn't very good for them either!!

Zeldazog

pigeonpie wrote: »

Hi (from a cat maniac lol). lastly don't put their water right next to their food as they tend to prefer it some distance away.

I didn't know that about the water - I wondered why both of my cats go upstairs to drink out of the bowls up there, rather than the one in the kitchen near their food - they will both eat, then go upstairs for a drink, then come back down for more food..... (mind you, Cat#2 will also run to the bathroom to drink out of the toilet when he hears it flushing...... but he's just an oddball - a loving, furry, purry, drooling oddball....)

leoetal19

hi how'd it go? what you call em ? how they settling??

cheltenhamgirl

Hi everyone, update for you all.....

We are now the proud parents of two beautiful kittens. Black girl called Cleo, ginger boy called Charlie.

They are not remotely shy or nervous, just incredibly nosy, Charlie's very affectionate, and Cleo's very playful and quick (have to keep a constant eye on what she's up to)

The rescue centre had dry food down for them all the time, and a pouch if kitten food between them morning and night. They seem fine on this, although if Charlie can, he'll push Cleo out of the way so he can have hers too! Might try moving their water away, although they don't seem to have too much of a problem with this.

I've got anoter thread going on here about them trying to escape out of the front door all the time, so if anyone's got any good suggestions, let me know!

We love them both already, and they are well and truly settled. They have made one of our armchairs their own, and although they're very independent during the day, in the evening they snuggle up on it together. It's just so nice being able to make them happy, and to give them a loving home....

Thanks to everyone for all of your advice CG xx

Murtle

aw how lovely, it's a lovely feeling watching them isn't it?