re homing a cat/cats what will we need?

vodooelephant · 4 January 2011 at 11:03AM

We have finally decided that now would be a good time to re-home a cat

What do we need to get other than bed/litter tray/food/ food bowl?

Myself and DD are going to the local cat rescue this week as the 'cat woman' called and said she had 2 ideal cats for us.

I thought we wouldn't be considered as we have 2yr old twins but the 'cat woman' ~(she said thats what everyone calls her) said she will match cats with people/familys and there is a cat for everyone

How will i chose between them?

Both are boys around 2 ish both lived with familys with young children and were displaced by either a new baby or a dog....

Both been vet checked and neutered.....

I can see me having to go out and buy another cat bowl...

dizziblonde · 4 January 2011 at 11:23AM

Big thing you're missing - a GOOD scratching post or cat tree. From what I've found, the rope-wrapped ones last much much longer than any carpet covered ones (destroyed by a 3 legged cat in a fortnight). Suki, who can hardly climb, loves her cat tree platforms to sit on (one's my keyboard shelf height and next to the PC which might be why)!

shinytoaster · 4 January 2011 at 11:41AM

Is your sofa leather? I have blankets on the top of mine because my cats love to sleep on the top and they always knead before they settle. You will need to get a few toys for them as well. Mine love balls and ones with holes cut out so they can carry them.

I bet that you end up with both. I swore blind that I would only have one cat and within a couple months I ended up with two more

dizziblonde · 4 January 2011 at 11:56AM

Mine loves balls to chase... for the 30 seconds before she boots them under the bookcase and they're lost forever! Then she just chases metal beer bottle tops around the kitchen floor like in a game of air hockey.

One that might be of use - a water pistol if you're wanting to keep them from scratching anywhere... we sniped Suki with a quick squirt the few times the claws wandered towards the sofa and she's been fine with just the cat tree for clawing on ever since.

spike7451 · 4 January 2011 at 12:11PM

dizziblonde wrote: »

Mine loves balls to chase... for the 30 seconds before she boots them under the bookcase and they're lost forever! Then she just chases metal beer bottle tops around the kitchen floor like in a game of air hockey.

One that might be of use - a water pistol if you're wanting to keep them from scratching anywhere... we sniped Suki with a quick squirt the few times the claws wandered towards the sofa and she's been fine with just the cat tree for clawing on ever since.

Same with Daisy.She has a nack of loosing her rubber balls & then when I look for them,I cant find them but a day or so later,she'll be playing with them again!!

Well done Voodoo on getting a Moglet!.

Mayflower10cat · 4 January 2011 at 12:21PM

Good idea to get two cats rather than just one - they do keep each other company. Oh, do get some good quality catnip/cat nip toys, such good fun! Decent scratching post most definately, cat flap?, collars with ID tags on, a brush or a 'furminator' might be good, cat bowls ideally ceramic or stainless steel not plastic, some cheap fleece throws for your furniture (all our three adore sleeping on fleece), a bottle of 'Simple Solution' for cleaning up any little accidents or misses might be handy, perhaps some cat grass seeds to grow in a pot?

Congratulations - I hope you'll all be very happy!

bethie · 4 January 2011 at 12:28PM

covered litter trays smell much less, but you may have to introduce them to the cat(s) in stages.

(ie first just the tray, then the tray with the cover without the door, and then eventually the cover with the door).

scratching posts are really good, and the furminator is amazing .

and get both cats! I got my boy a girlfriend in september, and he has really warmed up to her. he has even lost weight playing and running after her.

if the two boys arent related, it may be easier to get a male and a female? (but make sure they are both 'done').

spike7451 · 4 January 2011 at 1:10PM

Mayflower10cat wrote: »

Good idea to get two cats rather than just one - they do keep each other company. Oh, do get some good quality catnip/cat nip toys, such good fun! Decent scratching post most definately, cat flap?, collars with ID tags on, a brush or a 'furminator' might be good, cat bowls ideally ceramic or stainless steel not plastic, some cheap fleece throws for your furniture (all our three adore sleeping on fleece), a bottle of 'Simple Solution' for cleaning up any little accidents or misses might be handy, perhaps some cat grass seeds to grow in a pot?

Congratulations - I hope you'll all be very happy!

Just make sure any collars are safety collars so puss cannot get caught in them.

http://www.kittycollars.co.uk/

Lil_Me_2 · 4 January 2011 at 1:39PM

Just get both hehe.

I'd also take a plastic bag with you when you pick them up and ask for some of the litter from their tray at the foster home, make sure you have the same litter at home and the smell from the old tray will help them adjust. Also make sure you get the same food that they're used to and you can gradually change them over once settled.

vodooelephant · 4 January 2011 at 2:00PM

I remember when we lived with MIL i bought her cat 'tesco own' label cat food... the mog didnt talk to me for 4 days.......

fiestafantastic · 4 January 2011 at 2:11PM

I found the most useful thing was cat treats to coax them to do/not do things. This is a hit and miss process to find out which ones they will eat but I have always found whiskas temptations are a hit with most cats (other cat treats are available!)

Good luck with your decision, I am excited for you.

re homing a cat/cats what will we need?

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