getting prepared for the cats

[yvi]

Hi cats!

I am getting ready to adopt (probably) two cats from the local shelter. I am not sure when this will happen, since I can only have strictly indoor cats where I live and the shelter has about 25 cats that need some outdoor time, and currently only one that could be kept indoors, but I am getting prepared. Neither me nor the boyfriend have ever had cats, but we have had friends and family with cats, so we are not totally clueless.

So far, we have bought:

* two cat litter pans
* tiny shovels for the cat litter and the first package of cat litter
* two water bowels
* two food bowels with two openings each, for fresh and dry food
* two cat carriers for picking them up etc.
* a 1.5 meters scratching post, screwed to the wall for added support
* a scratching mat to screw to the walls somewhere

Not bought any food yet, we hope to get some from the shelter for the first few days, so the cats will get the food they are used to at first.

Is there anything else you think we would need? I am planning on building some basic cat toys myself over the next few days, I am not too smitten by the things that are being sold.

And are there any tips you would give a beginning cat servant?

Comments

[dancing_serpent]

My best tip: don't stress yourself out. Cats can be unpredictable.

Maybe they hide from you the first two days, maybe the'll come on your lap within the first hour. Don't worry if they refuse to eat at first. It doesn't do them harm, and when they get hungry they will eat.

Cat toys - my two show pretty much no interest in cat toys at all. But they go crazy over candy wrappers, socks and those little sieves you can put in the sink.

[zats_clear]

and laser pointer lights! crazy about those laser pointer lights!

my cats like to hide in the litter box so, yeah, don't be alarmed. they'll come out. probably at 2am to bounce on your bed and scare the begeebers out of you!

[yvi]

Those little sieves??? I am finding that cats are very strange animals :D

[fizzyblogic]

The most popular toys with the cats I've known have been empty boxes. Shoelaces and other dangly things are great for playing with them with, and wrapping paper is usually a hit, but I've had two cats now that deliberately seek out empty boxes to play with/hide in.

Oh, also! It looks like you're planning not to give them any, but just in case - some cats are lactose intolerant, so cow's milk isn't great for them. I've had at least one cat who just couldn't drink it, but she absolutely loved cat's milk. I don't know if it's a UK-based company or not, but Whiskas do some really good cat milk, and the family cats go nuts for it.

The scratching posts will (I hope!) be well-used, but be aware that cats tend to sharpen their claws on whatever's handy. Usually a short yell at them to stop will startle them out of raking up the carpet/couch/bed/favourite armchair.

[fallia]

Same here. Boxes and paper shopping bags, both of mine love those. Other random household things are way better toys than anything you could buy. And the cats always let you know what they love. :)

[yvi]

Ooh, good thing the scratching post came in a nice box, then.

I actually read that most cats are or will get lactose intolerant when fed cow milk a lot, so I am not planning on even starting that. Cat's milk sounds interesting, though.

Thanks!

[lyorn]

Nice to have:
A sticky roll to remove cat hair from clothes.
A blanket or cushion that is the Special Cat Place. (Cats love Special Places. If I have one magazine lying on my bed, the cat will lie on the magazine.)
Some greens for the cats to chew on. Mine get spider plants.

Good to do:
Check you place for breakable things that can be thrown down, and put them somewhere else.
Check your windows for cat safety.
Get into the habit of closing the lid of the toilet.
Check you kitchen bin for lack of accessability.

Good cat toys:
Boxes.
Boxes with holes in them.
Paper bags.
String.
Ping pong balls.
Walnuts.
The inner cardboard part of kitchen paper, taped half-shut and filled with half a handful of dry cat food.
A laser pointer.

I don't know if the following ever was an issue to anyone but me, but: don't encourage them to attack or maul people. Having a growling kitten gnaw at your hand might be the height of cute, but he'll still do it when he's a 15 lbs grown cat. I have the scars to prove it.

[yvi]

A sticky roll to remove cat hair from clothes.

Oh, thanks for reminding me, I almost forgot!

Get into the habit of closing the lid of the toilet.

Heh :)

And walnuts are a cool idea.

Having a growling kitten gnaw at your hand might be the height of cute, but he'll still do it when he's a 15 lbs grown cat.

*nods* My ex-flatmate's cat was like that. No fun.

Thank you!

[holyschist]

About the only cat toys mine have ever gone for have been those little cheap mice that rattle. And their catnip octopus. Laser pointers have lost their shine but can be fun for some cats.

Other hits at various times: empty toilet paper tubes, crumpled up paper, string tied to a stick, bells tied to string, cardboard boxes, paper grocery bags, ice cubes on the kitchen floor (this was more my ex-roommate's cat than either of mine).

My mom's cat has a collapseable tunnel which she loves. Basically a rounder version of a cardboard box with the ends cut out. She also loves sponges, and my mom now has to hide the kitchen sponge (she does let her play with half a clean one now and then). She also likes macadamia nuts, which are now hidden under all my mom's furniture.

Your cats will let you know quickly which household objects are now TOYS.

[yvi]

Ice cubes on the kitchen floor? Cute!

Your cats will let you know quickly which household objects are now TOYS.

:D

[azurehart]

Nice to see you thinking ahead. Way too many people get a pet on the spur of the moment and then have to go out for supplies.

The list you have is a great start. I'd add in a couple of pet beds (needn't be anything fancy, mine would rather sleep on a fluffy blanket in a cardboard box than in his expensive bed). As for toys, mine are nuts for bits of newspaper that I've crumpled up into balls, but their absolute favorite is a wand that has pheasant feathers on the end. They love the feather wand so much that I have to buy several a year because they end up breaking the feathers off during their play.

[yvi]

I actually started reading books about keeping cats three months ago. I plan these things :)

We have about 4 blankets and 10 pillows here anyway, which I hope they'll like. Othweise, yeah, I'll try to get one of these fluffy cat beds.

As for toys, mine are nuts for bits of newspaper that I've crumpled up into balls

That's good to know *doesn't throw newspaper away*. Thanks!

[rydra_wong]

A few thoughts:

If you're planning to get two cats, look for ones which have already been living together; introducing strange cats to each other can be a big deal, and is not ideal to do when they're already dealing with a strange environment. Or plan to get one cat, then a second once the first is fully settled in.

You might consider asking about cats with FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) -- they need extra check-ups and treatment for minor infections, but can live as long as FIV-negative cats. However, shelters will generally insist on placing them as strictly indoors-only cats to prevent transmission to other cats.

Also, be prepared for them to completely ignore the scratching post, the scratching mat, and any toys you have lovingly made for them, in favour of scratching the furniture and playing wildly with a plastic bottle cap. Cats can be brutal like that *g*.

[yvi]

*nods*

I actually called the local cat shelter yesterday and they have two that are already together in a foster home and need to be kept together.

Also, be prepared for them to completely ignore the scratching post, the scratching mat, and any toys you have lovingly made for them, in favour of scratching the furniture and playing wildly with a plastic bottle cap.

:D Well, at least i only have one piece of furniture (a couch) that would make a good scratching toy. That and the tapestry *winces*

[rydra_wong]

Yes, if it's a wall tapestry you might need to raise it up. Or move any adjacent furniture that can be used as a launch pad.

Especially with young cats, any kind of fabric into which claws can stick may be seen as an exciting chance to CLIMB!!!

Getting Ready for Cats

[tj_jellybean]

You're on the right track! You may not have needed 2 litter boxes, but it does mean less cleaning up. Cats are SO precocious! We have spent lots of money looking for cat toys that they will actually play with. Our cats like paper balls, hair rubber bands, plastic ties, boxes (especially ones with holes on the side that they can spy through), store plastic & paper sacks, ping pong balls, the wrappers off jars, etc. So you see, it's better to look for things you already have around the house before going shopping. We see cute things at the local Petco and can't resist the urge to splurge! Big mistake! You will be entertained for life, I am sure. We have three "house" cats and love them to pieces. Enjoy your new family!!!