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

[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!