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The litter tray

So it appears that we have two cats...

19 replies

3bunnies · 15/09/2014 23:11

Agreed with neighbours to take on two cats who singled our house out as a soft touch a while ago (neighbours had been caring for them but they don't get on with their dog and won't go in there for food). Their history is a bit hazy. They are brother and sister, probably under a year had flea treatment a few months ago (can probably get a close guess for this date and what was given). We don't know if they have been spayed/neutered although I guess if they haven't we could have taken on a whole family. The girl is skinny and v obsessed with food but v affectionate, the boy is a bit more chilled but still likes a stroke and a comfy lap.

I guess our main priorities are vet, feeding regime and insurance. When I take them in to vets what do I need to ask them to do for them? Microchip, innoculations, what else? Will they be able to tell from looking whether they need spaying/neutering? Should I take them together or one at a time?

For food we want fairly low maintenance for when we are away so I thought maybe one wet feed a day and then dry food. Any recommendations? They will need to be feed outside most of the time when we are away as cat flap isn't practical - planning to make their current residence in the playhouse a bit warmer for them. Will bring them in in winter and once convinced that they can use a litter tray (they were at one point litter trained but need to get a litter tray to stop puddles). We have not yet shut them in - they have always had a door open so far. Also need to stop girl jumping on surfaces and stealing food from the dc. Hoping this might stop when she is fed more.

So any tips or advice?

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thecatneuterer · 16/09/2014 01:18

Don't the neighbours know their history? Surely they can tell you if they had them neutered?

Anyway the vet (and indeed you) will be able to tell if the boy is neutered as he either still has balls or he doesn't. To know if the girl has been done they will need to shave her side to check for a scar. So this is the priority when you take them into the vet, as well as vaccinations and microchips.

They should also be de-flead ever month using a 'proper' treatment, such as Advantage, Advocate or Stronghold. They will also need a wormer every three months. Your vet will able to advise/sell you the stuff.

I don't understand what you mean by feeding them outside when you're away. Do you mean when you go on holiday? You plan to shut them out of the house then? That doesn't sound like a very good/nice idea. It would surely be better to shut them in if anything. Cats don't need training to use a litter tray. Just provide a tray, show it to them, and they will use it.

And in what way is a cat flap not convenient? Cat flaps are generally such a good idea and they can be fitted into walls, into double glazed doors, into windows ... all over the place really.

As for teaching them not to jump on surfaces - good luck with that one! I know that some posters on here have claimed success, but my advice would be to just not worry too much about it. I have cats sitting in on almost every kitchen surface in my house and I'm still alive:)

For food Butcher's Classic is a good quality, healthy and cheap wet food. Unfortunately though there isn't a good and cheap dried food. The cheap dried food (think Wiskas/Go Cat etc) can cause health problems, and are particularly dangerous for male cats as their use is linked to urinary crystals causing blockages. So you need to go for quality dried food such as Applaws/ James Wellbeloved etc.