Getting a rescue cat - first time cat owner. Can I ask some dumb questions please...?

[Rarry]

We have just been approved for an eight year old rescue cat which will arrive in the next few days. We've never owned a cat before, so I have some silly questions to ask please...?

How often do you feed your cat and what time of day. I know what type of food I need to give and how much, but wasn't told whether cats are fed once or twice a day and whether I should feed the cat in the morning, evening or both...?

So we need to get a cat litter tray and I know what type of cat litter to get and when to clean it - but can I just dump the poo down the loo or what do I do with it...?

Which pet insurance should I get for an eight year old cat...?

What toys ought I get. The cat likes to play and to be groomed. Any recommendations?

It also likes its scratching post - but boy, there are so many to choose from. What should I get...?

And any other advice anyone would like to pass on?

Thank you - looking forward to joining this board .

[Costacoffeeplease]

I feed my cats (12 of them!) wet food twice a day, morning and evening, and they have free access to hoppers of dry food

They love the fishing rod type toys, small balls with bells in, but even a rolled up sock will do for some of them - what toys do they play with now?

You can put the cat poo down the loo but the clumped, peed on stuff gets bagged up and put in the bin

I would get a scratching post that incorporates a shelf or box to hide in, most cats like somewhere to his away

We're not in the UK so don't have insurance - it probably wouldn't be worth it for our tribe anyway

Good luck, hope the new arrival settles in quickly, but don't worry if it spends the first few days hiding behind the sofa!

[catsofa]

I think feeding twice a day is usual, any time that suits you really. Mine gets fed when I get up, whenever that is, and then again in the evening some time - used to be 5pm as it had to be 5:30pm on days I was at work, but now she's older (16) and often not hungry until later so I just let her come and miaow to tell me when she's ready for dinner.

Yes cat poo can go down the loo, I keep the litter tray right next to the toilet so this is really easy. Wet gravel in the outside bin as Costa has said.

8 years old is considered officially old for a cat, so you'll have to look for a company which will actually insure you - might be worth making a separate post titled "Insurance for 8 year old cat" to ask people for recommendations as many companies just won't insure over that age. Mine isn't insured, but I've put a small amount of cash away each month to cover vet costs and she's only recently needed anything but routine check ups.

Toys - see what she likes first! Scrunch up bits of tin foil and flick them around for her to chase and bat about. Drag string/shoelaces etc along the floor very fast. Attach the string to a stick of some sort to make it easier to drag along the floor. My cat loves chasing and killing a hair band tied to the end of the string.

Not sure about scratching posts as mine only ever wants to use the carpet.

Enjoy your new arrival, and post us some photos!

[shaska]

Mine have breakfast and dinner at 8am and 6pm on the dot, where at all possible. The 8am thing is because at first it was just 'when I get up' which quickly turned into 'if we get her out of bed we get breakfast' which quickly turned into 'it is 5am and there is a cat on my face, shouting'. 6pm is arbitrary, though they start hanging around looking baleful from around 4.

Litter disposal depends on the litter but it will say on the bag. You can always flush the poos though.

Toys, get a dangler - it's a stick with elastic and a feather/toy attachment. They're my cats favourite. You can get them on zooplus really cheaply which is good if the cat destroys them. Ping pong balls tend to be popular, especially if you have hard floors, but you'll get through millions, and they will hide one in the house to play with while you're sleeping, with the associated racket. Something furry with catnip in it can be a good one for some cats. But you don't need that many - if he likes to play he'll source his own toys from your household items.

I wouldn't spend too much until you have him, as you'll soon find out what he actually needs, and likely it won't be as much as you'd thought. Oh but do get some dreamies. Aside from the occasional rogue dreamies refuser, they're like cat-crack.

Definitely don't worry if he hides for the first few days. Do you have kids and/or a big house? If so he may like to be confined to a couple of rooms to begin with while he gets his bearings - somewhere semi-peaceful where he can feel safe, but still get used to normal household noises.

I believe a condition of membership of this board is photographs of the beasts, so do update us once he arrives!

[BagelwithButter]

It's fantastic that you're having a rescue cat and an older one. Good luck Awaiting pictures...

[Nellagain]

I must be soft i feed on demand. They do know not to wake me though!

They eat about 4sachets of wet food a day.
Cat scratch posts-whatever Fits with your decor. They aren't fussy.

What i found when i got a rescue cat was that felliway made a big difference to her settling in. Although i do have a slightly older boy cat so wanted to help them both settle.

[TendonQueen]

I've always fed my cats morning and when I return from work. Dry food always available along with water. Litter bagged up and put in main rubbish bin.

Toys - wands you can wave for them to chase, and also some balls/catnip toys for when you're not there. A scratching post with those wicker coverings is what we have, and the ones with extra dangling toys on seem good.

My first cat was an older rescue cat and was utterly brilliant. Enjoy your new family member!

[littlelime]

My cat is also 8, he isn't insured but I set aside money each month invade he ever needs treatment (£20pm) into a separate account.
I feed him four times a day as he doesn't eat much in one go and doesn't like food that's been left out. He has half a pouch of wet food about 7am, small bowl of dry around 2/3pm ( neighbour pops over if I'm at work), another bowl of dry at 7pm and remaining half of wet food at 11pm.
However most cats don't seem to be that fussy with food.
He has a scratching post with a box for hiding on, although he doesn't really use it and prefers using the sofa
Favourite toys are the dangly ones on sticks and the balls with bells in. Pound shop often have some cat toys in, so you could get a selection very cheaply and she what they like.
I flush the poo as it appears and change the gravel every other day into the outside bin.

[MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday]

Mine are fed three times a day ..when they get me up ( crack of dawn!), when I come home from work at 4pm and supper at about 8pm . They also have some dried down for nibbles.

I bought a huge climbing scratching thingy for my current cats..and they love it! I now wish I'd had one for previous ones.

Get a Flying Frenzy toy. Seriously... we have to hide it from the cats and they sit and cry for it :)
www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/shop/Flying-Frenzy-Wand-Cat-Toy

We have bought numerous replacement ends as they KILL it :)

I have used wood chip litter (and have blocked the loo twice tipping a bit too much down with the poo! but have just switched to Pets at Home really fine stuff (NOT going down the loo!!!!)

Tips for the first few days...pop him in one room (pref quiet..eg a spare bedroom, study) with litter tray, food and water (other side of room) and let him hide/explore at leisure. He may hide for a few days,or he may be bold and snoopy... just sit there and if you can, give him some fuss if he is ok with it. Some are very shy at first (my two were) my old boy wasn't. Let him get sued to one room for a day or so before he goes further :)

Hopefully being an older cat, he will adapt quickly, and you will have someone to hasle you every moment before long :D

[Rarry]

Thank you all for the advice. It's been very handy. I'll be sure to post pictures when she arrives .

[RubbishMantra]

My two get 2 wet meals a day, and dry food to graze on, down all the time. Always plenty of fresh water.

I use World's Best cat litter,which is biodegradable. Made out of corn. It can also be flushed down the loo. Can also be composted.

Mine are insured with PetPlan. Luckily I've never had to make a claim, but I hear they're good at paying out. Get the "covered for life" if they will allow it. Otherwise if your cat were to develop diabetes, for example, that would be classed as a pre-existing condition on renewal, and they'd exclude it.

Toys - mine go mental for the Flying Frenzy. also the cheap squeaky mice from the pet shop and one of them in particular loves drinking straws.

[RubbishMantra]

Ooh forgot, re. scratching post, get one as tall as possible. So your cat can stretch right up. I made my own, because the ones in the pet shop were never tall enough for them to get a good old stretch.

And nice one for taking on a middle aged cat. Pictures please! Tis the law on here!

[Rarry]

Next Question ....

The cat arrives Tuesday afternoon and we have been advised to lock her into one room to start off with.

My DH has got the next day off work, so we can keep her in the room all the following day and check on her. However, on the Thursday we're all back at work. During the day do you think we should keep her locked in her room or should we open the door to let her explore the house whilst we're out...?

She is used to having owners that work and being left alone all day. Just don't know what to do for the best in the first few days.

Thanks

[QueenFuri]

I feed mine two pouches of wet a day one in the morning one at night. I put biscuits down for her to graze on but take them away when I put her wet food down as she will not eat the wet food if there is dry food about. She loves it but pesters for food if she just has dry

I've recently changed to wood pellet litter she wasn't keen at first but I sprinkled some of the clay stuff down and now she uses it, I scoop out the poo's when I see them then do a complete clean out every few days, I just bag it and put it in the normal bin.

Cat Insurance is through Animal Friends

As for toys mine likes fishing rods, ropes, her catnip mouse from Sainsburys and fruit shoot lids she bats them all over the place she also bullies the dog and views him as her giant toy

I have a 6ft scratching post from Ebay she loves it especially trying to murder the mice which hang off it, she sleeps on it too its this one Link

Not much advice mine rules me and I spoil her rotten! You will soon be ruled too I bet!

[thelittlebooktroll]

I feed mine twice a day (wet food) They only share in pouch and the same in the evening. They have access to dry food all the time and snack. They also frequent several restaurants in our road ie. the neighbours feed them which really annoys me but they rule the street.

[LineRunner]

I'd see how she gets on using her litter tray, and if she is happy enough using it then I would let her roam and explore the house but then I am a soppy cat person.

[tacal]

hi, I adopted a rescue cat in January. I didnt know you are supposed to keep cats in one room at first so I let her have a wander about. She chose to stay in my bedroom most of the time and she still does during the day. She sleeps on my bed all day and doesn't leave the room even though I leave the door open. She only comes out the bedroom when she hears ds come home from school.

My sister adopted a cat last week and was advised to keep the cat in one room for a week. I think she did it for 2 days then let the cat have access to most of the house. They were back at work after day 2 and the cat has been fine.

You must be very excited about getting your new cat

[shaska]

I'd see how she goes re the house. I tend to judge it on when they're ready - once they're happy in the room they're in, interacting with you a bit, exploring even if it's a bit tentative, then I tend to let them have the rest of the house at that point, whether getting there takes two hours or two weeks.

[OrangeOwl]

Insurance: definately get it if you can. We ended up having vet bills of over 2K for our cat.

[Christophewouldgetit]

I am not on commission but I would recommend HelpUCover for older cats.. my lovely boy is a couple of years younger but I only pay about £7/8 per month for lifetime cover and I had to use it heavily at the start of the year. Paid up no quibbles!

And i have only ever rehomed on behalf of friends which is probably different from rescue (although both my cats did come from rescues originally) and they had free roam from Day 1..

Good luck - and yay for puss cats (and to you for taking on an older girl!)

[MrsBertMacklin]

I adopted a nine year old last year and had no problem getting insurance quotes. I went with Petplan.

Try to scoop litter as soon as it's used. For cleanliness but also, if the cat pees over already - wet litter, it creates a HUGE clump that's tricky to scoop.

Don't go mad on toys. Try some home made ones to see what type it likes, eg bouncy things, wiggly things. But YY to Flying Frenzy.

Make sure the rescue place gives you medical records. I didn't get my cats and now can't prove to insurers that she's had a dental check in the last 12 months.

[Poledra]

Hi there. We got 2 10-year old cats about 18 months ago (brothers, lived together all their lives). We kept them shut in one room the first day they came to us, then opened the door to that room after the children had gone to bed. We didn't go into the room, just opened the door for them. By 10pm that night, I had a lapful of furry cat (which was a little hot in July but there you go!). We then just left the door open but the children were not allowed into the room for the rest of the week, so that the cats had a safe place to go for quiet. I think we left it about 2 weeks before we unlocked the cat flap, and now they poo under the tree in the garden (thank you for that, boys, it makes it easier to clean up!).

We didn't insure but do put away money every month.

They have been fabulous, and the children adore them. We feed them wet food twice a day (8am and 6pm) and I got the children to do their meals, both to teach the kids responsibility and to make the cats associate small noisy people with lovely food! They have access to dry food ad lib.

Good luck!

[Italiangreyhound]

I must be odd but I would never put cat poo down the loo.

Because I am awfully fussy and a little OCD I keep gloves, the disposable kind, those toilet wipe things, not flushable - the ones for cleaning the loo, plus baby nappy bags and a scoop. Our darling cat is no more with us, gone to cat heaven, but when he came as a kitty we used a litter try with him and I would use the wipes to clean the scoop etc if necessary and clean out the tray. You can also get pet friendly spray for cleaning etc. The gloves are handy, although you do not need to use all the time but if your cat does a whoopsie anywhere or is sick (this only happened about once in two years) I was glad of the gloves!

PLEASE do have your own cat carrier. I borrowed one at first and then after about a year our cat was ill in the night and I tried to take him to the vets in a cardboard box! Disaster. Had to eventually contact a friend through text and she left her cat carrier on the door step at 5.30 a.m. for me! I am lucky, I had good friends.

Always use pet insurance, you have no idea what will happen and how much it will cost when it does! you cannot save enough for every eventuality but you can afford the money per month if you budget for it. E.G. we had two night time visits to vet at a cost of around £200 each. Our cat insurance was £13 a month. So a whole year and a quarter of pet insurance in one night! Yes, we do pay the excess but I still think it is worth it.

Get lifetime cover insurance so that if they develop a problem it will be included in the next year when you renew. If you get annual cat insurance, the following year they may not include an illness if the cat has had it. Does that make sense?

Get Vet advice about anti flea and worm spot on, anti flea is once a month and anti tape worm is once every three months BUT you can buy it cheaper on internet but I would initially ask vet what they recommend etc and get one lot from them to start you off.

[Italiangreyhound]

Good luck, I love cats and miss ours.

[Italiangreyhound]

We kept our kitten in one room for a while, with access to food, water and litter tray, but with an older cat I would be tempted to give her more space more quickly. Our house is all interlocking so we can give access to living and dining room or living and dining and kitchen etc but not upstairs. If you can give two rooms then why not try that initially.

[Lifesalemon]

Good advice from greyhound regarding insurance. We have had a previous claim for treatment when my cat was hit by a car amounting to over a thousand pounds and a recent emergency call out and treatment fees of over three hundred pounds in total. If I had saved the cash instead of paying insurance premiums I would have had nowhere near enough saved to cover it.