I have acquired a feline.

[SpaceAdmiralRodcocker]

A friend gave him to me as he was not getting on too well around her two dogs. He is 13 months old. Friend tells me she found him outside by the bins, we both live in the same block of flats. He is called Buddy and he is booked in to be neutered on the 5th.

Just wanting advice really as like I say never had a cat before. He laps up the wet food I have been putting down but wont really touch the dry biscuit type I put down. Is this ok?

Will he calm down a bit when hes been done?

[SpaceAdmiralRodcocker]

Sorry that should say found him outside by bins when he was a small kitten approx 3 weeks.

[SpaceAdmiralRodcocker]

Here he is

[cozietoesie]

What a handsome chap.

He ought to calm down once he's been neutered although there's no real guarantee. (He should really have been done at 4 months so he'll be full of hormones now and they could take a couple of weeks to disperse.)

[cozietoesie]

PS - he might not much like the brand of dry you're giving him but some cats just prefer wet food. Is he eating that and using his tray fine?

[SpaceAdmiralRodcocker]

Yes, he is doing his business seemingly normally (peeing and poop), I have been removing the 'business' from the litter and topping up as needed, with the intention to fully clean twice a week or so (he's been here just under a week)

[BagelwithButter]

Apologies if you've done all this already...

When he's booked in for neutering, you should have him chipped as well.

And it's a good idea to sort out insurance for him.

He's lovely.

[SpaceAdmiralRodcocker]

I did try to get a quote for insurance and came a bit unstuck when asked what breed of cat he is! I actually don't know!

Regarding being chipped, we live on the 8th floor so at the moment his chances of escaping (and getting very far) are quite small. is it still worth doing?

[IHaveBrilloHair]

Get rid of it immediately, no good can come of this.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

It might end up like this and no one wants that

[SpaceAdmiralRodcocker]

Aw what a cute fluffy lump! not helping

[Fluffycloudland77]

Yes, get him chipped. You can never tell what mischeif they will get into and if he's under you may as well.

You can get cereal free biscuits in pets at home or online but only buy small bags. They instantly go off anything you buy in bulk for economy.

The vet might run a scheme for neutering, chipping and vaccinating which will work out cheaper.

You'll need a monthly flea treatment too from them, if you ask them for a private prescription you can order it online. Even factoring in the cost of the prescription it's a lot cheaper to buy online. Some of the online pharmacys are on //www.topcashback.co.uk so you can claw a bit of cash back.

[Fluffycloudland77]

He's a gorgeous moggy for insurance purposes. He looks very cuddly.

[thecatneuterer]

To answer your question about his breed - his is a moggy:) However for official paperwork work 'moggy' translates to Domestic Shorthair.

[thecatneuterer]

Ha ha. Crosspost with Fluffy

[LaurieFairyCake]

What a lovely cat

[SpaceAdmiralRodcocker]

Thanks Fluffy and thecatneuterer :)

[cozietoesie]

As TCN says - a DSH (Domestic Short Hair) - but be careful not to confuse that (or the insurance company) with a BSH or British Short Hair which is a distinct breed of cat.

Good luck.

[Wolfiefan]

Just to warn you. You haven't acquired a cat. You have become a slave!

[emilyphipps]

If he is going to be an indoor cat do not give him dry biscuits. Indoor cats have scant opportunities for exercise and dry stuff tends to make them fat.

Your cat might want to hide - that's fine.Cats are sensitive creatures and need their own space. My cats don't like being picked up, for example, though they are friendly in their own way.

You must get him chipped. If you were taking him to the vet by car, for example, and he jumped out he would be petrified and it would be very difficult to find him.

I am sure that in time you will have a great relationship. Cats are wonderful company.

[thecatneuterer]

I'm not sure why you would be likely to lose him if taking him to the vet by car, as you must never take a cat anywhere except in a proper carrier. Microchipping is still very important though.

And when buying a carrier don't buy the ultra cheap ones with the plastic doors, as a large, scared cat can break out of them. Make sure you get one with a metal door.

[RubbishMantra]

Re cat biscuits, mine like Royal Canin, and they do one specifically for indoor cats. Applaws is a good dry food (it's what my cats get) it's 80% meat and no cereals or grains.

Oh, and lots of interactive toys to keep him entertained.

[sashh]

To answer your question about his breed - his is a moggysmile However for official paperwork work 'moggy' translates to Domestic Shorthair.

On tesco's sign up for insurance it has 'moggy'.

And yes to getting shipped, mine loves delivery vans, everytime there is a delivery she wants to go with the van.

I think that might be how she became a stray.