Shall we keep this cat?

[Rootvegetables]

An elderly neighbor tripped over their cat and couldn't have it anymore as it was always winding round their feet. I've seen the cat on a few occasions it's very timid. He was desperate to get rid of it I said I'd take it away for him. The cats only just over a year all upto date medically but is just so very nervous. We have a very noisy house and know little about cats. Is it mean to keep it or would it be better at a rescue? I'm guessing not it's only a moggy so not sure anyone would really want her but I feel mean that she's not happy. Any tips?

[Rootvegetables]

How do you look after a cat!?

[LanaorAna1]

Congratulations! You are a cat owner. Take time to prioritise the little furry for a few weeks and settle into a lifetime of loveliness.

[YesItsMeIDontCare]

Well first off... we need a picture of the cat.

Cats pretty much take care of themselves. A tray is very important, as is a scratch post. He'll soon let you know what food he does and doesn't like.

[Sparklydress]

It takes a while to settle, like six months to a year. Our timid rescue is now a fat, chilled bombproof dog teaser.

Rescues are full to bursting as so many stupid people breed or don't neuter or get bored.

I find having a cat very easy (and I am a dog person).

P.S it's very kind of you

[Sparklydress]

You could try feliway plug ins, a quiet area to settle. A litter tray awaterfountain

[Northernlurker]

The cat is probably happier with you if they can still access their territory outside than in a totally new home. Try limiting them to one or two rooms whilst they get used to you and make sure she has some high up cosy places (back of sofa or windowsill) that she can access. They like being up high, they can see threats better.

[scaryteacher]

They like being up high, they can see threats better I thought they liked being high up so they can see what the slave is doing and provide adequate supervision and guidance as to the suitability of the culinary offerings.

[hollinhurst84]

Food, water, litter tray, scratch mat are the basics
Quiet place to get away
Flea and worm treatment

I got my first cat 18 months ago and we have muddled through I bought him a cat tree and he looked at it like "um. No. Too high human, I no go up there"
I sold the cat tree and discovered he likes ribbon on a stick to play with

[cozietoesie]

I think we need a photo of Ollie's 'ribbon face'!

[RubbishMantra]

Oh, I need my fix of RibbonFace too!

You will be fine OP, like PPs have outlined the basics you need. I'm getting ready for my dotage years by walking up and down the stairs with my eyes closed, pretending I can't see my pair of trippy uppy twats cats.

Water. Lots of it available at all times. And you can sneak a fair bit into their wet food (warm boiled water). Ooh, and a clean tray. Cats can cross their legs for a long time, causing UTIs if their tray isn't clean/not to their liking.

And as your boy is young, some interactive toys, like laser pointers and fishing rod type toys. But be sure to put any dangly toy-on-a-string-type-thing away after play-time. For safety reasons.

[RubbishMantra]

Oops, forgot to say keep him indoors for at least 3 weeks, until installing a cat-flap/allowing outdoor access if he's to be an outside going cat. Keep him in from dawn til dusk though, for his safety.

Also, ask the previous owner to update the microchip number to you. If they're unsure of the number, your vet can do a quick scan of the chip, (embedded between neck and shoulders). This is really important, so if something were to happen to your cat, the vet would have your details. If cat doesn't have a chip implanted, do ask your vet to do it - they'll often do it free. At the most it's about a tenner.

[RubbishMantra]

... dawn til dusk should've read dusk til dawn

[Fluffycloudland77]

It's only nervous because it doesn't know you, once it figures out you are the source of food & your dc have toys to play with it'll calm down.

I'd keep it because the nervous ones spend longer in shelters. It's worth it for when they come out of their shell & decide who their favourite human is.

[Kiroro]

We have a very noisy house and know little about cats.

Do you have kids?

Don't let the children chase the cat, grab at it, try and pick it up or anything. For now, let the cat watch and come to you. It is really stressful being for them to be grabbed at.

Hope the kitty settles in well!

[hollinhurst84]

He says you are all MEAN and he doesn't have a ribbon face

[cozietoesie]

[LanaorAna1]

:) He's got me on a string...

[Rootvegetables]

Ahh thank you for all your help, she is very food oriented so is having go cat, whiskers pouches and fish/chicken that we have, too much I think!? Do they just have one meal a day (not 8!) she's only small, a torteshell quite sweet but won't come to me even when everyone is in bed creeps past me to eat and runs if I even get close. I didn't know to keep her in so she has been out but does come back to the house. Il get a pic later!

[Fluffycloudland77]

They take a while to gain confidence, go cats not great for them.

Aldi pouches are cheap & good quality. Ours has 4 meals a day.

[hollinhurst84]

Mine has dry food down for when I'm out (I work odd hours) and then a pouch in the AM and PM. I tend to only put half a pouch down and then give more as he's not always hungry. They even out eventually, mine ate like a horse when he first arrived!