Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

New Kitten Advice

45 replies

KittyLane1 · 25/07/2019 11:05

Hi all,

Going through a horrible break up and I've adopted a cat to cheer the house up. He is a gorgeous 11 week old Persian.
He is going to be an indoor cat.

Any advice / tips from cat moms? I have a large kitchen, utility room and bathroom he can access when home alone. Two large windows with sitting areas underneath and plenty of safe places to get away from it all if needed.

OP posts:

Soola · 25/07/2019 11:12

Get him a companion if the poor thing is going to be stuck indoors for his whole life.

Geraniumpink · 25/07/2019 11:19

Awww. Sounds great. Keep him on the same food he’s been on. Don’t be upset if he spends a day or two crouched hiding in the smallest space available. (Or rescue kitten lived behind the fridge for the first few days, venturing out under the kitchen table at night to eat-she’s a bossy little thing now!) keep up any flea treatments if needed or the house will be bouncing. Lots for games for an indoor cat they love piercing about on window sills. Enjoy!

Booboostwo · 25/07/2019 11:23

Get him used to grooming he will need a lot of it! If is white or cream he may also need cleaning with water.

Check out cat enrichment activities on the internet. There is a lot of advice for creating a more challenging environment for a house cat.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cats

isseywithcats · 25/07/2019 12:13

lots of toys to keep him amused as hes going to be an indoor cat and still get vaccinations, neutering, flea worm treatments done

MissingTheMissletoe · 25/07/2019 12:21

My indoor girl refuses to play with cat toys but loves bottle lids, she’ll happily play with those for ages on end. She’s also a solitary cat, hates any other animals in her territory and has the full run of the house. I would suggest keeping a radio on for her if she’s going to be left home alone throughout the day, mine gets upset with it being too quiet.

Getting a companion cat isn’t necessary so long as you give plenty of love and attention when you’re home! Also lots of things to climb and hide in. And a box. Boxes are a must for my girl

thethoughtfox · 25/07/2019 13:58

Keep him one room for the first day till he gets comfortable. Start your grooming regime in the same place every day so they get used to it. Consider a friend for him. Get him checked out by a vet immediately. They do kitten checks. And get pet insurance. When you say adopted do you mean bought from a breeder? A pure breed Persian is worth a lot of money; they aren't handed in to rescue centres or given away from free.

They need specially shaped dry food if you are using this to supplement their meat. Royal Canin do a speciality Persian kitten food which is specially shaped and easy for them to pick up and has ingredients to help with their coat.

Original poster

KittyLane1 · 25/07/2019 15:03

Thanks everyone for your views and suggestions.

He is a persian from a proper breeder. He wasnt cheap, I have recieved very good advice from the breeder regarding his care (his eyes in particular) and how to groom him, luckily he loves to be handled.
I will consider getting two.
Keeping an indoor cat is generally what people do now isnt it? Atleast 4 of my closest friends have indoor cats.
I popped into pets at home and the guy was very helpful, bought plenty of kitten toys and treats, scratching posts and litter.

I have already booked him into the vet and will get him neutered. He has been wormed and treated for fleas and I will continue to do so.

OP posts:

Booboostwo · 25/07/2019 15:18

If you want two gets get a second one ASAP. Two kittens, ideally litter mates, are likely to get on better than cats introduced later on in life. If you introduce adult cats to each please read up on it, it take a few weeks/months to do properly and, with indoor cats you may find that there isn’t never enough space for them.

Soola · 25/07/2019 15:43

Keeping an indoor cat is generally what people do now isnt it?

I suppose if your front door opens on to the M25 then yes.

Personally I think it’s cruel.

tierraJ · 25/07/2019 15:44

My Ebony is an indoor cat through her own choice, she's a rescue who's terrified of the outside & hates other cats.

The main thing is to remember that as her owner you're the indoor cat's world & sole focus! Your cat may well try to follow you everywhere & watch you all the time...
Don't necessarily get another cat for company for it as cats are solitary & get jealous.
Make sure your cat has plenty of play time - mine loves catnip toys, feathers, little balls, fishing rod toys etc.
Get a big scratching post & put it next to the sofa!! Cannot stress this enough.

Get it used to being brushed & handled & cuddled asap.
Ebony won't be brushed or cuddled- she was 4 when rescued. She's very fluffy but luckily doesn't matt up.

Persians have a lovely personality but they are prone to health issues at times so please make sure it's insured. Tesco pet insurance is cheap & very comprehensive, both my sister & I have used it & they have always paid out.

tierraJ · 25/07/2019 15:47

Re litter, if you do get 2 cats it's best to get 2 separate trays, actual cat experts advise this as they hate having to share toilets.
Most cat owners don't do this & sometimes one cat will end up using a corner instead of the tray.

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/07/2019 16:11

Our Persians were meant to be indoor only, they had other ideas!.

mrssunshinexxx · 25/07/2019 16:16

I'm with @Soola I don't think cats should be kept indoors either I also think it's cruel however I can understand if people live near busy roads why they would.. personally if I lived near a busy road I just wouldn't get a cat x

mrssunshinexxx · 25/07/2019 16:16

Could you ' cat proof ' your garden

You can buy garden fences that go in 90 degree at the top so they can't jump over the MM

Booboostwo · 25/07/2019 16:47

Yes, there are various cat proofing ideas. You can build a run or put cat proof fencing around your garden. More fun for the cat and safer as I would imagine it will be difficult to keep all doors and windows closed at all times.

thethoughtfox · 25/07/2019 16:47

Generally Persians are house cats or have an outside run or kept in a secure garden. Your breeder should have told you this and most ask you to sign something promising to adhere to this. Their coats don't fair well outside and their short legs and flat muzzles make it difficult to run away from or defend themselves from attacks.

Whitecandle · 25/07/2019 16:57

Haha to all the people saying get the 'poor cat
a companion as he's going to be alone.

I had 2 Siamese cats. One from rescue who was 7 then bought him a kitten to keep him company as they're indoor cats. Unfortunately the 7 year old died this year and the kitten is 100 times more relaxed and loving and happy now he's an only cat.... don't feel guilty for having only one indoor pet!

On the other hand my eldest cat loved having company.. it's all according to what your cat likes.

I don't restrict my cats to any rooms, they have walk of the house. No special things to tell you really to a normal outdoor cat xx

Whitecandle · 25/07/2019 17:00

Why is it cruel can I ask?

My Siamese cats would 100% not be able to look after themselves as it's just not in them. They have come from a long long german bloodline of indoor cats and when letting my eldest out once or twice, he couldn't even walk along a fence properly. Came back full of cuts where he got beat up and generally doesn't have the same 'cat' instincts as outdoor 'moggy' cats. My kitten jumped from our open bedroom window not realising he would get outside as he doesn't even know what 'outdoors' is and ran to the railway track next to my house and his and was petrified. He's much happier indoors. Doesn't even try to run out if the doors are open....

Doesn't seem cruel to me

Popfan · 25/07/2019 17:01

Keeping a cat indoors is definitely not the norm unless you live on a busy road.

Whitecandle · 25/07/2019 17:01

Might be an idea to purchase window restricters so you can still have your windows open too 😊 x

BlueSkiesLies · 25/07/2019 17:08

Cats don’t need a companion, you need to provide input and attention though. As well as enrichment activities and decent ‘habitat’.

If it’s not happy inside it will let you know, indoor cats do need a lot more input from their humans.

BillywilliamV · 25/07/2019 17:19

Why an indoor cat? Is it for your benefit or the cats?

Whitecandle · 25/07/2019 17:30

@BillywilliamV I'm guessing same reason as mine. It's a pure breed cat. You don't let a pure breed wander the streets. They will get stolen for one.

midsomermurderess · 25/07/2019 17:53

I also wouldn't agree to getting him a companion. Cats are fiercely territorial and can be hugely stressed sharing spaces with other cats. I had to take in a cat a few years ago when my sister died. The cat I had had for several years before that was so aggressive to him, made his life an utter misery. When she died, he came into his own, he is so much happier and relaxed and chilled having the space to himself. He's a house cat too.

Original poster

KittyLane1 · 26/07/2019 08:54

House cats are the norm in my social circle.
As a PP said, he is an expensive breed pure bred cat, those kind of cats dont just wander the streets.
I've considered getting a "catio" and a lead so I can let him experience the outdoors safely.
No worries with giving him attention and playing with him, I cant bloody wait to spend hours playing and grooming him.
He will definitely be insured, vaccinated and neutered.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2