Any cat owners around?

[BettyTurnip]

We are on a list to get a Ragdoll kitten in late Jan/ early February, which seems ages away but I know will come round quickly, so I'm trying to think a few things through now. My main question at the moment is where did your cat sleep when it was a kitten/young cat?

I'd planned to have the cat's bed in the kitchen (with a litter tray when it's tiny then with a cat flap in the door to the utility room where a second litter tray will have been kept). However, I don't really like the thought of it climbing all over the surfaces when we're asleep. I was considering a crate type of affair but then is that cruel to coop it up? So should I let it have the run of the house?

Obviously, cats are nocturnal so may be out all night but Ragdolls are house cats...I'm just wondering whether the cat will be rampaging playing around in the house for hours when we're all in bed or do they tend to sleep a lot at night as well?

Help!!

You're coming over like Mrs Slocombe now.

That was to LittleRedCar obviously!

Who's Mrs Slocombe?

Is she a moldie?

Err... no.. I just know quite a few and some of them have been hunters - including one who used to catch bunnies...

Should I talk slower or are you just doing a bit of trolling?

Are you too young to remember "Are You Being Served?" and Mrs. Slocombe's infamous pussy?

Obviously you are.

Seriously though - Flopsy?

LRC - Do I KNOW you?????

Cause if I do that is very naughty!

I'm in the US - are you talking about a TV show?

Flopsy - yes! Ragdolls are floppy dolls, aren't they?

Least they are in the Midwest!

DMNC - I'll kick your ass if you call me a troll

I'm lost now. What's naughty? Mentioning moldies?

Ok, it's all lost in translation.

Yes, it was a tv programme.

Enjoy Flopsy, I'm looking forward to having on of my own.

Enjoy your pussy, Betty.

DH loves mine.

LRC

Mentioning moldies is a bit old hat now... in the naughty stakes - unless it is done mid argument... I think I have trouble keeping up

Have you got a pussy, DMNC?

"Enjoy your pussy, Betty.

DH loves mine."

I'm sure he loves your cat as well

Yes but mine is ginger...

I can feel a tide turning on this poor innocent thread!

My friend has a hairless one.

Hi Betty

We adpoted 2 rescue kittens at Easter, they live indoors as one was v timid when we got her (altho v confident now) and her sister has funny back legs that don't straighten, so they are best off as house cats.

Here are my top tips:

1 - We bought a cat tree here which they absolutely LOVE - it goes right up to the ceiling and they climb on it, play on it sleep on it, dangle alarmingly from it... you get the idea - £70 well spent!

2 - We also have a very good poo management system - a covered litter box with a flap which someone else mentioned earlier, and also one of these which we scoop all the used litter into - it honestly does keep the smells in completely and we just empty it when it gets full - esp handy as we are in a second floor flat.

3 - We NEVER let them sleep in with us because as someone else mentioned they go nuts at night, running round like loonies and will keep us awake - one of them also likes to pounce on any moving limbs under the duvet! But your Ragdoll may be better behaved than our moggies!

They were frightened of everyone and everything when we got them but they are 8 months old now and are very happy kitties indeed - it's been so rewarding getting them there.

Good luck!

Her's a pic:

here

The tide has definitely turned...I started this off to ask for advice re kittens and it's gone all "Carry On Mumsnetting"

You're a good sport, Betty.

Flopsy wishes you well x

Oops, sorry x-posted gingerkirsty.
Really helpful post thanks. Those huge climbing things look great - I can imagine the dc getting on there on a rainy day, poor cat probably won't get a look in. The litter tray and disposal sounds really useful too.

Pleased things have worked out for your cats

Thank you Flopsy - what a polite pussy you have

Aw, thanks Betty. I must admit, you are not the first person to have complimented me on my pussy.

Here she is:

flopsy

Hmmm, a seal mitted I do believe.

Thank you and goodnight.

BT... yes i have kids... they're outnumbered by the cats 2 to 1

the cats are fantastic with the kids though, 2 of them tolerate them but keep out of their way most of the time but the other 4 snuggle up with the kids, allow themselves to be rolled around in dolls prams, play with the baby and are absolute softies about being cuddled and rubbed by rough little hands.

the key to helping a new kitten be good with kids is to make sure when they're young the cat has safe places to retreat to, they're never left alone together and you spend quite abit of time teaching the kids how to rub gently and be nice to the cats... mine are 4, 3 and 8 months and are all extremely good for their ages with them... they obviously still need to be watched but the older two have alot of sense with them and the baby adores his kittens who snuggle up with him when he's asleep and purr at him while he's nursing.

no idea about good books, my cat referance books are onces i've had since i was 8 years old so probably not in print anymore... most big pet shops stock referance books though, one specific to long hair cats is best.

i'd strongly recommend wood pellet litter for the tray too, you can scoop right into the toilet and flush it away then which is slightly pleasenter than endless amounts of cat poo in the bin