Cat arrives on Tuesday. What do we need to know and buy?

[MinkyBorage]

Found a gorgeous ginger (neutered) tom at CPL this morning and he's coming to us on Tuesday. I'm hoping that they'll tell me everything I need to know, because I know NOTHING about cats.

The shopping list so far:

Travel Basket thing
Sleeping basket? Do they need one of these, or will a blanket do?
Litter tray. I want one with a lid as have small children. I was wondering if there are any which only the cat can open, likt those clever cat flaps?
Some cat toys. Any suggestions would be good
Collar

Tia

Scratching post might be good, cats will sleep anywhere but if young cat its own bed prob a good idea.
Cats are pretty low maintance usually so am sure you will be fine!

ooh yes, scratching post too.

Do you know how to stop them wrecking the sofa?

Food .

You will probably waste money on a sleeping basket. Cats find a spot in the house they like to sleep in, then change their minds every couple of weeks and sleep somewhere else.

My 10 y/o cat is currently fond of sleeping stretched out full length along the third stair up. You have to step over him, he's there all day.

Toys - jingly balls are good. Catnip toys too. You can get packs cheaply at big Tescoses.

Cats generally decide where they sleep. Yours may be a basket cat or not. Are you bothered about him getting on the furniture?

www.pettags.co.uk - you can put in what you want engraved on a tag and buy them online to be posted out. If they have a 2 for 1 offer it's a good idea as they tend to lose them every so often.

Food! Ask what brand he's been on. Mix of wet (tins / pouches) and dry (biscuits).

Water dish.

how often are you supposed to feed them, and how much?

Aaahhhhh! I think I need a book!

Oooh, thank for replies. I'm on to pettags now. Thanks

my mums cat is 14 and has always been fed on iams - its a bit pricey but you can buy in bulk and it lasts ages, just leave a bowl of biscuits out for them - think it gives you an idea of how much they should be eating on the packet! Some cats are good at regulating themselves and some not (bit like people really!!!) A trip to pets at home might help!!!

A water pistol for squirting them with a little bit of water if they are naughty might help as well ie scratching their claws on the sofa, plucking the carpet etc!

A book is good - I'm a book person, always get a book before I do something new.

Food should have instructions on it about how much to feed and how often.

Toys - ours are mostly keen on 'chicky on a sticky' (an Easter chick on a stick, it's SUPPOSED to be DD's), DD's hair bobbles, and rolled up socks. Oh, and my gardening gloves. Not so keen on actual cat toys ... things on sticks have gone down well in the past, and bouncy balls.

Be careful with collars - my friend's cat had a nasty accident getting her leg stuck through her collar, and cats can hang themselves by them. I got mine two quick relase collars each, one lost two in a fortnight and consequently no longer wears a collar (they're both chipped). The other lost his once, in the driveway, so is still resplendent in his reflective pink collar!

I think I'll get him a collar to start with, with a name tag on so that our neighbours don't think he's a stray. He was a stray previously so he's probably bery goodf a begging. The quick release one sounds like a good idea.

Thanks for the replies. Can't wait for him to arrive now.

We got some mustard spray for the sofa - the smell repels the cats and kept the sofa scratch-free (until of course we forgot to reapply the spray so now the sofa is a mess ).

Some catnip to spinkle on the scratching post to make it more attractive to the cat than your furniture.

Would you mind the cat sleeping on your bed? If yes, then keep your bedrooom door closed from the beginning - it's almost impossible to evict a cat once they're used to sleeping in your bedroom.

How exciting! Cats are great! Here are my top tips based on some problems I had with one of my 2 CPL cats.

Consider an insurance policy! Not trying to worry you but having had 2 cats that were low cost, I now have a cat which we got from CPL 9 years ago that has a long term condition requiring eye watering vets bills and a presciption diet. If you get an insurance policy early on when there are no health problems then the premiums should be quite low and will give you peace of mind.

Also, make sure you keep up with the flea treatments (spot on like Frontline and/or Program injection at the vets). I slipped up on this when DC3 was born as we were so busy and then we had to treat the whole house .

Also you could get a feliway infuser. This emits a particular smell that makes the cat feel more relaxed when its in a new environment. Could be good for the early weeks when your cat is settling and establishing its new territory.

Good luck!

Ah brilliant! Thank you. He is gorgeous and sitting on my lap. Off to start another thread. Great tip re mustard spray. I haven't heard of it, will google where to get some from.
Thanks re flea treatments. I was feeling a bit relaxed about that, but will keep on top of it. Insurance sorted.