I'm on the verge of getting my first cat -what are your top tips for managing and buying stuff?

[Pelvicflooragogo]

I'm so excited/ bit nervous - hopefully meeting a lovely boy this weekend and if all goes well we'll get him a couple of days later from the Cats Protection league. What are your top tips for a smooth introduction to family life (have two toddlers which CPL know) and what are the essential items - it seems some people really rate catbeds and others don't - I'm not really sure where to put him to sleep - don't have a proper landing upstairs and don't want him in the bedrooms for when guests stay - perhaps study downstairs - quieter but quite cold. Or living room?

And what's the best litter? He'll only be in for the first few weeks. My sister said to get two litter trays to minimise risk of accidents (ie one upstairs and one downstairs). Also we have double glazed doors to the outside and will need to get catflaps in those - was planning to get the ones with only allowing the correct microchipped animals in - recommended? And we've been given a toy and scratching post but I know they're variably used.

Have found a decent local vets on recommendation too. Not sure whether to go for insurance or just put savings in bank just in case.

He's a one year old laid back boy so fingers crossed all will go well but am nervous as my DH has never had larger pets and will really struggle with the extra mess so it's all on me really -I'm sure he'll love havinga cat as he's a softy but I feel very responsible for the decision etc....

Thanks in advance.

essentials are food bowl and deep water bowl,

most cats prefer cardboard boxes to sleep in with a blanket no need really for fancy cat beds, scratching post some cats use them some dont, one litter tray will suffice,

i have 4 cats and 1 litter tray i just clean it out more often, and i use the wood pellets litter as it smells nicer and breaks down to sawdust not concrete like the clay based ones, i

t depends wether your front room is the sort of room that has breakable stuff in it in case he goes on the window sill etc, the study sounds fine cats have built in fur coats,

toys cats like cat nip mice, dangly toys that they can chase, some like lightwheight balls some dont will be trial and error there,

i dont have a cat flap (rented house) i just open and close the door, i dont have insurance as four cats too expensive mine have a bank account and over the years i have put more in than ive taken out
and the toddlers just teach them from the start to be gentle with the cat and not chase him and all should be fine all the best

Thanks- does it matter what type of cat carrier you get? I heard the top opening ones are best but hopefully we won't need it very often.

I think he eats everything t the moment so was planning on dry cat food entirely- is that ok as long as they have plenty of water?

It's well known amongst people who share their houses with cats that a cat deigns to live with you, you do not 'own' it.

I would discuss the best diet with your vet, dry food can be hard on their kidneys, and cats are prone to kidney problems from too much protein. We've found that pouches of wet food are the best option for us but it will be trial and error. What is your cat being fed at the moment? You may want to swap the diet over slowly.

We've never gone for insurance, we may do for the next one. One of my exes is a vet so we used to get very cheap care. It can prove expensive if you've got a cat prone to accidents.

Our cat has given our DD (2.5) a few swipes when DD has pushed it too far. I just let them get on with it as they need to learn each other's boundaries.

And well done for opening your home to a cat in need. I have never been without a cat - I feel they make a home complete.

the carrier dosent really matter too much as long as its bigger than the cat, i have a big front opening one, if the cat is reluctant to go in the carrier you stand the carrier on its end pick up the cat by his scruff and bum this relaxes him and drop him into the carrier, gravity takes over lol and before he knows it cat in carrier and door shut fast simples, just look at carriers and see which one you like the look of

and wet and dry food is better due as worldgonecrazy said a dry only diet can cause kidney problems

Melamine bowls supposed health risk - we used ceramic ones.

Wood chip litter good.

1 tray fine unelss he's not very good on that front.

I've never found baskets necessary - one of ours came from the shelter with hers and she was nervy and attached to it. We bought them a nice new one too. That was never used and even the old loved one got abandoned in favour of chairs, sofas and beds as they got used to the house.

Ours adore their scratching post and use it multiple times a day. Only cats I've ever know who have though, and it still doesn't save our carpet or furniture!

Furminator brushes are amazing for moulty cats.

I'd never be without insurance (the liftetime sort, too). I worry too much and my childhood cat got very sick once and spent 2 weeks in a vet hospital - not cheap! One of our cats cost more than a year's insurance in her first few months with us just with something minor but recurring and lengthy to diagnose and requiring months of prescription food. I've also read too many stories about people wondering whether to put their pets down as they can't afford the vets bills any longer.

Ditto re dry food only and kidney problems.

Laser pointers make excellent toys - just don't shine directly in eyes.

Heard stories about microchip cat flaps playing up but no personal experience. In my experience if a cat wants to get in or out of a cat flap it can do, no matter whether it's locked or chip-only or anything. Cat flap manufacturers claim this is impossible. It's not. Ours just batter the flap off its hinges.

Enjoy your new cat/master!

I'm really excited about tomorrow. Really hope he chooses us and copes with my noisy kids.
Wondered around pets at home like such a novice! Got both wet and dry food and will take him to the vet for more advice etc

Thanks for the advice - everyone!

oh my god how exciting
mine is 3......
I still have to restrain from buying things....
essentials def:
scratching post
glass/steel/ceramic bowls, no plastic
silica cristals for litter
insurance
mix of wet and dry food
toys made of real feathers :)

Thanks! we love our furry little friend. All going well so far- cant believe how quickly the litter goes down though. Also do you recommend collars? I know there are loads of pros and cons. He is microchipped so not sure how much it's worth it?

I buy the snap release collars in poundland and I write our cats address on them, the neighbour bought one back tonight that he had taken off.

The elastic one's can cause injury, they stick there paws in them to try and get them off and damage their shoulders.

You can write on the collar "I'm microchipped scan me" just in case the worse happens.

well, I bought a liberty fabric collar for mine

Our cat wears a flea collar, our previous cat couldn't wear flea collars due to eczma, but still wore a reflective collar for safety reasons.

An elastic collar is safe if it is done up tight enough. You should be able to just fit two fingers in between the collar and the neck. They become dangerous when they are loose - this is when they snag on branches, etc.

Get cat insurance for definite! Bills start at 50 quid a pop ime......you don't want to be caught out.

Anyone recommend the cheapest/best cat insurance at the moment? I'm picking up our new cat from RSPCA on Monday

I too had a fun trip round Pets at Home wondering how much of that stuff I actually need and being bewildered by 14 types of litter and endless shelves of different food.

also looking for cat insurance - where is the best place to start looking?

How did it go Pelvic? I just collected our new moggy from the RSPCA this morning and she is wandering round the house meowing at everything and purring loudly! She's going to be a right character I can tell.

I love the way the lady at the shelter told me today that "torties are naughty" - she didn't mention that when we were choosing! I felt sorry for all the little black cats as there seemed to be loads of them, but the DCs insisted on this white, ginger and tortoiseshell one who is very playful and cute.

We ended up with John Lewis Pet Insurance after looking at all the options and checking out recommendations. I think they came out top on a Which? survey - my DP did the research, so I'm not 100% about that!

Just wanted to say good luck and also that I can highly recommend the microchip cat flaps, especially if there are lots of other cats in your area.

we use the Newspaper litter - v low smell and less seems to end up on the floor!

pelvic - we pick out the wees and poos twice a day with a little shovel, and change the actual litter every few days/once a week - you don't need a whole new boxful each day as long as you stay on top of the prezzies he leaves you in there.