We're probably getting a rescue cat soon. What do we need to buy and how much will upkeep cost?

[QueenStromba]

We're moving soon and have found a flat that we're close to signing the contracts on where the landlord is willing for us to have a cat. If it all goes through we'll be getting an adult cat from Battersea. What do we need to buy and where is the best place to buy from? So far we're thinking:

Transport cage
Litter tray
Scratching post (which will probably be ignored in favour of the sofa)
Cat toys
Food and water bowls

I'm thinking a cat bed would just be ignored in favour of climbing all over us while we're trying to sleep, the sofa, the laptop, whatever point on the carpet the sun is hitting. Should we get one anyway?

Also, neither of us has owned a cat as an adult (we both had them as kids - DP for longer) so we have no idea how much it costs to feed them (is it a whole tin or half a tin a day?), insure them and how much vet bills will cost. How does microchipping work? Is it just the one off cost or is there a yearly charge or just a charge if you change any details etc?

Cats obtain much of their liquid from wet food if that's what's on the menu but with the dry biscuits as well she'll probably want some additional water. You rarely catch them at it though. They're not like dogs with great galumphing drinks; more like a quick lap or three now and again; or they might even use a dripping tap or something. Don't worry if you don't see her actually drinking - just keep replenishing the water bowl on trust.

I just saw her have a big drink actually. I think she may be part dog!

PS - that's one of the good things about house cats. You get to know their ways (including intake and outgoing) really quickly so that, for instance, if they have issues with peeing or pooing you can catch it at an early stage. It's useful.

How concerned should we be about a slightly loose poo? She managed to get it in the litter tray despite me having to show her where it was (we moved it into the bathroom from just outside and thought she'd seen it) and had a bit of food and a play after.

I wouldn't worry about that at all. She's had a lot of excitement - that's probably all it is. And as for how long it will take you to get used to sleeping with a cat on top of you - I'm not sure but all I know is that I now find it really hard to sleep if I don't have that - it just feels odd. I find a little cat body (or three) on top of me or next to me in bed really comfortingand relaxing.

I also wouldn't worry about a slightly loose poo. As thecatneuterer said, she's had a lot of excitement. New house, new routine, new type of food and new water and - most importantly - new people. That's an awful lot for a wee cat to cope with and if a loose poo is all you get, the three of you are doing really well. Diarrhoea would likely have her back and forward to the tray with not a lot to show for it.

Keep a weather eye on the situation but with luck it should clear up as quickly as it came.

Thanks. She's had a couple more since but seems ok otherwise. When should we start worrying if it doesn't improve?

I have to say that the chick crumb seems to be great litter - it's dealing really well with the runny poos and it's nice to be able to just chuck it down the loo.

If she's changed her food type (to lots of biscuits rather than pouches) and brand, that could be doing it what with all the kerfuffle of a new house and people. I'd soldier on through today and if no change, maybe put her on some bland food tomorrow like very lightly cooked white fish or roast chicken for a day or so.

I remember you said she was chipped yesterday. Did they by any chance also start another round of vaccination at the same time?

She had her first lot 4 weeks ago and had her second shot on Thursday. She also had a general anesthetic on the 22nd for her teeth extractions and had antirobe (antibiotic) and metacam (painkiller like ibuprofen). Not sure when she finished the meds though - my guess is Thursday or before since that's when she turned up on their site ready for rehoming.

Should we have kept her on Whiskas for a while then? Best to stick with the new stuff now?

Gosh, that's all quite a lot for an older girl's system what with everything else - but she should have been over the effects by now, including any possible adverse reactions to meds or vaccinations.

I'm inclined still to think that it's the change in diet and water and possibly the new routine of eating. (Battersea may have fed them at different times and she may also be eating more now that she's home.) I'm not sure about changing back but if you have any whiskas perhaps use that and introduce new food again gradually next week.

Or, if you have a shop or supermarket nearby, you could nip down and get some chicken or white boneless fish and give her some of that. 'twill do no harm. See how that goes by tomorrow.

Keep all the dishes and water bowl very clean of course and be sure to leave the bathroom door (and other relevant doors) open at all times so that there are no accidents.

There are vets who post on here and they may be able to give you additional advice but if she's still drinking/peeing and seems lively, I'd leave it for a day or two to see if it clears up.

PS - don't give her large amounts of food in case she pigs them after her recent experiences. Modest portions in my view.

In answer to your earlier question about how long it takes to get used to a cat sleeping on you, not long. They move off you when you roll over and reposition themselves. Or they sleep on your pillow and you end up with our head on the mattress.

She's probably a bit clingy at the moment anyway. Mine slept pressed up against me one night because I had a rescue cat in the kitchen.

She was very good last night, she mostly just slept at the end of the bed and didn't try to wake us up. I did wake up a few times because she was getting on and off the bed but I'm sure I'll get used to her doing that and stop waking. She insisted on a good 30 mins of us both petting her with both hands when we woke up though :)

She'll likely still be needing more reassurance and love than usual so the need for petting should reduce greatly - and you'll soon not notice her moving around in the night.

How's the pooing?

She had three loose ones over the course of yesterday afternoon and another one overnight - not sure how bad the last one was since it wasn't fresh but it seemed a bit better.

Only one overnight sounds promising. Fingers crossed.

We switched her back to the Whiskas pouches for supper so maybe that helped.

Maybe so. From what you were saying yesterday evening, her system has had a lot to cope with over the last month so perhaps a little culinary stability is no bad thing at the moment. Doesn't mean that you can never change food in the future but perhaps that's just too big an ask right now.

So you think keep her on the Whiskas pouches for a month or two and then try again with something else?

I'd see how the pooing does today/tomorrow to check if a change in diet was the reason for it. If everything calms down, I'd keep her on them for a little bit anyway. ('If it's not broke, don't fix it.')

It's just that pouches are a real expensive way of feeding cats - as I know because Seniorboy has to have some meds in his food and has managed to up the ante on the food he'll eat - so unless that doesn't bother you, you might be looking to eventually change to tins or another, cheaper, brand.

Maybe start off sometime with Whiskas tins and see how they go. And keep an eye on the supermarket offers: Whiskas frequently have special prices or Buy 2 Cheaply on boxes of 12 pouches and if you're not strapped for storage space, always take advantage of those.

You're doing well.

She's just done a much more normal looking poo so it must have been the food. We're happy to keep her on the pouches indefinitely if it will keep her tummy happy - we considered the possibility that we might end up with a cat who'd only eat the £10 a kilo stuff so it could be worse!

Excellent that she looks as if she's stabilizing. It will make her happier as well. (Not so nice to have to wash up after a soft, probably smelly, poo - and she might have also felt uncomfortable in her stomach.) I hope progress is maintained.

Hmm. She's just been sick - just looks like spit though, no food or anything it in even though she's eaten recently.

The occasional sick goes with the territory - she may have a furball for instance. (I guess they weren't groomed a whole load at Battersea - do you know any of her previous history?)