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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Should we take these cats?

28 replies

Poledra · 12/07/2013 23:29

DH and I have been thinking about getting a cat for a while now (I've mused upon it on this very board ). Now, a friend of a friend is emigrating, and needs to find a home for her two cats. They're neutered toms, about 10 years old, brothers and currently in good health. They are living with children, so our 3 DCs shouldn't be too much of a shock for them. The only thing I'm wondering is if the cats are too old to rehome? I wanted adult cats, but also don't want to get cats that will shuffle off this mortal coil too soon!
Thanks for your help.

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Madratlady · 12/07/2013 23:41

You should definitely adopt them! Older cats find it harder to find homes if they end up in animal shelters.

They could be with you for years as well. A friend of dh had a 21 year old cat until recently.

cozietoesie · 12/07/2013 23:41

I gave a home to Seniorboy when he was 13. He's now 18 and doing pretty well bar a touch of arthritis (in the last year) which is controlled by meds. There are other posters I'm sure who have taken on older cats with great alacrity.

It depends on the cat I think but most cats nowadays are living far longer with proper nutrition and vet care. It used to be that 10 years old would be really elderly for a cat but nowadays, many would regard that as middle aged - for a pet cat at least.

Fluffycloudland77 · 13/07/2013 08:28

Nah, you've probably got years with them. More with good cereal free nutrition and prompt vet care if they do get ill.

How exciting.

QuietTiger · 13/07/2013 09:16

Definitely take them.:) You have plenty of years left before they shuffle off this mortal coil. I currently have 2 cats (out of 9!) who are 18 years old, in rude health, and showing no signs of departing this world. Older cats also struggle to be rehomed through animal rescues, so you'd be doing everyone a favour.

Go for it.

cozietoesie · 13/07/2013 09:35

Oh - and the UK Siamese Rescue currently has a lovely boy (who has just lost his Dad) up for a new home and he is 19! Your boys will virtually be teenagers in comparison.

I wouldn't hesitate.

Iwouldratherbemuckingout · 13/07/2013 09:36

Definetly! Another vote for lovely oldies

patienceisvirtuous · 13/07/2013 09:37

Go on. I bet they're lovely old boys.

Fluffycloudland77 · 13/07/2013 09:41

Just think, all of the kitten stupidity accidents are long gone. No trips to the vets because they've fallen off the conservatory.

Selks · 13/07/2013 09:41

Oh have them please! I bet they're fab and you're likely to have years with them.

thecatneuterer · 13/07/2013 11:34

Oldies are the best. And I don't think of ten as old. I've had many cats over 20, and even a couple of 25 year olds. You could have many, many years with them yet.

RandomMess · 13/07/2013 11:36

I agree go for it, they will probably lovely lap cats very soon idead.

Original poster

Poledra · 14/07/2013 18:31

OK, went to see the cats today, and they'll be coming to live with us from next weekend. They are friendly, placid boys who tolerated (even welcomed!) lots of hugging and handling from both our kids and those of their current family. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is taking the cats away from those children - even though they are old enough to understand, it's not going to be easy for them.

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RandomMess · 14/07/2013 18:41

Awwwwwwwww but think how much the cats would hate emigrating, it could have traumatised them.

Welcome to the world of cat ownership! Our rehomers took months to be 100% settled, were very affectionate straight away but not relaxed IYSWIM

cozietoesie · 14/07/2013 18:46

The children will know, however, that the boys are going to live with a great new family. That will make a big difference.

You could always offer (rope in your DCs if they're old enough) to send them a regular email with pictures of the cats in their new place. I shouldn't imagine that that will last too long what with their new adventure but it may be that the offer would tide them over the first few weeks?

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/07/2013 19:02

Ah come on, you knew you were having them .

Like when Dh's colleague was telling him about a puppy his wife had seen but they weren't having it. Nope, definitely no more dogs.

Original poster

Poledra · 15/07/2013 08:55

Thanks, all.

Random, that's exactly what the owner of the cats said - she couldn't put them through the journey to Australia, to then introduce them to a climate so different from England.

cozie, I was thinking exactly the same as you - I'll offer DD1's services (she's 9) to email the family about the cats if it will help (I might ask the mum first if she thinks it's a good idea).

One thing we didn't think to ask about was microchips - if the cats are not microchipped, do you wise women think it's a good idea to have them chipped?

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cozietoesie · 15/07/2013 09:08

Absolutely have them chipped. Are they to go outside at your home?

Fluffycloudland77 · 15/07/2013 09:13

Yes, always chip them.

cozietoesie · 15/07/2013 09:14

PS - Yes, I'd ask the Mum about the email but in any case, they'll presumably be sent to her so she can make the decision whether or not to open them out to her children. (I guess you could use Facebook as well - its just that I'm not a Facebook user so it doesn't always occur to me right off.)

Best of luck with them.

lljkk · 15/07/2013 09:14

Yes, good to get them chipped, worth the bother.
I have tom brothers, lovely boys.

QueenStromba · 16/07/2013 19:00

So glad you decided to take them. Our girl is 15 and the vets at Battersea couldn't find a thing wrong with her other than her teeth and they gave the impression of being rather thorough. She quite often sprints around the flat and does some rather enthusiastic chasing of her feathers on a stick toy every night at bed time (not so enthusiastic in this heat actually). I'll be very surprised if she doesn't live well into her 20s. If your (soon to be) boys are still in full health at 10 then they should be fine for a good few years to come.

Definitely get them chipped even if they're going to be indoor cats. It's a weight off my mind knowing that Rice is chipped in case she does ever get out somehow (not that she ever shows any interest in the outside world other than when the mean pigeons are taunting her).

They sound like wonderful cats who are going to fit into your family brilliantly. Don't forget that if they are to go outside you should keep them in for the first three weeks or so. How far away do your friends live? If they aren't very far then make sure that they give their neighbours your contact details in case they turn up there.

And don't forget to insure them - the vets bills can add up quite quickly. Get "for life" cover which means that if they do get a chronic health problem like diabetes or hyperthyroidism then they are covered for life rather than just the first year after diagnosis.

Original poster

Poledra · 18/07/2013 14:23

OK, I have a room ready for the boys to come home to tomorrow (DH is so pleased they're boys, as currently he's the only male in the house ) where they can be left to be nice and quiet, hiding places, beds etc.. The previous owner is giving us a month's supply of their food. We have a litter tray BUT what's the best litter to get? There is a good independent pet shop in our village that I'm going to visit tomorrow but I'd quite like some opinions before I just get flogged the most expensive stuff in the shop...

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cozietoesie · 18/07/2013 14:49

Well done so far.

On litter, you'll find loads of different views here - cats seem to dictate what they like and they all have likes and dislikes.

Myself, I'd initially give them the type they're used to (so that they an transition) and then, if you're going to change it, do so in a couple of stages. Might also be a good idea to get from their current owner a small amount of clean litter from their existing tray to sprinkle on top. (Although clean, it should have some odour to their sensitive noses - enough to alert them to their new place if needed.)

cozietoesie · 18/07/2013 14:51

PS - my boys always require Fuller's Earth/natural clay clumping litter. Other posters' cats use different stuff though.

Original poster

Poledra · 22/07/2013 09:59

Just to let you know, we brought the boys home on Friday. I took them into the room we had ready for them and left them at about 4pm. By 10pm, I had a lap full of furry cat, curled up sleeping It was a bit warm, but I didn't want to move him as he'd shown such trust in me. By yesterday, the moggies were happily coming into the livingroom with all the DDs there, finding themselves a spot and settling down. DD1 was so delighted when one of them came and curled up next to her when she was sitting watching TV after her younger sisters had gone to bed on Saturday night.

Now we need to decide how long to go without letting them out - they are desperate to get outside. One in particular has spent lots of time sitting looking mournfully out the catflap (it's transparent, but locked right now) and every so often hopefully headbutting it in case it opens. He's also been sitting on the windowsill looking out. Whaddya think? DH thinks we should maybe risk them outside at the end of the week...

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