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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

Getting first ever cat next week. What do I need to know??

36 replies

Hellokittycat · 26/12/2014 20:32

We are getting a kitten next week. She will be 10 weeks old. Never had a pet before apart from a budgie!!
I am buying the same food and litter stuff as the breeder is using. Apart from that I am planning on getting a carrier to bring her home in, a soft bed, scratching post and a couple of toys.
Where is best to keep the litter tray? We have 3 floors in our house, bathroom is on top floor with bedrooms and toilet is on ground floor near kitchen/open plan living area. Would be one of these, which one best?
Anything else I really need to know???

OP posts:

wtffgs · 26/12/2014 21:03

I would limit her to one room at first so she's not overwhelmed:. Keep any loo lids down in case she gets curious. Get some Feliway to help relieve stress. Give her plenty of attention but also somewhere nice to retreat to - maybe a fluffy igloo-style cat bed?

Leela5 · 27/12/2014 08:39

Please buy a book on kitten / cat care and read it before bringing kitten home. Also international cat care and RSPCA have advice on their websites

Two litter trays somewhere quiet, scratching post and toys to amuse the kitten. They can be very vulnerable and hard work when little so keep in one room first before introducing to rest of house slowly

SmokingGun · 27/12/2014 08:46

If she is only 10 weeks she's unlikely to have had her 2nd vaccination so get the kitty booked in at the vets asap. Also check if she will need worming and flea treatment. What food is the breeder feeding her? We might be she to give some advice there.

Make sure you throughly kitten proof your home, they can squeeze unto the tiniest of spaces.

Plus everything pp's have said.

WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes · 27/12/2014 08:48

Yes, set up a quiet room with all her things in and keep her in there till she's ready to come out, you'll need to keep her indoors for a while too. Also you need to register her with a vet, maybe ask among friends for recommendations if you haven't used one before. Yes also to reading up a bit on cat care, safety around the home, health and what to look out for. You'll need to think about flea and worm treatment before she goes outdoors too, a vet can advise you.

lapetitesiren · 27/12/2014 10:04

I wish I had known that cleaning with bleach attracts them to wee. Also cleaning with white vinegar neutralizes the smell and discourages repeat accidents in the same place. Hope you have lots of happy times with your kitten.

Original poster

Hellokittycat · 27/12/2014 15:07

Thanks! She is currently being fed on whiskas kitten food. I've ordered some of the same.
Do I really need two litter trays?? I thought one would be ok.
We spend most of our time in our open plan kitchen/diner. It's got a sofa in it, tv and space for cat bed etc. is that an ok room to keep her in to start with?
Have ordered a book on kitten care now too :-)
Oh, also is feliway def recommended? I looked it up on amazon and it's pricey plus lots of reviews (about a quarter) saying it doesn't do anything at all...

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Original poster

Hellokittycat · 27/12/2014 15:09

She has been wormed and de flead this week but I need to sort her vaccinations when she arrives.
Haven't decided yet whether she will be an indoor or outdoor cat. Will need to keep her in for the first few weeks anyway so will decide after that

OP posts:

RubbishMantra · 27/12/2014 17:48

If you're going to let her out, keep her in at least until she's been neutered, then only supervised visits into the garden until you're confident she can take care of herself. Usually at around 6 months.

FannyFifer · 27/12/2014 17:52

Get a covered over litter tray that has a flap for cat to go in, much less mess.

Leela5 · 27/12/2014 18:32

One more litter tray than number of cats is recommended. They can decide they don't like position of one, or it's not private enough, or it's dirty - that can lead to stress and house soiling.

Kitten will need feeding little and often as they have little tummies. I don't bother with feliway but it can be helpful to get one for when they first come home to help them feel secure and relaxed. Buy off amazon or eBay and it's cheaper

Leela5 · 27/12/2014 18:33

I would keep her in til 5-6 months. Outside is a dangerous place for small kittens and you want her to feel secure and at home before letting her out

Micah · 27/12/2014 18:38

I'd find something more nutritious than whiskers. It's basically cat macdonalds.

Try and find something within budget that's a bit more quality.

WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes · 27/12/2014 18:40

She might prefer a smaller, quieter room at first, it would feel more secure, we used a bedroom for our cats then gradually moved them out. We ended up longer term with litter trays, food and water in totally different places to those we'd planned, so a bit of trial and error might be needed.

toldmywrath · 27/12/2014 18:43

Long term cat owner here- I wouldn't bother with the Feliway nor more than one litter tray. The litter tray with lids are a good idea as pp has suggested. I am always surprised at how easy & clean kittens are-they do love a good old play session though, so lots of fun time with them (but they sleep loads as well)
Our kittens used to need the litter tray right after they'd eaten, so make sure she knowz where it is & is quite nearby.
Don't allow her out until at least 5-6months as pp said. They can then decide if they want to be an outdoor cat themselves. I'm sure everything will work out lovely. (I'm envious, but already have 3 cats)

chockbic · 27/12/2014 18:45

Lots of toys including a fishing rod one.

One litter tray should be fine but clean it out every day.

We feed our kitten on wainwrights pouches which he loves. He has applaws dry food. Whiskas and go cat is low quality, typically 4% meat!

Leela5 · 27/12/2014 18:49

Also long term cat owner - and worked in animal welfare 20 years, including 2 years in a cattery

It's up to you obviously but 1 more than number of cats is recommended by cat behaviour experts, including International Cat Care (formerly Feline Advice Bureau).

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/12/2014 20:07

I'd do two trays.

A dirty second tray is easier to clean than a puddle of wee on the Brinton velvet pile

Leela5 · 27/12/2014 20:13

Yes fluffy :) or the bed! Mine used to pee on my pillow when I went away and someone came to look after him - a nice surprise to come back to!

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/12/2014 20:20

Not such a surprise the 52nd time though is it?.

Leela5 · 27/12/2014 20:27

No thankfully we persevered in tackling the issue (stress) and he doesn't do it anymore. Bless him

Original poster

Hellokittycat · 01/01/2015 14:16

Jess has arrived today and is settling in well. Having lots of fun exploring the room!!

Getting first ever cat next week. What do I need to know??

OP posts:

girliefriend · 01/01/2015 14:34

Ahh she is very sweet!!

I would think one litter tray is fine, just make sure she knows where it is and periodically pick her up and put her in it!! Esp after she has had something to eat and drink and if she starts sniffing about in one spot or too long.

I never used Felliway.

Food wise, I would introduce a few high quality biscuits alongside the wet food.

girliefriend · 01/01/2015 14:35

Is she a moggy?

bishboschone · 01/01/2015 14:43

It will probably run around at night and swing off everything but it does pass . It's much like having a a baby again .

Original poster

Hellokittycat · 01/01/2015 15:10

She is a Bengal

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