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The litter tray

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Original poster

Inherited a cat....never had one before. Help!

70 replies

magicstar1 · 31/03/2015 13:40

DH and I moved into our new house on Saturday. The previous owner said he'd adopted a cat from the pound years ago, but there was no point trying to take her with him as she'd just keep coming back, so he was leaving her with us. She's friendly, and keeps looking in the door, but he said she's an outdoor cat.

She has a lovely little house, and plenty of shelter. He left some boxes of dry food, and I picked up a few treats and foil packets of food in Aldi. I was thinking of bringing her to a vet to get a once over. Does this all sound okay? Can you tell me what we should be doing?

Thanks

OP posts:
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Corygal · 19/04/2015 21:35

That is hopelessly adorable, magic. Puddy luffs Mummy!

You need a litter tray - covered ones are the best - while she gets used to things. You don't want to be woken up in the night with howling or wake to find an accident.

Original poster
magicstar1 · 19/04/2015 21:46

I know...she really is adorable Smile

Silly question...how do I get her to use the litter tray? Also, I was thinking more of letting her in the house for the evening, then back to her little house at night...is that the wrong thing?

OP posts:
Corygal · 19/04/2015 21:52

She should know how to use a litter tray. Well, someone more knowledgeable than me will be along soon to help, but if it were me I would have her on the bed at night. Best bit of having a cat.

Fluffycloudland77 · 19/04/2015 22:17

I'd keep her in overnight with a tray. She'll figure out that the plastic thing with gritty stuff is good for weeing in.

thecatneuterer · 19/04/2015 22:34

I'm so glad you're going to let her in the house. Yes, you need a litter tray.

Just show it to her and she will understand what it's for. I foster (often just for neuter/return purposes) a lot of feral cats. These are cats that have never been inside, and have never had any interaction with humans and have certainly never seen a litter tray. They all immediately understand what the tray is for and use it, so you really don't need to worry on that score.

mugglingalong · 19/04/2015 22:50

She will also give you clear feedback if you aren't emptying the tray on a sufficiently regular basis. Our two will even come in specially to use the litter tray and then go back out again. They were living rough for a few months before they adopted us as their staff but soon took to the tray.

judydoes · 19/04/2015 22:54

Aww good on you for doing this. Poor thing being left behind like that, don't understand how someone could do that to an animal.

Cats do tend to make it obvious if they want to come in or go out, and she'll know what the litter tray's for. She's beautiful.

cozietoesie · 19/04/2015 23:06

Well done you! It sounds as if she was an outdoor cat because that was the way the previous owner wanted it and now that she's found some suitable mugs nice new owners, she'll go for the home comforts. Grin

I haven't noticed any reference to vaccinations above - although it may be there and I've overlooked it. If she hasn't had them and she's to go to the vet next week, she'll probably need to restart on the relevant shots - should be all of them as she'll likely still be a cat who goes outside. (It's a two-part course in the UK if that's where you are.)

SetTheWorldOnFire · 19/04/2015 23:16

We got a free cat when we bought our house, I do think in our case it was kinder for the cat, ex-owner was moving in with multiple cat owning girlfriend and cat probably wouldn't have coped with the move and the company.

At the age of 16(ish neighbours thought he was more like 18) he used a catflap from the day we had it put in and loved nothing better than snuggling up on the sofa with us, he never came upstairs though.

Taking on a cat of indeterminate age and history can be hard, we did only have a couple of years and did spend quite a lot at the vets, but I'm still glad we took him on and I think it made his last years happier than they would have been otherwise.

cozietoesie · 20/04/2015 00:12

PS - she's a lovely looking cat. Those beautiful markings and little socks. (Her personality will become known to you more fully but she sounds extremely friendly - not just the coming into the house for food but eg the curling up on DH's sweater. She sounds like a probable family cat to me. Smile)

RubbishMantra · 20/04/2015 02:42

She sounds much better off with you than her previous person. Fate can be a wonderful thing.

It would be unimaginable for me to leave one of my little lads behind.

RubbishMantra · 20/04/2015 02:55

Oh, and re. worming/flea-ing. If you don't want to take her to the vets and stress her out get some Drontal and Advantage online. I think I use vetuk.co.uk.

I'm a bit puzzled why your vet didn't give you a flea treatment and pop a wormy pill into her while she was there though. Confused

Original poster
magicstar1 · 20/04/2015 10:57

Yeah I'm not sure now either why he didn't just sort it out. He mentioned not stressing her out at the time...but we'll get it done now.

I found her up on one of the beds tonight lol. The guilty look on her face when I ordered her back down the stairs was hilarious. I've never had a cat - always dogs, but I'm really falling for her Blush. DH is going to take some convincing to let her sleep indoors, but I can see him changing his mind soon Wink

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 20/04/2015 11:41
Smile
cozietoesie · 20/04/2015 11:43

PS - just start saying 'I think she wants to be near you, Darling'. (It may even be true! She went to sleep on his jumper after all.) You should see him start to talk about 'My Girl' within the week. Wink

Original poster
magicstar1 · 20/04/2015 22:17

Ah he's been petting her and feeding her all week.

I'm getting way too attached Grin

Inherited a cat....never had one before. Help!
OP posts:
cozietoesie · 20/04/2015 22:51

That is a surprisingly trusting gaze. What a honey. Smile

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/04/2015 16:52

Puddys such a great name, so many options.

Puddy tat
Puddy pud pud
Pudster
Puddy puddy.

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/04/2015 16:52

Pretty puddy.

EnlightenedOwl · 21/04/2015 20:16

You've done a really good job. I reckon she'll be in all winter!

Original poster
magicstar1 · 21/04/2015 20:26

Winter? Summer I think lol. She did a tour of the living room, and is asleep on the couch beside me now Blush

Inherited a cat....never had one before. Help!
OP posts:
cozietoesie · 21/04/2015 20:29

Soounds as if she's been after coming inside for a long time. Smile

cozietoesie · 21/04/2015 20:30

PS - I forget. Did you get a tray for her?

Original poster
magicstar1 · 21/04/2015 20:43

No, I won't be able to get the tray yet...don't want to freak out DH Wink He's coming around slowly

OP posts:
BakerStreetSaxRift · 21/04/2015 20:44

Oh she's gorgeous! Beautiful Puddy.

I give my cat that Arla Lactofree milk (for humans). It's cheaper than cat milk, lactose free so easier on her stomach, and she wouldn't lower herself to drinking water like we plebs do.

She's always had a water bowl too but doesn't/won't touch it, I keep trying, in vain.

If you're a former Wink dog person, then the difference to remember is that rather than stroking, it's more about the chin-rub.