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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.

Original poster

CPL home check tomorrow

632 replies

MrsMoggy · 08/01/2016 18:52

Hi all,

This subject has probably been done lots of times so apologies in advance. Got a home check tomorrow for an indoor cat who we haven't actually met yet. What should I expect to be looked at and what questions may I be asked?

So far I have answers to where the cat would eat and use litter tray, where it could have privacy in first few weeks, what vets I may sign up to, feeding schedule, what I'm going to buy etc. can anybody think of anything else?

Thank you

OP posts:
Thread gallery
16
RabbitsarenotHares · 21/01/2016 09:58

It may not seem like it but your cat is very lucky. Agree with PP that you really are the best thing that could have happened to her. She's landed on her paws.

One thing that struck me is you said you don't feel she's your cat yet. I felt like that with my first cat, for about a year, until one day it struck me that she did and I couldn't believe I'd ever felt otherwise. I'd grown up with a cat in the house, and really felt it when he died: the house felt empty. Ellie came in to the house to be my cat (rather than my mum's or my sister's) and I had been looking forward to getting her, yet it took me a long time to really feel she was mine. I think it was partly because she was a rescue. I loved her instantly, but there was a distance for a long time. But them I realised it wasn't there and we were as close as a human and cat could be. So this feeling will go, just give it time.

And I know she'll settle in eventually. How long it takes depends on her, and what she's been through, but you'll find yourself owned by her soon enough.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 21/01/2016 11:14

Not much to report. Looked in on her this morning and she was in the igloo. I've given her a bit of dried food as I'm saving the wet for this evening with her medicine so she's more likely to eat it. She managed a bit of water too, she's not been a big drinker so far.

Just wanted to add a big thank you to everyone on the thread for your support and advice it's really appreciated!

OP posts:
Shriek · 21/01/2016 16:47

i do think resued creatures realise their luck and it changes them.

i realised from being on this thread that i have actually rescued 3 dcats, and they have all turned into very loving loyal lovelies, and as i said before one of them was hissing spitting and boxing gloves out.

Keep going MrsMoggy however it turns out you have done so much for her and hopefulyl she will start to feel better soon and get into better shape all round.

MiddleClassProblem · 21/01/2016 16:59

You are doing well. We're all a bit off our food when poorly and the fact that she is doing all the main body needs and functions is a good sign. Hope she gets well soon and the drugs help x

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 21/01/2016 17:06

She's not used the tray since pooing at the vets yesterday evening from what I can tell. I've asked my husband to pick up some cat milk for now as she really doesn't seen fussed with water and id prefer her to be drinking and weeing more. She's eaten some dry food and I will be giving her the medicated food in an hour.

Went in earlier to check on her and she let me get closer without hissing or anything. Then she let me stroke her for a while before retreating further back into the igloo so I could tell she'd had enough. Her poor coat isn't in good condition at all

OP posts:
MiddleClassProblem · 21/01/2016 17:18

Once a day pooing is normal but it can go either way around that so given that she's had a stressful time of it and is under the weather I wouldn't panic if she skips a day here and there. If it's a few days in a row then give the vet a call but hopefully things will pick up with the drugs, food, milk, water and her own confidence.

Great progress today. The going in there and reading a book thing is really good as you can spend more time with her, ignoring her so she can come out on her own terms and you aren't counting the minutes.

Getting out that matting isn't going to be fun for anyone Sad

But you are definitely doing a wonderful job Smile get some wine in!

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 21/01/2016 17:23

I'm out tomorrow evening so hopefully there will be plenty of wine consumption then thank goodness. She hasn't even weed in the tray that's my concern more so than the pooing

OP posts:
MiddleClassProblem · 21/01/2016 17:30

Oh no. Sorry I misread that. It could be that she has bed. Drowsy from the drugs but definitely keep an eye on it. Cat milk is a good idea to get her some extra fluids atm. Some older ladies go by the cartoon cat thing of cows milk and fish as a cat diet and never find out what they should actually have and that cows milk isn't great for them

MiddleClassProblem · 21/01/2016 17:32

You really are doing really well and coming up with good things to try x

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 21/01/2016 17:33

Yes I think she may have been used to milk of some kind. DH has picked up a small carton of cat milk just to see if she goes for it. Fingers crossed

OP posts:
RoastChickenDinner · 21/01/2016 17:56

I believe cats can often hold their wee in if they're stressed or feeling yuck, so I'm not sure I would worry too much at the moment. Plus I could never tell when PPG had wee'd in the tray to begin with. Cat milk is a lovely treat anyway for her especially when she's poorly.

Re matting - my Mum had a long haired cat that would not under any circumstances let you groom him. As he got older (died at 18.5) he stopped grooming himself, so periodically went to the vets for a de-matt under sedation. If it warrants it, you could see if the vet could do that when she is in for her chip/spay check.

Her letting you stroke her miss MASSIVE progress, well done!

Shriek · 21/01/2016 18:01

i definitely would not feed dry food if she is not drinking properly yet. She is very poorly and had a very poor time of it in the lead up to that, so she has to be on a recovery diet, which has to be wet and easily absorbed to give her body the easiest time of it for best chance at recovery.

please don't feed her any more dry stuff. the only thing she must have right now is water, not milk. Its not natural for cats to drink milk, and they do not digest it well, she needs high protein fresh meat/fish/oil.

brilliant that you shared some precious strokes today!! encouraging indeed Smile

MiddleClassProblem · 21/01/2016 18:04

They can digest cats milk as it lactose free. OP know water is best and this is a temp solution to help her get some fluids in. I'm sure water will be left out too and not replaced by it.

Olinguito · 21/01/2016 18:21

OP you are caring for this cat so kindly in such difficult circumstances - how lucky she is to have found you! I really hope that Callie is soon feeling better healthwise, and also more relaxed. How lovely that she tolerated a stroke today - a huge step forward!

I'm not convinced that there ever was an old lady owner...

Shriek · 21/01/2016 20:18

yes i realised cats milk is lactose free, water and no dry food when dcat is suffering like this Sad

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 21/01/2016 20:33

She has cat milk water and wet food up there with her painkiller on. I can't force her to eat or drink anything. She's barely touched water in the 5 days she's been with us so in my opinion it is worth trying the cat milk for now. She may not even like cat milk.

OP posts:
SunsetDream · 21/01/2016 20:43

Fwiw my cat has barely touched any water (that I know of) since I got her. She's fed purely on wet food,so I assumed she got enough through her food. If you fed her all wet (I've found Butcher's to be the one that's recommended that's cheap and I've supplemented it with better quality food as well).

I hope that things are starting to turn around. She could be the cat you hoped for after all. We would all act like her had we been ill xx

Shriek · 21/01/2016 21:21

yes absolutely. only wet food/water (if she's not taking enough water that in itself is life-threatening of course and might need hydrating at the vets)

its more the worry about her eating any dry food, as it should be avoided at all costs while she is ill.

you have it in hand tho if she gots all that up there. don't know where i got the idea about dry food from Hmm and most often they need tempting with something special like a little bit of fish.

MiddleClassProblem · 21/01/2016 22:15

Also when a cat has cistitis or something we used to recommend adding some water to the wet food, maybe just a teaspoon or so

timtam23 · 21/01/2016 22:54

Sounds like Mimsy is doing as well as can be expected MrsM, and you are being very attentive and thoughtful - lucky cat!

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 21/01/2016 23:08

I looked in on her about an hour ago and she'd had a bit of milk. Hopefully she will eat her food overnight.

I've ordered a feliway plug in too, may not do much but no harm in trying. Off to bed soon this is mentally tiring me out!

OP posts:
Shriek · 21/01/2016 23:47

i like the adding water to wet food idea, when mine was ill i used to have to pour a teaspoon into her mouth from the side slowly, or syringe.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 22/01/2016 08:04

It would be a lot easier to do all these things of course if she trusted me and had been my cat for ages. Hard to comfort and encourage when she's still anxious around us

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MiddleClassProblem · 22/01/2016 08:26

Yeah not much chance of syringing water into her mouth. Hope you have a good day today x

SunsetDream · 22/01/2016 09:55

I can totally understand your last comment. At this point you are either in the role of forever owner (in which case the relationship will grow when she is better), or you are a temporary foster home where you will care for her until she is better, rehome her and find a cat you feel is more right (the choice is yours and you know the situation best).

You are providing care, comfort, food and medicine. You should be proud of yourself.