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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

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Thread gallery
16
Original poster
MrsMoggy · 03/02/2016 22:02

No human, I am not leaving the bed... not even for dreamies

CPL home check tomorrow
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timtam23 · 03/02/2016 22:03

Aww look at her! Very snug!

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 03/02/2016 22:12

She's obsessed with the bed, bought it before we got her and husband said oh what a waste of money will never be used. It's been the best cat investment we made and it was something stupid like £8.
One day I might get a photo of her where she's not giving me evils or hiding!

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FinestGrundyTurkey · 03/02/2016 22:32

Every bed I've ever bought has been either used for about a week or totally ignored!

Lovely to see a cosy cat actually loving her bed Smile

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 04/02/2016 11:46

Had my first scratch today. My fault as i was trying to shoo her upstairs as I need to go out and I can't trust her downstairs with the toileting and she didn't want to go up.

I'm feeling a bit stuck if I'm honest. I feel mean keeping her upstairs. But then I panic over her staying downstairs when I'm not around. When I do leave her door open she takes ages to venture down and then will stay under the table doing nothing so feel we are getting nowhere.

Honestly it's just like a rollercoaster one day I think oh this is good she's getting there and then the next i just think it's all more hassle than it's worth and would she be better off elsewhere. I know it's not her fault
But I feel like I give give give and get nothing back

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Original poster
MrsMoggy · 04/02/2016 11:51

Let's be truthful it's probably not the cat I think it's me, I don't think I'm cut out for it. I'm worn down and it's only been 3 weeks. She'd be so much happier in a quiet house. My son is so patient but he gets sad that she won't play with toys or come out. She's obviously led a calm sedentary lifestyle up to now and we can't offer that

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Fluffycloudland77 · 04/02/2016 13:03

3 weeks isn't very long in cat terms.

They have limited forms of communication really & scratching is one of them. Does she react badly to being picked up?.

We had an ex breeding show cat who took ages to settle because she was used to a pen and having a whole house as alien to her. She didn't even know how to play & ran away from mice.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 04/02/2016 13:31

No she's usually ok being picked up when need be.

I know to her it's not long. I'm just fed up and losing patience really. Doesn't help when everyone I know are constantly telling me to send her back for any misdemeanour. My husband is fed up and son sad that he doesn't have a playmate.

I'm the only one fighting her corner and it's wearing me out

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Fluffycloudland77 · 04/02/2016 13:47

My cat used to get recurrent urine infections & wee on the walls, I would get helpful suggestions like "rehome him". I shut them up with "yes shelters have lots of people wanting cats who wee on things don't they?".

She's been a very poorly girl & I don't think she'll be over it that quickly & we don't know what her usual self is like.

timtam23 · 04/02/2016 21:33

3 weeks isn't very long, really. Plenty of rescue cats take weeks, or often more, to get used to their new home. I think you and she are doing brilliantly especially as she's been poorly as well. Cats also don't always take to the idea straight away as playmates for small kids, even my cat (who we took in as a tiny abandoned kitten when my kids were 3 & 4, so he has been well used to children thundering about) spends the vast majority of his time asleep! Especially when it's mostly dark cold & wet. She will get more used to your son especially if he's being gentle with her as you describe. Maybe she hasn't been played with much as a kitten, she may get into it more as she gains confidence. Have you tried catnip toys, some cats go absolutely wild for them & roll around on a catnip high (or a little catnip plant, these woyld be good for an indoor cat i think, although my cat rolls on mine & squashes it Grin)

MiddleClassProblem · 06/02/2016 17:31

How are you doing, OP? Just want you to know we are here if you need to vent at all x

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 06/02/2016 18:12

Thanks for the support MiddleClass I'm still wavering really, just plodding on. Food, water, scoop tray, repeat. Leave her door open when I'm in but she rarely ventures down. Loves a good stroke if I go to her, but won't approach me herself.

To be honest other than keeping her comfortable I'm having to distance myself from thinking about the situation at the moment. Trying to resume normality and let her fit in where she wants. I really do hope she perks up and gets more confident at some point or it's going to be a long slog

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FinestGrundyTurkey · 06/02/2016 18:41

Have you got a B&M where you are? I was in this week & they have some fluffy catnip toys, which 2 of my cats fell on & rolled around with in ecstasy. Also laser toys - they don't appeal to all cats, but that ones that do like them literally can't resist.

Another good one to lure a reluctant cat out is one of those flying frenzy kind with feathers on the end of a long dangly pole. \link{http://m.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_toys/cat_dangler/feathers/137344\cat dangler pole bird} - it flies & flutters & drives them wild (makes me feel a bit guilty but luckily they've never caught a real bird)

FinestGrundyTurkey · 06/02/2016 18:47

Do you have a follow-up vet visit booked to see if she's over the flu?

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 06/02/2016 19:03

I will try and get a catnip toy at some point. Money is very tight this month. Have something similar to flying frenzy and she's not interested doesn't bat an eyelid at it.

Can't get in vets til 20th feb as has to be a Saturday and has to be on the rescues account at vets miles away. My husband can't afford any more time off work so it's just how it is. I can't afford an additional vet visit locally at this time.

She's eating, drinking water and toileting which wasn't the case when she had the flu so i think her reluctance is behavioural rather than a physical ailment. I can only play it by what I've learnt about her since we've had her

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FinestGrundyTurkey · 06/02/2016 19:18

The B&M hairy catnip toys are 1.99 I think. I know you've had a much more expensive month than you intended with Callie Sad

She is happier than she was though, isn't she? And it still hasn't been very long, considering the upheaval she's been through. She must feel a little more confident & secure every day she's with you.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 06/02/2016 19:24

I will look next time I'm in town, £2 is fine. It's just not a good month all round money wise, my husband works in a job that closes in windy and bad weather so he's had a few days where he can't work and is unpaid for those days so wage has been slashed and his boss is struggling so he may even be out of a job soon so there's constant money worries at the minute. Daft as it sounds these worries weren't present when we got her 3 weeks ago or I wouldn't have potentially irresponsibly taken her on

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Sparklingbrook · 06/02/2016 19:28

MrsM you are doing everything you can and it can't be easy. This isn't how cat adopting should have been for you.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 06/02/2016 19:54

Just went in to change her bowls and my son followed me in, didn't even go near her and she hissed at him. It's annoying me now I know it's her natural defences but it's not fair on him

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Fluffycloudland77 · 06/02/2016 20:03

If she doesn't know how to play chase the string I'm wondering if she's been used as a kitten farm.

Hissing is scared, ours hisses at the ndn. 3 weeks isn't very long for cats, at least she isn't poorly now.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 06/02/2016 20:14

She literally has no interest in any toy. Dangly thing, no response just turns away from it disinterested. Play mice, just looks at it. Ball, doesn't even appear to register the sound let alone make any movement. She doesn't even raise a paw to any of these things.

I appreciate she's scared but it's pretty scary for a 3 year old to be hissed at too and realistically he's more important. She's already taken over his room (I know I made that decision) so he's being pretty patient with her for his age. How long am I supposed to give her to stop being scared of him, because I just can't be dealing with it for however many more years. It's no life for her being perpetually scared all the time either surely?

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Original poster
MrsMoggy · 06/02/2016 20:17

To be frank, I am seriously considering rehoming her at this moment in time. I'm at my limit. When is it ok to come to the conclusion that she and my family just don't fit? Through no fault of anyone's, just a difference in personalities/lifestyle

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Sparklingbrook · 06/02/2016 20:21

It does sound as if although things have improved slightly but it is very slow going.
Three weeks in seems a reasonable time to take stock. To me it sounds as if she needed to be rehabilitated before being rehomed.

If you rehomed her what are your options? Presumably not back to the rescue she came from or the CP who turned you down initially?

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 06/02/2016 20:27

On the adoption form one of the conditions was that if we wanted
To rehome she had to go back there. Not sure legally how that stands. The other local rescues are full of cats. I'm sure I wouldn't be looked on favourably if I asked to "swap" cats. To be honest I don't know if I even would try a different cat maybe I'm just a crap owner

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FinestGrundyTurkey · 06/02/2016 20:28

If you're going back to the vet on the 20th then you can give her until then? If there's still no improvement at all you can consider your options.

I agree it's very hard on your son. He sounds like a lovely little boy