CPL home check tomorrow

[MrsMoggy]

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

Hi i'm new on here, just reading this thread and it's lovely to see such good and friendly advice. I reckon Callie's very lucky to have joined your family I think she'll be very happy with you. Just wondered if you've thought about using a feliway plug in I've always found them helpful when I've had a new cat move in they do seem to relax more.

She might be fussy about her food. - they sometimes are and she was at the shelter such a short time that her eating there (if she did much) barely signifies, I reckon. I'd try some wet in fairly small portions so that it's fresh when she comes to it and trying - if possible - to keep to a fairly rigid eating routine. (If it's not eaten when the new time comes round, then remove and dispose of the old.)

It's possible, just, that if she was with an elderly single person, she was being given fridge morsels a lot - bits of ham etc - but you just don't know unfortunately. I'll certainly feel happier once she's had a poo, just in case her innards are discombobulated by all of her upsets. A wee bit of constipation might well deaden her appetite so if she hasn't regularised soon, it's something to mention to the vet at the consultation.

I suspect you'll see a big difference on return from the vet. At the moment, after all, she doesn't know that this is her new home - but going and then coming back to the same place should, with any luck, be a bit reassuring for her.

Went down at 8am and she'd had a poo in tray. Not eaten much but ate the treats id scattered on the feeding mat. Have put some wet food out but don't think she will touch it until I leave the house later to pick son up from preschool

Sounds like she is getting there.

My two healthy 5 year old rescue cats are both sleeping loads with the cold weather too. Even Huntercat (who normally roams for hours eating local small mammals) has taken to our beds more than normal. Feistycat is living in the airing cupboard.

Mine often run about at night too, then crash out all day, so she might be exploring while you sleep then adopting her under table camouflage whenever you wake up.

A poo and a nibble is great progress!

Good news. That should make her feel a whole load better, both physically and psychologically.

Well done so far.

Well at least I've learned one thing she's not scared of the Hoover. Done the whole house and she didn't budge at all in the igloo just watched me

It sounds as if the igloo has become her safe place.

Good for her though. Seniorboy couldn't care less about hoovers but Oneago and Twoago were both completely phobic about them!

Came back from preschool and she must have been in the middle of eating her wet food. She took one look at my son and shot back under the table so that's disappointing. Popped her food under the table to her and got hissed at but never mind

It will likely take a little while so don't worry. I didn't say before - didn't want to discourage you - but it took Seniorboy close on a month to decide to rejoin family life after my mother died. OK he already knew some of the smells and voices but on the other hand, he was (even then) an older cat and he was also a bonded Siamese - which is a massive deal. You just can't tell.

Go about your business, let her make the running and just provide food/do the practicalities to as close to a routine as you can manage. (Cats seem to like predictability. ) Oh - and talk to her (without physical contact) as much as you like.

You'll be fine,

PS - Seniorboy did of course come out of his mountain fastness, re-bonded with me and is even now snuggled down at my knees. He's not purring but then he's not a purry cat. He's content as all get out now though.

For our CPL home check they bought the cat (feels weird calling him that, he's my baby!) with them and just said here you go! No check done at all. Guess it varies wildly.

She's eaten some more food under the table. Hissed when I moved the bowl of course. She's obviously more comfortable in the igloo as when she's under the table I can hear her "grumbling".

Eating in your presence is quite big. And don't worry too much about the hissing. Obviously pay attention to it but it's more of a warning-off/not happy thing than a precursor to action in my experience. Check her ears and her tail when next you receive a hiss or a grumble.

Yes she doesn't really move when she hisses, it's more afraid than aggressive as she shrinks back while she does it rather than come forward

It may not feel like it but it's all progress. And she ate! Wet is definitely a winner

Actually, shrinking back - as you put it - can be a 'steadying/balancing' sort of thing.

You'll learn to 'read' her body language etc in a little. (And she'll learn to read you!)

I am enjoying vicariously having a new cat through you. And we're not even at the good bit yet

It's a good job you're all here for me to talk to I think I'm boring everyone around me agonising over her every move haha

She's performing the basic functions to survive which means she isn't terrified but anxious. She's had a tough week. She'll get there

Well I've gone to bed early again in the hope she will emerge and have some food and water. She hasn't left the table since 1pm. After husband had gone up I talked to her (without making eye contact) for five minutes while it was quiet. She made a few little whines at her name, almost involuntarily. Anyway that's another day over and hopefully tomorrow be better. Thanks for the continued support it really helps

A few little whines? She's recognising her name. That's good.

Well done.

Sorry - I should have said that she's recognising/acknowledging you saying her name. Almost sounds as if there's a tiny bit of bonding going on there.

I am checking in multiple times a day to see how you and Callie are getting on MrsMoggy. How are things this morning? I wonder if it might be worthwhile if she is showing signs of bonding with you, to stay up later than everyone else and sit where she can see you and watch TV /read a book etc, making random conversation with her every so often and see if that builds her confidence to come out when you are there. I'm far from being an expert though!

I'd be doing that.

The difficulty is in not being too 'forward' at this stage - when she eventually comes out for a nosey round in your presence, there will likely be a terrible temptation/need to go over to her and start fussing and I don't think that would suit this girl at this stage. I'd be going in to watch a movie with her and if she came out/up, I'd be real casual - maybe a distracted head rub if I were to be butted. Only one though.

Didn't get up until later today as son kept us awake with his cough and didn't go to preschool. 10 minutes after we'd gone bed last night we could hear her using the tray, eating food and using scratching post. That was an improvement as she usually waits for ages to make sure we are definitely gone.

Tried a different brand of dry food overnight and she hasn't made much of that, she definitely seems to prefer wet which is fine by me. Only wees in the tray this time.

Came down this morning on my own. She's in the igloo again. Approached her with a few treats, she just looked at me, didn't hiss this time but didn't come out any further either but that's fine. I don't think she's particularly fussed about the treats anyway.

I've done a bit of talking to her but no responses today. She is quieter in her igloo in general, when she's under the table she grumbles a lot. She also snores which I don't know whether to put down to the fact that she's still a bit sneezy, or that she appears overweight