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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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cozietoesie · 19/01/2016 10:55

I'd forget the Dreamies to be honest. (Back of the cupboard with a freezer clip on for the duration.) She may not even like them.

Why were you going over to her, anyway? Smile

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 11:03

I will pass them on to my sisters cat she's obsessed with them. Don't know, I know I'm supposed to be keeping away but I keep forgetting as goes against all my instincts. Won't bother her again today

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MiddleClassProblem · 19/01/2016 11:03

Definitely progress! I wouldn't worry about the no poo today. When we're anxious our bowels often get messed up and she's not into eating and drinking routine yet so that will effect it

20thcenturyschizoidwoman · 19/01/2016 11:17

I adopted a kitten 20 yrs ago from CPL. I can't remember what the questions were but I did answer the door with our young just speyed cat who was nestling in my jumper. The jumper was pinned up to make a pocket and she was lying there. She had become a bit poorly post op and was feeling very sorry for herself.

The CPL lady said I was a very good cat mummy

The kitten is now twenty and still going strong. Her sister, the young cat in my jumper died recently at the grand old age of twenty one

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 13:14

Back under the table as soon as my son came downstairs Sad I'm trying my best to be patient but it's so disappointing

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cozietoesie · 19/01/2016 13:19

Remind me - how old is she?

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 13:24

The rescue woman said about 3. I think that's off the mark though she looks older to me but I don't know really. Hoping the vet will have more
Idea at weekend

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Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 13:34

I have to lay out my feelings here because my husband would just say something along the lines of "I told you so". Various thoughts have crossed my mind over past 24 hours.

  1. I'm disappointed. I was naive and thought things would progress faster. I'm trying to keep a lid on this
  1. I'm worried sick about the cat just in general.feel on edge constantly. I just want the health check now now now but can't get there til weekend. This new responsibility is daunting. The cat still doesn't feel like mine, I feel like if anything happened to it it would be someone else's pet that I've failed to take care of
  1. Did we pick the wrong cat. Why did I pick a cat used to an old woman when I've got a young noisy child. Have I been mean to the cat doing this. Does she hate us
  1. Why didn't I ask more questions of the woman at the rescue. Why didn't she have more details about the cat. Why did she let it go so easily without checking us out

All these thoughts buzzing around my head all day long, I'm finding it hard

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Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 13:39

And lastly I feel sorry for my 3 year old. I'm always telling him to be quieter or he will scare the cat, he can't play in such and such a place because the cats there, he can't stare at the cat etc. I feel so mean he was excited about getting a cat and he doesn't know why she isn't coming out, he keeps asking is she happy yet and I say no she misses her mummy and he thinks it's as simple as going out and finding her mummy

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MiddleClassProblem · 19/01/2016 13:44

As someone who worked at a rescue I can assure you her behaviour was normal. I worked at a well know centre and I think we are very thorough with both cat intake and adoption in regards to gaining all the information and matching. I'm not sure why they have regimes her to a house with a young child if not lived with one before but maybe the previous owner mentioned her behaviour with grand children or something. Visiting children is not the same as living with them. I'm surprised they didn't say what she ate at previous owners too.

What I can reiterate is that I have known many cats that have been like this regardless of the environment and confidence. You are making progress.

MiddleClassProblem · 19/01/2016 13:46

Maybe move her to the bedroom if she can have food and water and tray up there (tray away from food and water) and pop the igloo up there too.

MiddleClassProblem · 19/01/2016 13:46

When DS is at nursery, pop in and read a book in there ignoring her

cozietoesie · 19/01/2016 13:48

Even if she's only 3, then she's had some 3 years with her previous owner and only 3 days with you? You're all doing pretty well, I think. I know that The Lodger (Seniorboy's nemesis) would have swanned in to any new house, sat himself down, lifted a G&T, and asked what was for supper. (An immensely sociable and clubbable cat.) They're not all like that, though - Seniorboy himself isn't. The first time the 'other sort' come up to your lap, though, is usually worth the wait.

Keep that patience going as best you can - remember that this cat could well be with you when DS leaves home! It's potentially a very long relationship. Smile (Maybe tell DS that you talk to cats and tell them about your day - could do great things for communication skills. Wink)

Fluffycloudland77 · 19/01/2016 13:49

It will happen but it takes time. Have you heard the volume old ladies have the tv on? She's used to noise.

She might not be used to small children, yet.

RoastChickenDinner · 19/01/2016 13:53

Hang in there, it will all come good. Hard waiting though. It's very early days. You'll feel better after the vet check.

Maybe speaking to someone at the rescue might make you feel better? Might they be able to put you in touch with a relative of the previous owner for some tips to help her settle? Or even take her to the vet for you.

Also maybe consider using her old name, as she might recognise it.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 13:54

The rescue we had her from was a small independent one so just went by it's own rules. Yesterday a cat was taken home from there within one hour of being advertised on their page. In our case I was silly to just go along with it and take her home straightway. Alarm bells should have rang when she hadn't had the health check yet and I had to arrange it myself even though the rescue is paying it.

To be honest I don't think they knew much about the cat at all. I'm not sure of the circumstances of why she was in the rescue it all seemed a rush job. At the rescue they only fed the cats dry but she is only eating wet here and I noticed her bowl at the rescue was untouched.

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Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 13:59

Sorry thread moved on while I was writing first reply. I have been using her old name, not our name for her. I'm going to text the woman at the rescue and ask for more information and ask if she was sneezing when she came in. She is still sneezing and seems stuffy.

I think I'm going to move her to the bedroom when I can. It's a smaller space, my son doesn't go in there, it's quieter and I can put the heater on, there isn't a heater near the table and I'm worried she's cold. Also I will be able to hear her at night

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RoastChickenDinner · 19/01/2016 14:00

Would it be worthwhile to take her to a local vet for a check to put your mind at rest, even if you have to pay for it?

MiddleClassProblem · 19/01/2016 14:04

You're already doing a better job than the rescue and you've had her a similar amount of time!

With DS, is not just the noise but the movement and behaviour that will be alien to her. She'll get used to it but it just takes time. You are doing great. And if DH is negative about it just avoid bringing it up and come and chat to us x

cozietoesie · 19/01/2016 14:18

Yes - you're doing really well so far! Smile She sounds as if she's adjusting.

As ?I said, I think that going to the vet and returning might be interesting - not something to worry about and it might actually reassure her in a strange way. I know that my own boy was vet-phobic when he came to live with me and these days, he takes it in his stride.

Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 14:35

If I decided to move her to the bedroom sounds silly but how would I get her there should I chance picking her up? I can't see her making her own way up there

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Original poster
MrsMoggy · 19/01/2016 14:38

I've also messaged the rescue lady and asked for every detail she has for her so I will hopefully hear back from her later.

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MiddleClassProblem · 19/01/2016 14:38

You could try, if she is under the table it might not be possible though. Is the igloo soft? Not sure if you could use that.

cozietoesie · 19/01/2016 14:40

I wouldn't move her myself. (Maybe after the vet but she sounds happy enough getting used to where she is.) Do you have to or are you just in the business of 'trying things' right now?

Have you left the door open at all so that she can explore if she wants to by the way?

RoastChickenDinner · 19/01/2016 14:42

Do you still have the cat carrier? If you leave that out she might go in. If not thick sleeves, gloves, cruel-to-be-kind grab? Maybe get DH to do it so she will be cross with him not you Grin