Advice for a new cat owner?

[Sherlock35]

I'm looking to adopt or buy a cat for the very first time. I have wanted one for ages but it's never really seemed like the right time and TBH I'm not sure it ever will

I have been around cats before but have never owned a pet and was wondering if I could get some advice on owning one. What do you wish you had known before getting your first cat? Can you offer any tips? How much does it all cost?

Any and all advice gratefully received!

Got our boy from RSPCA local branch and never regretted it. He was £60, half paid at the time we had him and the balance...hmm, either a week or two later or when he was neutered and chipped, as the price includes that. Sorry, can't remember exactly.
It was very quick, as we had spotted him on their website but were going away on holiday and in the meantime he was reserved. When we came back he was unexpectedly available again, so we inquired on the Saturday night, had a home visit on the Sunday and got him on the Monday, via the pet store to get everything. It was clearly meant to be and he has brought me so much joy. He settled in right away and has never been a bit of trouble.
Cats are pretty cheap really. I wouldn't bother with a bed as they will kip on the sofa or your bed or wherever they fancy. A cardboard box with a blanket in would do for the first few weeks. You probably have old saucers he can eat from, so all you really need is a few toys, a scratching post - £5 from Home Bargains, a litter tray and litter, which he will probably only use till he goes out at about six months. Oh, and a pet carrier and collars if you want to use them (I don't).
If you're fortunate enough to have a healthy cat, it's just booster jabs and a health check once a year. Mine isn't insured. It's a gamble and lots of people do. I just prefer to save the money for when or if it's needed.
As for food I get whatever brand is on offer and mix it up a bit, mixture of wet (pouches) and dry( kibble). He isn't keen on the expensive brands so Gourmet, Sheba, the occasional Whiskas or Felix, and currently Royal Canin lighter food! It's complemented by human food - chicken, beef, fish or whatever. Plus rather too many Dreamies!
I don't work at the moment but if you work full time you might want to think about having two so they are company for each other, and consider getting a cat flap in due course (I haven't bothered).
If you live on a busy road, you might be best to have an indoor cat. Animal charities sometimes have cats with certain health issues that have to stay in.
Depends what your household is like but you would probably be best to wait till after Xmas now as they like peace and quiet to settle in.
Let us know what you decide and any questions, just ask!

I think it's important to know that kittens, unlike puppies, tend to be born with a personality rather than be moulded by their environment. So if you have an idea of the character traits you'd like from your cat in your head you'd be far better off adopting an adult cat who is of known quantity. If you don't really mind then of course pick the cutest kitten you can at the rescue (preferably black or black and white as they have a tough time getting adopted due to not being a popular colour). Do not buy a kitten from Gumtree or the equivalent as this tends to encourage irresponsible breeding.

Buy only the basics and build from there. A litter tray and litter, and a scratching post/mat. No need for fancy beds or expensive toys to start as your cat will almost certainly ignore them. As you get to know them you can start researching things you know they'll like.

Get the one that chooses you. Go into the pens and see which approaches you.

My kitten came from my stepdads mums cats final litter. He was her last ever kitten. She was a Ragdoll, making him half Ragdoll. He is a lovely cat. I got him when he was 12 weeks old.
He likes to go out as much as stay in, even with a me across the country. He has a litter tray, and whiskers cat food.
Cats are such lovely animals. I miss my CoCo being a kitten.

Regarding insurance, unless you have a couple of thousand in a savings account or money is no object I would get insurance. My beloved Troy aged 5 was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy last January and died from it in May. In those few months the vets bills amounted to £3,600. He was insured and I only paid £80 excess.

Get two. Two isn't much more work than one, they keep each other company, and it's really fun to watch them play together.

Don't waste your money on fancy cat bullshit - you can make a bed from a cardboard box and a towel.

I think it's OK to buy cats needing rehoming on Gumtree. You can usually tell what's a kitten farm and what's a family who just can't look after their cat anymore.

If you use a collar get the snap-release ones.

Get a stock of nitrile gloves for dealing with the litter tray, dead mice and vomit.

We've just taken in a rescue. She was very feral. Not so much now.

Initial outlay was around £70 (food bed litter tray litter scratchy post food and water bowls). I have her insured (petplan around £8 a month (got £30 cashback via topcashback). She eats Royal canin biscuits and felix pouches. Both ordered via Amazon subscribe & save. Much cheaper than shops.

Be patient. We're 12 weeks in and she's only just starting to trust us enough to bump her head against us.

Pay a bit more for litter that actually keeps in the smell. It ends up cheaper in the long run because you don't change it as often. I like Oko plus or natures gold.
I prefer a hooded litter tray.

Find out what food they are on and stick with it to start with. Change a bit at a time if needed. It can give them s really upset tummy.

I keep the cat carrier out. It's tucked out of the way under the coffee table and our cat uses it as her bed. She's not frightened of it so we have no problem getting her in it to go to the vets.
My brothers cat isn't seen for days if she catches even a wiff of him getting her carrier out of the cellar as she has only bad experiences of it.

We need pictures once you have decided!

Oh, and take into account the cost of cattery or pet sitter when you're away, unless you have neighbours who would pop in. Our boy has twice come with us when self catering in UK, and stayed with my mom when we were in a hotel. He has also stayed with mom when we've been out for the day or to a wedding. He was used to going to hers right from when he was little so is perfectly ok with it.

Don't get the wood pellet litter. It's a nightmare (and noisy when they scratch it about). We used initially because that's what she was used to at the shelter.

We use clean paws now. She can bury/cover the poop and the pee clumps up (instead of turning to sawdust). Less emptying. Happier cat.

Also buy some odour/pee stain spray If they're not used to things there may be accidents. And a feliway diffuser.

We like Catsan litter - we being HRH and me

I work with animals. One thing I would say is not to change what food you are giving the cat on a regular basis (even if it's on offer) as this can lead to your cat having a upset stomach/ problems. Best to stick to one brand. We where recommend science hill from are vets.
If you looking to budget stick with dry mix that is complete. The different coloured dry food isn't great as can be picked at and They don't get the right nutrients needed. However cats can be fussy I have 5 and one will only eat wet cat food.
If the cat is to be let outside then to make sure the cat is microchipped and that all details are kept up to date on the vets system.
With regards to insurance we don't not insure are five cats but can afford to pay out when needed. Are cats are elderly and I've just paid over 400 for dental treatment for one cat. If you can't afford to pay this when needed then I would recommend getting insurance of some kind. I worked in a rescue centre and the amount of cats/ dogs that where brought in because there owners can not afford treatment was high and slot of rescue centres will put the animal to sleep.
Make sure you flee and worm them every 3 months and that all vaccinations are up to date.
Stuff I would recommend buying are scratch post, cat bed (all ares use one depends on cat), litter tray ones with hoods are great and less smelly, scratching post and toys if kitten.
If rehoming a kitten most rescue centres will require you to have two. Also cat carrier is essential for taking home and also vet visits. I would recommend taking your cat to the vets Within the first week or so. As any problems that are picked up within that time period should be sorted out by the breeder or the centre you got them from. We where sold a cat who was seriously ill when we got her home. We where able to pick up on this early buy taking her to the vets and the breeder was required to pay the pet bills and also as she later died within two days pay back any money we had paid for the kitten.
Also if you not fussy about breed I would say go rescue centres as they overfilled with animals especially this time of year. Although may be best to wait till after Christmas if you plan on having loads of people round as this can be very stressful and upsetting for the kitten/cat. You also find after Christmas they may be more kittens due to unwanted gifts.
Chose a quiet time to bring home and also make sure you provide a area the cat can go to if they are feeling scared.
Also look into breeds as they all have there own personality. We have Siamese cats and they will climb anything in site and can be quite loud we also have two Persians and they sleep a lot more. They require a lot of grooming on a daily basis.

Seconding that insurance. Bibi's GI problems easily ran into the hundreds, all covered by Petplan. It's worth feeding a high quality food (I like nature's menu and thrive) for the savings in vet bills and better poo. Get a litter that clumps for ease of scooping - I buy Clean Paws off Amazon and an £11 bag lasts a good 3-4 weeks as you use it all. If you are getting a kitten - consider getting 2. The cost is more (but not double as you benefit from bulk savings) and they will play with each other and wear each other out in the fighting-biting stage. Plus, there is nothing cuter than 2 kittens playing.

Finally, enjoy! I was brought up with dogs due to cat allergies in the family and never could have imagined the joys my cats bring. I am a total convert.

Vets for pets do a programme called vac for life.
You pay about £100 up front and it covers all vaccinations for the life of the cat. Well worth doing imo

Insurance is a must from the start unless you can afford treatment at any cost.
My kitten has cost me hundreds following her neutering as she had post op complications. insurance is looking at my claim now.
dont bother with beds, my 2 sleep anywhere and everywhere except their bed.
also as others have said, covered litter trays are great, and when you come to letting them out i can recommend a microchip cat flap which is pricey but brilliant for keeping out unwanted visitors whilst giving the cats access

Thank you so much for all your advice! We've seen quite a few cats at our local shelter but we've been turned down because I have young(ish) children and I live on a busy road.

I think the only thing putting me off at the minute is being able to look after them properly. I don't know anything about cat behaviour really and wouldn't know if they were unwell or anything unless they were really obviously unwell.

Plus, my son is autistic so I think we'd have to really make sure they would be OK with each other. Is having a small house a bad thing? We're mid terrace at the moment and have a garden but it's a small house

Which organisation runs your local shelter? IME Blue Cross are more willing than many shelters to home cats with children. If there is a Blue across nearby I'd try them. I have a small house, it's fine. Cats don't need that much space indoors.

You could get an indoor cat? Cats can make excellent pets for children with autism; I think there has been research on this.

I have my garden secured for the cats so they can't roam - would this be a possibility? Also my friend has a blind cat that doesn't roam, or you could consider an FIV+ cat.