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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

I'm now officially cat staff!

56 replies

biscuitbadger · 08/01/2017 08:30

We went to look at some rescue cats and ended up bringing one home that day. Gorgeous 11 month boy, he and his mum had been abandoned on an industrial estate when he was a kitten. He's been fed by some workers there and was going into their office for fuss and cuddles so they thought he deserved a proper home.

Obviously he's now gone into hiding and hissing if we approach him... but he's sneaking out at night to use his litter tray and explore a bit, and he's had a little to eat.

He'll purr if I sit near him and talk to him, and if I have time to sit there long enough he will shuffle forward for a little nuzzle.

Yesterday he then rolled over and tried to claw and bite my hand ... in a kitteny rather than aggressive way, but I am being more cautious now

Apart from just generally wanting to tell everyone about his fluffy cuteness, my question was going to be what do we need to get?

He has his old bed, we got a carrier and a litter tray, food bowls and food/litter and that's it.

I was wondering about a scratching post/cat tree type thing, are they just a nice idea that he'll probably ignore?

Do I need anything else?

OP posts:
LowDudgeon · 08/01/2017 15:25

freezing should prevent more damage - if you pull away when his claws are dug in you'll get deep scratches as opposed to punctures Confused

Original poster
biscuitbadger · 08/01/2017 15:33

I didn't sign up for punctures OR deep scratches!!! Am I going to regret getting this cat? We've only ever rescued a soppy older cat before...

(I won't regret it, of course. He's too cute.)

OP posts:
Weedsnseeds1 · 08/01/2017 15:34

I wouldn't hiss incase he sees it as aggressive. As PP said, if you yank your hand away you will get scratched as the claws are curved. Keep the imprisoned hand still and use the other hand to unhook and move the offending paws, along with a stern no, then don't play for a couple of minutes while he calms down.

cozietoesie · 08/01/2017 15:36

I used a hiss once - to Oneago - and once I'd scraped him off the wall and calmed him down, I decided not to use it again. It does seem to work but it also seems to be very serious indeed so I reckon it's not for ordinary use.

trollspoopglitter · 08/01/2017 15:36

Try Zooplus for cheaper cat food / scratching posts / litter /feliway

I got a fantastic, solid wood cat tree from there on sale for under a hundred pounds over 7 years ago and it's as good as new (it's got hammocks that come off and can be chucked in the washing machine). Their premium cat food (looks better than some human food) is sometimes cheaper than supermarket rendered crap.

And definitely, Feliway is the best price I've found around. I forgot to order some from them before the holidays recently so called our vet to see if they had any in stock.. It was £30! Sells for only £18 on Zooplus.

Thegiantofillinois · 08/01/2017 15:39

We used to blow on our semi feral. Still works 11 years later, he just gives us a disgusted look and stalks off.

reallyanotherone · 08/01/2017 15:40

What kind of rescue allows you to pitch up and take a cat same day?

No home check? No making sure it's not a spur of the moment decsion? No questions on your suitability or whether you've owned cats, can afford a cat, or know anything about cats?

Ps. The best thing with the biting is to not react. Noises, yelping, or moving will trigger his prey drive further. Get his toys out instead.

LowDudgeon · 08/01/2017 15:48

Once he's really used to you, & happy with being handled, you could try clipping the sharp points off his claws with something like this

(When you squeeze their pads gently the claw extends)

I used to do it with 2 of mine when younger, but not regularly enough, & they both went off the idea, unfortunately. They don't scratch me but the furniture suffers Grin

Original poster
biscuitbadger · 08/01/2017 15:49

Oh no reallyanotherone we'd had a phone call and a home visit first, then they suggested a couple of cats that might be suitable. We went to visit this guy, thinking we wouldn't bring him home straight away as we were going to be out a lot over the weekend. But then the foster carer said that'd probably be a good thing, as long as we were about enough to feed and spend some time with him.

So we came home with him :)

OP posts:
PosiePootlePerkins · 08/01/2017 15:51

How do you know OP didn't have a home visit really?
The rescue we used was excellent, and they have a policy that once you've had a successful home visit, they expect you to visit and find a cat that suits and rehome it that day. They will only show you cats suitable for your home environment.

PosiePootlePerkins · 08/01/2017 15:52

Ah cross post.
He looks lovely Op and I am sure once he's settled he'll be fine. Good luckSmile

cozietoesie · 08/01/2017 16:06

He looks very male. Is he a quite recent neuter do you know?

reallyanotherone · 08/01/2017 16:14

How do you know OP didn't have a home visit

I didn't, that's why I asked Hmm

I've not come across rescues doing it "backwards" before. But i haven't had a new pet in many years.

PosiePootlePerkins · 08/01/2017 16:41

Fair enough really but your post did make rather a lot of assumptions.

reallyanotherone · 08/01/2017 16:44

Surely the question marks indicate they were questions, not assumptions.

The o/p said she went to look at rescue cats and brought home a cat the same day. I questioned it.

Original poster
biscuitbadger · 08/01/2017 16:44

Cozietoesie he had apparently been neutered already before he went to the rescue place, so it would have been at between 4-10 months. I'm not sure exactly.

OP posts:
PosiePootlePerkins · 08/01/2017 16:49

Yes really well you certainly questioned it rather thoroughly. I hope you are satisfied with the answers. I am not up for an argument on an lovely new cat thread so I shall leave now. Best wishes with your lovely new addition OP.

LowDudgeon · 08/01/2017 16:51

really the way your post was written was very hostile! Hmm

"What kind of rescue allows...?" etc

A polite enquiry would have been "did the rescue allow...?"

therealpippi · 08/01/2017 16:55

Without fail in every cat and dog thread whatever the subject there's always, always someone that spoils it but questioning and assuming. It is so tiredsome and really off putting.

therealpippi · 08/01/2017 16:56

OP what a cute kitten. I second the firm no, or whatever special non too threatening sound you chose) and leave the hand there.
Give him time.

Love the term 'kitler' btw.

beansbananas · 08/01/2017 17:07

I have two cats and in my experience the more time you spend with them, the more affectionate they become. My little boy cat still loves a bit of a chew and scratch on the hands given half a chance! But toys are essential to help change this playful behaviour. He really likes toy wands with something tied to the ends of them. You must get scratching posts and toys as he will get bored otherwise. Mine also liked it when I cut holes into card board boxes so they could hide and play in them. Boy cats are generally more affectionate and relaxed but I have one of each and they have become absolute softies and really enjoy our company and cuddles. But you need to run around the room with things they can pounce on and invest time figuring out toys they like. Our girl loves toy mice and they both love feathers! Wear him out and the play fighting will soon turn to snuggles. You are still building up trust, but with continuity and patience I promise your kitten will soon be your friend for life.

beansbananas · 08/01/2017 17:13

Also when you take him to the vets, they can trim his nails so they are slightly less sharp if you do find yourself on the end of a kitten attack! Like other people have said, don't pull away immediately as it doesn't hurt that much. But let it signify the end of the game, so he learns not to do it if he wants more playtime. Or replace your hand with a toy he can grab (like a wand) and he can attack that instead!

Stilllivinginazoo · 08/01/2017 17:17

If you kids have a stray kinder plastic egg bit my boys love those.esp if tie knot in piece string and seal it inside the egg so kids can drag it along!one my boys also partial to treat releasing toy.
He's adorable!hope he brings you many years of pleasure

MycatsaPirate · 08/01/2017 18:28

When we got Bella (cat number 4) we had gone to the rescue (me and DD2) and said that we had three cats already, that our home was pretty rural away from roads and that we could only have a female as boy cat really doesn't tolerate any other male cat but is fine with the girls (the big furry tart).

We spoke to them and they went through the cats which would fit us and then said that Bella would probably suit us best but she had been overlooked many times because she was so timid. DD2 and I sat in the pen with her for 45 minutes and talked to her while she hid behind a flowerpot and eventually she came out of hiding.

We said we'd like her and they said they'd do the relevant checks. But we could visit as much as we wanted. We went back the next day to see her but got told we could take her home that day. They had checked our home on Google maps, we had a letter from our landlord saying it was ok to have the cats and they had checked we were registered with a vet.

So we took her home and she's been with us since August. She's lovely.

I'm now officially cat staff!
NormansNipple · 08/01/2017 18:50

I rescued my cat at about a year old he was also a bit too keen with his claws! If you keep saying no he should soon learn. DCat was reluctant to be too close to me at first, and I could only pet him with one hand. He's an ex stray and I assume he had trust issues. He's lovely now though, asleep leaning on my leg just now, and he pats me with his paw (no claws) when he wants a fuss!

Your boy looks lovely - so cute! I definitely second the cat tree, he can have a good scratch on that too. I've bought all sorts of toys but if a pellet of his wood cat litter is on the floor he will chase it all over. Good luck with your beautiful boy Smile