Help! First time owner

[user1482079332]

Sooo I'm getting a cat tomorrow and I'm completely clueless, always had dogs but circumstances don't permit one. I've been told I'll have to keep them inside for a few days while they get used to new surroundings, she's mainly an outdoor cat that makes an appearance for food and to go sleep. I live right next to a park so hope this won't be a problem and I've stocked up scratch posts toys ect. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

She needs to stay in for 3 weeks or so. The basics are, food, litter trays, water bowls, side plates make good food plates.

Is she neutered & microchipped?.

Well, congratulations!

First things first....it'll be two to four weeks (err on the side of caution) before you let her out!

By then she'll have you a fully trained anxious cat slave. Otherwise she may seek affections elsewhere. Cats are contemptuous like that.

Some cats are rambunctious egotistical bastards who will take over your entire house within hours. But most will hide somewhere (sometimes for days), which makes you wonder whether they tunnelled out in the middle of the night. For this reason, many cats benefit from being confined to a safe room (with litter tray, water etc) for a day or two. If you live in a mansion, have your servants slowly reveal more and more of the house over time. If not, just close a few rooms off for a few days. I can assure you, when she's ready, she'll make it very clear she's ready to expand her territory. Under no circumstances acquiesce to any demands to be let out for a few weeks.

Lots of treats can help the bonding process. Perhaps a feliway plug for the first month to help her settle if she's nervy.

Finally enjoy! Your life is about to go into a whole new dimension.

Cat will need to be in for at least 3 weeks. Are you getting her from a rescue as they should provide you with advice?
So essentials, food and water (cats don't always like water bowl near food)no milk, litter tray, flea and worm treatment (decent stuff which is what a vet will provide), pet insurance, find a good local vet to register with. I'm now stuck....

So pleased for you. Hope all goes well.

You've got toys for her. You'll need a cat carrier for vet visits & for transport to anywhere else. I imagine you've got food for her, food bowls and a glass for her water. Put her water a little bit away from her food, as this is what they like. You'll need litter & a tray, because she'll be inside with you. The recommended amount of time to keep a cat inside in a new home is 3 weeks, but in my experience they're normally ready to go out after a week. Don't let her out too quickly, especially as there's a park near you and she could get disorientated and lost. Always keep her in at night, as this is when they're most vulnerable to cars and night creatures!

Has she been to vet for a check up recently? If not, it'd be a good idea to take her & you should take her annually, at least. Has she had all her vaccinations and been wormed, de-flead. I imagine she's been neutered?

She might be a bit reserved & cautious when you bring her home, so put all her things in one room and let her take her time to adjust and get to know you and her surroundings.

She'll bring you a lot of joy. Cats are very different creatures to dogs. She'll train you very quickly to be her slave.

Where is she coming from.

As your a newbie, I'd recommend getting a new cat owner book.

Sorry, lots of info for you, but you'll be fine.

You're not your - I hate that!

I forgot the catflap & a box in the room she first goes into, with something soft in for her to retreat into.

Hello thanks all for the amazingly quick and helpful replies! Bit of background she's coming from my mum's neighbour, my mum has two cats already and she's joined her tribe. Neighbours aware of this it isn't a catnapping they have kids and other pets so she was getting very little attention hence why she decided to move herself. She's been neutered ect but I'm going to take her vets for a check up I can't see the neighbours talking her unless something obvious was wrong . Will I need to train her to go in the litter tray? Any new cat owner books you would recommend? She's met my lo before and seemed indifferent but any advice on kids and cats living together?

I guess just make sure the cat's got somewhere to retreat to. How old is your DC? Some cats feel safer being up high up, on top of a chest of drawers or whatever

He's 4months I've got a scratch post that's quite tall but also have plenty of high up book shelves

Congrats. I thoughtit was 6 weeks they should stay in for? Go with the flow. Good luck.

So nice of you to give her a home. She's obviously had enough of the old one before going to your mum.

In my experience, cats take naturally to using the litter tray, so hopefully you won't need to train her. Don't put the tray near her food, as no-one likes a mess where they eat. Put it in a quiet corner, but where she can see it and access it easily. Keep it clean. I clean my litter trays each time they're used. I put a sheet of newspaper in first, then add a small amount of tesco litter, just enough for them to scratch in, then when it's been used, I empty it and wash it out in the utility room. It is a real faff, but cats are very clean creatures and can choose not to use the tray if it's soiled, and you don't want that. Also, your house will stink to high heaven if you don't keep the litter tray clean. The rule is one tray per cat plus an extra one.

The only experience I have of DCs with cats was with my niece and nephews and my cats used to make a run for it at any sign of them. They used to do the same if sister came without the children, as my cats associated her with very loud and playful kids.

Cats Protection website has downloadable leaflets which should have relevant info. Good you plan to take her for a check at the vets.
High up places are good for a cat to avoid small humans.
She should be used to the tray maybe just show it to her so she knows where the loo is.
Litter Tray rules are we need a picture of your new cat assuming she doesn't hide.

Food bowls, and a glass for her water.

So very accurate!

A camera for photos on the litter tray

She's arrived, stomped about purring now hiding in ds's room. Can't wait for her personality to come out, at my mum's she'd hide behind doors to jump the other cats and chase her chiuahas. What's the etiquette in renaming? She's around 3 and just looks more like a scout to me.

She's gorgeous. Just a word about collars though. Collars can be very dangerous. They can get a front leg caught through and then an injury in the armpit. They can even end up with an amuptation. They can also get caught up when they go outside.
If she's chipped she shouldn't need a collar.

Such a little poser! She's scrummy.

Ditch the collar though. Mine got his caught on his tooth

What a face & her little legs - beaut.

Get her a safety collar - one that unfastens when caught on something. I know a lot of people don't do collars but I always put safety collars on mine, with ID barrells, even though mine are microchipped as well.

I wouldn't even trust a safety collar I'm afraid. Mine like tree climbing and squeezing through tiny gaps. Not worth the risk. They are chipped.

Oh dear hope they were ok

She does look like a Scout! She's even sitting at attention.

Scout is a fab name for her. I'm sure she'll be ruling the roost in no time. I was tempted by a collar too as I have a mobility disability (and a bird table ) but she's learn eventually that getting too underfoot can mean you get trod on!

Beautiful girl. She looks quite confident so will be ruling the roost in no time! I agree ditch the collar and microchip.

She is most definitely a loveable bundle of trouble! Scout is a great name for her.