What do you wish you knew before bringing home your first cat?

[yantzee]

I've just met our pfc (precious first cats) for the first time - we'll be bringing them home in just under three weeks. I've got a week off to welcome them.

They're brother and sister (Albus and Luna - thoughts?? I know not factually correct but I can't ignore that lightening bolt on his head and Harry is too obvious!) and will be 10.5 weeks when we get them.

We're in central London on the second floor (huge balcony and the run of a big flat), and have disposable income to spend on them if we need to - toys, treats etc

What do you wish you'd known before you got your kitty?? What's a waste of money, what should we spend money on, how do we make them feel safe and secure?? They're already very loved but I know they'll be scared. Help!

OP how are you intending they stay on the balcony?? Boob height railing won't stand a chance once they've grown a bit. Mine can jump a 10foot wall.

The covered litter box I linked is expensive but worth it.

Take the poo out as soon as they've done it. I'm in a flat and this thing is invaluable m.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_litter_litter_boxes/catlitter_disposal_products/litter_locker/94964?gclid=CLK_uo7MztQCFYkp0wodP4sKTg it's surprising how much even kitten poo stinks.

You get what you pay for food wise.

No gimmick they are a godsend

Oh u need two trays for two cats I have an expensive one and then a Sainsbury's open one

As the others said, it all depends on the cat.

We have steelenforced catnetting around our balcony / terasse (2,5m high) . Sev can't climb it and he can't jump over. He's clumsy, so stays indoors.

Felix - the one who was probably stolen - had free range over a wide area of rooftops and once jumped out of a 4th floor window (witnessed by neighbours), then over a 2m wall and then went to sleep in somebody elses flat.

Try Cat's Best litter- you can fish poos out of it and flush them, and it's so much easier than fannying about with newspaper parcels.
Don't waste time and money buying a bed for them to ignore.
A decent cat tree is definitely worth having though.

Just be prepared for how quickly they will take over your house and how much you will love them 😍. I've had my PFC now and I wouldn't be without him (although he can be a complete pain in the arse at times!)
Also be prepared for them to ignore any expensive cat beds/ scratch posts you buy... as mentioned in previous posts they will avoid these and sleep in random boxes/ your favourite furniture or , in my case, the ensuite shower!

*should have said I've had my PFC for nearly 4 months now.

@EachandEveryone how often do you need to replace the liner in that box?

I think I am going to get the box. Would look better and keep the smell in a bit more.

My boy seems quite chilled out about trying new things so hopefully he'll get the hang of it.

I came home last night and Kitten had done a huge stinking shit in the litter tray and hadn't covered it over (he usually does!) and the whole of downstairs stank of poo!

In the litter box? I haven't replaced it yet! I reckon six months to a year.

The bin where the poo goes every two weeks

Thanks, yeah I meant the actual fancy pants litter box.

Dont forget the zooplus discount code

Dont forget the zooplus discount code

AGH bother I did forget that :-(

I learned that some will use any cat bed, and some will refuse every cat bed. String and a human is the best toy for some, a catnip sack for others. An open window can never be ignored, and they love to sneak out and sit on the roof, they also fall off said roof and have to go to the vet if you don't pull them back inside in time.

They will try to explore if they get on a balcony or roof and will end up in the street below (have rescued several neighbours cats in Central London from the street).

Some love a box and a ball of tinfoil to pay with.I have a lot more but so many ads are flashing up it is stopping me from typing, what is going on here today?

Obviously they don't pay, they play.

Kitten food for the extra calories (recommended by my vet... different vets have different opinions).

I rented a room to a vet and apparently it is v common for cats to fall off or jump off (catching flies/ playing/accidental slip) off balconies. Personally, I wouldn't allow balcony access esp as kittens).

Insurance

High quality food

Don't go crazy on expensive toys. Be careful with plastic or styrofoam. One of mine plays & then eats anything. I have pulled an elastic band out of her mouth that she was trying to eat. She tries to eat styrofoam when I get deliveries so I have to vacuum straight after unpacking.

Spend time with them when you first get them. A week of you can. It'll help with bonding and you will get to know their quirks / any weirdness (see styrofoam above)

I wondered about calories dance

I've just ordered one of those balcony net things mentioned up thread so they can have full run of our outside space. You know you're an adult when you take the fairy lights put up specifically for balcony parties down to make room for cat netting...

Ah that's the one I showed you zoo plus have done well out of you this week!!! What about your windows? You might still be able to keep your twinkly lights up!

We never open our windows beyond the tilt and turn because opening one turns our entire flat into a vacuum and they just slam shut so we gave up. So that's one less thing to worry about!

My twinkles are strung up like bunting all over the balcony and I can already see a dangerous Tarzan moment happening if I leave them up. I've got plenty of sparkly things elsewhere, don't worry

Each cat is an individual and you'll have no idea what they'll like until your try. One of ours loves cat beds and anything fluffy and soft to lie on. (I'm looking at you BatCat as you lie purring on my fluffy rug that I used to snuggle under when it was cold). The other prefers the floor, rug or sofa and won't go near a cat bed. Neither like crinkly stuff, but will chase lasers.

BatCat is stand offish during the day, whereas as Fluffcat tries to sit on my laptop when I'm working for a head rub. BatCat then woke me in the early hours meowing at me until he got a head rub... fluff cat won't come near us until it's time to be fed...

Basically you have no idea what they'll be like until you get them. Enjoy getting to know them

Am I the only cat slave who's 2 furry overlords do actually use all of their 5 beds and their scratching post?!

If you keep a glass of water next to your bed, be sure to empty it in the morning or replace it with a clean one every night. Went into the bedroom to put some laundry away in the daytime and caught our tortoiseshell slurping out of it. Have no idea how often she had been doing that before I found out but probably safe to say I have almost certainly drunk water that has had cat's tongue in. They will drink from anywhere but their own water bowl - from the base of the shower after you've used it to a bowl of water that you are using for nappy changing.

Toddler, mine use their beds and posts, but never say no to a nice sofa or human bed for a snooze or a scratch

Mine both use the scratching post ( and the sofas...)