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!

each I have to sit through an entire day of work!! It's going to be such a long day, hopefully I can sneak out early

Defo sneak out early! Exciting day :-)

Athena and Artemis.

Both terrified of their own tails and hiding under the bookcase at the moment, except for a brief appearance for dinner.

Currently sitting with watching them sniff the air and stare at me.

Oh they are too cute. Have they used the tray yet?.

Yep! Twice. Very proud mama, I was fully prepared for soggy carpets and accidents.

Water fountain

Yes definitely a water fountain.

They are totally gorgeous. I love the names. Where are they sleeping tonight?

Did you order the screens from flat cats? A must if you are in a flat in this weather.

I got the net things for our balcony but haven't managed to get them up yet. Am boiling!

They're sleeping in our lounge tonight - but DP is at his summer works party so I'm staying up until he's in in case he, um, 'forgets' we've got new housemates after a few beers.

How're they settling in?

Do you windows open on a tilt at the top or the bottom?

Wet food is far better than dry

tilting windows

luxury they are tilt at the bottom but we can set them at varying widths. Currently at a distance I can't get my knuckles past so our flat is a sweat box! I have them ice cubes to play with earlier.

Artemis is coming out of her shell, wrapping around my ankles when I was cooking breakfast earlier. Athena still quite scared, but following her sister to belly rubs with slave mama.

Picture for cute points

Beautiful kits

For 3 cats I have this massive litter tray plus 2 of the same model but smaller. One of my cats is twice the size of the others but they all prefer the massive tray.

& after various experiments,the best litter IMO is Cats Best Oko Plus - it's expensive upfront but one fill lasts for weeks, it has a lovely woody smell, clumps beautifully (& the clumps can be flushed down the loo along with the poos - I use dog poo bags for transportation), & as long as poo is covered there's no smell at all. It's wonderful stuff! (Also zooplus is a great supplier for most catty requisites)

That love makes them fluffy and healthy.

It honestly does. When my sister used to look after my cat while we were away, he'd look awful when we returned. After 2 weeks of love (stroking, cuddles, sleeping next to me) he'd be fluffy and healthy again.

Now my neighbour, who adores him, looks after him, he's just as healthy and happy when we return, as the day we set off.

Also, you will learn that cats are not aloof... they are so very loving!

this stuff is surprisingly good for their teeth - just mix a tiny amount into their wet food every day.

I also give mine these ridiculous green treats now & again

shockers DP has always said I must have been a cat in a former life because I can be unintentionally quite aloof towards people I don't know (and people I do actually ) so I'll tell him they're actually very loving!

Going to introduce them to a few more bits of our flat today - there's a lot of safe climbing opportunities in our hallway they might like

I'm going to invest, Lap. My latest rescue dog could melt your face with his moose-breath!

I went for a wee a few minutes ago and my cat went from the sink, to my shoulder... where he sat for the duration of my wee!

He's quite large.

That they would destroy my carpets (sigh). But there are a few things I've figured out (home-made scratch boards) that cuts down on that. Just didn't figure that out early.

I don't do most of the other things on this thread, though (no regrets or resulting problems).

I'm going to get the hallway carpet replaced but it needs to be cheaply. Would I be better getting laminate I wonder?

Update, if anyone is still watching...

My two tiny tiggers are now very settled, impossibly spoilt and are professional posers when on my lap!

Another vote for don't waste your money, I spent £50 on a cat bed and they slept in the box it was delivered in...

Also they squeeze into impossible spaces, mine got behind my fireplace and into the chimney breast at 4 months, had to call a plumber and the gas board 😒

Oh they are just beautiful. I havecthat grooming thing she uses it all the time.

Op, those pictures are hilarious. Totally posing!