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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

What does my dad's newly acquired cat

26 replies

WelshPandas · 20/09/2017 12:42

I'm hoping you can help give me a list on what is needed to look after a cat short term. My dad has never had a pet and I've only had dogs so I'm not sure if I'm missing something.

The background for this is my dad was looking after his bosses house while boss is away on a long holiday. He is supposed to go twice a week and pick up post/check over the house etc

His first day was on Friday and he found a young cat hiding on the sofa, one of the Windows in the house was open so he called his boss who said that the cat was an outdoor cat that belonged to his ex and she was coming to pick up cat later in the week. My dad couldn't see any sign of food or water for the cat so he gave it some water and bought a bit of chicken for the cat from the shop which the cat wolfed down.
My dad also thought the cat looked to young to be and outside cat so he took a picture to show me.

I agreed it looked young so my dad has been going there everyday since to feed the cat and everyday he has called his boss and boss said that his ex was coming. Then today my dad called boss and the boss admitted that actually no-one was coming for the cat. He bought it to tempt back his ex but she said no so he was hoping that of he left the window open the cat would run away.

My dad said he couldn't leave the cat and would take it somewhere, and his boss said he didnt care. So my dad has taken the cat home and has called me asking for a list of stuff he needs to buy for the cat.

I gave him the number of a local vet and told him to get food and a litter tray and a bed. But I don't know what food or litter would be best or what extras he should get.

So I'm hoping you could all advise us on what to get for this cat please.

OP posts:
Original poster
WelshPandas · 20/09/2017 12:47

Hell, title should be what does my dad's newly acquired cat NEED. That's what I get for trying to type fast.

OP posts:
EachandEveryone · 20/09/2017 12:59

Oh bless your dad. Well vets first. I wonder if the boss will cough up for neutering? A tunnel to play in and a dangly toy. Dry and wet food depending on the age it may need kitten food try and get as good quality as he can afford. Litter and tray u can get cheap. They don't need much else but we will need a photo!

EachandEveryone · 20/09/2017 13:00

Pets at Home have a good vets I've been told

EachandEveryone · 20/09/2017 13:01

Oh tell him not to waste his money on a bed!!!

Original poster
WelshPandas · 20/09/2017 13:03

I've given my dad the number of a local vet he called them and is waiting for a call back from one of the main vets.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 20/09/2017 13:19

What a complete tosser your dad's boss is. Good for your dad. Hope he enjoys being a cat slave. He'll be besotted before you know it.

MsMims · 20/09/2017 13:46

Utter bastard. The boss not your dad!

A good wet food is butchers classic tins. It's affordable (£5 for 12 tins) and a decent quality food. Avoid dry food.

Hard to say which litter the cat would prefer but I like the pets at home wooden pellets for ours.

Is your dad keeping him/ her long term?

EachandEveryone · 20/09/2017 13:52

I imagine it will be hard not to keep him. The poor little mite.

Your dad will want to give dry as well if he goes out to work for longish periods. It's not great for them but it is practical. I'd try and get it onto both poor thing might not be fussy.

5rivers7hills · 20/09/2017 14:10

Your dads boss is such a prick!!! Good on your dad.

Cat will need a vet check up - flea and worming treatment (regularly), vaccines, microchip and neuter.

Pet insurance.

Litter tray.

Food.

If its a kitten or quite young a couple of toys like Da Bird (basically feathers on a stick) could be good to play but not essential.

Original poster
WelshPandas · 20/09/2017 16:54

My dad has taken the cat to the vets to get everything checked out.

I don't know if he would keep her long term as he has never really been into pets nor has his partner but he said he will keep the cat till a new home is sorted for it.

OP posts:
EachandEveryone · 20/09/2017 17:12

Do you fancy having her? I was never a cat person she may steal his heart you never know!

chemenger · 20/09/2017 17:30

If he doesn't keep her, (but he sounds very nice so will probably be won over) he should get in touch with his local Cat Protection branch, they may be able to do a home-to-home adoption, where they advertise the cat and do a home visit to make sure the adopters are suitable. They may well also help with vet costs in the circumstances.

Fluffycloudland77 · 20/09/2017 18:23

It's not as uncommon as you think, someone else on here aquired a cat the same way.

I think they called her Poppy.

Original poster
WelshPandas · 20/09/2017 20:01

The cat isn't microchipped and the vet thinks she's around 16 weeks old so still a baby really. My dad has some special food for her from the vet and the numbers for some of the local rescue homes which my dad will call in the morning though he seems pretty happy to have her for the time being.

Fluffycloudland77 it's awful that these things are so common though it sounds like that cat had a happy ending. I've had a few rescue dogs in the past and some of their back stories are so sad.

OP posts:
EachandEveryone · 20/09/2017 20:32

Poor little thing needs to bond with someone. Aw im kind of hoping its your dad!

Ontheboardwalk · 20/09/2017 20:44

Dreamies lots of Dreamies, hopefully then they'll bond and the poor cat will end up with a great home with your dad

SweetChickadee · 20/09/2017 20:50

16 weeks is just a baby Sad The boss is a twat.

Re litter - we use the recycled newspaper stuff - less dusty than most. Get a box with a lid - keeps whiffs in and a lot of cats like a bit privacy. Stops it all being kicked onto the floor too Grin

your dad's luffly

Weedsnseeds1 · 20/09/2017 21:00

Poor little cat. I'm glad your Dad was there for her. Just imagine what would have happened to her if his boss wasn't more concerned about his post than a living animal.
I would suggest a few cheap toys.
As PP said, don't bother with a bed, although an empty box would probably be appreciated!

Original poster
WelshPandas · 20/09/2017 21:32

I don't know if they will keep her or not. I can't take her because my DD is still quite young and I'm pregnant plus we are planning on moving house soon so it wouldn't be fair on the kitten to rehome her at my house.

OP posts:
PebblesFlintstone · 21/09/2017 01:07

Is she neutered? They can fall pregnant very young and a litter of kittens sounds like the last thing this little cat needs. If not, she needs to be kept indoors.

thecatneuterer · 23/09/2017 23:03

16 weeks is the right age to have her neutered. This can't wait until she finds another home. Can you dad get that done?

EachandEveryone · 27/09/2017 01:55

How are they grtting on?

ProseccoMamam · 27/09/2017 02:16

Your dads boss seems charming, no wonder his ex left him

Your dad seems lovely and kind and caring Smile

Injections, neutering and chipped first
Litter tray and stones
Kitten food - preferably biscuits and tinned meat he can mix together
Bowls
Bed
Toys
Collar
Lots of cuddles after being neglected & left to fend for himself by your dads prick of a boss
That's all really, cats are very low maintenance

LondonLassInTheCountry · 27/09/2017 03:19

16 weeks old's can have kittens.....
She needs to get done.

Cats can carry feline aids. She will need some blood tests

LondonLassInTheCountry · 27/09/2017 03:19

Your dad can get in contact with

Cats protection

They will take her in