Litter tray, pet carriers etc. Which ones would you recommend?

[mummymermaid]

We are getting a cat very soon but there's so many different litter trays, pet carriers, cat litter etc! What are the ones you recommend? There's hard pet carriers then there's the soft ones. I was thinking about getting the soft one. Cat litter I thought the wood pellets or the crystal looking stuff?
I've already bought feeding bowls and I was going to get a water fountain. Got lots of toys but still need a bed and a scratching post. Any helpful advice would be much appreciated!

My personal preference is wood litter as it doesn't smell and you can scoop out the poo, then just change the litter when the pellets disintegrate into sawdust.
Cat litter box, we have the lidded ones but have taken off the little flap they are supposed to go through.
Pet boxes for taking to the vets, I would strongly recommend a plastic carrier with a removeable lid. Much easier to clean, and to encourage stubborn cats to come out at the vets! I usually pop a towel in the bottom to make it a bit more comfy.
I'll try and post some pics.
And congratulations on soon becoming a cat slave!

We use Felipure clumping litter and and Harry likes it a bit too much - he comes in from the garden especially to use it! He's got a tray with a detachable rim so he doesn't wee up the side or over the edge.

His basket is a Cat Cabrio (Amazon) which is a front or top loader so he gets shoved in the front and comes out of the top at the vets!

I bought a water fountain but it was a complete waste of money - he wouldn't go in the kitchen while it was on! One toy I would definitely recommend is a mouse from Molly's Mice (also Amazon). They seem to last forever even though they are played with all the time.

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/smart-cat-hooded-litter-tray

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/small-plastic-door-carrier-for-cats-and-small-dogs

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/pets-at-home-wood-pellet-non-clumping-cat-litter-30l

Links to litter tray, cat carrier and wood litter

I have a top entry litter box from zoo plus and use inter sand classic litter.
I have got picnic basket style carriers by curver that are really good. I would go for a hard carrier as it would give more protection in the event of a crash and easier to clean!
Mine do use all their many beds and a tipi is a particular favourite!

Thank you all, I'll go check these out.
What about the scratching post, are those big climbing trees any good? Do cats actually use them?

Mine like a large scratching post and also the horizontal cardboard scratchers.

Zooplus is your friend. Quick free delivery and more reasonable. If you are driving to the vet you need a hard carrier. Mine both use their water fountain, dont keep water next to the food apparently they don’t like it. I have a top loading litter tray which they like. And also a normal lidded one. Worlds Best cat litter is good from zoo plus. I’m going to try wood pellets next just for a change. They like those cheap cardboard scratch pads and also a tall fat scratch post. The more things to scratch the better. Is it an older cat or kitten?

Does anyone put two cats in one carrier - and if so, which one? We used to use one each with previous cats, but new kittens have always shared until now, when they're too big.

And would second front loading - easier to force in a reluctant cat!

Cats best oko plus litter- seems more expensive but lasts ages so works out cheaper.

We have the Catit hooded litter tray and catit fountain and have no complaints about either.

Our cat loves the big tree. Ours is about 150cm tall and cost around £30 from
Amazon.

I avoid Pets at home and similar places as they are so expensive.

I think it would be a nightmare for me to try and put two in. I don’t think I could pick it up either.

Thanks I'll check out the website. It's an adult cat. I really can't decide on the pet carrier! I had a cat when I was younger and I remember it being a nightmare trying to get him in the pet carrier, he used scratch my arms in panic. So that top opening one would definitely help! A lot of them got bad reviews on Amazon though. The fabric ones seem to have better reviews but surely a cat would just scratch and bite its way out of it?? 😳

I found this m.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_carriers_travel/cat_carriers_kennels/soft_cat_carrier/157146

But what size pet carrier is my next question? For an average size cat?

This is what I've got

Do you know what size are they? Do I go for small or medium pet carrier?

The absolute gold standard in carriers are the fully metal wire ones - Metal Cote for example is a great brand. They are the absolute safest and will last you for 10 years or more. No escapes from those...

And yes a tall cat tree is great for creating a high up sleeping spot and increasing the cat's territory by creating vertical space. ZooPlus has some reasonably priced, good quality options.

I'd go for a medium carrier. I have a small and a medium for my cats, but my girl cat is is little! The boy cat is a big boy and is fine in a medium.
Remember to come and post some pics when you get your new cat, obligatory on the Litter Tray

Really wouldn't go for fabric. If you get a front loading carrier the trick is to shove them in backwards! Then shut the door quick! Not very dignified but much harder for them to escape.

I have one large plastic carrier with metal doors (top and front) and a smaller soft one for emergencies. When I collected my pair, we put the (much smarter) girlcat in the soft carrier & she promptly tried to undo the zip by hooking a claw through the mesh - apparently that isn't uncommon & cats have got out of them this way.

If you go for an open tray, I'd go for the largest that you can be happy with. They can get right in & less chance of the bum overhanging & a bit of errant poo landing outside.

Regarding litter, it may be a good idea to start out with whatever they are used to then slowly change over time if you prefer something else. Mine are on the PaH wood litter linked to above, and I do find it great for smells.

Yeowww banana is mine's favorite at the moment, and they go through phases of loving fishing pole type toys especially those involving feathers of any kind - Boycat will catch the feather boa one then lie there licking the feathers for ages. Laser pointers are also great depending on the cat. Girlcat has worked out that the light comes from the pen in my hand, but doesn't care as she enjoys chasing the dot anyway.

I think I'm going to get the top and front opening catit cabrio cat carrier, it's plastic and looks really good. I just went to buy a cat litter tray with a swinging door, it was on offer at pets at home. So now all I need is the bed and a scratching post! I'm soooo excited 😍

Check Aldi for a carrier, we got one for £3. We've used it a handful of times and just put his blanket in the bottom to make it comfier for him.

The absolute gold standard in carriers are the fully metal wire ones - Metal Cote for example is a great brand. They are the absolute safest and will last you for 10 years or more. No escapes from those...

We tried one those but didn't get on with it as Harry was practically hanging upside down from it. He seems OK with the Cat Cabrio though and we always put a padlock on it when we take him out, just in case.

Not sure if I would bother with a special cat bed. Mine like to sleep :
On my bed
In my bed (only when I'm not in there)
Back of the sofa
In the wardrobe
Under my bed
Far end of the sofa
In a cave area between boxes in the "junk" room
On my bedroom floor (carpet)
On the upstairs hall floor (carpet)
Living room floor (wood)
Very rarely in winter, the igloo

But never EVER in the lovely cat bed I bought them. They would almost turn themselves inside out to get past it without touching it, despite it being sprayed with catnip (they both love a bit of catnip).

I have the Cabrio and really rate it. My cat's only tiny but it's helpful that she can move around quite freely.

For a cat bed mine uses me, drawers under the bed, the window sill, etc. The igloo bed we bought her was abandoned 5 minutes after she first saw it.

We have this cat tree. The beds and covers can go in the washing machine.

Ok so I ordered the cabrio from Amazon. And it's a no to the cat bed then 😆 and that cat tree seems to have a bed on top so that's perfect! I might order that one, it's ok for price too