Adopting a cat - advice please!

[NightWakings]

We have been mulling over getting a cat for a while, but with children and a dog thought we’d need to get a kitten, as most of the shelters around us don’t rehome to families with children under 8. However we have found a shelter who will consider us, and are going to meet a couple of young adult cats (18 months - 2) who they think might be suitable tomorrow.

I’ve never had a cat before. DH grew up with them, but hasn’t owned one as an adult. We’re all big animal lovers and have various pets who are loved and cared for, so I’m not worried about the responsibility and commitment - more about the practicalities. What do I need to buy? (Bed, bowls, food, litter tray, litter, scratch post, toys, carrier, collar and tag - anything else?)

Any top tips for introducing the cat to our dog? I’ve read lots of advice online about taking things very slowly. Our dog goes to a boarder who has a cat and there doesn’t seem to be an issue, but I know that’s different than a cat suddenly being in her own house.

I’d planned to keep the cat in a large garden room at the back of the house (the dog doesn’t normally have unsupervised access to this room anyway) if we go out in the first few weeks and overnight - the dog will be in the front part of the house, kept separate but able to see the cat through glass doors. Does this sound ok? We’ll also fit a cat flap to the garden from this room, although I know we’ll need to keep the cat in for a few weeks to settle.

What else do I need to know to help the cat settle in? We won’t bring one home tomorrow, but I’d hope that we could collect within a day or two.

We’re excited but it’s all happening quite fast and I want to be as prepared as we can be.

There is a lot of different advice available re dog meeting cat but every time we have done it we have just stuck them in together and let them sort themselves out, they may run away from each other or snarl/his but they soon work out who is top dog (it is nearly always the cat)

Flea treatment, wormer, treats? How exciting - cats are fabulous!

I'd say forget the bed, as they will sleep where THEY want to and the fact that it's a "proper" cat bed will make it unsuitable in the cat's eyes . Keep to the same food and litter as the rescue, at least initially, and if you do change it do it slowly.

I'd also make sure there are plenty of high up spaces for the cat(s) to keep away from your dog and observe the world going by - you can get enormous cat trees about 6 feet tall if you have room for it!

We introduced new cat to resident dog (a terrier who enjoyed chasing small furries) by keeping cat in the dog crate while dog was around for a few days until dog and cat were used to sight and smell of each other. (Lots of dog rewards and praise for dog when she ignored cat.) Then letting cat out of crate and keeping dog on a short lead while cat explored room. (Again praise and rewards for dog when cat came close and she didn't try to chase). Gradually we allowed a longer lead as dog showed she wasn't going to chase.

It probably took about 2 weeks until we were able to trust them to be together and we found them curled up together on the sofa.

We got 2 adults (brother/sister) from CPL in May

The keeping them indoors ....... challenging ! In the first week they were in one room , we had a very strict rule of knocking and waiting for the All Clear before going in the room.
Making sure the front door was shut before opening the porch door (or vice versa) in case they legged it.
And sneaking out into the garden to hang washing was like a military operation.
Ours were quite shy especially the male so we had to ensure 100% he was settled before he was allowed out .

If you go to Rescue they'll match you to a character that they've assessed . We have 2 late teen DC and no dog or children so we were able to accomodate the needs of our new little Governers .

Our female scorns soft things (she'll sleep on the dining room chairs though) for windowsills, tiled floors, DD desk.
She would laugh at a CatBed

Prepare for:
your house being taken over by their gear
fur everywhere even shorthairs
biscuits and travelling cat litter underfoot
££ for insurance and boarding for holidays
Standing in Sainsburys in the Pet Aisle muttering "It has to be Grain Free and she doesn't like beef , he doesn't like lamb....." like a mad cat lady (that might just be me though)

There's the lovely welcome when you come home quickly followed by the sight of a cats' bottom going through the catdoor

And the cleaning of the litter tray to see them mosey in with a shifty look....and the scraping ... and yes, they've used it .

There are 10000s in Rescue . I just looked out at our two curled up on the garden chairs and thought , Aw , we were right to take them .

No advice with regards dog but the only type of bed I would consider is a radiator one. Others will just be sneered at Your bed will almost certainly be the preferred spot, probably the vast majority of it and you will be expected to squeeze into a tiny corner.

Oh and I just want to say that rescues are the best. We have three and I was nervous as I had only ever had kittens before and I wasn't sure if adult cats would bond with us. I have never had more adoring cats in my life and I never intend to get a kitten again .

Gratuitous Cat Photo :

This is what you could've won (in the words of Jim Bowen)

Ours would also laugh at a cat bed and a scratching post (that's what sofas are for) and the collar didn't last long.
For water I recommend a heavy ceramic bowl so they can't tip it over.

Don't bother with the bed, a nice fleecy blanket on the couch will probably go down well though.

As for toys ignore any of the expensive toys, mine have only ever been interested in dangly things on string, mice (especially the squeaky ones) and a laser pointer.

Catnip could be a big hit, but it makes one of mine throw up.

I would go for a hooded litter tray as it minimises how much they can throw over the floor.

The cat will have your dog well trained to know its place in no time.

Also sneered at a radiator bed.

Thanks this is good advice! I will stop looking at beds this instant and focus on cat trees and hooded litter trays. I’m really very excited.

70isaLimit they are gorgeous. And thanks for the tips. I’m hoping our Labrador has conditioned us already to being covered in animal hair and generally pandering to her special snowflake requirements (although she may be in for a shock!).

Yes - another point to bear in mind with cat and dog households is the charming habit some dogs have of eating poo. Covered litter tray is the way to go.

And consider feeding areas. Of course any cat food in a bowl on the floor will be fair game to your dog so your cat will need a cat but not dog accessible shelf or surface for their food.

I agree I wouldn't bother with any of those expensive cat trees, scratching posts or beds. Your cat will scorn a pet bed as they curl up on your freshly made duvet.

We inherited a dog after always having cats, luckily I had the baby gate still up between the kitchen and the main house so they just glared at each other between the bars for a few weeks then settled down. Cats now boss dog around as supreme rulers and everybody gets on fine. Cats will always come out on top I think!

Sounds like you have a good plan and the rescue will hopefully have lots of advice as well!

Have you considered feeding arrangements once the cat and dog share access to the whole home?

Worth keeping in mind most dog flea treatments are toxic to cats.

You're probably already registered with a local vet. Do you have pet insurance for your dog? Definitely recommend it for the cat as well. Rescues usually offer a month's free insurance with newly adopted cats as well.

I've never had dogs and cats at the same time but have heard from others it's usually easier to introduce a cat and a dog than two cats. A laid back, confident young adult cat sounds just perfect for a home with a dog and kids.

Enjoy!

I forgot a cardboard box, there's not a cat out there that doesn't love them.

Thanks again. For feeding we’ve a long, wide windowsill where I thought I could feed the cat - dog wouldn’t be able to get on to it (too narrow for her but fine for a cat).

We will definitely insure (and have a good vet already) - I haven’t had a chance to look into cat insurance: is it like dog insurance where you can insure on a whole life basis (or nor)? Any pitfalls to watch out for?

Didn’t know that about dog flea treatments - thanks!

Ginger - one of my DCs also loves cardboard boxes, perfect! He can share one of his....

Our cats eat on the worktop in the utility room where the dog can’t steal their food! Litter trays are covered and in a cupboard.

Old cat was here when dog was a puppy and a few swipes and dog knew who was boss, cat need some high escape place to look down and lord of over dog too. New cats and dog just tolerate each other and get along quite happily.

Ours have a Cat Tower/Scratching Post that they do use . The tower is about 4' high but there are taller ones that might help with you having the dog.

My old cat got very judgey when my DParents dog ( retired Guide Dog who should know better but as a yellow labtador , her appetite over rode her morals )

She used to hoover up the cats food when she visited , I think our cat retaliated once and she stopped .

My cats have the cupboard under the stairs for their litter trays , DH cut a hole in the door then added a simple catflap once they were comfortable with it .

The main thing ours take comfort in is routine . It makes them feel secure . Not sure what they'll do when the clocks change . I can imagine them 'tutting' loudly

Oh I would hate to have to choose between two. Good luck!

The cat chose us in the end. And came straight home.... I’m exhausted after an afternoon / evening of settling her in (including a mad dash to Pets at Home for supplies). We are all besotted. We haven’t tried introducing her to the dog yet, as she was nervous at first and spend a couple of hours mainly hiding - that hasn’t lasted long though! Thanks so much for all of the good advice.

How is your cat settling in? Your situation sounds similar to ours when we got our first cat a few months ago ( 2 children, hubby who had cats as a child but not me).

I'd agree with the others on them choosing where to sleep for themselves! Ours likes the sofa or a fleecy blanket on a wide windowsill. Or just the middle of the floor half the time!

Standing in Sainsburys in the Pet Aisle muttering "It has to be Grain Free and she doesn't like beef , he doesn't like lamb....." like a mad cat lady (that might just be me though)

not just me then!

Mine use all of their beds.
magic adores her tipi