Tips for senior rescue cat coming home

[AfterSomeAdvice1234]

Hi

I have grown up with cats and we are finally in a position where we can have one ourselves. However I have always had kittens and this time I have put my name down to adopt a lovely, soft 11 year old boy named Tango, who is affectionate and sweet but a little cautious (as probably to be expected, living in a rescue). I'm just after some advice on how to prepare my house for his arrival? We live in a large-ish house over 3 floors, so is it wise to leave litter trays upstairs too? And is there anything we should get in advance? And - finally - what should we expect from the home inspection?

Thanks in advance

Well done for adopting an older cat. I hope he brings you much joy and has many years with you!

As your house is over three floors, I probably would have a tray on two of the floors, so he doesn't have to go too far. It'll become clear if he uses them fairly soon and you can adjust as required. Maybe put water bowls/ glasses in each floor.

Home inspection will be looking for a room to keep the cat in for a week. We used the dining room.

Checking you aren’t a cat hoarder.

They may suggest where to place food-water. Apart is apparently what cats like.

Litter trays, 2 per cat. Again they like these near each other and in a private place, so not in a doorway or near a window.

I’d recommend a feliway plug in before and during the cats arrival. We had one for 2 months. Humans can’t smell it.

The CP branch we used didn’t worry about a cat bed, or a cat flap.

Proximity to main roads.

Lots of good advice here - thank you!

The quietest/calmest room in the house is a spare bedroom at the back of the house. As our living room and dining room are one big room, might this be the preferred option, even if it's upstairs?

Thanks for the plug-in tip - ordering one now.

If you have time to organise you could try and have a new blanket in the house for a couple of days to get your scent and then let him have it in advance of coming home, so he has a familar scent already. Its great to hear you've rescued an older boy. 11 isn't so old these days and I wish you lots of happy years together.

Yay to adopting a senior kitizen! Plenty advice so far. The rescue will likely give you lots of tips at the home visit too.
We need photos once he's home too.

Struggling to post pictures from my phone so attempting from the PC...

He has settled in really really well, predictably ignored all the toys we bought and has claimed the biggest sofa as his own. Using his litter box and giving us lots of head bumps and cuddles!

P.S thanks all for the tips - very very useful!

Ooh, he's scrumptious! Lucky boy and lucky you!

He is absolutely beautiful!! Adopting older cats is just as wonderful as kittens. I hope you have many years of being under the paw!

What a lovely boy!

He's so great - we love him enormously. Also loving the perk of adopting an older cat - his personality is revealing itself and he has so many lovely little character quirks! Thanks for the kind words 😁