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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Advice for a new rescue cat owner

42 replies

suggsy · 23/01/2020 20:25

Hi All,

We are bringing home a lovely rescue cat next week, we are first time cat owners. She was abandoned with cat flu by the side of the road and has had a few foster carers whilst in the rescue centre as she has been there a while. We want to make her as comfortable and feel as stress free when we bring her home, does anyone have an tips or advice on how we can do this in the best way?

Also any advice on the best types of toys she might like (or treats) - she’s had a rubbish start to life and we want to her to live her best life from now on Smile

OP posts:
sleepismysuperpower1 · 23/01/2020 20:37

create a safe space for her. a small room with minimal furniture is ideal. put a litter tray, a few toys, a hiding place (such as a cardboard box) and a bed inside, so that if she gets overwhelmed she can go into a calm space. also, ask the rescue what food she is currently eating and get some of that (if you want to gently transition her to another brand that's fine, but do it over the course of a few weeks). also, just a general cat tip, have scratching posts all round the house, since it makes your furniture look less appealing to scratch. bless her, she sounds like she has had a rough start. all the best x

chocolatespiders · 23/01/2020 20:43

Sounds like a lucky cat!
I have recently got a rescue mummy and kitten. They hid for one day and now rule the roost! Mine love cardboard boxes to hide in. They have not been in the tower bed I bought them. Kitten loves a feather toy and balls. Mummy cat loves hair bands to paw and chase around the floor.
Maybe leave a radio on low so not too quiet.
We gradually changed food as I wanted them to have grain free and they have been fine.

Toddlerteaplease · 23/01/2020 21:32

Lots and lots of patience. Go at her pace and don't expect too much too soon.

Barbararara · 23/01/2020 21:49

Let her come to you rather than crowding her space. I spent a lot of time working/reading where mine could see me before she trusted me enough to get close.

Original poster
suggsy · 23/01/2020 21:51

Thanks for all the advice Smile - will be back with updates once she has settled in

OP posts:
AlCalavicci · 24/01/2020 23:58

Ask who ever handles her the most to give you a bit of cloth (or even some paper towels with their smell on to help her have a familiar safe smell around ( try not to handle the cloth yourself just tip it out of the bag into Dcats safe space )
I agree with keeping her on the same food for a while and the same litter if you can .

By the way you do know its MN law to post a pic of your puss as soon as she is home dont you Grin

Original poster
suggsy · 02/02/2020 05:21

Sorry for the delay! She arrived yesterday and has settled very well Smile currently purring very loudly at my feet having come in an hour ago meowing as she couldn’t find us!

Advice for a new rescue cat owner
OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 02/02/2020 08:34

She’s absolutely gorgeous!, like a little duchess.

Tortoise are so clever too.

Fluffycloudland77 · 02/02/2020 08:34

Tortoiseshell. Bloody auto correct.

KatherineJaneway · 02/02/2020 08:36

What a beautiful cat!

Get good pet insurance like Pet Plan. Expensive but worth it over their lifetime.

TeddyIsaHe · 02/02/2020 08:40

Ah I love her little moustache! She is beautiful op, and seems to be settling in well.

Agree with lifetime PetPlan. It’s worth every penny.

nettie434 · 02/02/2020 08:48

She looks lovely. Definitely posing! Glad that her life is going to be so much better from now on.

BovaryX · 02/02/2020 08:50

What a really kind thing to do, she is lovely. It sounds like she is settling in well, the only thing I recommend is a cat basket. I have a nervous rescue and he loves his. Great that this girl has found a lovely home!

Chemenger · 02/02/2020 08:50

What a lovely little cat, it sounds as though everything is going well. I swear they know when they find their forever home.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 02/02/2020 08:53

We all know who's in charge in the suggsy household now! She's beautiful... and she knows it 😁.

Have you given her a name to ignore yet?

Q1w2e3 · 02/02/2020 08:57

I can’t offer any advice till I see more photos! 😆

Original poster
suggsy · 02/02/2020 09:21

Thanks everyone - I think we'll keep her rescue name although not sure yet.

She really did have a rough start to life so a few medical conditions due to being used for breeding that I don't think insurance will cover so we have gone for both petplan and we've got a savings account for her so we can cover if needed.

She was up for adoption for 7 months and no one came to see her! Sad- I suspect her medical conditions put people off but she is such a lovely gentle cat I knew we had to bring her home when we saw her Smile

Here's another picture Smile - her new favourite spot - on her fluffy blanket snoozing . She is being very spoilt - hilariously she has rejected my expensive chicken and duck treats and much prefers the vitacat salmon treats from Aldi Grin - she definitely rules the roost here!

Advice for a new rescue cat owner
OP posts:
FernBritanica · 02/02/2020 09:29

She's gorgeous!

TeddyIsaHe · 02/02/2020 09:47

She is just beautiful op, you must be thrilled. And she looks so content. Hooray for her finding her perfect home.

woooooo · 02/02/2020 09:55

That face is so full of character! I think she knows she has found her forever home.

You do know we need more photos don't you!?

Wereallsquare · 02/02/2020 10:21

Oh, she is a beauty! And so nice to see her settling in so easily.

Confusedcatlady1 · 02/02/2020 12:35

What a beautiful cat, she looks so content and what a bright future she now has with you. Rescue cats bring so much joy into their new homes.

Original poster
suggsy · 16/04/2020 13:48

Just thought I'd give you all an update as she has settled in now and also the world is upside down so it's nice to see cute cat pictures!

She (as predicted) rules the house. Her routine starts with a gentle paw to the face at 5am to let you know she is awaiting feeding followed by a short cuddle and much purring. She has selected some very expensive cat food as her favourite (thanks mum for dropping some round as a treat haha!) so usually has this followed by a quick drink from her water foundation (I cannot believe I ended up buying one!) then she patrols the house before selecting one of three cat igloos to sleep away the day in. Recently she has discovered the patio and enjoys a good nap when the sun is out too.

All in all a very happy cat and we are super lucky to have her. Thanks for all your advice :)

Advice for a new rescue cat owner
Advice for a new rescue cat owner
OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 16/04/2020 15:49

She looks very happy.

You can get cat sun loungers too. Has she got a mechanical fish? I saw them on Instagram. It will make your water fountain pale into insignificance.

Toddlerteaplease · 16/04/2020 16:25

She's gorgeous and has such an intelligent face. She looks a character!