Tell me what I need to know about being a cat owner please!

[BasinHaircut]

DS (7) wants a pet. We have settled (after lots of discussion) on a cat. We are looking at cats that need rehoming. I don’t really want the hassle of a kitten and I prefer the idea of giving an older cat a home. I’ve never had any pet other than a rabbit as a child, when I obviously wasn’t ultimately responsible for it.

We don’t have a cat flap or really anywhere to put one unless we have the patio door re-glazed to put one in. Would have to rely on being let in and out when we are here for now. I also don’t really want a litter tray inside my house - do you have to have one? I’m assuming either a catflap (constant access to outside) or a litter tray is necessary?

What do I need to know about owning a cat? How much ‘work’ is it?

So really he’s adding value to the house in the long term.

@BasinHaircut
How is puss settling in ? it is early days yet so dont be worried if he is hiding away somewhere he will come out when he is ready .

Has he got a name yet ? if not will he be getting a human name , or a pet name ? all my cats ( except the current one) and dogs have had human names as i did not fancy shouting Twinkle Toes , Flufums , Smuggle Chops etc at the top of my voice when I need them to come in .

@AlCalavicci he is settling in absolutely fine! He is currently curled up on my dining room chair fast asleep. He has been with us since Wednesday and is relaxing more each day. Jumped up on the bed this morning and came for a fuss with us all as soon as DS let him out of the room he had been sleeping in.

Absolutely no trouble at night when we have shut him in the sitting room. Using the litter box and eating well.

It’s going good!

Oh and sorry yes he is called Ramsey.

Unusual name reminds me of neighbours 😀

Ramsey is gorgeous! Lucky you and your family.

Unusual name reminds me of neighbours

Reminds ME of Ramsey Bolton from GoT! .

Then again, as he's a cat that may not be too much of a stretch...

I’m so glad he’s settling in. You’ll be madly in love with him in no time at all!

Welcome to MN Ramsey.
Glad he is settling in well , mine is currently curled up next to my pillow snoring like a flaming jack hammer ! Give it a hour or so and the roomies will kick in and I will become a spring board/ launch pad

This thread is so helpful! Our rescue cat (and our first pet) is arriving on Thursday. A 10 month old little girl who was found struggling to give birth 7 weeks ago :-(
I hope she settles in as well as Ramsey has. She's also a black cat :-)

Ohh good luck @hotdog74 wow that seems young to have had a litter already? Hope she is ok?

Ramsey accidentally got out in the garden today and I had to coax him back inside with food. He is too inquisitive and now meowing at the door desperate to get back outside! He had only been here 6 days though so he had a while to wait yet.

As a fellow first timer (pet-wise) I think you are going to love it. He has been curling up beside me of an evening and it’s so lovely knowing that he has settled in.

Our old rescue was taken in to be rehomed at 2. With her 18 month old son.