Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

Adopting two cats. Advice please

36 replies

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 04/09/2020 10:22

Hello! We are adopting a pair of cats soon. They are two brothers, two and a half years old. Their owner is lovely and they are very well cared for. She has to re-home them due to a change of circumstances.

As we haven't done this before, I would appreciate any advice. We are delighted about it and want to get off to a good start.

Their owner will be giving us all their things so at least they will have all their familiar few bits with them.

They have always been indoor cats. Is it likely that they will always want to stay inside or venture out? I don't mind if they don't go outside.

I enclose a picture of Léon and Cookie.

Adopting two cats. Advice please
OP posts:
caringcarer · 04/09/2020 10:55

They look georgious. You will have to keep them in for a month when you first get them. Get a Feliway to help them to settle. Give them tuna in spring water. Cats love tuna. We have 5 cats and 2 small dogs and all use a large cat flap for going out to toilet. Dogs walked too. The cats go out but 4 of them spend most of their time indoors and 1 cat roams more but is always home for food time. 4 sleep indoors overnight and the other sleeps at home sometimes.

Beamur · 04/09/2020 11:01

Keep feeding them what they are used to, use the same kind of litter etc.. introduce change gradually.
I would keep them in one secure room for a day or two and then allow them to explore the rest of the house. Don't let them outside for a couple of weeks. Even if they have been indoors before, if they want to go out they will be fine. But not if you're on a busy road to be honest, road sense has to be learned.
Find the treat they like best, 2 of my cats are indifferent to Dreamies and tuna but wail for whitefish or chicken..my other cat would sell her tail for Dreamies.

thecatneuterer · 04/09/2020 11:09

Most cats want to go out if given the opportunity. You would need to keep them inside for 3 to 4 weeks, so that they consider your place home then, if you live somewhere relatively cat-safe, you could start to let them out. Make sure you keep them in at night though - cats are much more likely to get run over at night.

Original poster
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 04/09/2020 11:11

Thanks for the advice. We live in an estate. Not a busy road, but traffic all the same.

OP posts:
viccat · 04/09/2020 12:40

As you are homing privately without rescue back up, it's worth asking about their vet history. Vaccinations and neutering should be done as a minimum but have they ever had any other health issues or anything else picked up at their vet check ups? That's not to put you off but something like a heart murmur could become very expensive to treat later on so it's just worth finding out.

I would highly, highly recommend getting pet insurance too - vet bills for even very everyday things can quickly go up (I spent £500 recently for various tests and a scan when one of my cats stopped eating).

Start them off in one room of your house to let them settle in and be very careful about open windows to prevent escapes in the first few weeks. Cats can fit through the tiniest gaps. It's normal for even the most confident of cats to be scared in a new home so don't be alarmed if they choose to hide or don't want to eat right away. Getting all their familiar stuff is great. If you can, buy the same food and litter they are used to for a while too.

Letting cats out from the back of the property is usually safer especially if you are surrounded by other gardens. You will ideally need a catflap so that they have a way back into the home if you are not at home all the time.

Original poster
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 04/09/2020 15:24

That's good advice, viccat, thank you. I will definitely get insurance for them. I have the name of the vet practice that they are with so I can follow up with them.

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated.

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 04/09/2020 16:06

I think everyone has covered most things. Are they microchipped? If so get details transferred to you (and keep them updated!). If not, get them chipped at the vet asap.
With insurance make sure it is lifetime cover.

Bargebill19 · 04/09/2020 17:19

My cats are indoor cats for various reasons. They go out on harness and leads. (Long enough time roam around the garden or go for a walk. They are never left unsupervised.
They sit at the back door and wait for their leads to be clipped on before going out.
This may be an option for you to try?
If we owned bricks and mortar - we would go down the catio route without any doubt.
(Neighbours have one and we think it’s brilliant, it even has its own tree)

Original poster
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 04/09/2020 18:32

Yes, Vinorosso74, they are microchipped, so I can update with our address and phone number.
Barbegill, I would definitely be on for them to try a harness and lead. We have a small garden at the back and a green at the front. I do have a fear that they might roam and not come back.

OP posts:
Beamur · 04/09/2020 18:38

Once a cat is settled they don't tend to wander off. They are smart animals and like a comfy place to sleep and slaves to tend to them.

Original poster
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 04/09/2020 18:40

Good to hear, Beamur :) we had a kitten at home long ago that wandered off because we didn't keep him inside. My mother didn't like cats in the house.

OP posts:
Beamur · 04/09/2020 19:10

They will rehome themselves sometimes if the services are not up to scratch...

Original poster
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 04/09/2020 19:30

SmileSmileSmile

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 04/09/2020 19:55

If it’s a small garden this wouldn’t cost too much to install. catproofgardens.eu/en/. You can diy it.

They use it in Australia because in some areas you can’t let cats out for conservation.

Vinorosso74 · 04/09/2020 19:58

It sounds like the previous owner has been responsible which is great for you and the cats. I look forward to updates and more photos they are very handsome!

Original poster
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 04/09/2020 20:23

Very interesting, Fluffycloudland77. I will look at that now.
I think so, Vinorosso74. She seemed lovely when we met and wanted the best for her cats (hopefully that's us...).
I can't wait to meet them, hopefully in ten days or so. I'll let you know how we're getting on :)

OP posts:
viccat · 04/09/2020 20:30

Yes, we actually have a catio too but I don't tend to mention it because I usually get told I'm cruel for keeping my cats safe Hmm

There are a lot of different ways to create a safe outdoor space. Have a look at Sanctuary SOS too for their fencetop catproofing and catios, it's all done custom to fit your space and existing fences etc. the best.

As yours have been indoor cats before, they definitely won't miss what they've never known if they don't get to roam. Cats do go missing and accidents happen, I don't think free-roaming is ever really safe...

Original poster
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 04/09/2020 20:57

I agree, viccat. The little cat we had here before was a stray that we took in. He had a hernia which impacted his breathing. The vet suggested he might have been hit by a car. He was pure black, a very sweet little guy, but the vet couldn't help him and he lasted eighteen months with us. I really want to keep these guys safe. I was relieved to hear that these fellows are indoor cats for that reason.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 04/09/2020 20:58

We moved to this house because it’s a cul-de-sac with speed bumps and ours still got killed. He hated cars so I don’t know how it came to that.

I’m all for catios and cat proofing now.

Bargebill19 · 04/09/2020 21:06

@viccat

No, definitely not being cruel.

Original poster
IsFuzzyBeagMise · 15/09/2020 10:20

Hello, I'm back with an update.

The cats came yesterday. They had a prowl around the kitchen and then went into hiding into a deep basket under the bench.

The have come out since for another prowl around and back into hiding again.

They allow a pat from us now and again. They ate some dinner ( wet food), but have ignored their breakfast so far (dried food).

And they are very cute 🙂

Adopting two cats. Advice please
OP posts:
TuttiFrutti · 15/09/2020 10:55

Ahhh, they are gorgeous!

They will feel stressed at first and will spend the first day (or first few days) hiding somewhere they feel safe. They will gradually start to feel more secure when they realise you are nice people who are going to feed them. Enjoy getting to know them!

Allergictoironing · 15/09/2020 11:44

Remember to let them come to you in their own time, don't try to force anything. They do look like they are settling pretty well already though Smile. Very pretty boys.

Love your table & chairs by the way Grin

Toddlerteaplease · 15/09/2020 12:08

They look lovely!

Madcats · 15/09/2020 12:30

They are very sweet, aren't they!

I think it will probably take them a few days to settle in properly. Admittedly we had them as kittens, but we didn't let our two outside for 4 months until they were 8 months. There were very nervous at first and don't tend to venture too far if we aren't outside with them.

If you sit on the floor reading a book/mumsnetting you might find that the bravest one will come to check you out.

Decide your stance on cats in bedrooms/bathrooms and be firm. I seem to have acquired a couple of paw-sized bruises on my legs this week thanks to their early morning antics.

Swipe left for the next trending thread