Adopting a cat

[Dilbertian]

We are thinking about adopting a cat from a rescue.

What should we consider or be aware of?

How exciting. We are still in the first year of ownership (so novices)....it's been more involved than I expected. The cats are way more interesting and entertaining than I thought (I wasn't really a cat person before). Our cats settled immediately (I think we were very lucky)...they played straight away and were in the whole downstairs within days.

Don't bulk buy food - or they will go off it.
Have a couple of litter trays with different litter to see what they prefer/you prefer.

Be prepared for cat to play favourites....in my case it's the kids. One of my cats only gives me love when there are no kids about and it's not far off food time. Lol.

All of a sudden planning weekends/nights away involves logistics. Obviously with lockdown we haven't been impacted yet but it has stopped me booking a few things.

It is a bit like having 2 more kids....in that they immediately become part of the family.

I hope you have a wonderful evening and enjoy this new adventure. Please post pictures when you can.

I just wanted to give the other side of the insurance debate - one of our rescues came home at midnight with a traumatic chest injury about 3 months after we got him and had to spend 3 days in the out of hours animal hospital costing over £2K. We are about 8 years ahead vs PetPlan now! Just something to consider. Best of luck with your new arrival!

This pretty much covers it.

I bloody love my cats, they are appalling creatures.

I've been cat-owned in the past, but it has been many years (decades!) since I had responsibility for a cat or settled one into a new home.

I was all set up to have one quiet room for our rescue cat 10 years ago. We had two toddlers and didn't want him to be overwhelmed. Lots of preparing the kids that he would need space and time to relax.

No chance. He wandered around the bedroom, then sat by the door of it meaningfully. I opened it. He inspected the whole house then collapsed in the middle of the lounge for a nap.

We did pick him as he seemed the most bombproof cat there with our excited small kids.

He is ridiculously calm around everything except the hoover. He is nearly 6kg, long haired, and frequently naps in places that nearly kill us - like across a random stair in the dark. Or the doorway of the room.

Enjoy finding out about the personality of Mr Cat! So exciting.

I'd have two litter trays available, especially when you're keeping your cat indoors. I kept mine in for the 8 weeks recommended by the rescue, but we took him out in the garden on a harness. He always tried to jump over the fence and had to be winched back up .

Yeah I prepared a room and quiet spots. Mine got out the carrier, gazed around, went "this will do" and was on my lap in 15 mins snoozing
I got a cardboard flat scratcher and he really likes that to use and also to sit on

Mr Cat is here! Currently hiding under my sewing table and crying whenever anyone comes into the room, poor little thing.

Not that he's actually 'little'. He's a big boy, but he's a big obese boy. Wish they'd told me that in the first place. They said that he's big and not obese - I asked specifically when I heard how much he weighs.

The photos did not do him justice: he's very beautiful.

I knew it would not take me long to fall in love

Well at least there is no danger of him squeezing into a hiding hole and being lost!

Probably crying for more food. Must have worked in his last place.

Photo please!???

Aaaah bless him. Well in case he's crying for food I would guess tonight isn't the night to start the diet!! Hope your night goes smoothly.

I was warned that he is very nervous of new situations. We've been popping in to say hello and sit with him for a few minutes, and each time he cries when we come in and then settles down again. I've left him with water and a little dry food.

I'll take photos once he comes out of hiding.

Definitely keep talking and pottering about so he gets used to house sounds and your voices

He are the dry food last night and there's dribble on the catnip toy

Is he settled enough for a pic yet?

If you have time, take a book and go and sit in the room with him either reading out loud or just to yourself. His curiosity may get the better of him! Good news that he's been eating!

Here's our lovely FattyCat

Dd and I were sitting in the room chatting and he came out for strokes and head rubs, and dribbled and moulted all over us. He purred and miaoued.

Oh he is very handsome!!! 😍😍

My recommendation - keep him downstairs at night right from the start! I let mine upstairs sometimes, but because they were used to the hall door being closed from the start they don't whine or scratch at that door. I quite like having them on my bed, but sometimes I cba with the mice!

I also trained mine to come when I call - using a sing-song voice for their names with dreamies waiting for them. If they aren't there when I want to feed them in the morning I can call out the backdoor and they come running.

Finally, I never let mine on the kitchen counters. Some people do and I suspect mine might get up there when I'm not in. But they definitely don't do it when I'm in there which makes cooking far easier (clean sides before I start and know they won't be after the chicken when my back is turned).

Oh Fatty Cat is beautiful. I'm glad it's going well.

He looks like a Dogbert if you're inclined to change his name!

You will never wear black again.

Ooh he's a glamorous fellow, isn't he!

@Dilbertian

Here's our lovely FattyCat

Ooooh, how gorgeous is he! I think he and my cat would be good friends although they might fight over food. Hope he's settling in well, Dilbertian.

Wow, he looks like a bigger version of our BatCat. Has he golden eyes? Fantastic news he’s got braver!

Beautiful boy, but definitely quite well fed ;)