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The litter tray

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

Original poster

what would you tell a new cat owner?

53 replies

flipflopson5thavenue · 15/09/2022 12:42

we're considering getting a cat. We currently don't have any pets, DP and I had dogs growing up, but have no experience of owning or living with cats. Our DS are desperate for a cat and I think we could definitely become a cat loving family :)

We're thinking we'd rehome an adult cat. DP works from home full-time, I wfh 3/4 days a week, and we have a garden. DS are 8 and 10yo.

As possible first-time cat owners - what tips would you give?! What do you know now that you wished you'd known when you got your first cat?

Thanks 😻

OP posts:
Loobyloo68 · 17/10/2022 19:33

Be prepared to be jumped on and bitten or scratched if you dare to say no

BayCityTrollers · 17/10/2022 20:34

Ditch any illusions of evenings sat cuddling a lovely lap cat, it might very well not be like that!

That was my dream, the reality is somewhat different. DCat is an adorable rescue, we’ve had her a year after never having cats before. We all adore her, she definitely rules the roost but she will never be a lapcat. She is a very loving cat who needs to be near us but not sitting too close.

Holidays are an issue. I can’t bring myself to use a cattery because she is a rescue which does make things tricky. Dcat could not be left with a feeder coming in twice a day, she would not cope at all. We have 2 dses at university who will cat sit in the holidays but we don’t have the spontaneity we did.

Its the best think we ever did though, I absolutely adore our cat…as does reluctant cat owner DH. Our dses weren’t sure but also love her to bits.

DeanStockwelll · 17/10/2022 22:17

Every thing @jays said but particularly the last paragraph!

Also don't buy loads of toys, screwed up bits of paper , bottle tops, tin foil balls , ping pong balls , shoe laces etc are all great cat toys .

If s/he is going to have a litter tray , buy a few different brands / types fill the tray about three quarters with one type then when you scoop out the soiled litter add a scoop of one of the others , keep doing this until they have got use to lots of different brands and types that way if you can't get the one you prefer your cat won't bat a eye lid at a different litter.

Though you can't train cats like you can dogs you can set rules so make sure everyone is in agreement.
Will it be allowed on tables , work tops, in wardrobs etc .

Also who feeds it and when, this should only ever be one person's job ( perhaps older dc) as cats are very good at been Iam starving nobody has fed me today , feed me now before I wilt and die
When infact the have just eaten a full 80g pouch and a hand full of biscuits.

Fizbosshoes · 17/10/2022 22:20

probably the single most important thing to grasp is that they’re the owner, not you. You’ll come to understand this very quickly, don’t worry.

Lol. That this is the first comment, it was my first thought!🤣

Gardenerboo · 17/10/2022 22:21

Get 2.

lifeissweet · 17/10/2022 22:21

They can be absolute little furry knobheads and they know their own minds.

But you really, really love them and forgive them. They know it.

(I have 2 and one won't use the cat flap, but insists on going in and out of the bathroom window. Infuriating. I think she only does it to make sure I'm having to jump to attention for her - I always do, of course!)

DoodlePug · 17/10/2022 22:23

Buy a really big, wide and solid scratching post.

I had no idea, bought this piddly little thing and couldn't understand why they didn't use it, I was stupid!

Bigslippers · 17/10/2022 22:29

They are addictive. Mad. Cute and will wrap you around their fingers paws
You will talk to them like your children but in a ridiculous baby voice
It starts with one cat … and maybe one day like me you will be a crazy cat lady

RaininSummer · 17/10/2022 22:47

That it's good to have a litter tray so they don't poo all over neighbour's gardens.

YankeeCat · 18/10/2022 00:40

I have lived with cats all my life. A big thing to understand is that they are their own individuals and will pick their human. It is best to let the cat come to you, the more you force yourself the more that the cat will be afraid. It is best to let them pick their human and come to you in their own time.

Every cat that my parents got was different in personality and the same holds true with my own cats. They are not objects but their own living creatures with their own quirks and you as the "owner" needs to compensate for this. I have gotten rescue cars and a cat from a breeder.

If you choose to get a cat from a breeder do your research and a reputable breeder will require you to sign a contract to neuter or spay your cat because they are concerned about breeding rights and will lecture you about them unless you purchase breeding rights. They will allow you to see the sire and dame but may request you don't touch them because they are concerned about their health. A reputable breeder is concerned with the health of their cats. It is an issue with show cats because people pet the different cats without washing their hands spreading potential illnesses.

BananaCocktails · 18/10/2022 00:42

I kiss my cats fluffy tummy and armpits. Lots of love and affection is key

LeMoo · 18/10/2022 00:55

You won't train your cat, your cat will train you.

PeloFondo · 18/10/2022 01:01

They're all totally different
I adopted mine from cats protection, she looked after him for 2 days while I was in hospital. Came home to find her bemused by him being so affectionate, trailing after her like a dog and demanding fuss Grin

I spend a lot of time going "oh OLLIE" because
He's soaking from paddling in the neighbours water feature Blush
He's covered himself in grass seeds as he wants the fuss of me picking them off
He's been sick (they are NEVER sick on a hard floor)
He's got his claw stuck in some stupid place

Hyvsvaar · 18/10/2022 01:03

i have always had cats so was shocked that my now 10 year kills so much wildlife, be prepared to deal with mangled bodies on a daily basis

Monty27 · 18/10/2022 01:08

Good luck.
Be prepared for subservience and loss of territory. There's no boundaries 🤣

YankeeCat · 18/10/2022 01:27

I did not mean to hit post but point of story is respect a cat for being their own individual and not an object. Also for TV personalities Jackson Galaxy is legit, I recommend watching his YouTube videos.

Get some cat trees they love being up high, but also allow them to have their safe space down low. If you see any changes to their personality take it seriously because cats will hide their issues.

Also limit crunchies. Even the crappiest of wet food diets is better than a dry food diet. Cats are less likely to drink the amount of water that they should unless it is in the food. Despite the name of the channel, her recommendations are legit. Cats are obliged carnivores and f you anyone who tries to make them vegan.

I have had some cats that have had some health issues as a result of allowing them to have too many crunchies going down the rabbit hole. So we limit the amount that they get. It is cheaper to spend the extra money on better food versus the vet bills.

Also please don't declaw your cat, just buy lots of cat scratchera and don't expect to be able to have nice things.

VeryQuaintIrene · 18/10/2022 02:44

Kittens are great but take quite a lot of work to turn into civilized cats. One of mine took a good 4 years to stop being a hellion. So I'd vote to get 2 bonded adults whose personality is known.

LeMoo · 18/10/2022 10:08

Conversely, dry food is really good for oral health as it helps to keep their teeth clean so it does have a role. Get the best quality you can afford and incorporate it into daily diet but obviously watch calorie intake!

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 18/10/2022 22:52

I grew up with dogs, DP with cats, and I was always quite resistant to a cat until we looked after MIL’s for a month back in 2017. We adopted our girl a few weeks later and I love her so much! She’s remarkably dog-like and very food orientated, which means she’s actually very obedient as cats go.

The one thing I wish I had known is just how much she would shed. She’s quite long haired for a short haired cat, and literally drifts hair everywhere she goes - by rights she should be bald! We had to get a Dyson, I am constantly sweeping the hard floors, and we have lint rollers in every room.

This is more niche, but she’s white and needs sunscreen on her ears in summer. I had no idea this was a thing (and it is not a good thing for anyone involved!).

LeMoo · 19/10/2022 16:34

Cats and dogs are so similar in many ways, much more so than popular culture would have you believe :)

paintitallover · 19/10/2022 20:31

Get a scratching post.

KirstenBlest · 19/10/2022 20:36

The cat will train you, not the other way around.

Whereisthehugeteddybear · 19/10/2022 20:40

Get a scratching post. for the cat to try once and decide they prefer the carpet/armchair

fugly1 · 19/10/2022 20:41

Don't do it Smile get a dog instead!

Twoshoesnewshoes · 19/10/2022 20:50

Awwwwww
cats
brill
no point giving any advice really, your cat will demand what it wants and you will meet those demands.

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