Got a cat...and I'm feeling nervous

[Mirabeladawer]

My DD (almost 5) was desperate for a cat. We are all animal lovers, I grew up with cats and dogs and I loved them dearly. But I grew up in the countryside, with lots of land around the house and the pets were independent and easy to look after.

Different situation now, we live in a suburban house with a small garden. I got a kitten today (half heartedly) but I thought DD will love it and it will be worth it.

Of course, it's only our first day, but house already stinks of cat food and cat wee as I suspect she's done something behind the furniture where she spent all day. She's not eaten or drank anything until late in the eve, she's crying non-stop...and my DD wasn't even so fussed about the kitten. We put it down to her being in a bit of a shock that's she's finally got a cat.

Overall a bit overwhelming for everyone.

Please tell me it gets better.

We don't have a cat flap and the cat will be mostly indoors with controlled outdoor play. I dread the mess and the smell in the house, it gives me severe anxiety.

Please be gentle, I just need some advice on how to adjust and what to expect.

😄😄😄

I did look into the closed ones, people rave about them, but DH said we don't need a fancy one, just a basic open tray...so that's what we got🙄

Thats right, DH used to have 2 Persians, brothers, and they kept each other company as kittens but when they grew up they were mostly ignoring each other, they had separate lives 😄

Thank you x

I’m guessing she’s a very young kitten? They shouldn’t really leave their mums before 12 weeks but a lot of people sell them early. 😕 By 12 weeks they don’t have toilet accidents.

She’ll be fine in a few weeks.

Re the smell if you’re in a safe area do consider a cat flap, it means you can get rid of the litter tray 👌

She is 12 weeks, I should have mentioned earlier.

Our area is not very safe so having a cat flap on the front door is not an option.

I felt very anxious when we got our rescue cat last year. It felt like such a responsibility! It soon settled and we couldn’t be more in love with her now 😍.

Regarding the smells…we have a covered litter tray and it definitely helps. I also find that cheaper cat food smells FAR worse and also makes their poo smell worse. Aldi cat food was dreadful 🤢. When she was kept in during the first few months, we scooped twice per day, used the scent neutralising powder in between and washed the tray out (it’s a full litter change) every week.

I have 4 cats and I honestly would recommend getting a cat tower. Preferably one of the elements should be a hiding/sleeping place, but it should defo have scratching/climbing elements too. I have 4 cats and 2 towers, am having a catio built onto my house because my neighbourhood isn't very safe and will have a third (very tall) cat tower in there too.

It sounds like you're doing everything right. Just make sure you get her neutered when she's at the right age, the world really doesn't need more kittens.

Yes, definitely will get her neutered at the right age.

DH again said cats don't really need a tower but I'm looking into one as she'll be mostly indoors.

Definitely do need a tower,I'm extremely happy with ours.
It was about 50.

Amazon.. very sturdy and she absolutely loves it!
They must climb and grip but she also loves the hammock,and little bowl or sleep on top.

As your hubby didn’t want an enclosed tray, or a tower,I assume he’s doing his bit with regards to practical stuff - ie cleaning the tray out?!

Why doesn’t he want a tower? Cats really need a high up space where they can feel safe/comfortable. You don’t have to go nuts with a huge multi-tower structure. I do have fairly modest one, my BIL calls it Cat Kingdom 🤣.

The one they really like/liked and use the most is a large barrel. It doubles as a huge scratching post that enables them to stretch and scratch - gets used all the time for scratching. Plus gives them a comfy spot to lie in at the top, and hidey holes to sneak into. It doesn’t take up a huge amount of room.

For some reason, I can’t post a link, but google Diogenes scratching barrel.

As a pp said, check out the Litter Tray board under pets - you’ll always get answers to queries/worries on there - just remember to pay your tax every so often with photos!

Indoor cats definitely need more thought into their care and environment - so it’s good that you’re still looking into things.

Make sure the litter tray isn’t close to her sleeping and eating places, bit obvious, but sometimes space is at a premium so you have to be creative.

is she microchipped, I know you are planning on her being mostly an indoor cat but they can move at rocket speed through open doors!

She is very sweet btw, my dd is currently negotiating with a cat rescue , she has reserved one boy but they are hoping to find him a friend to come with, very exciting!

does she have a name yet?

Cats don't strictly speaking need a tower, but it can contribute a lot to their overall happiness and well-being. Sometimes they need a safe space to retreat to and being up high feels very secure for a cat. We have one and our two use it on a daily basis.

If your cat will be indoor only, I think your DH will soon change his mind about the covered tray. They are much less messy and not as unpleasant to look at, especially when a cat has just used it!

By the way we have a cat flap in our double glazed doors to the garden and it's perfectly fine. Also well worth it for the amount of freedom and happiness it gives our cats. Tell your DH to unclench!

@BoxOfCats - to unclench is good advice!

OP - unless your DH is doing all the care work for the cat, then it might be best for you to make the decisions. If you take on a pet then you do/buy the things that give them the best life possible.

Thank you everyone.

How do I move this thread to Litter Tray? Do I email mumsnet?

Update: kitten has used the litter tray today but made a lot of mess around it so DH is telling me to buy a closed one 😅 which I have already ordered from Pets at Home.

I'll buy a tower myself, when he sees it at the door he'll be fine with it 😑 .

@BoxOfCats How much did it cost to make a flap into double glazing? I know it's doable but looked into it and I found it very expensive. Anything between £500 and £1000, which I don't think I want spending at the moment.

Hi OP,
We have move your thread to the Litter Tray now
MNHQ

You can report your post and ask for it to be moved. I've sent one for you.

Regarding the cat tower. Since your child is very young I think it will aid child/cat relations if your cat has a high refuge place to escape those excitable hands. Either hers or her schoolfriends. Make it a rule of no kitty interaction (including husband!) if she is on it. Its a very clear boundary and will help you cat enormously.

I got mine from zooplus, very study even though its 6 foot high, no extra fixings. Dont EVER buy kitten things (unless food) as they grow too quickly and its a waste of money.

Make sure you've got something for her to scratch too. Mine likes the flat scratch boxes which are cardboard type

haha cross posted.

Another thought. Looks blegh but it does solve the issue. We put a couple of sheets of newspaper under her littertray. It catches some of the litter and we empty it back into the tray every couple of days, but it also means her um..cough...soggy paws dry on the paper before walking on the carpet.

Btw we do need more pictures 😁

Thank you for reporting my post to be moved x

That's actually a very good idea re the tower, keeping the cat in a safe space away from DD and her friends as I was worried about playdates and how that's going to work. We are keeping guests at bay for now anyway until kitten is settled 😃

Cat tax 😃

She's such a darling, purrs a lot and it's very playful. Great personality 😍

I’m sure you already know this. But get her spayed as soon as she’s old enough and definitely before she starts going outside. The country is overrun with unwanted cats.

Zooplus is a great website IMO fast delivery and once you find a food she likes you will be able to order it cheaper in bulk. Definitely get an enclosed tray or one with high sides or all the litter will be straight on the floor! If you are feeding dry food make sure she has access to water and most cats prefer it if the water is away from the food.

awwwww how adorable 😍

Seems like you have found a great kitty. I'm guessing the panic (understandable) is slowly receding. Breathe and enjoy. You got this