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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

I appear to have cats

329 replies

ZestyDragon · 20/09/2022 21:32

Hi all, I am posting here for some advice please. I moved into a small country cottage three weeks ago and it appears that the previous owner left their cat behind 😮 One of the neighbours told me a few days later that they had left him behind. He had mostly been living outside but is slowly moving in - actually maybe not that slowly seeing as he is asleep on the sofa beside me right now.

So....do I just try and get him to a vet for a check up? I am assuming that he has been neutered but actually I don't know. Also will he need vaccinations etc?

Secondly - there are a LOT of cats around - the neighbour down the road is a farm and have 14....so when a mummy cat and baby were hanging around I assumed that they were from the farm. Turns out that they do not and now they seem to live in my shed.

So I have gone from no pets to one house cat and two ferals that basically appear to have moved in. I'm feeding them all but I am worried about the mummy and baby - the mum let me stroke her once and her belly seems kind of large. Could she be pregnant again?

I have wormed and flea-dropped the indoor boy (Apparently his name is Kevin) - should I do the same for the others?

First pic is the baby - he likes to hiss for attention at dinner time.

Second is Kevin - who is in the bad books for stealing a piece of chicken.

Third is mummy - I am worried about her potentially being or getting pregnant again.

BTW I am in NI.

I appear to have cats
I appear to have cats
I appear to have cats
OP posts:
Thread gallery
48
Ccoffee · 24/09/2022 18:20

Love this thread and the description of storming in and then recoiling at the dry food!

Original poster
ZestyDragon · 24/09/2022 21:24

So fellow cat people I was out trying to sort out the garden (the place is a mess) and the furry fiends hung out a bit with me in the sun. I was able to take some pictures of mummy cat's belly. What do you think? I will show these to the vet Monday and in the meantime waiting on a call back from Cats Protection.

Also cute pic of Kevin looking fluffy.

I appear to have cats
I appear to have cats
I appear to have cats
I appear to have cats
OP posts:
tattychicken · 24/09/2022 21:49

I'd say that's a (beautiful) pregnant cat...

frazzledbutcalm · 24/09/2022 22:04

OP I love your story, you’re very funny, those cats are all lucky to have you ♥️♥️
I agree that looks a beautiful, pregnant cat ♥️♥️

Pixiedust1234 · 24/09/2022 22:12

That baby!!! 😍

Those two are not feral. Feral equates to wild rather than nervous (as in think Scottish wildcat, so hiding in bushes, hissing, running away, avoiding humans). They have either been abandoned or lost. Congratulations on being chosen, not by one but three loving but unwanted animals, it is indeed an honour.

Original poster
ZestyDragon · 24/09/2022 22:40

Thanks for the replies - I think you are right and I am going to be a granny soonish. I just popped out to the shed and mummy and baby are sound asleep in their beds. My worry is now that in the next week I will be cleaning and painting that as a start towards turning it into a utility area. Hopefully if she going to have babies it won't be for a few weeks yet so that I can prepare. I better google what it is I need to do for her and what to do with more babies. She doesn't look all that old herself.

No one around here would chip their pets and I doubt that any would have insurance but if they are to stay I guess that all needs looked at.

The neighbours already think I am nuts for taking on Kevin (apart from the farmer chap as he was happy to feed him). Also I have dared to be a catholic too. Now I'm going to be the cat woman catholic. Maybe I should now correct them and say I am a catoholic?

(BTW not all are offended by my catholic self - some have been very welcoming).

OP posts:
Fundays12 · 24/09/2022 22:51

Congratulations on your new home and cat. First thing is to get him checked to ensure he is neutered and vaccinated. If not it’s best to get this done. He has adopted you be honoured cats are picky (servant to 2 cats previously 3 unfortunately the oldest recently died). Do you want to take in the other cats? If not can you afford or get a charity to spay them? Once kitty mama has her babies she needs spayed. Kevin will be eternally grateful that you took him in no matter what. His previous owners however need banned from owning animals.

Fundays12 · 24/09/2022 22:53

ZestyDragon · 24/09/2022 22:40

Thanks for the replies - I think you are right and I am going to be a granny soonish. I just popped out to the shed and mummy and baby are sound asleep in their beds. My worry is now that in the next week I will be cleaning and painting that as a start towards turning it into a utility area. Hopefully if she going to have babies it won't be for a few weeks yet so that I can prepare. I better google what it is I need to do for her and what to do with more babies. She doesn't look all that old herself.

No one around here would chip their pets and I doubt that any would have insurance but if they are to stay I guess that all needs looked at.

The neighbours already think I am nuts for taking on Kevin (apart from the farmer chap as he was happy to feed him). Also I have dared to be a catholic too. Now I'm going to be the cat woman catholic. Maybe I should now correct them and say I am a catoholic?

(BTW not all are offended by my catholic self - some have been very welcoming).

Just read thus Kevin deserves a home as do the rest of the cats so well done. Are you sure some of the other cats are not chipped? All my cats have been but it’s not something I really mention unless asked.

Soubriquet · 25/09/2022 09:19

I would agree that she’s pregnant. She looks like she has swallowed a ball

NeverDropYourMooncup · 25/09/2022 10:06

She will want some cosy, secure place to hole up with her kittens - could the painting be put on hold? Of course, the spare room might be more agreeable to her (under the bed or back of a wardrobe, with or without mice) as Autumn begins to bite, but she could start nosing around over the next week-10 days.

My wee fluffy shite's birthday is 4th October from a similar story, only his Mum found her mug safety and food from moving herself into a workshop where my friend's daughter worked. She looked like she'd swallowed a basketball by the time the kittens appeared.

Because my friend had places she didn't want the babies to be born, she tried to encourage particular choices by putting boxes with once side cut down and some disposable bedding in some of them, making an area smaller and more secure with a bit of old sheeting or jumpers in others. And when Mum chose her place (tucked away between her tumble dryer and the kitchen wall with a teatowel curtain pinned up), it was somewhere where she was able to observe life going on around her without feeling pestered, which meant she and the kittens were far more socialised than had they kept away from humans for several weeks.

I still hold a little hope every time I go near my shed each Autumn...

Dancingfairydreams · 25/09/2022 20:33

Are you taking on human lodgers too @ZestyDragon ?! This sounds amazing! No words of advice, just very jealous

Pixiedust1234 · 25/09/2022 20:42

Dancingfairydreams · 25/09/2022 20:33

Are you taking on human lodgers too @ZestyDragon ?! This sounds amazing! No words of advice, just very jealous

Shoves @Dancingfairydreams out of the way so she falls down the hill, licks and spits her fringe down, straightens her skirt, stands tall holding a little suitcase, and knocks on the door with a big smile

"Hello OP, I,m the new assistant cat slave, how do you do"

Kenwouldmixitup · 26/09/2022 17:40

How did it go at the vets @ZestyDragon

Original poster
ZestyDragon · 26/09/2022 21:46

Dancingfairydreams · 25/09/2022 20:33

Are you taking on human lodgers too @ZestyDragon ?! This sounds amazing! No words of advice, just very jealous

Sure, as long as you don't mind being many miles from shops with not too many but also very nosy neighbours 😆 I spent Saturday with my 84 year old neighbour and at one point this deeply religious woman was pondering how lesbians have sex whilst we had our tea and coffee cake........I was dying I swear.

OP posts:
Original poster
ZestyDragon · 26/09/2022 21:46

Pixiedust1234 · 25/09/2022 20:42

Shoves @Dancingfairydreams out of the way so she falls down the hill, licks and spits her fringe down, straightens her skirt, stands tall holding a little suitcase, and knocks on the door with a big smile

"Hello OP, I,m the new assistant cat slave, how do you do"

Show quote history

Bring cake and biscuits!

OP posts:
sunshinealwayscomesback · 26/09/2022 21:54

This is my favourite thread in ages!

Original poster
ZestyDragon · 26/09/2022 22:04

So in cat news....

Firstly no one told me how traumatic it is taking a cat to the vet.

The cat carrier - I eventually succeeded by upending it and dropping him in bum first.

Then the drive - he just cried all the way whilst I apologised over and over whilst explaining that it was just because I care and that only cats that are really cared for go to the vet etc etc. It was a long twenty minutes in the car with this sad crying from him.

Anyways I get to the vet - apparently Kevin is an amazing name and Kevin himself is a handsome and good natured cat. He didn't try to disembowel anyone either <beams proudly>.

He has already had the snip, has good teeth, is a good weight and seems in good health. He got his vaccine and we will be back in three weeks for the second vaccine and to be microchipped.

I also came away with a cat trap to catch mummy and baby. If mummy is pregnant well we just have to wait but they will be able to tell us when she is due. Baby will be done too if I can catch the little sod.

The vet was like "would you like to have three cats? They are far easier than dogs you know."

Oh and mousey. I don't know if anyone remembers but I moved into the spare room for a few days but decided to sleep in my own bed Saturday night. I woke up Sunday morning to find a tiny corpse on the floor beside the bed. Poor mousey - I had hoped he escaped.

The vet, who is a cat person for sure was like "well he was just doing his job". about the whole event.

Also he has suggested I try and get Kevin to stay in at night. This could be interesting.

Oh and baby pic for anyone interested. I was on the floor making up flatpack furniture and he came in the back door for a nose.

I appear to have cats
I appear to have cats
OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 26/09/2022 22:04

<lurks on lovely thread>

Ratbagcatbag · 26/09/2022 22:06

Awwwww I love Kevin!! And I want the kitten.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 26/09/2022 22:08

Yeah, Kevin's made his first rental payment there. And the little one is supervising your interior design choices - he's clearly thinking that chair leg will definitely benefit from a few thousand claw marks up one leg and a fur covered red checked cushion on the seat, especially if it gives a perfect observation post for any chicken related shenanigans going on in the oven of a Sunday.

BlueKaftan · 26/09/2022 22:15

Such a lovely family you’ve inherited! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread. 😄

PeloFondo · 26/09/2022 22:31

Mine vomits on the vet so well done Kevin Grin

This is not my cat. He's been here 3 years nearly now. I don't see him all summer and he turns up in winter "have you made my bed? It's cold"

I appear to have cats
MrsIronfoundersson · 26/09/2022 22:35

What a gorgeous thread! Love Kevin, beautiful kitten and roundy mummy cat! I think I want to move to your neighbourhood Zesty. I am down to one and a half cats (ours and one from the bottom of the garden who sneaks in when he can) and I am jealous.

user1471548941 · 26/09/2022 23:44

I am in love with this thread! I rescued from the RSPCA last year and the LOVE is real!

I am so happy to see you giving the love to a whole family of cats, it’s making my heart full!

DomesticShortHair · 27/09/2022 00:14

Can I just join in with others to say what a fantastic thing it is you’re doing? It’s a big leap to go from not having and not wanting a cat, to looking after 3 vulnerable (and challenging, by the sounds of it!) furry felines.

i know they can’t thank you directly (and knowing cats, even if they could, they probably wouldn’t), so I’m going to take quite the liberty and thank you on their behalf, and add my own thanks too for good measure.

For every mouse in the bedroom at 4 a.m, you’ll have a hundred funny moments, purrs and head rubs (or whatever is their thing) to more than make up for it. And the satisfaction that they’re all surviving and thriving, thanks to you, is priceless.