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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
PeloFondo · 04/10/2022 21:29

She's probably sulking too. Mine wouldn't come near me for a full day after I accidentally sat on him Hmm
Cats do sulking well

MaffsMover · 04/10/2022 23:39

Oh! Mimmy, come HOME!

I’m so pleased she’s not pregnant.

Mia184 · 05/10/2022 06:46

Has Mimmy returned?

OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 05/10/2022 08:04

Hope Mimmy is home now.

So we need a name for cat number 4 then? Sounds like word has got out about the new lady who likes cats 😂

Alwaystired99 · 05/10/2022 09:12

The (your) new cat looks like trouble! Hope Mimmy is home.

Beamur · 05/10/2022 12:46

Word is out that your house provides snacks.

HumourReplacementTherapy · 05/10/2022 17:47

I've just seen this on fB and thought of you @ZestyDragon
It should meet all your needs (for nowGrin)

I appear to have cats
Kenwouldmixitup · 05/10/2022 21:07

The thread that keeps on giving. 😀

Original poster
ZestyDragon · 05/10/2022 21:11

You joke @HumourReplacementTherapy but I have counted 5 extras who have been in my garden over the last few days. They have all made a beeline for the shed so yes, I am getting a bit worried at this stage and I blame MN for this. I was told to be more generous with the food and I have - leaving loads of dry food out. All that has happened is that Mimmy got so porky everyone thought she was knocked up and I have a range of cat visitors from the farm down the road.

Anyway! Mimmy was in her bed this morning so I was able to give her her medicine and she even let me stroke her. This could be because I had pouches of whiskas about my person though. At lunchtime I fed her again and one of the lads sorting the overgrown forest garden even got to stroke her head. The hussy.

I picked Perry up this evening and Perry is a boy. He looked rightly fucked off when I collected him from the vet and was even more pissed off by the time we got home because the cat carrier tipped over as I drove around a corner. As soon as we got home he started shouting and Mimmy and Kevin came running. He then stormed into the kitchen after me. Well, it was dinner time.

Everyone got a little chicken this evening too as their bedtime snack.

BTW how does one stop a cat (Kevin) leaping up and nose diving into food? There was an incident with my carrot and coriander soup at lunchtime.

OP posts:
userxx · 05/10/2022 21:18

This thread has really made me laugh, in the space of less than two months you've become a full time servant to your cats. Cats you weren't even aware were part of the package. Brilliant 🤩

PeloFondo · 05/10/2022 21:48

If you want to see them go mad, drool and get stoned then these cat toys are great entertainment and keep them quiet

https://mollysmice.co.uk

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 05/10/2022 21:48

@ZestyDragon rookie mistake - all food has to be inspected by Kevin before anyone, including humans can have a look in. It’s cat law.

Crazycatlady75 · 05/10/2022 21:51

Love this thread - you have made me laugh and cry! Kevin, Perry and Mimmy are gorgeous and I'm so glad they found you to look after them.

Original poster
ZestyDragon · 05/10/2022 21:53

userxx · 05/10/2022 21:18

This thread has really made me laugh, in the space of less than two months you've become a full time servant to your cats. Cats you weren't even aware were part of the package. Brilliant 🤩

Two months?? Not even 5 weeks actually. I can't believe this is my life...

OP posts:
PeloFondo · 05/10/2022 21:55

You'll be fine Grin
I wasn't a cat person then I adopted one. Now I have my own cat, and a not my cat who just turned up one day, banged on the window and let himself in. Which is fine until you're watching a horror film and a pair of eyes appear at the window

Original poster
ZestyDragon · 05/10/2022 21:57

@PeloFondo I am going to get some of those. It would be a laugh anyway at someone else's expense.

@Alphabet1spaghetti2 by inspected do you mean eaten? Because I am pretty sure that is the plan.

@Crazycatlady75 as long as it's just them....

I forgot to mention earlier that the vet nurse suggested that I call cats protection about the colony living at the farm as none are spayed. I agree in theory but I also don't want to fall out with the neighbours. I was wondering if I could engage in a little catnapping....

OP posts:
PeloFondo · 05/10/2022 22:01

Here's not my cat off his face with the mollys mice

I appear to have cats
Original poster
ZestyDragon · 05/10/2022 22:11

PeloFondo · 05/10/2022 22:01

Here's not my cat off his face with the mollys mice

Aww the little feet!

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 05/10/2022 22:13

ZestyDragon · 05/10/2022 21:11

You joke @HumourReplacementTherapy but I have counted 5 extras who have been in my garden over the last few days. They have all made a beeline for the shed so yes, I am getting a bit worried at this stage and I blame MN for this. I was told to be more generous with the food and I have - leaving loads of dry food out. All that has happened is that Mimmy got so porky everyone thought she was knocked up and I have a range of cat visitors from the farm down the road.

Anyway! Mimmy was in her bed this morning so I was able to give her her medicine and she even let me stroke her. This could be because I had pouches of whiskas about my person though. At lunchtime I fed her again and one of the lads sorting the overgrown forest garden even got to stroke her head. The hussy.

I picked Perry up this evening and Perry is a boy. He looked rightly fucked off when I collected him from the vet and was even more pissed off by the time we got home because the cat carrier tipped over as I drove around a corner. As soon as we got home he started shouting and Mimmy and Kevin came running. He then stormed into the kitchen after me. Well, it was dinner time.

Everyone got a little chicken this evening too as their bedtime snack.

BTW how does one stop a cat (Kevin) leaping up and nose diving into food? There was an incident with my carrot and coriander soup at lunchtime.

One places chicken on the floor. Or uses a Sports Direct mug for one's starter.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 05/10/2022 23:08

@ZestyDragon Yes that’s exactly what happens. If you are lucky, you may be able eat whatever is left. My tried and trusted method is to throw dreamies on to the floor of the sitting room and then dash into the kitchen and then eat /inhale my meal. Alternatively I tempt them all into the catio, shut door (no cat flap!) then eat in peace.
Dh retires to the dining room and shuts the door….

TheLongRider · 06/10/2022 07:40

I second getting a local cats protection society to come and TNR the colony. They usually know what they're doing and can do it with the minimal amount of fuss. It's the kindest thing for everyone, the farmer keeps his cats and they have better quality of life.

Great thread OP.

OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 06/10/2022 08:45

Good idea with the CP to sort the neutering. Otherwise you will end up with a stream of hungry kittens joining your new cat family!

I would speak to the farmer first and let him know your plans (not that I'm suggesting you wouldn't).

Giggling here picturing little Perry marching into the house all puffed up and angry 😂

Soubriquet · 06/10/2022 08:57

Whilst it seems cruel, the CP will know what to do and how to do it whilst minimising stress.

It’s better for everyone in the long run

Beamur · 06/10/2022 09:22

Couple of tips! Put the seat belt through the handle of the cat carrier so it doesn't move around. You don't want a loose carrier in case of an accident. Plus cats will be extra distrustful if they have traumatic journeys in the carrier.
Mine are awful for storming the table whilst you're trying to eat. Some foods (fish and chips and Chinese takeaway) make them behave very badly.
DH is trying to train them by rewarding polite asking with titbits. It works a bit..
They have developed a new tactic with me of getting on the table. Creeping slowly towards my food and then attempting a slow motion super neck extending move..
Cats are much less trainable than dogs but can learn a few manners.

Kenwouldmixitup · 06/10/2022 12:30

Cats are much less trainable than dogs but can learn a few manners.

Ya think! ☺️