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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 is your favourite cat equipment/ recommendations?

30 replies

Newkittens · 29/05/2023 15:38

We’re getting two new kittens soon, hopefully in a couple of weeks. Can I have your must haves for bringing them home, please?

I’ve got myself lost in the world of cat carriers - I’m thinking either a wire basket type or wicker?

recommendations for carriers, litter trays, cat trees etc would be great.

I’ll keep them on their food and litter to start but could I also ask your favourite cat food with high meat content and your preferred litter?

Thank you for any help!

OP posts:
Blingstar · 29/05/2023 15:54

Exciting!

Enzymatic cleaner like Simple Solution would be top of my list. Nobody told me about this!

Open a Zooplus account. Quality food at reasonable prices. And they do brilliant climbers etc. Small metal food bowls.

SleepingisanArt · 29/05/2023 15:55

We've always had 'plastic' carriers - if cat has an accident so much easier to clean than a wicker one. Daughter has a bag style one which she can fling in the washing machine.

Don't bother with cat beds, they'll sleep anywhere but in them, and same with scratching posts! We have a large coir mat which the cats love, perfect for scratching and it's the only place they use. Mine were never that fussed with cat trees but preferred to climb onto the high windowsills. Cardboard boxes are a must! Just for sitting in, or make a little house with doors and windows as they'll have fun climbing in and out. Fave toys have feathers on which they groom to death! Like chasing scrunchy things, even crumpled paper.

Toddlerteaplease · 29/05/2023 16:35

I've got a curver picnic basket style carrier. Its brilliant for carrying two at a time as you can hook them on your elbow and have your hands free. Top entry and very solid.

Toddlerteaplease · 29/05/2023 16:36

Magic loves her teepee. And Dr Beckmann carpet cleaner is a must.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 29/05/2023 17:02

We have wicker top-loading baskets. The best part of 40 years old and never had a cat escape from one yet.
We use clumping clay (fullers earth) litter - covers smells very well and easy to keep the tray clean
If you don't have one already, get a phone with a good camera and lots of storage space.
In terms of other equipment. You just need lots of empty boxes...

Original poster
Newkittens · 29/05/2023 17:05

Thanks everyone. We do already have a dog so I’m getting extra beds for when the cats inevitably head to the dog’s bed. So she’s got extra. Managed to pick up a free pet bed today that a neighbour was giving away, it’s washed and drying now. I will get spray for accidents. I’ve never had cats before. Thanks for recommendations!

OP posts:
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 29/05/2023 17:07

Be warned - I have read that some dogs treat a cat litter tray as a buffet 🤮.
What sort of dog and how are you going to do introductions?

Original poster
Newkittens · 29/05/2023 17:34

She’s a mixed dog, very mixed and we’re getting moggies so everyone is mixed rescues, but from puppy/kittens. She’s got some chase in her but has been around family cats and calms after a day or so. I absolutely know that introducing them as part of the family she’ll accept them, otherwise I would not bring them in. She’s a very trainable dog and I’m sure with the right intros everyone will be sound. Kittens will initially be in our spare room upstairs and introduced slowly with scent swapping and dog leashed. Our dog is trained not to go upstairs and also crate trained, she sleep in her crate at night, so the kittens will have plenty of space if they need it. I will be hawk eyed early days and go slowly with intros, just to reassure all!

OP posts:
Original poster
Newkittens · 29/05/2023 17:37

She’s not a puppy btw, she’s 7, we’ve had her from a puppy so she’s been trained by us.

OP posts:
C1N1C · 29/05/2023 17:39

I don't want to hijack the thread but dies anyone have one of those fancy litter machines... £500, automatically rotates to clean litter etc...?

Original poster
Newkittens · 29/05/2023 17:52

C1N1C · 29/05/2023 17:39

I don't want to hijack the thread but dies anyone have one of those fancy litter machines... £500, automatically rotates to clean litter etc...?

I would only pay that for a litter tray if they replaced their turds with solid gold.

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 29/05/2023 17:56

Cat toys are good. DKitten has a mouse shape filled with catnip that is now much bitten but still useable. She loves the cardboard tubes from bog roll and scrunched bits of paper - great for playing catch.

Don't buy a lot of cat food in one go - they are fickle.

Cat bed - DCat used it for about a fortnight and then ignored it.

Get bowls that are rounded at the bottom not steep sides, or they'll not eat the stuff in the edge.

Get a cat flap.

Original poster
Newkittens · 29/05/2023 18:21

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 29/05/2023 17:02

We have wicker top-loading baskets. The best part of 40 years old and never had a cat escape from one yet.
We use clumping clay (fullers earth) litter - covers smells very well and easy to keep the tray clean
If you don't have one already, get a phone with a good camera and lots of storage space.
In terms of other equipment. You just need lots of empty boxes...

Like this one? It’s a bit like a hamper … https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_beds_baskets/cat_dens/cat_baskets/903209

Aumüller Wicker Basket Cat Den | zooplus.co.uk

The Aumüller Wicker Basket Cat Den is handmade from boiled willow & acts as a carrier box for transport & peaceful retreat at home.

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_beds_baskets/cat_dens/cat_baskets/903209

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 29/05/2023 18:37

Covered litter boxes.
Enzymatic cleaner.
Lint brushes.
Red dot toys.

Treasureboxkey · 29/05/2023 18:42

Telescopic feather toy £2.99 in b&m
Catit covered litter tray
Cat mate water fountain
Oko plus litter- I have tried them all and come back to this one every time.

Have fun.

Findyourneutralspace · 29/05/2023 18:44

I like canvas carriers that can be folded up to store away. They clean easily and are cosy for them.

learieonthewildmoor · 29/05/2023 18:46

A tunnel. Also feather teaser toys. Go-cat make “Da Bird” which is the best bird toy in the world.

What is your favourite cat equipment/ recommendations?
LilacpointMummy · 29/05/2023 18:50

Top entry litter trays are great - much less messy! Iris Ohyama, Large plastic litter box with top entry, Scoop included and vented lid , L52 x W37.5 x H36.5cm , Unit , BPA Free, Shovel Support , TECL-20, For Cats , Black/Grey amzn.eu/d/37mvOd1

LilacpointMummy · 29/05/2023 18:51

Also our cats love a couple of pipe cleaners twisted together - they will play fetch for hours with them.

KirstenBlest · 29/05/2023 18:55

@LilacpointMummy , I'll try the pipecleaners. Thanks. How should I twist them?

GoalShooter · 29/05/2023 18:56

We have two scratching posts and by far the better one is the tall one, as they stand on their hind legs so their front paws are quite high. They use it a lot and don't scratch the furniture much! The fancy multi level one - not so much.

SirenSays · 29/05/2023 18:59

Moveable scratch posts are a sanity saver to put in front of any furniture cats decide to scratch

Bitteralmond · 29/05/2023 19:00

Re: Cat carriers. Avoid the ones with the grill type doors made of plastic. We had a cat burst out of one of those and run home across the railway line (fortunately unharmed). It is better to pay a bit more for a strong carrier with a strong metal door.

Toddlerteaplease · 29/05/2023 19:01

C1N1C · 29/05/2023 17:39

I don't want to hijack the thread but dies anyone have one of those fancy litter machines... £500, automatically rotates to clean litter etc...?

No but I would love one. If they actually worked!