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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.

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Original poster

FIV+ cat - a good choice for myfirst cat?

16 replies

CarolNoE · 30/12/2023 12:35

Hi, grateful for any advice. I am hoping to get my first cat in the next 3/6 months. I looked at rescue cats and saw a 5yr old male 'indoor cat as FIV+'. Due to my situation/set up I wondered if this might be a good choice or am I being totally naive?
I live alone, small ground floor flat but no enclosed/private garden. A cat flap isn't really an option. I work 2 long days and a sleep shift once a fortnight so plenty of time outside of those hours for attention, play and company (both ways hopefully). No other pets.
Looking for advice as i would like to get it right first time. I thought an older rescue cat might be a good solution. Many thanks
PS loved photos in Litter Tray threads.

OP posts:

margotrose · 30/12/2023 12:37

If he's indoor-only then you don't need to worry about a cat flap or garden, surely?

We had cats in a flat before and they were absolutely fine - you just need to make sure you don't leave windows and doors open in summer.

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 30/12/2023 12:40

margotrose · 30/12/2023 12:37

If he's indoor-only then you don't need to worry about a cat flap or garden, surely?

We had cats in a flat before and they were absolutely fine - you just need to make sure you don't leave windows and doors open in summer.

These are brilliant for solving the open windows problem: https://www.flatcats.co.uk/

My foster kittens also like climbing them.

Flat Cats Window Protection Screens for Cats

https://www.flatcats.co.uk/

margotrose · 30/12/2023 12:43

My DP at the time made us something similar @EmpressOfTheSevenOceans
and our orange boy just managed to keep getting himself stuck on it

ANightmareBeforeChristmas · 30/12/2023 12:44

My parents have one - he does seem a little more susceptible to illness than the average cat, even though he is indoor only; he's just had an infection in his mouth due to a decayed tooth, for example. He is a lovely cat! FIV cats are often ex-strays (that's how they pick up the virus) and excellent mousers if that is a consideration.

Saymyname28 · 30/12/2023 12:48

He sounds like a great choice. You could get those cat shelves things to give him plenty to do and give him verticle play space if you feel like your home is a bit small. But it's much better than where he lives now isn't it, he'll be a happy loved boy in a safe home.

Puppylucky · 30/12/2023 12:50

We have an FIV cat as our first cat and he's fine so far. You have to keep on top of regular vet checks and insurance is expensive ( and limited in what it will cover). We were also told to feed him high quality food - so not Whiskas etc. But other than being more expensive to look after, he's been a delight!

Toddlerteaplease · 30/12/2023 13:14

I second the recommendation for flat car screens. They are brilliant. I have a voucher code for 20% off if you need it.

CatsinCastles · 30/12/2023 13:47

I have an FIV male cat adopted at the age of 4. He is an absolute joy. Normally you are told to keep FIV cats indoors and they should be the only household pet. He shows no inclination to try and get out.

He has loads of toys including cat trees, wall steps and tunnels. He is very intelligent and wants to play for hours.

The high quality food is more expensive but helps keep him healthy.

He has dental issues. I got him pet insurance that covers dental and so far they have paid up. However the premiums are now over £60 a month and next year when he is 8 I will be liable for half the medical costs.

My daughter is a vet and sees many cats in pain without dental cover whose owners can’t or won’t pay for treatment, so get it if you can.

Original poster

CarolNoE · 30/12/2023 17:18

Many thanks for all the replies. You are all building up my confidence. My main concern is I have a 3 week trip in October 2024 hence I thought if I went for an adoption in spring/Easter there would be time to settle in. Been checking out local catteries. I imagine this particular boy will be gone but now I am overthinking (as usual lol) FIV+ cats so @CatsinCastles and @Puppylucky (as you have a Fiv+ cat) do you have any experience of putting a FIV+ cat in a cattery? Cheers

OP posts:

margotrose · 30/12/2023 17:28

Instead of a Cattery you could have someone come to do visits in your home.

Lookingatthesunset · 30/12/2023 18:35

I had a cat 20 years ago that developed FIV - he was indoor/outdoor but he was a fighter, usually the loser though! I can't remember now what age he was when he was diagnosed, but he never really got ill until he developed kidney failure and sadly died when he was 10.

We had three other cats and he didn't pass it on to any of them.

Puppylucky · 30/12/2023 21:45

We don't put ours in a cattery - no practical reasons why just our preference. Instead we use TrustedHousekeepers.com to find sitters who are happy to come and stay in our house and look after him (and the house!). It's worked really well so far. If you don't want anyone staying then the cat in a flat website offers sitters who will do day visits.

Toddlerteaplease · 30/12/2023 22:24

I've used cat in a flat a few times. I do t leave mine for more than three nights though. More than that, and they go to a very posh cattery.

CatsinCastles · 31/12/2023 13:20

I paid for someone to come in and see him for an hour a day. He has an automatic feeder and she just changed his water and did the litter tray. She played with him and took videos which she sent us.

CatsinCastles · 31/12/2023 13:22

Personally I was worried that he might think he was back at Cats Protection if I sent him to a cattery. However maybe he liked he there.

Tygertiger · 31/12/2023 13:27

I don’t have a FIV+ cat but just to say, I never use catteries for mine - most cats much prefer to be in their home environment, so it’s better to pay for a cat sitter. They’ll visit twice a day to feed and play with the cat and it’s generally no more expensive. Your local FB group will have recommendations and you can get references, check for insurance and DBS etc. They usually send you daily photos and will do other jobs like watering plants if needed too.

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