Top tips for first time cat owner

[MrsSchrute]

Hi Wise women of Mumsnet,

I am thinking of getting a cat. I have never owned one before and don't have the faintest idea where to start, or even if it is a good idea.

I have 2 children, live in a house with a garden and my DH works from home, so the car would have plenty of company.

What should I think about? What essentials would I need? Is cat insurance expensive?

Any and all top tips and thoughts welcome.

Many thanks!

Definitely get insurance. Shop around.
If you are thinking of rehoming an adult cat from a rescue place keep it in your house for a few days to get used to the new environment and minimise chance of it trying to find its previous home.
If you are thinking of getting a kitten get two. They will enjoy each other’s company.
Look into regular plan with your vet to spread the cost of vaccinations, anti flea stuff
Dont waste money on cat toys. Table tennis balls, screwed up bits of newspaper, the pen you are using, empty cardboard boxes, the suitcase you are trying to pack will be preferred anyway.

(Those fishing rod type toys encourage cats to jump up and scratch which you don’t want).
Good luck. They can be the best companions.

Never ever ever buy a big bag of cat food as u think ah! They like this I will bulk buy. Just don’t do it.

Train them not to get on the table/work surface. Ours were pretty good, I knew they sometimes cleared up leftovers, but if caught they got shouted at.

They have 'mad half hours' where they act like lunatics, enjoy. If it's kittens they have 'mad half hours' all of the time, doubly enjoy.

Watch out for poisonous plants lily pollen is poisonous to cats and it can get on their fur so they ingest it when washing.

Imo you need 2 dcats...

I never had insurance it seemed really expensive, so just paid for things as necessary. We had one old cat that cost a fortune at the end, but was still cheaper than insurance all those years when she was healthy. Of course you could be unlucky...

Look at catchat.org for local rescues. If you can find one where the cats are all fostered in volunteers’ homes, they’ll be able to tell you all about the cats’ personalities & what they’re like to live with.

Dont expect too much too fast, some cats take longer to settle in than others.

You can never have too many cardboard boxes.

Are you the boss of the house? Do you enjoy the way that you ask something once and the household members happily comply, just to make you happy?

Accept that you will be inviting a new leader, a tiny furry despot, into your home. Despite their diminutive size, they will take one look at you saying 'don't do that' and whilst maintaining full eye contact, they will continue to do it.

Absolutely recommend a rescue, not only will they be able to advise on personalities etc but also will give you lots of advice on cats generally.

In my opinion cats prefer to
live solitary.
Check out your local vet’s health plans.

Vaccinations at 9 weeks
Flea treatment- monthly
Worming- 3 months
If your cat gets fleas Use Indorex flea spray in your house every 12 months
95% of fleas/cycle is in your house - only 5% is on your cat
Get your cat neutered and chipped between 4-6 months

Dry food over wet food (better for their teeth)

check your garden for toxic plants

Get a microchip cat flap

Get your cat used to being groomed if it’s med/long hair

keep food and litter completely separate- cats can get stressed eating and pooping in similar areas

Get a litter tray with a lid! Helps with the smell

Toys/Cat scratching post will save your furniture!
like someone said above most cats love cardboard boxes

Get pet insurance!!!! Do not go with the cheapest. Check with companies your vet does direct claims with. Some vets black
list certain companies (normally the cheap and cheerful ones)
highly recommend pet plan- not the cheapest but worth every penny!

Yep, first rule of cat ownership. Get two.

I’m fostering a bonded pair of 8 month old girls at the moment. They adore each other & keep each other entertained / busy.

I don’t know whether they’ll stay that close as they get older, though.

Don't get a pure breed! More likely to have health issues!

Don't waste money on a cat bed. Your bed will do just fine.

I am thinking of getting a cat. I have never owned one before

Don't cha mean:

"I have never been a CatServant before but now I'm thinking of turning my life and home over to one or more little fur covered terrors" ?

Ours are brother/sister they co-exist nicely but the only time they'll sit together is dinner time or when they're trying to convince someone it's dinner time . Then they'll slide into the kitchen like crocodiles entering the water ready to swarm round anyone who looks like they can be persuaded by The Look .

Otherwise they have their own territory in the house and garden and just acknowledge the other cat is there .

Please don’t shout at a cat as PP suggested. If they are doing something you don’t want them to do just redirect their attention. They’re not stupid.

And when you get encouraged to get a black cat because they are the least likely to get re homed especially shy black cats , if you get two , you will struggle to tell them apart .

Ask me how I know this ..... 2 identical black moggies

Our female walks with her claws out so she clicks across the hard floor .
They have subtle differences in behaviour and movement .

Totally recommend insurance. My cat would have cost me the best part of £5k if we didn't have insurance a couple of years ago.

Then they'll slide into the kitchen like crocodiles entering the water ready to swarm round anyone who looks like they can be persuaded by The Look .

Thats exactly what my two do. Every time I go into the kitchen. You don't own a cat. They own you. Remember, dogs have owners. Cats have staff.

Definitely get insurance, my late pair, ran up bills of 25k.

If you do get two, don’t do it randomly. Make sure they’re already a bonded pair.
Whether they sleep on your bed is completely up to them, but I had a furry head on my pillow the other night & fell asleep to loud purrs & chicken breath.

Another one recommending insurance as 2 of mine have run up £20k in surgery bills! Petplan are brilliant though not the cheapest.

mine roam all counter tops. Nowhere is denied them. It’s pointless arguing. They’re all bigger than me. And much cuter.

i have 2 litter mates but as a rule litter mates drift apart when they’re about 4. But it is nice, with kittens, to have at least 2 as they will play together and amuse you no end.

if you have nice furniture say goodbye to it!

Actually 1 cat or kitten is fine. Also cheeper when comes to insurance etc.
I believe one well looked after is better than 2 when they don't actually even like each other often as adults.
I know so many households where the 2 adult cats barely tolerate each other and you will see many cats advertised as needing to be the only cat in the house.
Cats also bond to the humans very strongly especially as a single cat.

Cats are actually very easy pets.
They will tell you what to do so don't worry you will not forget to feed a cat ever.
You need
Regular flea and worming treatment
Yearly immunisations
if a kitten neutering
The cat will sleep where it wants so up to you if you buy a bed. The reality is it would rather sleep in your bed!
If you bond with your cat you will both understand each other perfectly. You will also realise your cat will own you and you will be trained by the cat. This is very important to understand and cuts out lots of waisted time of you trying to tell the cat it can't sleep somewhere.
They are the absolute best pets and nobody realises until they actually have one because cats can be quite private about their relationships with humans. My Velcro cat sits looking standoffish when we have visitors but demands he is carried around like a baby when it's just the family for example.
My cats official job is wellbeing director. He deals with all emotional upsets in the home and has 100% success rate at calming all situations and upsets. including grief.
Go for it!

I’d go for an adult cat or older kitten/s. They’ll have more of a formed personality, be a bit calmer (mostly) and the neutering should be done and over with.