What cat carriers and tree houses/scratch posts do you all have?

[lucysmam]

We're getting a pair of kittens when they're old enough to leave Mum so I'm slowly collecting toys/litter box/blankets/litter/food over the next few weeks while they grow 😊

I've just been browsing cat carriers - are the shoulder bag types ok? What size are they in reality? And what cat trees do you all have? Wilko/the Range have some that look quite large, around the £40 mark. My friend says shop on Marketplace for them but I don't drive so getting them home from "27 Laurel Place*" , or wherever, wouldn't be the easiest 🤷‍♀️

*randomly made up address, sorry if it's actually yours!

Forgot pics for tax!

We have a shoulder carrier which works very well. No cat tree as no room but I think cats love them and they are great for helping them develop coordination. Best wishes for your adorable kittens!

We got the pets at home basic carrier for our kittens, we use it once a year to take them for their vaccinations, they're nearly 13 now and still both fit in there (just!).

We got the pets at home double height scratch post, it's still going strong.

Google is convinced that if it shows me the advert enough I will buy the £169 light up scratch post from Omlet
www.omlet.co.uk/switch-light-up-sisal-cat-scratching-post/?pid=32002

We have 2 of these carriers although to start with they both fitted in one.

We have an older 2 coloured version of the scratcher but I guess they are much the same.

The cat tree is from zooplus. We now use it without the top section and have a cardboard cat bed sitting on the flat bit where the cubby hole is supposed to be

I’ve seen a cat get halfway to escaping from a fabric carrier before its owner noticed the protruding paws, so if you do get one I’d make sure it’s heavy duty.

I’ve got a few cat trees in different sizes, some more challenging than others, but I’m afraid I couldn’t tell you what they’re called. Zooplus is good for them. Also my fosters have all loved the Catit stuff - you can get a flat cardboard scratcher that fits inside a ball track.

https://catit.co.uk/products/senses-oval-scratcher?_pos=1&_psq=scra&_ss=e&_v=1.0

But first, get a pile of cardboard boxes. Possibly the best cat toy ever.

Oh, @User478 , I was going to get two carriers but maybe one would be ok for now 🤔

I've bought an igloo type bed and one in the shape of a banana because it made me laugh. & have a friend who gets a regular veg delivery from the market so will pinch those boxes.

Zooplus is your friend!
Please don't get a fabric carrier, they're not safe. One with a top opening and a door is perfect, we have this one from pets at home. Scratching posts from Amazon I find to be disappointing, but the Zooplus ones have always been good, as are these scratching barrels

When I had a pair they were fine in the same carrier, if anything they preferred it until they were both too big to fit in together! The one time you will want separate ones would be if you’re responsible for getting them spayed & they’re coming back in cones.

I wouldn't use any sort of fabric carrier as I have heard of zips failing and they are useless if your cat pukes/has diarrhoea (you will get covered!). They'll need a carrier each, if not now, for later, as soon they'll be too big/heavy to fit/carry in one.

Ah, would rather no escapees! I'll have a proper look at the fabric ones before buying them then. I was thinking they might be easier on the bus than a rigid, plastic one.

I bought this house with scratchy bottom today - I thought they might appreciate the hidey aspect while they're getting used to us.

We have one of these scratchers too and this is the cardboard bed we got. Comes with a cushion insert

The fabric carriers can be easily escaped by a determined cat.
As a veterinary professional please get one which is easy to take the lid off and put back together. Cats do not want to come out of their carriers at the vets and dragging a cat out of the door is unpleasant for everyone if the lid is screwed on. Also needing a degree in mechanical engineering to put the thing back together again is unhelpful

When my last foster moved in, she spent the first 48 hours hiding behind my bedside table. (I’m in a one-bed flat so temporarily giving her her own room wasn’t an option.) In the end I covered my bedroom carpet in newspaper & put the litter tray and her food & water bowls in there until she was ready to explore a bit more.

Once she decided she felt comfortable enough to come out for a stroke, things moved on really quickly, & she now sleeps on my bed, but don’t worry if they find their own hiding place at first!

I use this sort of carrier with a cover, it's about as secure as can be (my vets like it a lot @Gymmum82 !) and the full cover is great.

These are great

When we brought are boys home they both fitted into one of fabric carriers, when they got to 6 months it was evident they both couldn't fit in, we debated buying another but decided to get one of the crate style ones instead. They are 2 now and they both still fit in but if they were bigger we would switch to 2 of them. Luckily they are fully grown.

We don't have a cat tree, but we bought a kitten scratching post which they do use. All from pets at home. We bought 2 beds which they ignored. They have baskets with a blanket in that they snooze in instead. When they were teeny the both fitted in one.

These are the best scratchers, I've a couple for my cat, the cheaper ones tend to not last very long, easily becoming damaged whereas these ones are indestructible, definitely worth it!

www.kalven.co.uk/
Cat scratching posts

We have a top entry plastic one from Argos for quick vet trips and a larger airline kennel from our relocations! Definitely no to fabric and make sure you can access it from the top as well as the side. Scratching posts aren’t attractive things to have around the house so I’m embracing the kitsch and we have ones that look like a cactus from Amazon. Cat isn’t scratching the furniture so he must approve. Don’t bother with a bed, they always hate whatever you buy from them. Mine sleeps on a stupidly expensive designer vintage armchair that I got at an estate sale, because apparently I’m not allowed to have nice things and not share 🤷‍♀️

@Scampuss could I have a link to that one please?

Carrier https://amzn.eu/d/cCRfO8E

Cover https://amzn.eu/d/bCSP46b

I've got these. They are brilliant, especially if carrying two. You can hook them over your elbow, and open doors. Also have a Kalven cat tree.

Those Kalven posts are maybe something to save up for, unless one would be enough for now?

We went for cat scratchers (cardboard type) from pets at home, cat trees from amazon, with differing configurations- we have three around the house. Cat beds, the proffered cat options seem to be fresh laundry, bedding and anywhere you would think of such as sinks, but they also have cat blankets and towels as well as cosy beds which can be bought anywhere. Toys - take your pick! Any from anywhere along with anything you think you own - which you don’t as it’s now the cats.
Cat carriers, mine all travel with harnesses on and clipped into their carriers, which are an eclectic mix of fabric style from pets at home, a wire one which must be 40 years old and bought from a jumble sale and an cargo hold approved suspended hammock one from zoopla. Plastic ones don’t last more than one or two trips - either through cat or owner damage.

@Alphabet1spaghetti2 interesting - dd1 decided we won't need harnesses so I didn't buy today - they're going to be indoor cats. She wasn't convinced harnesses would be useful 🤷‍♀️