Adopting a beautiful cat in a few months! What do I need?

[averycutekitty]

Hello all, am adopting a lovely female kitty, about 1 year old, in a few months. We have some time to prepare so am wondering what I need to get for her (toys, treats, beds, scratch posts, litter tray, the basics etc etc)! I have never had a cat before. She will be an indoor cat for the first few months but may go outside eventually (she is currently an indoor cat).

I am in a first floor maisonette with own front door - how will I prevent the cat from getting outside when I go out for the first few months? Should I put netting over the windows so I can have them open?

So many questions! Would love to know how I can best prepare for her to come here and what I need to buy and what I don't need to buy to make her feel comfortable when she arrives. I don't have tons of cash so am looking to do things fairly budget if I can. But don't want to scrimp on important stuff if it's worth investing.

Thanks so much in advance from an excited new cat owner to be!

To open windows you need Flat Cats. Really easy to install and completely cat proof. I've had a cat hang off them and they don't detach.

How easy it is to stop them going outside depends on the cat. My female cat - you can put her outside and she'll run back in.
My male cat - we need a system of opening and shutting doors to make sure he is always one door away from the door to outside.

You can buy a cat bed if you like but 1. cat will sleep in your bed 2. cat will be insulted by the cat bed provided and choose absolutely anything else however uncomfortable eg a shoe or a cardboard box instead

I'm afraid we're going to need pictures 😉

@AnnaMagnani thank you! Maybe a baby gate would work to keep her in as I don't think a door would be practical due to the layout of our landing and rooms! I guess we have to see how it goes. Will look at flat cats! Point taken about

@C1N1C I'll PM you a pic! I feel a bit cheeky posting it on here at this stage as it's not 110% confirmed yet and she's a rescue in Saudi and being adopted via a special adoption process that I need to firm up (all a bit scary but am 100% confident that the people who do this are legit and professional and have had personal testimonials that concur with this from very happy other UK adopters who have taken cats from them).

As soon as she arrives I promise to post her on the thread! 😀

A baby gate won't deter any dcat....

Baby gate - cats can make themselves v thin and will just wiggle through. Plus they jump. Even one of my standard moggies would jump 5ft into a cupboard. My Arabian boy thinks 5ft is for amateurs.

@averycutekitty to reassure you I've recently adopted a cat from Dubai and the process was very straightforward . The charities out there are amazing and will do everything they can to help you and kitty!

@Puppylucky my boy is also from Dubai. Is yours loud, athletic and entitled too?

OP if your cat is an Arabian Mau then prepare for him to be very very athletic. Mine also thinks toys are beneath him but will climb anything. He arrived and hung upside down off the ceiling.

@Puppylucky aww that's great to hear! Yes I am sure this process will be ok. I am very happy to be adopting a poor cat that was left on the street! There is a big unknown in that I cannot meet her before she comes over but I am reassured that she is a gentle and kind cat that will fit with our small family. So we are hopeful! Do you have any tips or questions I might need to ask ahead of time? I know the cat is fully checked out by the vet and certified health wise etc, but just want to be sure I have covered all the bases as it is so new to me and a big thing.

@AnnaMagnani you have one too!? that's amazing. Am adopting from Saudi - a rescue who was thrown onto the street - I hope your process went well and if you have any tips or feedback on the process please let me know! I hope your cat is settled in well!

Ooh I don't know if she is an Arabian Mau but looks like she has a bit of something like that in her! I will PM you a pic in case you have any feedback :)

@AnnaMagnani @C1N1C I've PMd you a link to a pic of the Saudi rescue kitty!

Your cat looks v Mau - big ears, short coat. If she has no undercoat then definitely.

They have a lot of personality. Before I've always managed to train my cats things like not jumping on kitchen surfaces. Desert boy arrived and I gave up immediately.

Cats from Dubai? I thought that our rescue centres were stuffed with them.

@marmaladeandpeanutbutter I am ever so slightly ashamed of having adopted from Dubai - except cat is now my baby.

My excuse is it was lock down, Britain had gone pet crazy, my elderly cat had just died and there were seemingly no cats to adopt.

Found a rescue on line, got committed and then 'I need to tell you your cat is in Dubai'

Is he grateful, no the little sod is not.

They are. Including cats who have been 'thrown out on the street'.

@Scampuss @marmaladeandpeanutbutter sadly having tried the local rescues they won't consider us as I have a child and no garden (I do have a some limited private outside space and quiet streets that local cats roam, but the rescue place deemed it inappropriate for anything other than a house cat which he explained are very rare to come in - that said there are lots of cats locally who go outside so for the right cat I don't think the area is a problem). The RSPCA and other places I approached didn't even bother to reply when I enquired :(

Oh that's frustrating. There are definitely rescues who will re-home to your sort of setting, and you could widen your search, or look at breed rescues who often cover a much wider geographical area.

I just don't think we should be importing animals at all when we already have a 'surplus' plus all the disease and parasite risks, and the unecessary trauma of lengthy travel.

My cat used to love her heated cat igloo and radiator bed. I love cats 🥰

I second the suggestion for Flat cars. They are absolutely brilliant.

I tried a baby gate with my new boy. Five minutes before he jumped over it.

Glad I'm not the first to say this!

Strawberry rescue will only rehome to indoor homes. But the cars are not moggies and the adoption fees are a bit pricey even for a rescue.

How lovely to adopt and give a cat a new life.

Re the baby gate - the general rule of thumb for a healthy weight cat is that it can get through anything it can get its head through. So you’d need one with very narrow bars. Cats are also quite good jumpers and could clear a waist height gate easily.

I've got the wire top of an indoor guinea pig cage, 5ft high. Fits across the hall, so I have enough space to get in and out

If yo know someone who could make you a folding screen (and have a door that is suitable), that would do. Dunno if you can get them on eBay - or 3 Louvre doors hinged together.

@AnnaMagnani yes mine is extremely vocal and very entitled. He has a paw deformity, which limits his athleticism but within his limits, he is pretty frisky and loves being up high.He is also very loving and affectionate , although I have just posted about the fact he's decided I'm no longer his number one, which is a bit sad.
He is pretty good about behaving himself, but definitely knows his own mind and has absolutely no sense of humour, which in itself is hilarious.
Also, although he arrived as a single coated cat, he has become more fluffy as a response to the colder weather.
@averycutekitty in terms of pointers, I'm not sure I have any. We had a rollercoaster ride with my boy, but that was due to his health issues rather than his character. Mau cats generally are friendly and very human focused so do make good family pets - I think my boy would love to have a few more people around!
I make no apologies for adopting from Dubai by the way. I have lived there and seen how badly these cats are treated and there is no comparison with the UK. There are also no welfare organisations to help. The cats aren't being transported for hours overland, they undertake a 6 hour flight in roomy carriers and usually just sleep. They are also quarantined and vet checked, before being passed over. I am glad that I have given Elton a chance at a life he would never have had. Here's Elton Mauing it up