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!

Oh actually I have thought of something. The vocalness has to be heard to be believed and takes a lot of getting used to - it will sound like the cat is possessed by all the devils from hell at times and they will have something to say about absolutely everything!

If your cat has never lived indoors before, bear in mind that things like the washing machine and hoover might scare it.
in terms of what to buy - I got a very kitsch two storey cactus scratch post / bed / toy thing and mine absolutely adore it. Haven’t scratched anything else so far.
litter tray- you’ll want one with a lid but unless puss has got used to that in the foster home you’ll have to introduce the lid gradually (open / lid on no door / add door). Speak to the fostered if possible and see if you’re able to get the same brand of anything at all (food / litter / tray etc etc). Will they send cat with a toy or something that smells familiar to it so it’s not totally freaked out by the process?

@Vermin those are very good points.Most of the rescue cats from that part of the world have been housed in flats by the rescuers once they are off the streets - my cat didn't understand stairs! Also the rescue society will give you info on current food preferences but be prepared to change their diet as the pet food choices are awful in the ME and the cat may not be on the best food for them.

Mine was so not freaked out by the journey that he still walks cheerfully into the cat carrier.

The only issue we had was that a day after getting him, he got himself stuck on a radiator. He made a noise like he was being murdered and I didn't know him well enough to know he makes this noise all the time. It seemed like an emergency so I rescued him with bare hands. What a mistake, these cats are strong and when they bite they mean it.

DH found me collapsed on the floor, blood everywhere and my hand obviously infected after just a couple of minutes.

Cat meanwhile was fine and chilling out.

Ha - mine got himself stuck up the chimney and I had to drag him out shrieking - he would bite like he means it if he had a few more teeth but he's a bit defective in that department - along with a few others 😀

I've been bitten by both my Mau and my moggie. And both of them are prone to a chew on your hand to show their love.

There is a huge difference between the two, even for the 'loving chew'. Mau also brings home his prey but it's always dead on the first bite, no playing around.

These cats are strong! And yes mine likes the chimney too.

It's so interesting to hear about another Mau @AnnaMagnani . As I said, Elton has various challenges so is very small and not that strong. We have toyed with adopting another Mau as company ( they don't always do well with other cat breeds apparently) but I think he'd end up being bullied based on your cat's description!

Hi i just came across your post. Can I ask how your cat settled and if she is now a happy indoor/outdoor cat in the Uk.

we are adopting a cat currently in UK rescue but was brought over by rescue from Dubai. She’s currently indoor but we are looking to introduce her to indoor/outdoor once settled in a few months. X