Possibly dumb questions from a first timer

[InNeedOfABrew]

We decided to finally give in to the demands of our youngest and get her a cat. I’m from a long line of dog owners and since we’ve had smallish people to look after I didn’t need the extra commitment of a puppy, much as I would have loved one.

So we have decided to get a kitten which then turned into us getting 2 kitten sisters for various reasons and having done lots of research and reading I’m still left with a couple of questions that I’m hoping someone might be able to help me with.

We’re picking up the kittens in 3 weeks time and I don’t know what kind of cat carrier to get and whether or not I need 2 of them…any ideas or recommendations?

I’ve narrowed down the vets we will use to 2 that I have personal recommendations for. They both offer plans where I pay a monthly fee. The first vet (slightly nearer) has a plan where it covers all injections and regular check ups and offers cheaper vet visits and them being spayed.
The second vet costs 2.50 a month more but includes worming and flea treatments too.
Which one do I go with?

And any recommendations for pet insurance, do any of them do a discount on multiple pets?

TIA and I’ll follow up with pictures once I’ve worked out how to get them into our house!

Find a vet you like. Flea treatment is expensive and necessary. They will also need spaying. 2 of everything will be needed. Good luck.

Boy cat strolled in when we got him home from the RSPCA foster home, looked around as if to say this will do, and settled right in. Girl cat hid under the bed for ages. They’re all different.
Boy cat’s favourite litter tray is a kitten one that he doesn’t fit on so he sits with front paws on floor and bum strategically placed over it.
I just use Aldi cat litter. It’s only £2-something for a bag.

Right, I’ve got an ever dumber question… can cats see in the dark? To be able to use the litter tray at night if they need to or do I need to leave a gap in the curtains so the street light can come in?
See, I told you, mega dumb question!
But then I did sleep with a lamp on for the first week after I brought my first baby home because I couldn’t work out how I would check if he was breathing or not and didn’t want to startle him awake by suddenly switching the light on…

I think they only need a very tiny bit of light to be able to see, so I’d leave the curtains open just a bit.

Their eyesight is supposed to be better in the dark, than in the day. I believe.

Mine seem to find the litter tray ok in the dark.
Occasionally we have a protest poo in the shower if the bathroom litter tray hasn’t been cleaned to their satisfaction.
DD decided to move the hall litter tray when she was living here. Boy cat decided to carry on weeing where the litter tray had been. After a battle of wills for a few days DD gave in and returned it to its original spot.
Bear this in mind when deciding on the placement on litter trays because you move them at your peril!

One of my fosters spent the first 48 hours behind my bedside table. When it became clear she wasn’t coming out, I covered the carpet in newspaper & moved all the cat stuff into the bedroom.

When she finally got confident enough to stop hiding, I moved the litter tray back to its usual place very gradually - I think it took about 2 days.

Ours play, eat, leap up on things, use the litter tray etc just as well in the dark as in the light.
They are completely unbothered if you leave the room and turn the lights off - just carry on with whatever they were up to

Good luck OP

I got 2 sisters sorry hooligans from cats protection and they are wonderful

yes 1 carry case will be fine for a while, not a plastic one, but you'll need to build your muscles up and get separate ones as they get a bit older

I had Tesco for many years but they do have restrictions so am with petplan now. Go for flea/worm insurance especially in the first year

be prepared for the sisters to absolutely wind each other up without doing anything like only siblings can

Oh also give them plenty of space, time and somewhere to hide until they are ready to rule your house! Will be all very strange for them

@InNeedOfABrew can cats see in the dark?

They can see in very low light. But they can't see with no light at all. If there's a glow of light through the curtains at night, that's enough, you don't have to open the curtain.

Thank you for all your responses. I’ve made payment for them…
I went for a carrier with roof entry too which made things a lot easier for me today when we had to take a trip to the vets for vaccinations.
I’m pleased to say they’re settling in well and when I woke them up this morning they told me to go and get their breakfast so I think we’re on the right track!

Aww, welcome gorgeous little kitties. Which one is which?