1st time cat owner - recommend me some things

[CaptainBarnacles1]

I’m super excited to have put in an application to our local cat shelter to adopt a cat. I’m starting to plan what we need. I’ve never had a cat and I’m completely lost on the Pets at Home website looking at all the different products. I am very cautious of accepting any advice from Pets at home as they have a terrible reputation for recommending and selling inappropriate items for Hamsters (my previous pet) and so I’m looking for advice on

• where do you buy the cat basics (are the things sold at Pets at Home generally safe for cats - I know this might sound odd, but some of the hamster products they sell aren’t safe for hamsters - cages too small, dangerous chew toys etc).
• and any recommendations for any of the below (what do you have that your cat loves)
• litter trays
• cat tree
• scratching post
• Toys

Thanks in advance for any advice

Some lovely posts here ❤️
Scratching posts must be ‘hit or miss’, our boy loves his and prefers it to the armchair he was previously destroying before we bought it. It has a Pom Pom attached to the top which he can bat around and we put a toy mouse on top which he immediately bats off and plays with. He does love the little toy mice with crinkly stuff inside them. He carries them from room to room and gives them as gifts when he wants to play. They’re super light and can zoom around quite fast when he hits them. He likes a clockwork rat as well and a squishy ball. He loves furry blankets and snuggles underneath them and has a super soft doughnut bed that is his favourite for deep sleep. We have the biggest litter tray you can get because otherwise they tip up. We keep this for him to use indoors even though he wees outside sometimes, it helps to keep an eye on his health and doing it in a place where we can clean it up after. We use a wood pellet litter. We tried other types but this is our preferred. Get a scoop from the garden department to clear out the soiled stuff because the mesh ones are only ok for solids. We buy compostable dog poo bags to put it in and throw it away.
A plastic mat to go under the food bowl is a good idea because they like to take food out of the bowl and eat it off the floor.
Pet safe disinfectant.

I wouldn't buy too much just yet as you don't know what the cat will be like. I bought a big basket of toys and they have been mostly ignored!

The only ones mine likes are the Yoweee catnip range (you can get them Amazon). The catnip is really strong - I can smell it myself. Mine has the banana and the rainbow and she carries them around the house at night, for reasons known only to her - indeed I sometimes wake up and find them in the bed next to me.

I also have a cat tree that she really likes - I would buy the biggest you have room for and can afford. They tend to come with built in scratching posts and hidey holes.

Mine also likes cat beds- I have a couple for her that we're given to me by family members - I didn't buy any beds initially as no other cat I have owned has ever gone near an actual cat bed!

In terms of litter trays I would buy the biggest you can afford, and one with a roof, as these are much better at keeping the litter in.

I would only buy smallish amounts of food, as many cats are picky eaters and you don't know what he/she will like. Mine only eats the more expensive Aldi brand of dried food - she won't touch any of the "better" brand. In terms of wet food, she'll eat anything with gravy, but not keen on pate style foods and is disgusted by anything in jelly...

And so on.

Sane with cat litter brands - they seem to have their preferences and these aren't always the best/most expensive brands!

Good luck! So exciting......

Oh and if you do decide to go for a cat bed, I would get one of the cat cave style ones with a roof.

From what I have observed of my own cat and others, cats that WILL sleep on a designated cat bed seem to prefer this type? I think some cats like the feeling of being in a den, hidden away.....

Cats' favourite toys are usually lazer pens. I've never known a cat that doesn't adore chasing a red light around the room. They are about £5-7 on Amazon and last forever.
They often also like catnip toys.
DCat's preferred toy was chasing a child running around the garden trailing a bamboo stick. Nothing made him happier.

Scratching posts are to be bought so cats can reject them in favour of sofas and walls. You could try saying 'Do NOT scratch this post!' Reverse psychology might work.

Those tilted bowls are good, especially as the cat gets older. And water fountains can encourage them to drink enough - they often don't.

Absolutely this.

We got our first cat in 2021 after much persuasion from DCs, and it was after reading on Mumsnet that two is better that we got our second. They bonded in three days and get on brilliantly now.

Aside from that, cats are what they eat and if you possibly can, try to avoid the supermarket-sold cat food, which is about 4% meat. We give ours a mixture of Canagans wet and dry food - it’s not cheap but it’s 75% meat.

Also second ZooPlus, especially their Super Benek Corn Natural Clumping Cat Litter, which you can put in the loo.

Really rate this cat litter!

https://www.petsathome.com/product/pets-at-home-pine-and-spruce-aroma-wood-pellet-non-clumping-cat-litter/P71511?productId=7148263&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&cm_mmc=Google--CPC--+google_shopping-_-google_shopping&ita=1976&ito=google_shopping&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=21036297564&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21046318489&gbraid=0AAAAAD7tV9pOCbpd8bwOnQO5tWjXsnLS0&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyYO7qa7UkgMVSJRQBh06jhFVEAQYASABEgIe8vD_BwE&purchaseType=one-time

I have a floor to ceiling cat post with platforms and my 3 love it! They whizz up to the top when they have the zoomies!

Wont touch cat beds, which is why we have various tatty shoeboxes all over the house!

Our cat likes a big covered litter tray and clumping litter, which is way cheaper at Pets at Home than Sainsburys. Basic bowls from Pets at Home are fine.

Our cat is a dignified queen who has never slept in a cat bed and prefers human beds. She does love her scratching post-cat tower thing which was also from Pets at Home!

You will need a cat carrier. Top loading is much better than front loading if you can find one…

For pet insurance, look very carefully at what each policy offers. I personally would avoid any with a co-pay policy as this can get expensive fast - if you had to make a £4k claim and have a £200 excess plus 20% co-pay, you would have to pay the first £1200 yourself. I recommend looking at PetPlan and Direct Line as well as comparison sites but the first two are excellent. We have stuck with Direct Line as they were hassle free to claim from and we can’t get the same level of cover anywhere else now in view of her age.

Litter tray from supermarket, stainless steel dishes from home bargains, big boxes of felix B&M. I've given up on cat trees as she prefers the cardboard scratchers. Other than that a large paper bag with handles removed, fishing rod toy and a cardboard box.

\don't get too much too soon.

\mine sleeps where she wants, currently asleep on my left arm, I have learned to type with her there.

Other popular spots, my bed, spare room bed, book shelves, a drawer, sky box (nice and warm) on a radiator, in a box, in a different box, the window sill, on the table, on the coffee table... you get the idea.

I know you are new here so you may not be aware that you have to pay the 'kitty tax' that is a pic of your kitty. I know you probably don't have one yet, but don't leave it too long.

I bought my cats a couple of these which they ignored for a while but now sleep in all of the time

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Petface-Bamboo-Plush-Cat-Igloo/dp/B07J35HFW9/ref=sr_1_28?adgrpid=183295226621&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.K8h-x2WQ9u3Ey5RvN_Hs7TDzxCmEKPwgS6pCR0D2dAUcpCPxN5YyczAEfSTzMZ4wP3tjtijWRqJ0BwvPhwT-9FsjZqa5OpG-OtnQ-cPuPT05bmw0Y0HKS8c1fNRNplA3xkgSOzKF35KtIwYa0sypnuOoIzEyqBQrYGTZAG3x0P6TypaKWevwXvPq7RoPuL3S6eSB5NQ3pbAXxDYrE9BaHNSTAeuv66BzPrl5qFjkVVkj_KW2BMmyK1DFHXiYpyExlpM9N9SAUsfAKmWrO2IWWs4I6DX1GgJTSuJTats6IUo.ySjK0yLJQ8GVEJCjd-hiCBJIWSNtNiinFvWt76NNqzw&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=779247933729&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=1006888&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=14021812809881116405--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14021812809881116405&hvtargid=kwd-951547940144&hydadcr=7634_2282826_372996&keywords=amazon%2Bcat%2Bbed%2Bcave&mcid=1f5aa7c2112031ab91b571587a6e9475&qid=1770980468&sr=8-28&th=1

They also have one of these upstairs and a similar one downstairs and they both use the scratching post (when they are not scratching the back of my sofa....)

www.amazon.co.uk/PAWZ-Road-Cactus-scratching-hammock/dp/B0C77XZXQP/ref=sxin_15_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.a6b26222-96b9-4d6e-84b3-ef3f899ea633%3Aamzn1.sym.a6b26222-96b9-4d6e-84b3-ef3f899ea633&crid=3IMOD11TQIQNM&cv_ct_cx=cat%2Btree&keywords=cat%2Btree&pd_rd_i=B0C77XZXQP&pd_rd_r=5e249e7d-a153-4735-96bb-6e3cb9f443fc&pd_rd_w=SwQAt&pd_rd_wg=AasuX&pf_rd_p=a6b26222-96b9-4d6e-84b3-ef3f899ea633&pf_rd_r=A352NVX4H4X402Y3S6HY&qid=1770980534&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=cat%2B%2Caps%2C114&sr=1-5-fd3c5e6b-a8f7-4e24-85ab-454044c653b9-spons&aref=18yutdPjJh&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

I also bought some of those cardboard scratching mats which they also seem to quite like.

Having cats is the best thing I have ever done for myself and I absolutely recommend it, if you like cats obviously. Hope it all goes well OP.

I would say don't over think it 😬

Experience of my cats is you get this stuff and they literally aren't bothered - typical cat style.

Just some good quality food. And cat litter that suits your preference.

😂 so true, we had a cat tree and it was never used.

However, the curtains light up like the night sky with all the holes in them.
And our brand new carpet is their favourite place to get rid of their dead claw bits (sheath?).

I got a new kitten for my 16 year old cat, she was thrilled. They spend most of the day playing chase and being daft.

If you’re getting a kitten, good luck, may the odds be ever in your favour.

If you’re getting a cat:
Cardboard box.
Washing basket.
The little square plastic toggle on a coat hanger.
Straws to put in your drinks. They’ll get pinged about.
A bowl for water, or a nearby puddle is better.
If you’re letting it in the woods, some ladders to save it.
A hand for them to play with and rip to bits.
A good explanation for when HR pull you into a meeting to ask if you’re okay because you look like you’ve been self-harming.

Enjoy. They’re so much fun!

OH and insurance, because they’re arseholes and play chicken with cars.

Thanks so much everyone, I have been matched with a lovely slightly older kitty (so hopefully a little calmer than a kitten), I have a home check later today. Hopefully I’m one step closer to being able to pay the cat tax with a cute picture

My must haves are

stainless steel litter tray with a sturdy metal scoop
vertical and horizontal scratch posts
a high value treat that you only give when they come home - I use meat sticks, he comes running in for them!
flat wide dishes for food - I use the pasta type bowls for humans

My BEST Advice by miles is - Get Pet Plan insurance
Get the lifetime cover up to 12k a YEAR
More expensive than any other but
Vets will invoice PP directly you do not have to pay - fill in forms and apply for insurance
PP are reliable many will have loopholes in the small print
As an example last year our puss was not well
our local vet could not work out what the issue es as the tests were contradictory
I asked for a referral to a specialist vetinary hospital - (these can only be seen by referral from you local vet)
Vet said puss had multiple issues which without treatment were going to be fatal
Puss was in the hospital for a 2 week
Monitored by vet nurse every half hour
Puss is now fine
Our policy said we pay 25% of vet bills
Total vet bill just under 12k
So to us - £3k
Saving around 9K
Cost of policy prior to treatment £75 a month
Cost at yearly renewal - £82 a month

A lot of people say that they will not get insurance but will save money every month
Be aware that initial consultation and blood tests can be about 1K

Also be aware that your local vet is like your GP
Some things your local vet will not be able to fix quickly -m you are entitled to ask for a referral to the next level up
This of it as your local vet is the GP
You can ask for a referral to a specialist consultant
They are highly trained in a specialist discipline and have better xray / CT scanning equipment - more extensive blood testing facilities etc

Forgot to say re insurance
You beautiful pet is the same as us
He/she will sometimes get ill and he /she deserves the best possible medical care

And your own legs 😅

I’ve had a few cats and never needed or would dare to try nail clippers. That’s a vets or groomers job. I value my hands.

We bought some stuff from Pets at home, some online from amazon and other websites.

litter box: we got one that is enclosed and cat goes in and out with a flap. Only place for us was the kitchen ao I wanted it to be as odorless as possible.

scratching post: got a cheap ish one from pets at home, lasted about a year, need a new one now I think (although she loves to use our armchair even though she isn’t allowed…)

cat bed: bought a beautiful william morris one I loved, pretty and very soft. She hasn’t used it once in almost a year, would sleep anywhere else.

toys: a mix of stuff, favourite is definitely the wand with feathers type, she enjoys chasing it

best purchase ever for us was a wall hammock with two small shelves. She spends a lot of time there, found them all on amazon. She is indoors only though, your cat might get vertical stimulation from outside.

Enjoy!!

In addition to what everyone else has said: pet insurance, the best you can get. And get yourself set up with your local vet now - mine are brilliant and it's such a huge relief to have The Tiny King / God's Smallest Baby (TM) on the books with them.

I've been doing it for many years without any problems but it's up to you, of course. I hope it goes without saying that one should look into how to do it properly.

I’m picking my up new cat overload on Sunday. Very exciting. Thanks everyone for the advice.