New owner

Hi folks,

I'm due to take on my first cat, his current owner feeds him wet food twice a day but keeps out a bowl of dry food all day. I'd like to stick to his current routine, would this routine be ok.
It might sound like a stupid question but I'm a total novice when it comes to cat ownership

That's certainly a good beginning.  In general we like to see the main diet be wet food and the dry food just being "dessert" or treats, but with a new cat coming in, it is best to leave them on what they are used to until they get settled in, and then make changes gradually. 

Hi,

Thanks for your reply it has been very helpful

You are very welcome!  I hope you stick around this site, it's a great place to learn.  I am always learning new things.  When you get a chance, and when you get your new cat, you can go to the New Cats On The Block forum and introduce yourself and your new cat.

Hi,
Can I ask you, is it recommended to get two litter trays for one cat? I plan to put one in my kitchen, where would you recommend putting the other one??

Yes, the general rule is to have one more litter box than you have cats.  You should put the box far away from your cat's food, so if it's in the kitchen, it needs to be on the side of the kitchen where there are no cat food ad water bowls.  Many cats prefer an out of the way place, just as we do, either a back hall, a study, somewhere generally out of the traffic area of the home.  There are also many really nice litter box containers that fit in with your furnishings.  Here is a link to a selection of them.

http://www.overstock.com/Pet-Suppli...T74AZWYZ5CdvwB3iLNmOQaAieG8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

You can even get one that works well in the kitchen.

https://jet.com/product/detail/4968...RtAxiXeZ6BRjuILnBXbIf_pkTd9jXJYKWkaAoIh8P8HAQ

As fr choice of litter, cats prefer the unscented kind, and you probably will also.  I would start with whatever kind of litter he is used to, but if it is not the clumping kind, change really quickly because the plain clay litter tends to hold odors and is best used if dumped completely every couple of days, box washed, and then refilled with clean litter.  With the clumping kind, as long as you keep it fairly deep, no wet will ever get on the bottom and it all gets dug out in a ball.  Precious Kitty clumping litter is the least dusty of all the clay litters.  If you are an Amazon Prime Member, you can end up getting all your cat supplies delivered free.  If not, then Chewys.com is one of the best sites to order from.  They have great customer service and low shipping, free shipping if you order $49 of merchandise at the same time.

Another thing you should look into is getting a good cat tree.  I like the ones made by Armarkat because they are lightweight yet sturdy and lasting, and very reasonably priced.  Just google them.  They are available from their own site and also through Google.  Here is a picture of my Armarkat tree.  I've had it 5 years and it's still holding up even with all these rescue cats using it.  Sitting it in a corner like that made it extra sturdy so that even with 9 cats on it, it doesn't wobble.

View media item 331766

Hi thanks for the answers. Would it be acceptable to let my cat out each day in my garden with me for 10-15mins so he gets used to it & knows where to come back to??

Letting your cat outside is a personal choice, and one that I wouldn't feel comfortable with. Many people prefer to have their cats 100% inside as it's a far safer, controlled environment. You can provide enrichment in the form of toys and perches to look outside if you're worried about boredom. Another option is to train your cat to walk on a leash or a harness. That way they do get to explore outside, but only under your supervision.

All that said, it is only safe for your cat to go outside at all if he is neutered, fully vaccinated, and protected against fleas.

You're asking great questions. Keep them coming!

Sharing garden time with the cat may be something for the future, but definitely don't do it until you have had him a long time (6 weeks or more) and he is bonded to you.  Since he is coming from someone else, it will take him awhile to adjust to having a new home.  The harness idea is a good one, I know many people whose cats enjoy being out on a harness, but again don't start anything like that until you and your cat are a solidly established bonded pair, because otherwise you could lose him.  Things can startle them and they can run very far very fast.

Hi folks,

I'm getting shadow (my soon to be new 5yr old black cat), a cat tree & toys, would you recommend getting him a covered cat bed so he has the choice of where he sleeps on a night & during the day but especially at night

You can get him a cat bed but that does not mean he will use it. I do not have any recommendations but someone else might.  One of my friends had beds for her two cats and they would sleep on the beds in the living room when she was there.  She also had beds for them in her bedroom but the cats preferred to share the bed with her.  I do not have actual cat beds because I do not think my cats would use them.  They prefer to hang out on the furniture with us and sleep on our bed normally.

Also if he has a toys or a bed he used to from his previous home it may be helpful to take them to his new home to help with the adjustment. Also as far as litter ask his previous owner what she is currently using and see if it is something that would work for you.  You could always try a new litter once the cat has bonded with you.

It is great that you are taking the time to ask questions and prepare for the arrival of your new baby.  

I agree with others about not letting him outside unless he is on a leash or in an enclosure.  Definitely let him adjust to his new home and you before trying leash training. My husband's relatives recently leash trained their ten year old cat.  She kept trying to sneak out of the house on them so their solution was to leash train her.  I got to walk her around their property when we visited them.  She was very well behaved and seems to enjoy her time outside. They also have something on their deck that looks like a small mesh tent.  She also gets supervised outside time in her tent on their deck. They supervise her time in the tent which is a zipped enclosure. Their cat is up to date on all her shots and vaccines though since she does go outside supervised.

I have several cat beds around, although I usually get the slightly larger and softer DOG beds because they like to stretch out rather than curl up given a chance.  Mine are about 22 x 17 and I got lucky and got most when PetSmart was having a sale on them for $5 each!!  (Rare, they usually cost $15-$20).  I got another even nicer one at the humane society thrift store the other day and it was only $4.00.  My 17-year-old has claimed that one for her own and it is beside my bed, right beside the stairs she uses to climb up on the bed.  (It's hard for her to jump up like she used to do.  She was really happy when I provided the stairs.  She comes on my bed but prefers to sleep in her own bed next to my bed now.  I think I toss & turn too much for her liking.  This bed came about because one of my pillows had fallen off the bed one night and in the morning she was sleeping right on it.  She continued to sleep on that pillow every day.  I tried to wash it but a seam split and the stuffing came out so I bought her this bed, which is much nicer than a plan pillow anyhow.  She approves.

Yeah,

I wouldn't let shadow on my bed because I move around a lot in bed so it wouldn't work, it would be easier for her the sleep downstairs

My hubby and I both tend to toss and turn in our sleep. All of our cats end up on the bed at some point. We have 4 and our movements don't seem to bother them. You may find that your new baby will just adjust to your sleep movements.

Oh thank you, I'm going to see how he goes the first night then go from there. Apparently he's quite a shy cat so he may prefer to be on his own

It really does depend on the cat's personality. You will figure things out as your cat gets to know you and the new home.

One of my husband's relatives has a cat that only sleeps on their bed during thunder storms. The rest of the time she sleeps in a bed they made out of a box in the living room.

How do you settle a new cat in when he's already timid & when I'm going to have to leave him for a number of hours from day one

In some cases, not being there for many hours could be beneficial. When we first got our cat, we left him home alone the day after we got him for several hours (work day). He used the time alone to explore the house and gain confidence when we weren't around. Many cats need to adjust on their own.

Yeah I never thought of it like that, it could actually help him make the place his own in his own time

Hi folks,

When I get my cat I plan to let him out of his box in the kitchen where his litter tray, food & water will be. Then allow him to wander around the house in his own time. People have suggested shutting him in one room but his current owner told me he doesn't like being shut in one room. Am I doing the right thing??