Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Cat advice
We are adopting a cat, and he's coming home this Sunday from Italy.
We were on holiday there and our friend who lives there feeds him. He wanted to take him in, but they've got 4 cats already and they're expecting a baby too.
Because we adore the cat, we decided to adopt him.
I've never had a cat before, so I'm hoping for some advice. I've heard he needs to be kept inside for 6 weeks for his homing instinct right?
What's the best cat food and what brand do I put in his litter box? He's used to a different brand so I'm trying to find out what the best option is here.
Also what about a pet plan? How often do we need to take him to the vet?
Though he's used to roaming the streets, he does always come home again in Italy. I'm a bit weary of letting him out of the house, how does this work? Can I trust him to just turn up? Do I let him out of the house in the morning?
I do sound clueless huh. I've always had dogs, never cats so I'd really appreciate some advice 
Thanks!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Takaokagiejin on
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I'm sure there are others on this site better versed in the arts of cat care then me, but I just want to check that you know that pets have to get passports to come into the UK,I'd hate to see little Tiddalia languishing in Tinsley House Immigration Detention Centre. Details here:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/#a
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Permalink Reply by Bethany Burrow Atherton on
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This is my opinion - others may have different views, but there is no categorically right answer to any of this stuff, you just have to play it by ear a bit:
Litter
We use the cheapest clumping cat litter from whichever supermarket we happen to be shopping at. From experience, the more expensive brands aren't worth it and often cost multiples of the price of the cheap one. If you find you're buying perfumed/odour controlling litter and you don't live in a shoebox, you probably need to scoop and/or change the litter more frequently. Some people prefer non-clumping litter (which is often more environmentally friendly), but we find it's more difficult to deal with practically (without going into too much detail!)
Food
This one's trial and error, but at least find out (if you don't already know) whether he currently gets fed dry (biscuits) food or wet (tinned/pouches) food, or a mixture. Some cats will shun food they don't like and it will be a battle of wills to see who breaks first. It will probably be you, not the cat.
Outside
Yes, it's a good idea to keep him in for a few weeks when you get him, and certainly until he's had his inoculations (see below re. vets). Once he knows he has food, water, warmth and attention at your house, he will come back when you let him out, but I'd be inclined to go into the garden with him the first few times. It's up to you when you let him out/keep him in, but you'll fall into a routine with him eventually.
Vets/insurance
Shop around for insurance (and check that you can get cover for him - some companies may not insure "foreign" cats (I've no idea if this is the case, but I can see that they might use it as an excuse not to, or to charge you more). Try to get him insured asap, as pre-existing conditions will not be insured - if you honestly don't know about them, then they will be. You'll also need to take him to the vet soon after you get him for three reasons: (i) to get him checked over and make sure there's nothing that needs dealing with immediately, (ii) to get him (and you) acquainted with the vet and (iii) possibly to get him some inoculations - he may have had these as part of the passport process, but you'll need to make sure he's fully covered - check with the vet. I assume he will have been neutered, but in case he hasn't, that should be done too. If he's short of any inoculations, he should be kept inside at least until he's had them (but probably for longer to deal with the homing instinct thing too).
Unless he's ill or injured, you'll only need to take him to the vet once a year to get his inoculations renewed.
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Permalink Reply by Justine on
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Hello - well done for rescuing this cat!
Best cat litter IMHO is Oko Plus. You can get this from Pets at Home or Zooplus www.zooplus.co.uk
For food Hi-life is OK and Butchers Choice is better than Felix or Whiskas as it's grain free. Try to avoid a dry food only diet, wet food is better for them, but some cats will only eat dry. If you feel like seeing what other cat food is out there, try Zooplus. I get most of my cat food from there. It's better quality than the supermarket stuff and it works out about the same or cheaper as you don't have to feed as much. My cat loves Animonda Carny and Bozita.
I would keep the cat in at night.
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Permalink Reply by pamish on
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And - get him microchipped. Costs about £20 and he will then be registered for life. It's not traumatic, it's a tiny capsule the size of a grain of rice which is injected in the loose skin at the scruff. Then if he ever wanders, or runs off in a panic, he can be traced. Don't forget to update info if you move. I am currently holding a cat I found lost in the rain, who is chipped but the address on file is out of date, so it's involving much detective work to trace her. If I have to find a new home for her, I need to know eg whether she has been spayed - the vet can't know this till they operate again - so even if the owners can't won't/can't keep her, the info will be useful.
Re food - mix it up. Don't stick to the same brand or you will be stuck with it forever.
And yes keep him in for at least a couple of weeks, and put a collar on him with a name tag.
Catflaps - expensive but best are the ones which are switched by the microchip, so only he can come in your house.
Cats are lovely but very not like dogs. They will give back what you give them - eventually (I find dogs just roll over at the slightest bit of attention).
You'll have to teach him English now. I hear there are courses at HALS.
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get insurance asap...
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looking forward to seeing him
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Permalink Reply by Luca on
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As I live on the 5th floor, mine basically never goes out, although once in a while I take him to the park on a lead but he's way too scared :(
For him no more litter, I trained him to use the toilet and all I have to do is flush :)
My good boy! <3
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A bit of googling, there's lots of info out there and lots of people who trained their cats.
You'll find lots of triaining DVDs and stuff to buy. Don't go there, it's a waste of money.
Instead, follow advice from free videos like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p943wK0tSWQ (that cat is ugly!!! lol)
Actually, I think that's the advice I followed but as my cat was in fact a kitten, I could easily skip some steps and change others, like I didn't put water in the bowl, but made a hole in it ...
Have to say, his training is not yet fully complete, but I'm getting there :)
Let me know if you need more info.
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Oh, this is him doing his things in my old bathroom :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC0vKjPxmVQ
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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The Canadian comic writer Stuart McLean has a story in which he trains his cat to not only use the toilet but flush as well. This scared the hell out of a visiting relative who believed the house was empty apart from her
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Permalink Reply by tigha on
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I want to teach my cats to use the tolielt but think its prob too late,but will de try
advice for new cat owners
microchip-done
collar with bell so they dont catch too many birds
1-1.5y vacs & vet checks
but most important- food- male cats should not have all dry food as can cause bladder probs which is very serious for them, which is what has happened to my male cat- there are some excellent dry foods like James Wellbelkoved that my cats also adore-best quality dry food, but male cats need wet food as well and be encouraged lots fluid, basically he more you spend on wet food the better the quality of food, but at the end of the day he will eat what he wants- they are the bosses
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Make sure you neuter him! Unless you're a 'cat breeder' its very irresponsible to leave him free to roam around to impregnate female cats! We have way too many 'stray' cats in this country and owners not neutering/spaying their cats is the only reason why. Furthermore we had to put down our 2 year old cat as he was bitten by an unneutered male cat, which can carry the FLV virus :(
He'll roam less and also wont spray everywhere when you get him! Our stray cat is neutered and he rarely leaves the garden (plus he's much more cuddly than he would be otherwise!).2 weeks is probably enough time to keep him in - get him chipped. We use Hills Vets and they have been brilliant. We get organic 'wet' food from Yarrah (order online for free delivery from Brands by Nature) - you'd be shocked to know what is in the cheaper food (or what isn't!)
We also have some dried food as well - always make sure you have fresh water left around for him.
We don't bother with collars (there's a risk they could get caught in a branch or something when they're out and about) but we don't let ours out at night.
You'll find you own way with him though but please get him neutered!Enjoy
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