My first ever cat!
Discussion
Hello all
Just had the home visit with the people from the rescue centre. So I shall be collecting Molly either later on today or tomorrow!
Just want to see if any one has got any helpful tips, dos and don'ts etc?
I never had a pet before. I was instructed to keep Molly inside for the first 5 weeks. So far I have bought a scratching post, litter tray and mix, dry food, food bowl, water bowl and safety collar. Molly is 8 years old.
Any advice welcome!
Just had the home visit with the people from the rescue centre. So I shall be collecting Molly either later on today or tomorrow!
Just want to see if any one has got any helpful tips, dos and don'ts etc?
I never had a pet before. I was instructed to keep Molly inside for the first 5 weeks. So far I have bought a scratching post, litter tray and mix, dry food, food bowl, water bowl and safety collar. Molly is 8 years old.
Any advice welcome!
She'll probably be a bit odd for the first few days, maybe hiding in funny places as she won't be used to her new environment. That's nothing to worry about, she'll be fine and owning all the furniture in a week or so.
Maybe pick up a catnip toy for her to play with too.
Enjoy, cats are brilliant.
Maybe pick up a catnip toy for her to play with too.
Enjoy, cats are brilliant.
Try not to get into the faddy/expensive food diet. Hopefully it will eat supermarket fodder quite happily; do not be tempted to buy 'Tiddles DeLuxe: For The Pet You Love (TM)' because the little bugger will never go back!
Some people say cats can't be trained, but they can. The secret is to anticipate what the cat is about to do, then command it just before it does it anyway.
Some people say cats can't be trained, but they can. The secret is to anticipate what the cat is about to do, then command it just before it does it anyway.
Simpo Two said:
Some people say cats can't be trained, but they can.
+1 A firm "NO!" if they look like they're about to do something you don't want them doing (jumping up on the dinner table, clawing the sofa etc.) and if they don't respond to the shout, a firm tap (hand-wringers relax, I am not talking about hitting!) will soon wake the cat up. They soon get the hang of what's allowed and what's not.
Enjoy! They are wonderful creatures, I miss mine so bad
In the evening I try not to feed our cats then let them out. Once fed in the evening I tend to keep them in. Keep your drawers and cupboards shut, but don't trap your car in, and keep your toilet lid down. Don't leave food unattended, put your shoes away if you like laces and don't lay your work clothes out on the bed lol
Congrats on your new family member. Can I also say well done for getting a rescue, and an "older" cat at that.
In terms of things - yes, keep her in for a good 4 weeks. Get a collar with a bell and ideally a nameplate with your phone number.
In terms of food, I sound like a broken record but raw food is good.... IF you can cope with it, chances are your cat will love it.
In terms of things - yes, keep her in for a good 4 weeks. Get a collar with a bell and ideally a nameplate with your phone number.
In terms of food, I sound like a broken record but raw food is good.... IF you can cope with it, chances are your cat will love it.
Jasandjules said:
Congrats on your new family member. Can I also say well done for getting a rescue, and an "older" cat at that.
In terms of things - yes, keep her in for a good 4 weeks. Get a collar with a bell and ideally a nameplate with your phone number.
In terms of food, I sound like a broken record but raw food is good.... IF you can cope with it, chances are your cat will love it.
I have been tempted with the idea of raw food. Actually I am about to chop some chicken, I might just leave a piece in front of her and see how she responds. But my question is that after having all these "artificial" cat food for so long, how will her GI tract cope with the raw food? In terms of things - yes, keep her in for a good 4 weeks. Get a collar with a bell and ideally a nameplate with your phone number.
In terms of food, I sound like a broken record but raw food is good.... IF you can cope with it, chances are your cat will love it.
mosc7pc2 said:
I have been tempted with the idea of raw food. Actually I am about to chop some chicken, I might just leave a piece in front of her and see how she responds. But my question is that after having all these "artificial" cat food for so long, how will her GI tract cope with the raw food?
Well, if she went out hunting in the garden and caught and ate a mouse/bird, it is the same......If she is used to tinned food etc though you would likely need to introduce it slowly as it's like trying to change a McDonald's diet to salad.....
Jasandjules said:
Well, if she went out hunting in the garden and caught and ate a mouse/bird, it is the same......
If she is used to tinned food etc though you would likely need to introduce it slowly as it's like trying to change a McDonald's diet to salad.....
Well she definitely likes raw chicken! Gave her two tiny pieces and she wanted more!If she is used to tinned food etc though you would likely need to introduce it slowly as it's like trying to change a McDonald's diet to salad.....
Whether her gut likes them, we shall find out soon enough!
Since she has arrived home (4:30pm?), she hasn't drank any water despite trying different bowls and refreshing the water every few hours, hasn't pooed and hasn't pee-ed despite bringing her to her litter tray several times. Any ideas on how I should approach this?
Edited to add that her litter tray is brand new, not her usual one from the rescue centre. May be that makes a difference?
mosc7pc2 said:
Well she definitely likes raw chicken! Gave her two tiny pieces and she wanted more!
Whether her gut likes them, we shall find out soon enough!
Since she has arrived home (4:30pm?), she hasn't drank any water despite trying different bowls and refreshing the water every few hours, hasn't pooed and hasn't pee-ed despite bringing her to her litter tray several times. Any ideas on how I should approach this?
Edited to add that her litter tray is brand new, not her usual one from the rescue centre. May be that makes a difference?
You've shown her where it is, she'll go when she's relaxed a bit - strange place, strange people, strange place to poo....give her time.Whether her gut likes them, we shall find out soon enough!
Since she has arrived home (4:30pm?), she hasn't drank any water despite trying different bowls and refreshing the water every few hours, hasn't pooed and hasn't pee-ed despite bringing her to her litter tray several times. Any ideas on how I should approach this?
Edited to add that her litter tray is brand new, not her usual one from the rescue centre. May be that makes a difference?
vixen1700 said:
She'll probably be a bit odd for the first few days, maybe hiding in funny places as she won't be used to her new environment. That's nothing to worry about, she'll be fine and owning all the furniture in a week or so.
Maybe pick up a catnip toy for her to play with too.
Enjoy, cats are brilliant.
Exactly this.Maybe pick up a catnip toy for her to play with too.
Enjoy, cats are brilliant.
Oh, and take the time to find her each time, though let her come out on her own, so if she gets spooked later, or it's time for the vet, you know where to find her.
mosc7pc2 said:
Well she definitely likes raw chicken! Gave her two tiny pieces and she wanted more!
Whether her gut likes them, we shall find out soon enough!
Since she has arrived home (4:30pm?), she hasn't drank any water despite trying different bowls and refreshing the water every few hours, hasn't pooed and hasn't pee-ed despite bringing her to her litter tray several times. Any ideas on how I should approach this?
Edited to add that her litter tray is brand new, not her usual one from the rescue centre. May be that makes a difference?
Glad she likes raw chicken! There are on-line places where you can order that kind of thing (minced chicken raw, minced rabbit raw, minced beef raw) and if you know a local farmer who can get you offal the cat may well rather enjoy kidney/liver/heart too. Mine don't like lungs.Whether her gut likes them, we shall find out soon enough!
Since she has arrived home (4:30pm?), she hasn't drank any water despite trying different bowls and refreshing the water every few hours, hasn't pooed and hasn't pee-ed despite bringing her to her litter tray several times. Any ideas on how I should approach this?
Edited to add that her litter tray is brand new, not her usual one from the rescue centre. May be that makes a difference?
Cat's down really drink much they obtain most of their moisture from their food.
As for the litter tray some cats will not want to use a new one as they might not like the litter used if it is different to her old one, but they usually will go once they realise there is no other place. I don't think it's too long by any stretch yet, if it moves to 2-3 days then start to worry...
LeoZwalf said:
+1
A firm "NO!" if they look like they're about to do something you don't want them doing (jumping up on the dinner table, clawing the sofa etc.) and if they don't respond to the shout, a firm tap (hand-wringers relax, I am not talking about hitting!) will soon wake the cat up. They soon get the hang of what's allowed and what's not.
Enjoy! They are wonderful creatures, I miss mine so bad
+1 again.A firm "NO!" if they look like they're about to do something you don't want them doing (jumping up on the dinner table, clawing the sofa etc.) and if they don't respond to the shout, a firm tap (hand-wringers relax, I am not talking about hitting!) will soon wake the cat up. They soon get the hang of what's allowed and what's not.
Enjoy! They are wonderful creatures, I miss mine so bad
When I had my two I used to tell them off (or warn them) and click my fingers at the same time. In time a simple click of my fingers would be enough. I certainly miss 'em - proper little characters.Make sure Molly is chipped and collared etc.
Like someone else said she may well be a bit odd in the first few days. Give her a safe place to hide out in and let her come to you in time. Bribery with food helps! Enjoy!
Davey S2 said:
edc said:
jam jar lids to train her to keep off some surfaces, !
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