Do I give in a let the Mrs inherit a 10 year old cat?

randal · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:03

You'll want this to start with:

Litter tray + litter the cat is comfortable with
Water and food bowls + a mat to put them on
Scratching post
Toys
Bed (comfortable blanket will do in a pinch)
Quiet room/space

I'd set up a spare room with all the clobber, and give the mog a few days in there. Once it's accustomed to the smells of your house, let them out upstairs for a roam around. Depending on the cat it might take a while for them to emerge, and they'll probably scope out a bit of the house and then run back to the spare room for safety. Which is good, because that's the whole point of giving them a few days to get comfortable somewhere.

You might find that it's scratching at the door to get out after a few hours, personally I'd just let them out and give them a supervised roam. If that's the case and they seem happy enough then just go with it, stick the litter tray in one room but show them so they know where it is. Then food in another room, and typically water elsewhere. We found that our cat won't touch the water if it's next to the food bowl, she'd rather go outside and a drink from a puddle. Stick the waterbowl upstairs and she'll use it. Wacky creatures.

godinman · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:08

Just skip the cat and have kids, that's what she really wants.

Phate · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:09

Scratch post is an absolute must! Tony loves his, I can't imagine how much it's saved me in furniture repair bills! Also catnip based toys, watching them get stoned is pretty hilarious

R.O.S.S.I · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:30

Phate said:
Cats require VERY little maintenance. When taking a cat somewhere new you have the food and litter tray ready, bring them in, show them where it is (literally pick them up and plonk it infront of them) let them have a sniff and leave them to it. They'll gradually explore, probably go and find somewhere to hide and come out in their own time...this may take a couple of days.

Cats generally come to you when they want affection, every cat is different. Keep it inside for a couple of weeks before letting it out. Why is a cat flap not an option if you don't mind me asking? They can be fitted to pretty much anything.

In terms of 'running' costs - providing it's had it's annual injections it's just a jab once a year along with a cat 'MOT' - this varies from vet to vet but this shouldn't be much (I think it costs me about £60 including the injection, honestly cannot remember though) Ask for the medical history with said feline and you'll be good to go!

Taking on a cat is new for everyone when it's their first time of course, you'll have unexpected surprises, but build the bond with the cat fast and you'll have a friend for life, you'll soon wonder how you lived without one.

Our back doors are french doors and we've two sets of front doors as we've got a very small porch which would require lots of butchering really to fit cat flaps.

The only spare room we've got at the moment is the 3rd bedroom which is the box room and has my PC and computer bits in. Could put the water up there I guess or I could clear out the 2nd bedroom as it still has a lot of bagged up things from when we moved in and is a bit of junk room atm (hopefully change that this weekend!)

Malt_Vinegar · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:36

Nothing wrong with older cats, they need homes too!
In regards to costs, get pet insurance, and relax. Perhaps stoke the new cat, it good for stress.

FoxEye · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:37

Cats do get bored, esp on their own.

I'd be worried that a single cat on his/her own from 7:30 to 4:30 will be very bored indeed. That can lead to destructive behaviour also, such as chewing cables.

That's why you would probably be better served by getting two cats if they're going to be alone for that length of time.

Also 10 isn't particularly ancient. They often live to 16-20+ years old (outdoor cats statistically don't survive as long).

cheesyboy · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:40

FoxEye said:
Cats do get bored, esp on their own.

I'd be worried that a single cat on his/her own from 7:30 to 4:30 will be very bored indeed. That can lead to destructive behaviour also, such as chewing cables.

That's why you would probably be better served by getting two cats if they're going to be alone for that length of time.

What if one dies, though - the remaining one will need some comforting. Better get three.

But then you might get two who are really friendly together and the other will be left out, so four might be better.

FoxEye · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:43

cheesyboy said:
What if one dies, though - the remaining one will need some comforting. Better get three.

But then you might get two who are really friendly together and the other will be left out, so four might be better.

I fail to see the logic.

If one dies you could... get another one? It's best not to try to pair two already adult cats that are unrelated. The best chance of success is to get a kitten, of the opposite sex to the existing cat.

But that is a whole different thread. The simple fact is that a lone indoor cat on his/her own all day /will/ get very bored. They will sleep for longer than is healthy. They might become destructive.

Mat · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:47

Nothing wrong with adopting at that age; my cat was 7 when I got her. You'll all settle in to an easy routine fairly quickly but the first few weeks might be a little difficult for the cat at least; it will find all the places to hide that you didn't know exist

It is only a cat, not a child, but I think the question you want to be asking is whether you actually want a cat or not, not whether you want a 10 year old cat specifically.

chanjy · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:51

All these posts and still no picture of said kitty?

Phate · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:53

FoxEye said:
Cats do get bored, esp on their own.

I'd be worried that a single cat on his/her own from 7:30 to 4:30 will be very bored indeed. That can lead to destructive behaviour also, such as chewing cables.

Every cat is different. My cat is regularly on his own, he just sleeps more!

Although I do have a catflap so he can take himself out when he wants.

ci_newman · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:57

Cat owner homes categorically almost always smell.

And remember cats malt, so cat hair will get *everywhere*

Phate · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:57

R.O.S.S.I said:
Our back doors are french doors and we've two sets of front doors as we've got a very small porch which would require lots of butchering really to fit cat flaps.

The only spare room we've got at the moment is the 3rd bedroom which is the box room and has my PC and computer bits in. Could put the water up there I guess or I could clear out the 2nd bedroom as it still has a lot of bagged up things from when we moved in and is a bit of junk room atm (hopefully change that this weekend!)

Ah I see. Catflaps can be fitted into French doors. I'd get someone around to take a look and quote for installation

The spare room bit imo is a bit overkill. I have a spare room and never shut Tony in there. He was (and still is) free to explore it at his own will like the rest of the place. Tony's waterbowl is next to his food bowl and he eats/drinks without any issues, like I say all cats are different.

FoxEye · 4 Sep 2015 at 11:59

Phate said:
Every cat is different. My cat is regularly on his own, he just sleeps more!

Although I do have a catflap so he can take himself out when he wants.

It's perhaps different for indoor cats. I have an indoor cat who is a single cat, and my biggest concern is keeping her entertained and occupied.

True, all cats are different. But sleeping a lot can be a sign of boredom. In your case probably not, since he is free to go outside.

The perception that cats are solitary animals can also be very wrong.

chanjy · 4 Sep 2015 at 12:00

I had a catflap put into a PVC glass door and it is not cheap (cost us £400). Basically the existing glass must be replaced with a new pane with a hole cut into it during manufacture to the specification of the catflap.

Phate · 4 Sep 2015 at 12:01

chanjy said:
I had a catflap put into a PVC glass door and it is not cheap (cost us £400). Basically the existing glass must be replaced with a new pane with a hole cut into it during manufacture to the specification of the catflap.

Errr....

A guy came around and fitted mine to my back door, PVC and double glazed...cost me £150 inc the cat flap...

McGray · 4 Sep 2015 at 12:02

FoxEye said:
It's perhaps different for indoor cats. I have an indoor cat who is a single cat, and my biggest concern is keeping her entertained and occupied.

Stop being so cruel and give it some freedom then.

FoxEye · 4 Sep 2015 at 12:03

McGray said:
Stop being so cruel and give it some freedom then.

Nice try

chanjy · 4 Sep 2015 at 12:08

Phate said:
Errr....

A guy came around and fitted mine to my back door, PVC and double glazed...cost me £150 inc the cat flap...

Well I got a few quotes and all were in the same ballpark so I wasn't being ripped off I am fairly sure.

No idea why the big difference in price though :eek:

Phate · 4 Sep 2015 at 12:09

chanjy said:
Well I got a few quotes and all were in the same ballpark so I wasn't being ripped off I am fairly sure.

No idea why the big difference in price though

Maybe my type of door is different from yours, hence the price difference? Who knows!

At least they were all in the same ballpark though