Adopting a cat

M3G4UK

M3G4UK

M3G4UK

Associate
Joined
23 May 2005
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672
Location
Essex
Hi guys,

Need some advice!

I'd recently been wanting a cat and having read the horror stories about people adopting cats from Gumtree to mistreat them I thought I'd home a cat from Gumtree (and also avoid the ridiculously stringent checks and astronomical fees). I've been in contact with the owner and checked that the cat has had his injections etc. He's not been neutered so that will be something I will need to sort in the near future, but he's an indoor cat which helps. I will be arranging for pet insurance as soon as I pick him up (I've got a quote ready from Sainsburys which I plan to activate once I've got him) and will be taking him for a check up at the local vets to make sure he's okay and not got any health issues. He's a 3.5 yr old black cat and apparently loves a good fuss. I've got all the essentials (bedding, toys, treats, food, litter tray and litter etc)

Thing is, what should I do when bringing him home? Has anyone here got experience of adopting cats? I have been reading up online and apparently the best thing to do is to put him in one room in the house and keep him there (in this case it'll be the living room) for a few days until he gets used to his new environment and just make sure he eats properly, uses the toilet etc. I will of course be giving him as much attention as possible, though I will have work on Monday :(
 
Yeah, you've got it pretty much right - put him somewhere where he has somewhere to hide/toilet/drink/eat, and basically leave him alone - he'll come out and say hi when he's ready and feels comfortable doing so :)

Try to avoid loud/sudden movements/noises (such as putting the TV on full volume :p).

Don't be concerned if it takes a day or 2 for him to start nosing around, our kitten spent the first ~12 hours under the sofa, but then I got woken up in the middle of the night with her cuddled up against me :p
 
Keep him in the property, certainly, but never imprison a cat in a single room. Let him have the run of the place to explore his new territory.

Consider, also, having a second cat. I'd never consider having just one poor lonely soul. Two will keep each other company.
 
I have fostered cats so have had all sorts and tbh when I have bought them home I open the cat carrier and let them get out themselves and then leave them too it. They had the whole house to explore and some came and said hello to me then explored the house and then others have instantly gone and hidden somewhere.

Basically don't worry if he goes and hides away somewhere, leave him to it for the first day and night. Put food out and try and find where he is hiding at least just so you know he hasn't escaped etc lol. I tell you with one pair of cats I fostered for 2 days I couldn't find them anywhere then I realised they had hidden behind the microwave, was very worrying lol. So after the first night start talking to him, play with him etc and this will bring him out eventually. I have had cats that hide away for a month but then have finally come out and been really affectionate etc.

Now if he comes out of the carrier all friendly and doesn't hide then brilliant, introduce him to the cat litter and his food and then just play with him etc :) Good luck.

And I agree with the poster above there is no reason to put them in just the one room, just let him have an explore of your whole house. And if you get another cat they become less work as they keep each other company, play together etc especially if you work during the day.
 
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Thanks guys! Yeah the plan is eventually to get another cat but I just wanted to get started with the one as I've never really owned a pet before but absolutely dote on cats. Hopefully kitty won't be too lonely as I quite like to stay in mostly (got bored of the London party scene... too rowdy!) so will keep him company. I also share the house with flatmates (who also like cats) so they should give him a bit of attention too :)
 
Make sure you cast protection from evil before releasing the fiend or it will attack you on sight. Furthemore, do not be impressed by it's affectionate behaviour, it plans to take over the household and turn you and your mates into its slaves.
 
I've adopted a few cats in my time, never had indoor only ones but it should realistically be the same for the first 2 months anyway. I tend to go through cats protection league or referrals from them to people fostering cats.

Get em checked up, take em home and let them find the house for themselves. All cats are different, I've had some which were freindly from day 1 and some which hid mostly under the sofa for 2 weeks before they started to adapt, but later on became the softest beasts known to mankind. Just make sure there's food and water down and they'll come to you eventually.

Also, scented litter for the litter tray so they know that is where to go.
 
There isn't really anything in particular you need to do. Introduce them to where their food and litter is, and try and make a fuss - cat willing. If they hide away in a room I would recommend moving their food and litter into the hiding room, at least to begin with.

Regarding a second cat. Last year we introduced a second (female) cat to our (male) first cat. They are both around 10 years old, they are actually brother and sister but have lived in separate homes for their entire lives. In my experience adding another cat depends fully on both cat's temperaments, rather than any 'trick'. I don't think it's necessary to get two at the same time, if they don't want to get on - they just won't get on, regardless of how you do it. In my experience at least.
 
We got our second cat from Cats Protection about six months after our first from Blue Cross. The advice we received was that the second cat should be younger and of the opposite sex, so we ended up with a 4 year old female and kitten male. She's ended up mothering him and they get on very well. Apart from when trying to kill each other of course!
 
2blue4u said:
Consider, also, having a second cat. I'd never consider having just one poor lonely soul. Two will keep each other company.
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Pretty sure cats are naturally solitary animals, even meeting to mate is a little bit fighty. I've been told that cats kept together in a house never really leave kitten mode.
 
Cats are stupidly easy to look after.

Just let him get the run of the house before you bother him. Make sure his food bowl, litter tray and bed are all down before hand so he can get straight in.

Leave him alone for a while if he seems skittish but he may be fine and start crawling all over you. The one thing you have to understand owning a cat, they won't do what you want them to and they are generally very annoying at times. Specially when you are trying to do something very important or sleep.
 
2blue4u said:
Keep him in the property, certainly, but never imprison a cat in a single room. Let him have the run of the place to explore his new territory.

Consider, also, having a second cat. I'd never consider having just one poor lonely soul. Two will keep each other company.
Click to expand...

Introducing a second cat usually does more harm than good. Our vet strongly discouraged us getting a second cat as cats are solitary hunters so usually want to be alone. The exception to that is usually with siblings.

To the OP, you've got it about right. Give the cat the house to roam about in, leave it alone until it comes to you. We were recommended to leave the house for an hour to let the cat sniff about etc. If the cat is house trained you shouldn't need to worry about wee/poo. Make sure you have a litter tray ready to go when you bring it home.

Edit: If you get them a bed, make sure you don't put it on the floor. Cats prefer to sleep up off the ground. On a chair, windowsill etc would be fine.
 
It can be a long process introducing a new cat.
We introduced a male kitten to our 2yr old female. She tolerated him when he was a tiny kitten, but as he grew older she was less tolerant.
Right now they aren't too bad. They will lie near each other, they will occasionally play together, but they will never be the best of friends.

Need to make sure that each cat has it's own feeding bowl and a space to call their own - so no forcing them to spend time together.
They will work out who is in charge between themselves.
But as said, 2 at the same time is far easier.
 
With your insurance make sure it's a for "life policy".
Most insurances won't cover for reoccurances of previous issues.
As for food and litter try and get whatever the current owner is using.

Im with the above I wouldn't lock the cat into one room, let him have run of the house.
 
Antony101 said:
The one thing you have to understand owning a cat, they won't do what you want them to and they are generally very annoying at times. Specially when you are trying to do something very important or sleep.
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:D

Like the other day when I was working on client photos and my cat decided that was the appropriate time to cuddle. And when I wasn't giving him 'enough' attention as far as he was concerned, he then proceeded to jump on my desk, sit in front of the monitor, and meow in my face.

Just remember this.

DNQnh6C.jpg


And you'll be fine :p

Obligatory kitteh pics in the kitteh thread when you get him :)
 
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