Getting a cat. Need startup advice.

[Aragorn]

Never owned a cat before. All my pets were always in a cage or aquarium.

What kind of litter box should I get? I've been looking at the automated ones but the user reviews aren't helpful as they're either gushing over how great they are or crying that they're the worst thing in human history.

Do cats need a place to sleep like their own personal pet bed? One person told me cats will sleep anywhere.

I don't know how scratchy or clawy the cat will be, so would a play tree thing be a good investment from the start?

Would a pet gate be a good idea so they don't get out when the front door is open or will they just jump over it?

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Never owned a cat before. All my pets were always in a cage or aquarium.

What kind of litter box should I get? I've been looking at the automated ones but the user reviews aren't helpful as they're either gushing over how great they are or crying that they're the worst thing in human history.

Can't help here as my cats do their business outside. Most of the time

Do cats need a place to sleep like their own personal pet bed? One person told me cats will sleep anywhere.

The cat chooses where it deigns to sleep.

I don't know how scratchy or clawy the cat will be, so would a play tree thing be a good investment from the start?

My sister has a lot of indoor cats and her sofa looks like it exploded. Get a scratchy thing but be prepared to cover up any thing you don't want scratched. Younger cats are more into this IME.

Would a pet gate be a good idea so they don't get out when the front door is open or will they just jump over it?

Nothing less than a force field is appropriate.

My sisters cats never try and go out because they are terrified of the great beyond.

 

[MacLeod]

If you have a dog you are it's master, if you have a cat it's you're master.

As someone else has already said it'll sleep where it likes.

It all depends on where you live, in a more rural area you might consider a cat flap (at alater point) so the cat can come as they please.

As for a cat litter, some of it'll depend on how you feel about cleaning it out, and cleaning up after it has decided to do it's business elswhere in the house. After all until it's trained it'll do it in other places.

IYou may also need a trip to the vet to get it neutered, assuming it isn't already and you want to go down that route.

Cat's can be nimble creatures when they need to be, so it'll be best if you are concerned about it getting out when you open the door to put it in another room and close the doors, when you open the front door.

You may also fin yourself trying severl brands/flavours of cat food to find one they like. Cat's I've had in the past where sick with a particualr brand of cat food.

 

[Shanndee]

1. My cats have always used a standard litter tray with clumping cat litter. I know a lot of people don'y like the clumping kind, but it is a similar consistency to sand which they naturally scratch. It is also really easy to clean.

2. What Teacake said!

3. A cat post is a great idea. Introduce the cat to it right away. Rub some catnip on it to encourage use. If the cat still uses your furniture, there are repellants you can use (both store bought and natural).

4. If you can install an inner screen door that would be ideal. You have a bit of time to close the second door, and it allows a breeze in the summer (if you are in a house rather than an apartment!).

 

[Davros]

Large plastic storage tubs make great covered litter boxes.

 

[Kelthaz]

Don't worry about buying your cat a bed -- just get a comfortable couch. Your cat will most likely kick you out your bed.

 

[RandyS]

Don't worry about buying your cat a bed -- just get a comfortable couch. Your cat will most likely kick you out your bed.

Or wheelchair. Be prepared to put down ALOT of towels everywhere. Buy more. No matter how many you have, it's still ten too few.

And make sure you have three good working vacums. Cats shed hair like you wouldn't believe.

 

[SmoothieX]

Does anyone on this board like dogs?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ I like 'em. I would never own one (I'm not a pet person) but I seem to get along better with dogs than cats.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I like individual dogs I have known very much.

I like CAT, the species. All cats, crabby and horrible ones as well as mushy friendly ones.

 

[Davros]

Does anyone on this board like dogs?

Love em just don't have time or space to properly care for one

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Aragorn will you be getting a kitten or an adult cat?

 

[Kestra]

Personally I'd just get a regular plastic litterbox with a strong scoop, not some dinky plastic thing that will break easily. Our cat has beds and there was a really simple one he had from the time we brought him home. Sometimes he uses them, sometimes he doesn't. You definitely don't need to get one. They will sleep on or in anything, but his favorites are cat beds, blankets, or my lap.

I'd also definitely get a cat post of some kind. Get/make some toys as well. A feather or pompom dangling from a stick, a packet of those cheap toy mice, or my cat's favorite, a packet of fifty pipe cleaners. Just don't let him get into them all at once! Seriously, he loves pipe cleaners.

The cat will climb on and over everything you own, so nothing is safe unless you shut it away somewhere.

Good luck! Getting a kitty was one of the best decisions we made.

Does anyone on this board like dogs?

I do!

 

[Draculasaurus]

Never owned a cat before. All my pets were always in a cage or aquarium.

What kind of litter box should I get? I've been looking at the automated ones but the user reviews aren't helpful as they're either gushing over how great they are or crying that they're the worst thing in human history.

Do cats need a place to sleep like their own personal pet bed? One person told me cats will sleep anywhere.

I don't know how scratchy or clawy the cat will be, so would a play tree thing be a good investment from the start?

Would a pet gate be a good idea so they don't get out when the front door is open or will they just jump over it?

Litter box - If it's a tiny kitten, you might consider getting the expensive crystal litter. Little baby cats lay down some really stinky business for some reason. It gets better once they're a little bigger.
They do like a special place to sleep sometimes, but will definitely also sleep anywhere.
Cats will lose interest in beds from time to time and never go back, so I wouldn't buy a fancy one. A towel in shallow box is just as good.
The scratching posts are a good idea, cats need to use their claws from time to time to maintain them. You might have to teach the cat to use it though, maybe put some catnip on it.
I'd suggest some kind of play wand too. Cats have a strong hunting instinct that's going to come out one way or the other.
A pet gate would only deter a cat younger than about four or five months. They are really good at jumping.

best of luck

 

[JiNX-01]

Never owned a cat before. All my pets were always in a cage or aquarium.

***​

Is this going to be an indoor cat or an outdoor cat? If it's going to be an outdoor cat, strongly suggest you get it vaccinated against rabies. Tell the vet it's going to be an outdoor cat so the s/he can vaccinate for feline leukemia (a fatal disease if the cat comes into contact with a stray).

***​

What kind of litter box should I get? I've been looking at the automated ones but the user reviews aren't helpful as they're either gushing over how great they are or crying that they're the worst thing in human history.

***​

Talk to someone at a pet store. You can also ask vets for suggestions.​

***​

Do cats need a place to sleep like their own personal pet bed? One person told me cats will sleep anywhere.

***​

Cats will decide where they want to sleep. If they they're going to sleep with you you won't need anything special.

***​

I don't know how scratchy or clawy the cat will be, so would a play tree thing be a good investment from the start?

Absolutely, get the cat a scratching post. I suggest rubbing catnip on the post to get the cat to use it instead of your furniture.

***​

Would a pet gate be a good idea so they don't get out when the front door is open or will they just jump over it?

***​

I confine Jinx (yes, my cat is also named Jinx) when I need to open a door that leads directly to the outdoors.​

And finally I strongly suggest you buy a lint brush or roller or your guests will be sitting on cat hair when they visit.​

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

2 cats here.

I use Tidy Cat premium scoop litter. I've found it creates the least amount of dust for a clumping litter.

Also, I've been using a spray deodorizer for the litter, instead of the powder. Again, less dust.

A covered litter box with high sides, at least for when it gets older. One of mine likes to "aim high" and the seam between top & bottom being higher up helps.

I vacuum the apartment & brush the cats every week, so hair isn't a big problem. Mainly on the backs of the couches where they spend the most time.

Their favorite toys are rings from mayo containers & orange juice containers and wadded up balls of paper.

 

[auntiehill]

I agree with the Tidy Cat suggestion; I thought it was by far the best with the least amount of dust. I used a hooded (if that's the right term) liter box for my cat and it really cut down on the amount of liter that got kicked out by the cat.

Don't waste a lot of money on toys or cat furniture; cats have a secret ability to suss out whatever you spent the most money on, and promptly refuse to even touch it. Jar lids, paper bags, yarn, etc, make the best cat toys. If you really want cat toys, get the little plastic balls that come in packs of three or four for less than a dollar. Save your cash for the vet bills.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

I have two nine year old cats. Had them since they were 5 and 3 months. They've always been indoor cats. My advice is:

Get one more litter box than the number of cats in the house. Some cats like to pee in one and poop in another one.

Buy one of these. I've never seen a cat pass one of these suckers up. The Humane Society really recommended I get one before we got home from the adoption area, and they were right.

Do not spend money on expensive toys. The more you spend, the less they will like it. The same goes for beds. They'll find their own damned bed, thank you very much.

Install lots of scratching posts all over the house.

Be prepared for hairballs. They happen, and the cat isn't doing it to drive you crazy. They're trying to keep both of you from having to go to the vet for surgery later.

Good luck!

 

[Crusher Disciple]

I agree with the Tidy Cat suggestion; I thought it was by far the best with the least amount of dust. I used a hooded (if that's the right term) liter box for my cat and it really cut down on the amount of liter that got kicked out by the cat.

Don't waste a lot of money on toys or cat furniture; cats have a secret ability to suss out whatever you spent the most money on, and promptly refuse to even touch it. Jar lids, paper bags, yarn, etc, make the best cat toys. If you really want cat toys, get the little plastic balls that come in packs of three or four for less than a dollar. Save your cash for the vet bills.

Or those plastic things that come off of milk jugs.

Try different kinds of litter. I've lived in small apartments, and I've had the best luck with World's Best Cat Litter and Nature's Miracle.

And Nature's Miracle is a lifesaver for any upsets or messes you might have along the way. All of their products are great.

 

[Aragorn]

Aragorn will you be getting a kitten or an adult cat?

Kitten. By the time I get it, it might be three months old.

Anyone ever try the Lift n' Sift litter pan?