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 curran12 wrote:
Alright, so I have a business trip coming up in the first week of April, but after that, I plan on adopting. My question for the folks here (who have nearly all been SUPER helpful and I am extremely grateful) now is what preparation and shopping can I do beforehand to make the transition as smooth as possible.

As I understand it, I'm thinking for one kitten, I am going to need:

1-2 cat beds (one to put near its litter box early on, and another one to have in a more normal sleeping place like the bedroom or living room)

Litter box + litter (using the brand that the shelter uses or recommends, since the cat will be used to that)

Some kind of cat tree, or at least something with a good scratching post. I only have one couch in my condo and a lot of hardwood furniture, so I figure as long as the scratching pad is near or obscuring the couch, the cat will learn to claw on that.

A carrier of some sort for when the cat needs to travel, or to use as a cave/shelter while not traveling.

Toys. A couple so that there is adequate variety and interest.

What else do I need?

Sound good. Though be prepared for your cat to sleep anywhere except the cat bed. Chairs, sofas, your bed, laundry basket, keyboard, armrest, etc...

Always pet head to tail.

 curran12 wrote:

1-2 cat beds (one to put near its litter box early on, and another one to have in a more normal sleeping place like the bedroom or living room)

As already said above, kitty will sleep where kitty wants to sleep. If you put it in a good spot, it will use it.

Litter box + litter (using the brand that the shelter uses or recommends, since the cat will be used to that)

Depending on the shelter, they'll be using whatever has been donated or is cheapest, so don't worry too much about changing to a different litter (not a sudden switch, but gradually mixing in your preferred litter to what is already used).

Some kind of cat tree, or at least something with a good scratching post. I only have one couch in my condo and a lot of hardwood furniture, so I figure as long as the scratching pad is near or obscuring the couch, the cat will learn to claw on that.

Start with the scratching post right next to the furniture, and slowly move it further away once a week or so. And every time the cat uses the post, offer positive attention to reinforce it. Of course, kitty will scratch what kitty wants to scratch.

A carrier of some sort for when the cat needs to travel, or to use as a cave/shelter while not traveling.

Also, leave it out, with the door open, possibly even with a bit of blanket inside. That way, the cat gets used to its existence, and won't afraid of it. Once the cat permanently associates "cat carrier = thermometer up my butt", you'll never get the cat into it again.

Toys. A couple so that there is adequate variety and interest.

Laser pointer is a good one. Our cats love these little feathered balls that have jinglebells inside them. This one is another good toy, as they can scratch on it and play with it themselves.

 timetowaste85 wrote:
Oh, one important thing nobody mentioned, can't believe I forgot it in my first post: when you get home with the kitty, put it in the litter box first thing. It doesn't have to use it, but putting it in it right away will let it know where the box is. It'll leave the box, but it knows where to return for the bathroom.

Oh, yes, when we got our two kittens, we watched them like a hawk for the first couple hours, and when one of them finally used the litterbox, there was much rejoicing. Speaking of introducing the cat to the new home, try to do it one room at a time. Start with just the room the litterbox is in, and then open another door after they've thoroughly explored the room.

Also, there are different breeds of cats, and they do have different physical and mental traits, like dogs. This is one of the biggest overlooked things out there. When you think you found the little scruff thats right for you, look into his breed. We didnt know that our one cat was a Bombay, and we also didn't know they are prone to overeating, or have breathing issues (he snores loud enough to keep us up). On the flip side his breed is more prone to human interaction, which we noticed but didn't know.


Other than that you seem to have a good list going. Have fun, and pics or it didn't happen.



Also, Chute: I looked at your link, my wife is now having a conniption, looking for a new brand of food

Yeah, we're convinced our one cat is part Ragdoll. He basically turns to jelly when you pick him up, which makes him hard to hold as he's a very big cat(not fat, just big).

 Inquisitor Lord Bane wrote:

Also, Chute: I looked at your link, my wife is now having a conniption, looking for a new brand of food

I did a lot of research online before we got our two cats last year. I settled on Orijen for hard food, and Tiki Cat and Weruva (both have completely grain free and carrageenan free varieties) for canned food. Now, if only Orijen could do a canned food...

Also, regarding cat breeds, you can use some online questionnaires to see what cat breed suits you the best. Of course, unless you're willing to shell out the cash to a breeder, you're stuck with what the shelters have, but a lot of shelters do have their cats listed online, and they sometimes know the breed. Russian Blue was what the sites said was most suited to me, but I didn't have $750+ to get one from a breeder, and I didn't have the time to trawl the shelters over a period of weeks/months for one to eventually show up (there actually was one at the time I started looking, but it was gone by the time I could go on the weekend).

I had a russian blue once. She was the most antisocial creature on the face of the planet. Loved me in her own special way (she'd curl up on my back when I was asleep, but wouldn't come near me when I was awake). It was just her individual personality. I wouldn't trust a survey to tell me what cat breed to pick. Find the individual cat(s) that is perfect for you, then look into their breed.

Scottish folds are a pleasant breed. Very sweet animals, and quiet.

 Buttery Commissar wrote:
Set a bigger storage card in your phone for all the new owner photos.

Lol QFT!

I've gotta pick out a tumblr page for the cat! :O

Oh, if you are going to have outside cats, think about getting a harness and leash first, so they get used to being outside. Don't try and "walk" them, just follow them around.

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Also, regarding cat breeds, you can use some online questionnaires to see what cat breed suits you the best.

Or, just get a DSH (Domestic Short Hair). Getting a "regular" cat means less inbreeding and generally better health.

just as long as it stays away from your models, i have 3 myself

To the risk of repeating what most have said, here's my 2¢:

DSH are a must. Allergies or no, it's just easier to keep things clean.

I use silicon litter. I'm told normal cats can use it for weeks if you empty the dessicated poop every other day or so. I have a 17yo who's diabetic, so I need to completely change it every week, he pees so much.

Which brings me to an earlier point made by some: food quality. Make sure you can budget for good food, possibly canned as it's easier on them than dry food, and for their sake respect the daily amounts. I guilt-fed my cat way too much and he weighted 23lbs. Diabetes hit and he's now down to 7.5lbs. Yes, I'm a terrible human being, I know. I just can't bear to put him down and he's still mobile/cuddly. Our two cats cost us about 200$ a month of vet-sold canned food (the other is a 16yo darling with failing kidneys).

Cats are creatures of habit. Feed them at relatively the same hours, give them a routine, they don't need a radio on all day long as long as you don't leave them alone for 2 days. Besides, imagine what listening to Rush Limbaugh might do to them.

I was a big believer in letting cats go outside (except during the winter months), but then mine brought back fleas that cost me a relationship (I'm secretly thankful for that) and took about 4 months to eradicate. Whatever method of flea control you get, they are void and null if your cat is out in the rain. Even the collar.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh and you might want to check the luuup litter box. Maybe it's a gimmick, maybe it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. YMMV.