Hi Everyone

I have found a cat and am just waiting on home check now, then all systems go I think. She is a 3year old cat, now I need to start buying some cat related items and need some suggestions as to what is necessary, what is good/bad/just for show.

Im thinking I will need-
A pet carrier- to bring Lady home and take to vets etc
A cat bed- loads of designs- dont know what she uses currently so thoughts on these apprectiated
Feeding Bowl/water bowl- again thoughts on the different designs welcome
Cat litter tray- again should I go for just normal tray- those with lips-those with lids?
Cat litter-again theres loads to choose from- advice would be welcome (again dont know what cat currently uses)
Cat toys- well thats a mindfield so suggestions welcome
Cat flap- probably no rush for this but thoughts on what you all use and pros/cons would be appreciated,
Cat treats- Im not opposed to a bit of bribary
Cat food- I think I will start on whatever Lady is used to eating and look into this in the future----this seems a minefield to be honest and I havnt got my head around it to be honest

Have I forgotten any essentials? Im sure I will have done

thanks in anticipation

Cat tree? Scratcher mats?

I'd feed what she is used to at least for the first 2 weeks and then slowly wean her over to what you want - there is a very useful beginner guide in the health section.

Same with litter, start on what she is used to and gradually change over - I use Oko Cats Best and swear by it

Beds - I found that it doesn't matter what I buy they won't use it and just lie on the furniture or my bed.

Cat Flap - have you thought about a pen in the garden or making your garden cat proof - having just lost one on the road (and we are very, very rural) the thought of losing another is horrid - mine do have a run in the garden but this one escaped.

Cat Carrier - I like the Cabriolet - big, roomy, opens at the top as well as the front. Ebay do it for about £30.

Feeding bowls - some cats are allergic to the plastic ones - I try to use either metal or china.

Cat treats - mine eat anything that is full of rubbish

Cat litter trays - I use hooded ones - stops it going everywhere when they miss and my boy like to spray up high, so in a normal tray it always went over the edge. The good thing with hooded is that you can start off without the hood and add it later, and take the door off and add that later too.

try Pet Supplies, Pet Food, Dog Food, Cat Food and Pet Accessories at Zooplus for some great stuff - once you start you will get addicted to it!

Hope that helps

__________________
please look at my website - www.finesthourcats.webs.com - for gorgeous GCCF registered RagaMuffins and Selkirk Rex

wow I didn't know cats could be allergic to plastic! I wonder if that's why one of mine is sneezing? I can't remember what she had at the rescue.

cabrio is amazing can buy at Littlewoods for £30 free p&p and you are well covered for your 12 month warrenty or Very £24 with £3.95 p&p

cat tree and maybe cardboard scratchpads is essential for exercise and a suitable place to scratch rather than furniture.

I prefer ceramic bowls as metal bowls can give static shocks if you have synthetic carpets that being said all mine have metal bowls as they are fed on the side and they smashed the ceramic bowls... so that was a different hazard.

Pet safe surface and floor cleaners - Flash and so on are only safe when dry so just brush up on what products you have around the house and what danger they can pose - dettol and savlon are toxic on contact too

Lint rollers to remove pet hair from clothes, and visitors!
An extra 2 hours in the day to cater to the demands of your new boss.
A new wider bed so that kitty can stretch out comfortably at night, and you still get a corner to sleep in.

__________________

Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!