Getting a Cat! Tips please

[phantasmagoriana]

Reviving this thread because we're getting a cat (well, two) next week! They're two-year-old brothers from the local shelter.

People with multiple cats - I'm assuming two litter boxes is standard?

[Jaded]

It seems to be advised now.

We have two fighting cats, so gave them separate trays. They each poo and pee in both. 

[Kim]

If they're brothers they presumably get on with each other, and are probably used to sharing a litter tray.  Obviously a second tray becomes useful if you have to isolate one cat for some reason or other, but left to their own devices they'll probably use whichever is cleanest.

[Pingu]

We have two cats and two litter trays. One of the trays is hardly used at all (it was bought in an attempt to help with Pumpkin's anxiety issues in the previous house).

When Mojo and Pippin were with us they managed OK with one tray between them.

[Flite]

The usual recommendation these days is one each plus one more, so three for two cats.
Probably about right if they are to live indoors.

In real life, I've had up to four non-related cats living together with just one tray.
But they had access outdoors, and like my present cat, only used the tray if shut indoors for some reason.

You probably know the recommendation to keep the trays well away from their food?

[Pingu]

Yes, I should say that all of our pesties have/had access to outdoor poo areas.

[Mrs Pingu]

N+1 probably works great if you live in a mansion....
Happy new kittehs 😊

[Mrs Pingu]

Yes, I should say that all of our pesties have/had access to outdoor poo areas.

And they did/do frequently come back in from outdoors to use the pit.

[Pingu]

Yes, I should say that all of our pesties have/had access to outdoor poo areas.

And they did/do frequently come back in from outdoors to use the pit.

True dat, the smelly gits 

[Wowbagger]

Persuade your neighbour to dig their garden regularly. Cats prefer to shit in freshly dug soil.

[Flite]

And do hope they leave the door to their glasshouse or poly tunnel open, as freshly dug dry soil is even better!

[ian]

We have one box since the joys of cleaning out two aren't enticing and previous use doesn't seem to put them off (though it's guaranteed that the moment one of us cleans the tray and puts in new litter, it will get a visit). The pair of them used to poop outside but in the last year or so, they've started to go mostly in the box. We're hoping it's just a winter thing and summer will remind them of the delights of al fresco defecation.

[phantasmagoriana]

Well, I've bought two litter trays (in the biggest size the pet shop had, as everything I've read suggests bigger is better). They're indoor cats and will continue to be, so outdoor toileting won't be an option.

In the interests of experimentation, I intend to put different types of litter in each to see what they prefer.

[mrcharly-YHT]

I highly recommend the woodpellet type.
Less dust and smell.

We tried the 'clumping clay' types, and they all stank and were difficult to clean.

With wood pellets, the wood breaks apart to a sawdust where they pee on it, making it easy to tell when it needs changing.

You need less litter than you think. Too much wastes the litter, as you will throw out the whole lot. Less and change often.

Get a poop scoop trowel, it enables easy removal of poo and that really keeps the smell down.

[Kim]

If I had an indoor cat who wasn't too thick, I'd attempt to train them to use (but not flush^[1]) the toilet.


_{[1] Never teach a cat to flush a toilet, work a lightswitch, use a door knocker, answer the phone, etc, etc.}

[Mrs Pingu]

When Pumpkin was a kitten she tried eating the non clumping mineral stuff. Weirdo.

[Jurek]

From my experience of dealing with fox poo on the lawn of Chateau Jurek, pipe freezing spray makes the poo much more manageable with a trowel or tea spoon (you choose which) than it would be otherwise.

[Pingu]

When Pumpkin was a kitten she tried eating the non clumping mineral stuff. Weirdo.

When Pumpkin was a kitten she tried eating everything.

[phantasmagoriana]

I highly recommend the woodpellet type.
Less dust and smell.

We tried the 'clumping clay' types, and they all stank and were difficult to clean.

Ah, I wasn't too keen on the clay types anyway, so will give them a miss for now! From memory, I think they had wood pellets at the shelter so will at least be used to it.

[rafletcher]

From my experience of dealing with fox poo on the lawn of Chateau Jurek, pipe freezing spray makes the poo much more manageable with a trowel or tea spoon (you choose) than it would be otherwise.

Cats, being obligate carnivores, tend to have firmer poo.

[Flite]

I think they had wood pellets at the shelter

Definitely worth checking and trying to use the same brand, at least at first.

[Pingu]

From my experience of dealing with fox poo on the lawn of Chateau Jurek, pipe freezing spray makes the poo much more manageable with a trowel or tea spoon (you choose) than it would be otherwise.

Cats, being obligate carnivores, tend to have firmer poo.

Perhaps, if they stick to their obligate carnivore diet (I'm looking at you Pumpkin  )

[Mrs Pingu]

How are the new recruits, Phanta?

[andrewc]

We want photos 

[Pingu]

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=144.0