Adopting an Adult cat...any advice?

Question

I plan on adopting an adult cat in the next coming weeks and want to prepare for her beforehand. She will be coming from a shelter and will be the only pet in the home. She is spayed and up to date on all of her shots.
I would like some advice on what I will need for this cat before she arrives home. Off the top of my head I came up with:
Food/water bowls
Food
Litter box
Litter
Toys
Bed
Grooming tools
Carrier
I just want to know if there is anything I am forgetting. Plus, it would help to hear of helpful things to have from people who have cats of their own. I am not new to cats as I had one 5 years ago, but just feel a little out of practice.
Also, any tips for when she first arrives would be great too.
Thank you in advance.

Wow! There are so many great answers!
Thank you to everyone who mentioned scratch posts as I cannont believe I forgot that! DUH! I did forget to mention that I had alread purchased a collar for her. We plan to purchase an ID tag for her when we finally agree on a name.
This was very helpful as there were some things I forgot to put on my list that people here mentioned, like flea & tick, scratch post, and of course catnip.
She is going to be a very spoiled kitty but after being dumped by some pathetic person and having to sit in that shelter I think she deserves it!
Thank you all! I will have to re-read the answers and decide on the best one. There were so many great answers though!

Answer 1

First off, GOOD FOR YOU for adopting an older cat! I want to hug you!! :) I volunteer with a local cats only shelter and the kittens get the most attention while SO many sweet adult cats wait for homes. I've adopted two adult cats in the last year and a half - both Persians. One was 2 1/2 when I got him and the more recent one 5. Both are ABSOLUTE loves and so much fun. I think with a lot of these adult cats they just haven't had someone love them. So when they get into a home where someone wants to shower them with affection and spend with time with them they really, really thrive. So again, GOOD FOR YOU!! You won't be disappointed!!

You've got a great list and most things covered. Here's a few things I recommend:

- Scratching post: kitties love to stretch out and scratch their claws. Showing the kitty the post right away - and sprinkling it with a little catnip to attract her - will ensure she does her scratching here and not on your furniture.

- Da Bird toy: it's a bunch of feathers that looks like a fishing lure on a string attached to a pole - cats LOVE this toy and since you'll be the one making it move it's a fun way for you interact with your kitty.

- Marinated Mice: it's a container of compressed catnip pellets with a four furry mice packed inside. My cats LOOOOVE these mice because the catnip scent gets "recharged" everytime you stick the mouse back in the container.

- Steel comb: get a comb - not a brush. Combs are great for removing the dead undercoat in both longhair AND shorthair cats. I have one for my Persians and tried it on my third cat, a shorthair, and was shocked how great it worked on her coat.

- Advantage or Frontline flea control: the shelter probably already treated her with one of these. Find out which one and use this monthly. Trust me - MUCH easier to prevent an infestation than to fight one. If you have friends with pets you can carry in a flea on a pantleg. Wild animals can also bring fleas into your yard that with "hitchhike" in on you. 800petmeds.com is a good place to buy this - they even price match if you find a cheaper price elsewhere.

As for bringing her home - limit her to one room at first - like your bedroom. This way she won't feel completely overwhelmed. Pat her and let her explore. If she doesn't seem afraid, then let her explore the rest of your home. A cardbox would be another good thing to add to your list - cats LOVE them and if she's a bit afraid at first it gives her a secure place to go to :)

Good luck with the kitty and feel free to email me if you have any specific questions!

Answer 2

Ah, you've forgotten the most important thing: a collar with I.D. tags. :)

I own five cats. 3 were strays, 1 was adopted, and 1 was given to me as a gift.

When bringing a new animal into your home, don't be concerned if the cat runs for somewhere and hides for a few hours. It's a new, scary environment, and much different from the noisy shelter she lived in, so it will take some getting used to.

Leave her alone if she tries to hide. Confronting her will only make her more nervous and skittish, and she'll want to get away from you. Let her get the "lay of the land" so to speak, and explore on her own.

When you think she's comfortable, pick her up and lead her to the litter box. Put her down in the box if it is an open one, or stand her in front of the box if it has a top on it. This is to make sure she knows where the bathroom is when the need arises.

Put food and water out in an obvious place that the cat can see as well.

Thanks for adopting a cat in need, and I hope you two have fun! :)

Answer 3

Cats usually ignore the cat beds, they prefer a folded blanket on the couch so you can save that expense.

The rest of the list is good. Put the food & water across the room from the litter box or in a different room entirely, as no cat wants to eat close to where it poops. Don't forget a litter scoop. And newspapers to go under the box.

Good food is essential, you get what you pay for, but there are several great foods that won't break your budget. If you're in the USA I'd recommend the Wysong Vitality (silver bag, they put out several kinds but the Vitality is best) for $8 (lasts a month), Royal Canin Siamese 38 (lasts a month) for $11, Fromm Go is good, and Chicken Soup for the Cat Lovers Soul is around $8. EVO and Wellness are wonderful but you're looking at $17 and $22 for a bag.

A brush and a flea comb are good.

The carrier should have a door that shuts securely. And be big enough for the cat to turn around in.

Toys should have no pieces able to come off and be swallowed. Any string type toys should be taken away when play is done, so the cat won't eat the string (they're stupid about strings).

Remove any breakables from narrow places and check if your potted plants are poisonous, they may need to be hanging plants if they are, to keep them out of reach. Don't leave knives edge up in the sink, just in case he/she goes exploring. A scratching post (sturdy, they don't like when it shifts) of carpet would be needed. Most cats don't like the sisel rope kind or the cardboard kind.

Answer 4

It sounds like you have the supply list covered (especially if you add the scratching posts mentioned above). As I'm sure you remember, cats tend to be inquisitive and also independent. When you bring the cat home and let her out of her carrier she will probably feel vulnerable and defensive from being in a new and foreign place. Let the kitty wander around the house exploring and getting a feel for the place. Don't try to hold or pet the cat too much if she is not being receptive to attention. Once the cat is gets comfortable with the home then she will probably come to you when she is ready for attention.

Answer 5

-Claw trimmers and a scratching post if she's not de-clawed
-If you have the money, I'm sure she'd enjoy playing on some cat furniture...Which could double as a scratching post.
-Cat tooth brush & tooth paste
-A cute collar (I love the kind with bells)...And don't forget the ID tag!
-A large mat to put under her litter box (my kitty is very messy with his litter)
-Litter box deodorizer/freshener (I love Arm & Hammer's)
-A few different kinds of treats
-Maybe some kitty wipes, just in case
-Cat nip

Hmm, that's all I can think of. Obviously you don't need all of those things but they might be helpful :) I adopted my cat about 2 years ago and I was always running out to Petsmart for something or another.

And good luck with your new kitty! I'm sure she's going to love and appreciate her new home & owner :)

Answer 6

I have two cats at home. First of all, good for you for adopting! Also, good for you for planning ahead, you definitely already have all the necessities. I would get a scratching post in addition (it will save your furniture). If you have money then you can get a new cat tree online from eBay for $50-$100 (they are very fun for the cats). Don't bother spending too much money on toys, because cats are very picky about their toys. Our cats ignore all of their store bought toys and play with the rolled up balls of paper or knotted plastic bags instead! Teach your cats how to play fetch, it is a lot of fun :). Good luck! For her first few days make sure she has a "safe room" away from other pets/people as a retreat if she is nervous. Be sure to show her the litter box for the first couple of days and point her to the litter box and cat tree so she gets used to using them.

Answer 7

congrats thats great that you decided to adopt a older cat instead of a kitten thats what every one seems to always do any way iv adopted many cats older and younger and you pretty much got your list down they say when you move a new cat into a new house that you should put all his stuff in one room and keep him in there untell hes comfortable to explore on his own dont force him to check out the hole house as soon as you walk in the door becouse it will be to much for him but iv never been able to do this hes new and your going to want to cuddle with him in your bed so start at least by showing him were everything is exspecially hes cat box then pet him and love him if he wants to but dont be pushy cats will like you better if you ignore them there funny like that if you have a small apt are somthing its real easy just put them were there litter box is and leave the door open thell go explore on there own have fun

Answer 8

how about bringing home another one with her - the more the merrier! :-)

does a scratching post count as a toy? i have a cat tree in one corner of a room (floor to ceiling) & my cats, declawed & clawed alike, love jumping up it & wrapping their feet around the post.

i worked at an animal shelter for a long time & we always recommended that new pets see the owner's vet for a health check within 7 days of going home, preferably within 3 days. sure, the animals saw our vet, but this helped ensure the cat wasn't harboring anything when it left our facility and just hadn't started showing symptoms yet. that would probably be my main suggestion. otherwise, it sounds like you have it pretty well covered - this is going to be one lucky kitty!

Answer 9

it depends on the cat.. i would ask the people that u are adopting the cat from..each cat has different personality. For example, the cat might have a favorite spot where they go potty and u would want to place the litter box there. But therre are other things u can get before hand, like toys, carriers, grooming tools..etc.

hope this helps

Answer 10

One thing I can not live without is my LitterLocker! It's kind of like a Diaper Genie for litter. I put it next to the litter box and it makes it easy to clean the box every day. I only have to take the litter out about once every week or so and there's no smell.

Don't forget about a collar and a harness if you'll be teaching your cat to go for walks. (Yes, it can be done!)