So what do I do now?

[Limelight]

I've recently and unexpectedly acquired a 12 week old male ginger kitten called Mak. He turned up on my doorstep and despite our best efforts, no one has claimed him so he's moved in! Here's the thread in fact:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1612654-Urgent-stray-kitten-not-sure-what-to-do

We're not really sure what to do next so I thought I'd post here in case anyone can help me with a 'getting a new kitten sorted out' plan.

It seems likely that he's now a permanent fixture and so we're going to take him back to the vets to have injections etc. And he'll need to be neutered at some point I guess? And chipping? Worming? Fleas? When do I let him out? Should I get a cat flap? If I don't, how does that work?

We did used to have a cat but she was very elderly (fostered) and basically slept all day in my back bedroom. A real proper roaming about cat is a different prospect.

So can anyone help or recommend a good book? I'd be very grateful.

I'm also a bit nervous about what happens when my parents visit with their very bouncy border collie. My old car used to just avoid him so they'd go for 3/4 days without seeing each other! I don't think it'll be that simple with Mak.

Any help/advice gratefully received!

[sashh]

Purina - pet food manufacturer have lots of free information as does Cats' Protection and Whiskas

www.purina.co.uk/content/your-cat/your-new-cat/responsible-cat-ownership

www.whiskas.co.uk/kittens

You can also get freebies of kitten food

www.all4freeuk.co.uk/free-stuff-samples-uk/pet-food-and-products/index.html

[cozietoesie]

I've had a couple of very tough minded border collies along with cats and they both basically ceded dominance to the cats immediately. (They both actually rather liked cats although it's fair to say that they were past puppyhood and therefore didn't feel the need to 'herd' them that young collies sometimes do!) The only time there was anything near a spat was when I put down the remains of a roasted leg of lamb once and the collie in question thought that that was just so indescribably delicious that he wasn't giving it up for anyone - cat or human. None of us (cat included) pressed the matter.

They should be OK together. Don't force them into each other's faces, give the collie a stern talking to if he looks antsy (collies will 'mind') and probably best not to put food down in striking distance of the other. Shouldn't be any real problems.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I think neutering ought to be a priority and chipping while he is under anaesthetic.

Jabs need to be done before he starts going out, I always have all the jabs, I think one disease isnt always vaccinated against (FIP?) but he has the whole range.

Mine didnt want to go out too much before he was 5 months old though so keeping him in to wait for neutering was fairly easy.

You can worm and de-flea with advocate as it's just drops on the back of the neck. I get a private prescription off my vet for £8 then buy them online with cashback from topcashback or quidco. You do it monthly.

A cat flap is easier than putting them out for hours. If you have a door with a bottom glazed panel they can be taken out and a white panel put in. Then you fit the flap as normal. Petmate flaps have a brush seal so you dont get a draught. Staywell are draughty ime.

It is advised they dont go out at night to reduce the chance of them getting run over.

[cozietoesie]

Feline leukaemia I think, Fluffy, whatever the acronym for that is. Seniorboy hasn't got that one because he's not in the 'at risk' category - but your lad would be so would have to get the full range.