cat enclosures, loose cat, dangerous dog

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
cat enclosures, loose cat, dangerous dog
10
Mon, 07-04-2005 - 8:21pm
I have a cat that is having accidents, potty wise daily here. I had come to the decision she will have to stay outside alot. She has been begging to go outside. I finally started taking her out, several times a day, 10 min. at a time. She was doing so well. I was out with her alot today, I have a hay field and woods around me. I do have two animal aggressive dogs in a 5 ft. fence. What does this cat do? Goes right to a tree one inch from these dogs pen, goes up the tree. The dogs are intently, quietly watching her. She could get over in their pen. Luckily she came down the tree, was unconcerned with the dogs, which in itself worries me. I put her right then inside the house. She can't go out again like that. I can't believe she would choose to be by those dogs. We are getting our fencing etc...this week and building a cat enclosure Sat. or Sunday. The kitties can then go out the window into the enclosure. It will be 20 feet by 12 feet or larger. I hope that is big enough for about 7 adult cats and 7 kittens. I want to make it bigger. We will see. This cat is going to drive me crazy wanting out the rest of the week but I can't chance it.
If these dogs weren't here I would allow several of my inside cats to go out. I have alot of other cats that are outside, they never go by the dogs area which is probally 35 feet by 65 feet. The dogs are about 8 years old, I didn't know to socialize them as puppies, they are fine with people. I wish I could re-home them but it would be hard. Donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 9:00am
The encloser sounds like a good idea. What kind of dogs are they and do you always have them in the kennel?


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 9:18am
Bell is a border collie (black w/white) and Hank is a Schnauzer/chow possibly. I raised them with kids. I didn't know to socialize them with my cats and other dogs so they are aggressive and would probally double-team something and kill it. I wish I could find them a new home together but It would be hard. All they have ever known is their large fenced area, its huge. They have 3 doghouses with hay. I put in a heat lamp but Bell wouldn't use her doghouse so I took it out. They have a swimming pool and chairs to sit in. But if they weren't here I could let alot of my cats outside. I couldn't believe that cat yesterday would go straight for their pen and leisurely climb a tree. She was unconcerned with the dogs which is bad because she would have thought nothing of it to get in their pen. Sounds stupid of me to put the cat out when I should have my enclosure the next weekend but she has been messing up in the house about twice a day, thats a little too much for me, guess I'll just have to suffer one more week. The cat enclosure is going to be like the ones on just4cats.com I can't wait to have one. btw, I closed my daycare of 18 yrs. Friday for good. Hunting something p/t. Hope you had a great long weekend! Donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 9:27am
No more daycare! I will probaly be doing this for ever!!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 11:49am
The money is good and I'll miss some kids but the rest...well, I've had enough of some of the parents. I started when my sons were 1 and 4 yrs. old. They are now 19 and 24. The main reason I quit is I have too many animals and it hurt my business. That of course was my choice. I am going to enjoy being off while I hunt something p/t. Going to the pool now. Have family coming in tomorrow for a week. Donna
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 11:50am

I think your cats will love the enclosure.


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Registered: 05-06-2004
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 2:18pm
I taught my other two dogs from day one that the cats rule. I have had to learn day by day about dogs, I think I have it now! I'm very excited about the enclosure. This poor kitty has been sitting/lying on a very thin wooden rail by my front door for two days wanting outside. She isn't rushing the door when we open it so thats good. I hope the enclosure makes her happy. If not I don't know what to do because I can't have her pooping everywhere daily and she has no sense about the danger of those two dogs. She is used to my other two that like cats. Donna
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 4:16pm

I'm sure the enclosure will help a lot.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 4:32pm
I don't trust a harness. My dog accidently backed out of hers one time. This cat is too innocent I guess. The lady I got her from kept her in a pen all of her life. She is a brave kitty but clueless. Its like she is in lala land!! I can't chance her being brutally killed. If my enclosure thing doesn't work it may come down to choosing between certain cats and those two dogs. Its a mess. At least she isn't having a fit to go outside. Maybe the enclosure will be enough for her. How big is yours? Whats in it? Do you have the planks on the sides for them to get on for more of an area to explore? I will put a doghouse in mine just in case someone wants to play in the rain. Donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2003
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 4:42pm

Donna,
If your cat is having problems using the litter box, perhaps you should take her to a vet and see if there is a urinary tract infection. Very often that is the reason cats avoid the litter box.

Cynthia

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 6:34pm
I think I'll go tomorrow, need to have two checked. Thanks. They are both inconsistent using the boxes. I have 5 litter boxes and keep them clean. Donna