Introducing 5 cats to a dog. Help!

gettingready

Dog in a crate and cats let loooooooooooooooooooose to walk arund the create and snif the dog - just one idea

dearlouise

Fire_Fox wrote: »

A completely enclosed run would prevent other cats getting it, and systems which cat proofing of the fences considers that also. I believe the risks are if there is a tree or roof very close to the fencing.

I'm a bit confused that you say you have a three bedroom house but three trays means there is a tray in all rooms except one bedroom and the bathroom? Is downstairs completely open plan? I have a litter tray in a bedroom because my last cat would rather go outside the tray than pee on top of a poop, it's not ideal but it really is not as gross as you imagine it will be. A large covered tray, good litter, grain free/ raw food and regular scooping minimises smells - you are asleep much of the time you are in the bedroom anyway and could shut the cats out if you are having 'couples time'. Or could you put a second tray in one of the rooms that already has a tray, but at the opposite end of the room? IMO it's worth if it can reduce your cats stress levels, especially given the overcrowding is causing physical health problems and behavioural problems. Cats are vulnerable when they are toileting, so you may find they won't 'go' in the same room or the next room as the dog.

I have a tray in the living room, kitchen & spare bedroom. The only other rooms the cats go in is the bathroom & my bedroom. The 3rd bedroom is full of junk & not really cat friendly. I fear they would pee in places I can't even get to myself. In terms of space I can't fit another tray in any. They already have large hooded trays & i use Catsan - 10 litres per week, so it's not like the 3 they have are the typical small, open types. I would prefer to have them get into a routine of going to the toilet outside twice a day than have my house smell even more by increasing the amount of litter trays.

Fire_Fox

dearlouise wrote: »

I have a tray in the living room, kitchen & spare bedroom. The only other rooms the cats go in is the bathroom & my bedroom. The 3rd bedroom is full of junk & not really cat friendly. I fear they would pee in places I can't even get to myself. In terms of space I can't fit another tray in any. They already have large hooded trays & i use Catsan - 10 litres per week, so it's not like the 3 they have are the typical small, open types. I would prefer to have them get into a routine of going to the toilet outside twice a day than have my house smell even more by increasing the amount of litter trays.

I do understand what you are saying because I didn't want a tray in my bedroom, but at the end of the day my indoor cat was not happy with the existing facilities, and I couldn't let him out (city cente flat!). My second bedroom is a junk room too. Could you put another tray at the other end of the living room perhaps?

Toileting on a schedule is not recommended because it can encourage animals to hold their business. Not all cats like certain types of litter nor do all cats like hooded trays so maybe giving different options would help reduce inappropriate toileting? Some cats like to be able to see all approaching predators and adversaries, some like total privacy, some will be averse to a particular tray if they associate it with a negative experience in the past, many prefer fine grain to chunky litters, many don't like artificial scents. They are funny devils!