Prepare me please!

[rainbowslollipops]

Ook so I may be getting a kitten. I'd like him to be a indoor cat but every now and again I look after my parents Newfoundland for about 4 hours. He's likely to bark at the kitten and sniff him but I doubt he'd do anything other than think it's another dog. How do I go about teaching the kitten to become an indoor cat?

Congratulations! Kittens are so fun!

You don't have to teach a kitty to be an indoor cat. Just get a litterbox, and keep kitten and litter box together for a while. they figure that part out pretty easily. Then don't let kitty outside. Be sure to clean the box every day or kitty may find another place to go. No one likes a nasty messy toilet.

I have three cats who are all indoor cats. They don't mind, but make sure you have lots of toys as they do like to play!

I know a lot of indoor only cats, here in the US may people keep them in. It's better for the cats, better for songbirds, and not a problem for owners!

Unless you are going to be home all the time, and will have lots and lots of time to devote to your kitten, I think you should get two to give them company and a playmate. When cats can go out they are less likely to be bored, so if you want to have an indoor cat you would be better off with two to give them more stimulation.

And yes, just provide a litter tray and be very careful with open windows. They can get out of the smallest gaps. And of course make sure they are neutered by 5 months. Indoor cats still have to be neutered or they become very frustrated and end up going slightly (or sometimes very) mad.

I wouldn't mind him being outdoors but it's the fact that I live on a road and have seen lots of cats around here crossing the road. My back garden backs onto lots of other gardens before it hits a main road though. I think just to be safer indoor would be better. what about my parents dog though?

Give kitty (or kitties, I agree with thecat about two) a safe place to go when the dog is there. If the dog is good with cats just keep an eye out. If you don't know, then keep the dog on a leash until you can determine if they can get along.

Most cats and dogs can learn to be friends. And Newfies aren't known for their high prey drive.

I agree that you should get two if you're planning to keep them indoors. Some cats aren't bothered about going outside but others hate being kept in - it's mostly down to disposition rather than anything else though. Would there be any way to compromise and cat proof your garden so they have access to the outside but no opportunity to escape and get squished? If you can't do that then never ever let them outside unless they're in their carrier because they're more likely to get frustrated about being kept in if they've had a taste for the outdoors.

I'd worry more about the dog. The paw of justice has its claws out.