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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

relatives want to bring their dogs round

16 replies

manateeandcake · 21/12/2017 08:55

We have one 8 year old cat who goes outside but spends most of his time indoors in winter. Over Christmas we are having family round on one of the days, and two of our relatives each want to bring a dog. This is partly because there'll be a walk involved and they understandably want to bring their dogs on the walk. But I don't feel comfortable having dogs in the house because of the cat. DH (not particularly a cat person) says why don't we just shut the dogs in the sitting room. But this is one of the cat's places and I think it would be unfair for him to have it smelling of dog later. There is no room in the house where the cat doesn't go, but I suggested shutting the dogs in the back yard. DH thought this might be a problem if it's not nice weather.

What would you do? Am I being too precious?

OP posts:
starfishmummy · 21/12/2017 09:00

Nope. I would not want other proples dogs in my home either. The relatives could just join you for the walk part maybe??

Hoppinggreen · 21/12/2017 09:03

I have both cats and a dog and I wouldn’t take my dog anywhere I wasn’t specifically invited. I also wouldn’t allow visitors to bring their dog

Pigwitch · 21/12/2017 09:11

Could the dogs be in crates while at your house to minimise anxiety for the cat?

flimp · 21/12/2017 09:13

You could end up with the cat pissing/spraying to mark its territory.

Original poster
manateeandcake · 21/12/2017 09:30

Thanks for the replies I feel better about saying no dogs in the house. I have told DH (the dog owners are on his side of the family I think there's a bit of a pro-dog bias there!) and he says fine, he'll pass on the message and it's up to them to decide what they want to do.

OP posts:
NeverUseThisName · 21/12/2017 09:38

My doggy relatives always leave theirs in the car. It's parked in a shady spot, window cracked open, with a blankety 'nest' in the boot. They go out to the dogs every so often, plus take them for at least one walk. This, despite the fact that the dogs are extremely well-behaved labs, and would be completely welcome in my house. The only time they are brought into my house is if it is very hot.

I don't have any pets, but if I did, then I would really appreciate this. I would certainly not want 'strange' dogs upsetting my pets in their home.

CrazyHairSister · 21/12/2017 10:18

No I would not allow any dogs into the house, as I would be dealing with the post visit spraying from distressed cats

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/12/2017 10:20

I would've said no too, it's the cats home too. You should feel safe in your own home.

LibbyLongtree · 21/12/2017 11:02

I had this with a visiting dog. Totally stressed out the cats while the dog was here (and I was stressed and guilty and didn't enjoy the stay as much as I should have). The cats appeared to get over it within a couple of hours after the dog left. Wouldn't do it again though.

As Fluffy said, it's the cats home and they should feel safe there.

Weedsnseeds1 · 21/12/2017 11:19

Is the cat known to be nervous of dogs, or the dogs known to chase cats?
I have had a friend's dog in the house before and the cat just stared at it with distain and took himself upstairs.
But, cat is pretty confident, his cat flap is upstairs and the dog is well behaved.
Friends weren't staying in the house, just visiting.
If you suspect there could be problems, then dogs outside or in the car might work, especially if they aren't staying overnight.

lljkk · 21/12/2017 11:26

I would expect my cats to accommodate a dog for a day. Mine wouldn't melt. They aren't so special that they mustn't be made a bit grumpy for a day. I like dogs, though, I think my response comes down to that.

mycatsmellsnice · 21/12/2017 11:42

I wouldn't want anyone bringing a dog into my house. I have a cat and as far as I'm concerned my cat has a right to feel comfortable and not feel under any threat in her own home.

Wolfiefan · 21/12/2017 11:45

I have cats and a dog. I wouldn't expect to take my dog into a house with a resident cat. Hugely stressful for the cat. And yes you may get inappropriate toileting from the cat as a result.

hmcAsWas · 21/12/2017 11:54

If I was your relative I would ask to bring my dogs but would absolutely accept it if you would rather not.

However if my dogs were not welcome then I do have a responsibility as a conscientious dog owner. I'd make sure my dogs had a good hour long off lead walk before we came, and then I would visit you for a maximum of 4 hours (and not a second longer) before returning home - as any responsible dog owner would do (as advised by the Dogs Trust). If you relatives don't do this they are being lax and unkind. Perhaps this is a good thing and you would rather they only stay 4 hours? Grin

(it is reasonable to go out longer than 4 hours sometimes and leave dogs but only if dog walkers come part way through and take the dogs out - however obviously this is not an option on Christmas Day etc as dog walkers are not working)

hmcAsWas · 21/12/2017 11:57

I have just read what NeverUseThisName wrote - that approach could work

Toddlerteaplease · 21/12/2017 12:34

Yuk. No way would I have dogs in my house!

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