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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.

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Original poster

Would you crate train a kitten?

67 replies

FoxRedBitch · 26/01/2020 18:13

I know there are mixed feelings about crate training dogs.

I am getting a new kitten he will be 9 weeks old. I have an 8 year old child and a Labrador. I was thinking that maybe it could be a quiet space for him to escape as well as being somewhere that he could be put for a short time when perhaps the front door is open etc.

I would cover the crate so that it was a nice dark space.
Has anyone tried this?

OP posts:

ChocoChunk1 · 26/01/2020 22:21

My parents in law had a rescue cat before buying a puppy. It didn't go down well. Since they bought the cat a tree she has somewhere to retreat to above the dog's height (giving her an aerial advantage) and she's much happier. She tolerates the dog now, because she can lord it over him!

Branleuse · 26/01/2020 22:23

Have you never had a cat before? Sounds like you think it will be like a small dog

violetbunny · 26/01/2020 22:25

9 weeks is also a bit young for the kitten to be separated from its mum. Is there any particular reason it's coming to you so early?
Ours were rescues and we think were also separated too early. One has separation anxiety and was constantly suckling on his sister until he was about 8 months.

Ontheboardwalk · 26/01/2020 22:25

Are you locking the kitten in the kitchen at night?

I don’t let cats in the bedroom but am not sure how a kitten would take to be locked in kitchen all night.

Is his cat litter locked with him in the kitchen?

gamerchick · 26/01/2020 22:28

You can't lock a kitten up in the kitchen man maybe you should rethink getting a cat OP. Your thoughts dont suit one.

fallfallfall · 26/01/2020 22:30

They like some height to look down on the ground and feel safe. On top of the fridge or cupboard tops is a not to unusual location to find a kitchen cat. Not an igloo on the floor. Your new to this right?

AuntyElle · 26/01/2020 22:32

Nine weeks is very young for a kitten to be totally alone all night. Could you not take the igloo bed and kitten into your bedroom?
I foster kittens and, especially for solo ones, always have them in with me at night.

dementedpixie · 26/01/2020 22:32

We used to shut our 2 kittens in the kitchen overnight. It was a kitchen diner and had the cat tree and litter tray and food. When they were a few months old they got access to the whole house at night.

lifeisgoodmostofthetime · 26/01/2020 22:37

Absolutely not. How would that even cross your mind.

Khione · 26/01/2020 22:41

A local cat rescue does this with rescued feral kittens. And that is what they are comfortable with their fosterers doing it. The kits seem totally fine with it.

I wouldn't think of it as a long term solution for a growing/adult cat but the kittens are fine with it. It's left open when they are around and the kittens come and go but are shut in there overnight and for periods during the day when she is out or when the door may be opened.

Original poster

FoxRedBitch · 26/01/2020 23:31

I could certainly consider having him in my room at night for the first few nights but only if he is able to use the litter tray.

I've had cats for years and as some pps have said, it does happen.

He will hopefully curl up with my dog, but only once I know they are totally safe together (I have a very placid Labrador).

He will be 9 and a half weeks. Don't most get homed at 8 weeks?

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 26/01/2020 23:45

“Don't most get homed at 8 weeks?”

12 weeks is normal...

“but only if he is able to use the litter tray.”

They should be doing that well before they’re at leaving mum age.

notangelinajolie · 26/01/2020 23:46

Cats find their own safe space. Absolutely do no lock a cat in a cage. Ever

DramaAlpaca · 26/01/2020 23:51

Crating a dog is bad enough, but you really can't crate a cat.

FernBritanica · 27/01/2020 06:52

Blimey, claws out for the OP much? She only asked..

SimonJT · 27/01/2020 07:15

The normal age is 12-13 weeks OP as important socialisation happens between 9-12 weeks. It also allows for the kitten to be both neutered and vaccinated by the breeder.

Is the breeder TICA or GCCF registered, or is it a BYB?

FlashingFedora · 27/01/2020 07:20

No please don't do that, it would be very stressful for a cat. If you want to give him a safe space put up some cat friendly shelves staggered so he can reach them (by cat friendly I mean shelves with traction or ordinary shelves with carpet nailed on). Loads of good ideas online, most importantly cats like to be up high, a cage in the ground would be like torture to a cat.

Branleuse · 27/01/2020 08:02

If you are going to shut him in the kitchen, it would be much better to get 2 kittens so they have company for each other. It tends to make better adjusted cats

rainbow1982 · 27/01/2020 08:06

Awww DONT, kittens don't need a crate, I've had cats all my life and never felt the need to do this

Original poster

FoxRedBitch · 27/01/2020 08:39

OK, just to be clear I will not crate the cat. I was only thinking short term anyway to help keep him safe and secure and probably wouldn't have ever closed the door.

We will keep him in our room for the first few nights and once we are sure the dog won't eat it he can stay in with her.

I will buy him one of those cat trees so that he has a scratching post and somewhere up high.

OP posts:

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 27/01/2020 09:02

Please ignore the posts saying cats should be 12 weeks old to be homed. 8-9 weeks is absolutely standard for rescue centres to rehome kittens.

Glad you've decided not to crate the kitten - it's a bonkers idea.

Get two kittens from the same litter, not one.

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/01/2020 09:09

Have you tested the dog to see if it’s safe with cats? Our ndn had two labs, one was cat safe one wasn’t at all.

Luckily my cat could get over the fence quickly.

SaskiaRembrandt · 27/01/2020 09:09

I'm not keen on crates being used with dogs, but definitely not for a cat. Cats don't like to feel trapped and are very good at finding their own safe places. At best it would be pointless, and at worst could actually be quite cruel.

Keeping the kitten in one room is a good idea - then he can explore and find somewhere he feels safe.

SimonJT · 27/01/2020 09:43

Something really important has been missed.

When the kitten arrives it’s really really important that you show us all a really cute picture!

Original poster

FoxRedBitch · 27/01/2020 10:04

I know my dog is safe with cats. We have always had cats, we used to have 3, but over the years have lost them through old age and cancer. So the dog is used to cats, but obviously the kitten will be tiny. Once the dog knows that the kitten is part of our family she will be completely fine i'm sure. But obviously I want to introduce them slowly at first.

I will post a pic when I pick him up, he is half Siamese so he is white/grey with bright blue eyes. He is gorgeous.

OP posts:

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