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The litter tray

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Cat conundrum

6 replies

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 25/09/2022 18:20

DH has agreed that we can get a cat or kitten, however, we're having a problem deciding on where to keep it overnight and when we go out. We have a burglar alarm, not a fancy expensive one, just a basic wireless one that has no 'pet' setting, so roaming the house isn't an option unfortunately. The sensors are in the living room, hall and kitchen, with none upstairs.

The dining room doesn't have a sensor because that's where we used to put the dogs when we went out/to bed. Now we just have one small dog and she is put in the kitchen, she is only small so even if she walks around, the worktops block her from view of the sensor.

I suggested we use what we call 'The little room' upstairs to shut the future cat in, but DH doesn't want a litter tray upstairs 🙄 We can't shut it in the dining room because of a few reasons,
1- The fire is in there, which burns 24/7 through winter, and if you shut the dining room door the room gets painfully hot and the house gets cold.
2- My tarantulas are in there (they need the warmth of the room in winter) and I wouldn't want the cat to jump up and knock their enclosures down.
I suggested we use a babygate to shut the dog in the dining room (with the door left open it's really not too bad because the heat escapes to the rest of the house) and shut the future cat in the kitchen. But DH doesn't want to put it in the kitchen 'in case it scratches the cupboards'.

I keep trying to come up with solutions but he's vetoing them all while not coming up with anything himself 🙄

OP posts:
TwocksAway · 25/09/2022 18:33

They like to roam so being shut in a bedroom isn’t ideal as they would need food, litter tray and water and could wreck a carpet /door scratching to get out.

Being shut in a kitchen isn’t idea as they like comfort and being warm and cosy so would need litter tray, food, water (which actually can’t be next to the litter tray and in some cases not even next to each other due to the primal kill/water contamination issue) scratching post and cosy bed.

I’d say maybe a cat isn’t ideal if you need restricted movement in the home.

TwocksAway · 25/09/2022 18:34

They like to roam so being shut in a bedroom isn’t ideal as they would need food, litter tray and water and could wreck a carpet /door scratching to get out.

Being shut in a kitchen isn’t idea as they like comfort and being warm and cosy so would need litter tray, food, water (which actually can’t be next to the litter tray and in some cases not even next to each other due to the primal kill/water contamination issue) scratching post and cosy bed.

I’d say maybe a cat isn’t ideal if you need restricted movement in the home.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 25/09/2022 18:38

I'm sorry OP but it's just not doable in your current situation without distressing the cat.

If your DH is vetoing everything but not suggesting alternatives it sounds like he's not as on board as you think he is.

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 25/09/2022 18:54

Sounds like he's making it impossible to get one. Saying 'yes' to shut you up/be 'the good guy' but coming up with obstacle after obstacle.

no one 'wants' a litter tray anywhere, but needs must 💁🏻‍♀️

Is it owned or rented?

what about getting rid of the old alarm and getting a couple of door/window alarms linked to your phones instead. Let the cat have run of the house, except the kitchen until the cat & dig prove they get on?!

could the tarantulas go into then'little Room' out of harms way or coukd you better secure their homes so the cat can't knock them over?

id like a dog, but my job & garden aren't suitable.

id like a cat, but cats get killed on it regularly

I love Guinea pigs, but nowhere suitable for a decent size cage

etc etc... I have a cuddly cushion 😂😂

my friends Cat stays in their bedroom when they're out & has a litter tray in the en suite, but this only really works because the cat is quite old & mostly just sleeps while they're out. Wouldn't work with a young cat.

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 25/09/2022 19:08

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 25/09/2022 18:54

Sounds like he's making it impossible to get one. Saying 'yes' to shut you up/be 'the good guy' but coming up with obstacle after obstacle.

no one 'wants' a litter tray anywhere, but needs must 💁🏻‍♀️

Is it owned or rented?

what about getting rid of the old alarm and getting a couple of door/window alarms linked to your phones instead. Let the cat have run of the house, except the kitchen until the cat & dig prove they get on?!

could the tarantulas go into then'little Room' out of harms way or coukd you better secure their homes so the cat can't knock them over?

id like a dog, but my job & garden aren't suitable.

id like a cat, but cats get killed on it regularly

I love Guinea pigs, but nowhere suitable for a decent size cage

etc etc... I have a cuddly cushion 😂😂

my friends Cat stays in their bedroom when they're out & has a litter tray in the en suite, but this only really works because the cat is quite old & mostly just sleeps while they're out. Wouldn't work with a young cat.

Oh the door/window alarms are a good idea, I'll look into those! To be honest that was my thought too but I'm determined to find a solution that he has no choice but to agree to! We own so don't have any restrictions as to what we can/can't do 😊

OP posts:
Clarich007 · 25/09/2022 19:21

To be honest, forcing the issue might backfire on you. He doesn't sound too keen on having a cat.

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