Mixed thoughts about getting a kitten.

[MissMillie]

I love cats and it's been a while since I had one.

We have 4 dogs that do not get along with anything outside of their "pack" (meaning the 4 dogs and my guy and I).

Besides keeping kitty safe and feeling comfortable, I can't think of where in the house we'd put kitty kibble where the dogs won't eat it, or where to put the litter box where the dogs won't eat kitty poo. I was looking into baby gates that have pet doors but the smallest of the dogs isn't much bigger than a cat. There are litter boxes with lids and doors but the small dog issue still comes into play.

This morning before my guy left for work he asked me to clean out the kitty carrier that was in the garage. I did it, as asked, but I'm having some serious reservations.

I did bring all this stuff up to my guy last week, and other than agreeing that there are hurdles to adopting a kitty, he only preparations I've seen from him was to ask me to clean the carrier.

I'd really like a kitty, but not at the expense of making said kitty miserable (or worse--unsafe).

[samnsara]

1. i love cats but my dogs think they are gawds tennis balls...

..I remember many years ago I came home to a dead kitten that wandered into the yard with my golden retriever and afghan hound.

[Freddie]

2. Friend built a litter box "house"

With a small flap so her dachshund couldn't "snack" (ewww, but dogs do that). She also feeds her cats on the kitchen counter.
Last year my daughter brought a new kitten into her fur family of an older cat and a very affectionate and playful lab. They all get along great although the dog is a bit jealous of anyone (pet or child) who gets attention from Mom-Mom and sticks her nose in (pet me too!).

[eppur_se_muova]

3. About the only thing I can think of is to elevate both the litter box and the food dish.

Put them somewhere where cats can *easily* reach them by jumping, but dogs probably can't. And of course don't put them close together.

Shelf in the laundry room for an enclosed litter box ? End table in the kitchen for the food dish ?

Heartfelt talk with your guy ?

[Merlot]

4. Yes, elevating works. I'd put a post near the cat box so the cat can climb up

becasue who want's to jump with a fullbladder? And I've had kitties with bladder issues, you don't want to put any stress on them.

Also agree with "heartfelt talk with your guy" as a strategy. Kittens are SO intoxicating it's hard to not have kitten fever! If kitten is stuck up in a high perch all day afraid to come down, it's not going to be a happy kitty.

Good luck!

[haele]

5. We had a cat tree with a large "box cave" that we fed the kitties from when we had a dog.

The only problem is that we had a cockatiel that used to like to be out whenever we were in the front room, and he'd sometimes visit the kibble dish for some snacks! Lucky the boys didn't see the bird as prey, and I've got a couple pictures with both cats at the cat food bowl with the bird between them, all stuffing their faces. He used to cuddle up and snooze with my big black cat on the couch after he finished playing pirate with my husband or stepdaughter.
I just kept a big old glass casserole pan as a common watering bowl out for everyone. No issues there.

The litter box was in the back bathroom with a kiddie gate to keep the dog out. A bench on either side next to the gate for when they might have had to hurry and didn't want to make the big jump.

Haele

[onlyadream]

6. To keep my westie from eating the cat poop

I bought a toy box from Overstock, cut a hole in the side and put the litter box in. It looks much nicer too.

They do sell boxes that looks like furniture, but I wanted it a bit larger than they had since I have two kitties.