keyhole kate Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 I am considering having to rehome my Girls who I love dearly however since I got them my 2 13 year old cats refuse to go out as they used to and although I have bought them litter trays recently the little one keeps widdling in the house and has a particular habit of using my YD room and worse still her laundry, clothes clean/dirty. This is causing a considerable amount of friction between myself and OH and YD. On top of this as I am now working F/T I dont feel I am devoting the time to them I used to or that they deserve. I just do not know what to do for the best! Having nine I have to be realistic that If I rehome them they would almost certainly have to be split up and that is the worst bit of all how do I decide how to split my babies up that I love so dearly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 Sorry to hear it, I hope it doesnt come to it but of it does there are usually people looking for a complete set up, you see this reasonably often in the for sale section I take it there is nowhere in your garden you can move the cube out of the way of the cats pathways? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 Oh dear - this does sound drastic. Whats the set-up with the hens/cats? Could the hens be moved so the cats don't have to go past? Do the hens free range - if so could they be kept in a bit more at least whilst you give the cats the run of the garden? Going out with them and fussing them so they feel secure if nec - one of our old boys has started sometimes wanting human company whilst he eats which is a bit timeconsuming! Are you sure its the hens causing the cats odd behaviour - we have 'issues' indoors (poo in the bath anybody!) as well from time to time and its a combo of one of them sometimes deciding the litter tray isn't for him (some cats like it to be covered, and certainly in a quiet place) a neighbouring cat coming in and our 2 boys sometimes spraying to be top cat. Could one of them be ill - one of ours has an overactive thyroid which made him become very boisterous and macho - I wonder if other illnesses might cause cats to lose confidence. I hope somebody else might have some better ideas, but please don't fret unduly about your girls - if the worst comes to the worst there seem to be a surprising number of people with new/empty cubes about who would be able to give them all a loving home - or maybe some of them are natural pairs/trios as buddies? But I hope it needn't come to that for your sake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 My cat is much happier since I split the garden in half with some netting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 I hope that everything works out for you. It would be a horrible decision to make. What about a walk in run to keep them separated? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 What a difficult decision - I'd certainly pursue options to see if you can encourage the cats to go outside again. Restrict free-ranging or section off the garden, and encourage them to go out and show them they can feel safe there. Just a thought ... it would be really devastating if you rehomed your girls and the cats behaviour didn't change. I think I'd try some separate methods anyway to try and control the 'toilet' problem. Firstly make sure you don't use bleach to clean up or to disguise the smell where the cat has made a mess, spray it with soda water or sprinkle bicarb to get rid of the smell, but bleach/disinfectant will actually make them go back to it. I'd put the litter tray in the place where they have been going, and then once they're using it, gradually move it to somewhere more convenient. It does sound like a behavioural thing, and unfortunately there's no guarantee that the behaviour will change if the hens aren't there any more. Don't worry about not giving the hens enough attention, I work full-time and mine don't free range nearly as much as I'd like, but they are healthy and happy enough. If you're keeping them clean, fed and watered they will be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 I think a WIR sounds like a good idea, just so the cats know the chickens are only in one part of the garden. Before you rehome the chickens for good, maybe send them for a weeks holiday and see what the cats are like. They might just be getting old. I know a few people whos cats don't go outside anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 My cat is much happier since I split the garden in half with some netting. Some great advice on this guys, that is why this is a great forum. Same as redhotchick at my house.......two of my cats were fine with the chooks but Oscar stayed indoors....then I split the garden in two with netting and he is often out sunbathing right next to the girls with the fence in between of course And no more widdles in the spare room Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Here too netting working with the cats. One cat would attack the hens so it protects them from him, the other cat is scared of the hens, so it works in reverse. I hope you find a solution. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 hi I know nothing about cats at all but if you try all options or want to see if a trial rehome would work for the cats just pm me as I am in Herts if you are nearby to me would be happy to have them for a holiday if you need to try that option, I will leave it for you to pm me, they would be more than welcome as it seems such a shame when you have it all set up with cube etc. I would be more than happy to help for you to see if the cats improve or not??? But it does seem strange that the cats are suddenly behaving funny, hopefully you can sort it out at least the long evenings may help organise etc Hope someones idea will help you solve the cats indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Are you sure its the hen. My cats go ape if theres a new kit on the block. They are ok with the bunnies and hope they will be if we get chucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
