Cage?

[sharpeslass]

Rroselavy suggested a cage enclosure for Suki when she comes home. This might be a good solution and it would ensure that darting cats didn't come into contact. I could pick up even an over-sized dog carrier and put in all her needs (food, water, small litter pan) and then when I'm visiting her in the guest room and the door is shut, I could open

Comments

[sharpeslass]

She is wise... (and so are you).

[whymzycal]

That's a great idea. As long as it's big enough for a small litter box to be kept away from the food and water, and she has a place to sleep that's a ways away from the litter box, it should be fine. An oversize dog carrier would work, but unless it's wire all the way around, she won't be able to see you and her environment as easily. If at all possible, something like this would be ideal. She'll be able to stay out of her litter box and have a little extra room, and she'll be able to see you. You can use a blanket to cover parts of it if she wants to be all hidey, and these are pretty easy to clean. Just take them outside, scrub them with warm water and soap, and stand in full sun to dry. It shouldn't rust. I've used cages like this for years for various rescue cats, etc., and they work like a charm.

Good luck! ♥

[sharpeslass]

Eargh. It is expensive!! She tends to sleep IN her litter when not feeling well, so I don't know if the extra room will matter. I don't like it, but other than keeping the box as clean as possible, I'm not sure how to prevent it. When she got really sick the first thing she did was crawl into the (filthy) litter box. I get what you are saying about being able to see everything though. Oh, what do do, what to do...

If you lived closer I'd borrow one of your cages. (I keep telling you you should move to vegas. this is just another example of how it would totally help me why you should.

[whymzycal]

Yeah. A large dog kennel would be expensive, too, unfortunately, but probably not quite as much. It's all so pricey!

The only thing you can do is keep her box as clean as possible, unfortunately. You could always get a few disposable ones for travel and just switch them out as soon as she uses them?

I wish I were closer! You could totally borrow one of mine.

[sharpeslass]

Move here immediately. I'll expect you tomorrow a.m. I'm sure you can get a job at the university. Or become a high-heeled, low-topped cocktail waitress at one of the casinos. You could herald a new age of wit within our service industry... *ponders* I appreciate you completely relocating to help. ( ;

[helliongoddess]

Makes sense to me -- the vet might have one he could loan you, perhaps, or know someone who might. Worth a shot. My folks did that when their little dog hurt his back and had to be confined to keep from straining it while it healed, and it worked quite well.

[sharpeslass]

Finding something inexpensive looks to be the trick... If only I wasn't at work. So much to do, so little time.

[ext_664560]

A cage is always a good idea, for many reasons. It can house sick cats, it can separate them (what if one needs a surgery - you wouldn't want the other to bother her), it can be used to carry them (planes, trains, etc) and it can keep them away from guests who are either allergic or not inclined to cats. Set it up as a little safe place (warm dark snuggles, toys, food and water, etc) and she'll feel like she has her own special place. Animals LIKE to have a "den" - it's not prison to them. Just make sure that it's never a place of punishment ("Bad kitty! Time for teh Dungeon!!!") (although I might bring this up with Dan the next time we're bored with our sex life...)

[lawless523]

Ditto. Cats do not mind being confined while they're sick.

As for the litter box scenario: Our Cat God Almighty loved riding in the car and accompanied us on trips back and forth between our parents' and Boston (actually Cambridge, where we lived at the time). Of course, we traveled with a litter box. When she got tired or needy, she would curl up in it, and she was as fastidious a cat as you'd ever meet.

Someday I'll have to tell you about her pulling a Houdini and getting out of an H-shaped harness while we were on the Massachusetts Turnpike. That was loads of fun!