is this cruel?

Question

I have a kitten and when i try to do some work she always gets in the way so I place her in my closet with a toy. I have a pretty big closet its a walk-in but I wonder if this is a mean thing... I usually also place her food bowl and water in with her along with a toy. I find her sleeping or playing when I take her out. She's never in there more than one hour. It is well lit. I don't think its bad but what do you guys think?

I've done this about 3 times only when I've had a final and its the wee hours and she still isn't tired today was another time but only because I had a lot of work that had to get done. I don't put her in there everyday I do play with her everyday she owns my room she play with the computer screen we watch tv together and she chases the mouse on the screen. I love being with her but there are times when important things need to get done and five or ten no's won't convince her otherwise. To anyone who thinks this is cruel could you please give me an alternative. She can't go outside because my neighborhood has too many aggressive dogs (pitbulls boxers) I don't let her roam the house unless Its after 6 pm because that's when nobody will leave the house and the doors are locked.

Answer 1

Are you serious? No hon, this isn't cruel. As former Animal Control Officer, I have seen cats that have been burned alive, skinned, mauled, beaten, starved, abandoned, ect. Every cat would be lucky to have an owner that cared enough to put it in a closet for an hour or so instead of kicking it in the face because it is being a little annoying.

Answer 2

don't listen to the nay-sayers...i'm a cat lover, and thats a good trick...

as long as you keep food and water and a litterbox and some toys, it's not cruel if it's only for an hour or two...

It may seem cruel, because i bet you're kitten meows like crazy for the first few minutes in there, but thats only because Cats like to have a run of the WHOLE place...

greedy greedy greedy...

don't feel bad leaving a cat by itself...believe me...they'll manage...

and like an answerer said above, it is a good way for a cat to learn some quiet play, and let's it deal with being alone so when its older and you leave the house to run errands it won't suffer from abandonment issues...

still though, more than two hours might be a little too much, but...up til then you should be fine...

enjoy your cat! they are awesome creatures....

Answer 3

I don't think there's anything wrong with it at all!! The two cats I have now are completely fine with it. My apartment is small, and my husband's large, walk-in closet is the only place to put one of them when they're overexcited and tearing through the aprtment with the kitty crazies. I only put one in there at a time, since when one is freaking out, the other one is probably napping. When I let open the closet door, the formerly rambuncious kitty is usually curled up in my husband's laundry basket, looks at me and stretches and goes back to sleep!

I had to do this a lot with my older cat when she was a kitten, but I hardly ever put them in "time out" anymore. As they've gotten older they've calmed down quite a bit--and I try to play with them a lot so they stay stimulated. The more attention I give them the less likely they are to get the kitty crazies.

Answer 4

If you confine her to one part of the house that she is not usally placed during the day, then you need to make sure that she has all the ammenities she is used to.

Water, Food, Toys, Litter Box, Bed..etc.

There is nothing cruel about it. When you are doing your work, let her know that what ever she is doing to be in your way is not acceptable. Teach her as a kitten and then she will learn to not jump on the table or be around the computer.

Answer 5

That is no more cruel than placing a dog in a kennel for the night. If you cat has food and water, and the place is well lit I don't see the harm. Actually, your cat would probably be more scared by the vacuum cleaner than the closet. JUST DON'T FORGET and leave her there too long. LOL

Answer 6

No, it is not cruel. I think it is much better than a kennel. It isn't cramped and it really doesn't have to be lit. They are very capable of seeing in the dark. I had to leave my kitten in the bathroom (toilet lid down, of course) because she was terrorizing the dog and shredding stuff up. I felt that until I had time to change her bad habits, it would be best not to leave her free reign of the house. Cats are quite independent an capable of self entertainment. I would suggest, however, should you decide to leave the house for any longer than one hour, you place her litter pan in there as well.

Answer 7

If it is a large closet and she has food, water, litter pan etc. it is not cruel...it is the same as people putting their dogs in a crate, except the crates are much smaller. If she seems to not like the closet and associates if as a punishment then maybe confine her to a room that is bigger. Right now it sounds like the closet is just another place for her to play.

Answer 8

I think it's a bad idea. Kitten's are playful, curious and a nuisance by nature. You are teaching your kitten that to be its natural self is to be punished. No cat likes to be confined in one room, no matter whether its lighted or supplied w/toys, etc. They really, really hate this. If you continue doing this you will have a maladjusted animal in short order. While you are working you can take the opportunity to teach your cat boundaries - they are very smart animals. You just have to have the patience to teach your kitten what is right and wrong in your home by using patience and gentle repetitive training.

An example is a kitten naturally wants to climb into bed with you when you go to sleep at night. When they are very tiny, it is a natural fear you may roll over and them and smother them. This requires a store of patience to gently but firmly tell them "no" and place them on the floor, possibly over and over and over until they get the message. This repetiveness isn't b/c the cat is slow, but simply because they are extremely stubborn.

Please, do not do this to your kitten any longer.

Answer 9

no i don't think this is cruel. as long as you dont leave her in there too long. i will keep little kittens i am fostering in a walkin closet while i'm out until they are big enough to roam the house. the only thing is she might get bored. make sure you give her attention at other times and if se isn't bothering you during work then leave her out. when i leave kitties in my closet i usually end up with a few snagged clothes from them climbing.

Answer 10

I think it is fine, as long a the kitten isnt suffering in the closet she should be fine. My friends cat usually will hide in a closet for hours at a time. If she starts pawing at the door or scratching it then it shows that she wants to get out, but if you don't see signs of her trying to escape, she must be okay with it.