I got a new kitten, had him for a week. I spend my entire days with him: but at night he's stuck in the basement. My roomates think he should sleep there cuz his litter box is there and he's learning how to climb the stairs... but it's so dark and weird down in a basement... should I let him sleep upstairs with me?
2007-07-15 18:54:46 · 22 answers · asked by mikita_daita 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
cats are naturally a clean animal, so they want to "go "n thier littler box. so sleeping with you shouldnt be an issue as l ong as she knows where her box is.
2007-07-15 18:59:36 · answer #1 · answered by nwcowgirl024 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
If his litter box must be in the basement then the kitten should be there at night so he can use it when he has the need. Make sure you also have food and water there for him.
If you cannot find another place for the litter box then perhaps you could put a light in the basement for him. Most likely the kitten doesn't need the light as I have heard that they see very well in the dark but it may make you feel better.
Once he learns to climb stairs, then he can sleep with you if you leave the door open for him.
You are not cruel, it sounds like you're taking good care of the little guy.
Good luck with working it out!
2007-07-15 19:06:23 · answer #2 · answered by claire 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you wouldn't be asking about it if you were really cruel. About your kitten sleeping in the basement, I have to say that I'd personally wouldn't do that because it's a baby, and I'm sure it'll feel lonely in there all night. I also agree with one of the other answers, there are usually hazardous objects and chemicals, or rodants that kitten can come across with down there so think about it, and if kitten already knows where the litter is then don't put it in the bedroom because you might confuse it, on the other hand, if it knows where the litter is, and it's used it before several times then, I doubt I'll go in your bedroom( just try to take it to the litter as soon as you get up) Another idea is... before you go to bed, try puting kitten in the litter box and wait a couple of minutes, and if it goes then it should be ok until morning. Good Luck to you and kitten.
2007-07-15 19:47:07 · answer #3 · answered by Dela 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be better for the kitten to sleep upstairs with you.
Can you put his litter box someplace upstairs? For a kitten to go all the way downstairs to the basement to use his litter box is expecting a lot. Kittens, like human children being potty-trained, often don't have much warning when they need to go.
Also, there are more hazards for a kitten to get into in the basement if it's like any basement I ever saw, including possibly poisonous spiders, rats, which can kill a kitten, or old rat poison, which can also kill a kitten
If you get a covered litter box and clean it often, like two or more times a day, it won't be smelly.
2007-07-15 19:10:50 · answer #4 · answered by Kayty 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Cats don't usually find the same things "weird" that humans do. Their eyes also usually will focus in dimmer light than ours will. There is nothing wrong with keeping the kitten in the same place as the litter box as long as food and water are also available in the basement, but make sure there aren't other factors that could be dangerous to the kitten, like rat poison and poisonous spiders. If the basement is a clean, finished basement, the kitten should be fine.
2007-07-15 20:25:24 · answer #5 · answered by userafw 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Advanteges: 1. No ruined or clawed furniture 2. No scratches on you or other animals Disadvanteges: 1. No protection 2. No claws (and perhaps others I can't think of) Other options: 1. Get a cat scratching post 2. Get lots of toys 3. Try to train the cat(s) not to go on the furniture or scratch and, and if they do, bring it to its post or another toy to subsitute. 4. Cut its nails It's not exactly cruel unless you think it is. I don't think it's fair or right, and people have nails and can ruin furniture, but do we tear off our nails entirely so we can never have them? No, and cats, I'm sure, prefer to keep them. Last night, when searching for making your own scratching posts, I found this site with lots of information on declawing cats... I haven't read them, though, because we're not declawing our kitten, but they should be useful. If declawing was true cruelty, most vets, etc. wouldn't do it, but it doesn't sound like its recommended very much. Some vets might not declaw, but I'm not sure. You should be putting your cats health, happiness and safety in front of your furniture, not the other way around. If it concerns you that much, then go ahead- it's your choice. Also, out kitten, after going to the bathroom (she goes outside on a leash to go to the bathroom), she uses her claws to gather grass,etc. to cover her poop, and without claws, how could she do that? And unlike spaying, declawing isn't neccessary or required.
2016-05-18 23:27:20 · answer #6 · answered by maranda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would agree with lots of the comments already made, just bring the litter up into your room. Cats are very clean animals and they will not like to sleep near their toilet so make sure the litter box is not too close to where she will be sleeping. Cats also love to snuggle - my 2 cats sleep with me every night and want to snuggle with us in the morning. Although they can see very well at night, she will probably feel a bit shunned...
2007-07-16 03:10:55 · answer #7 · answered by aki_kimono 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you can allow him to sleep with you only if you want him to do it forever. After you start a routine, it'll be hard to break him of it. What about allowing him to sleep on the main floor and just go to the basement to use the restroom when he needs to do so? I don't see a problem with that.
From what I understand, cats are not too keen on sleeping or eating anywhere near their litter. You might want to reconsider the sleeping arrangement...but again! Don't start anything that you'll tire of later (like him sleeping w/ you nightly).
2007-07-16 05:10:21 · answer #8 · answered by YSIC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That poor kitten!! Why on earth would you put a litter box in the basement when you say it's "learning to climb the stairs". So it's difficult for this poor kitten to get to its litter box? And yes - locking it in the basement for the night is horrible. That poor kitty! Did your roommates agree to getting a cat?? Sure doesn't sound like it.
2007-07-15 19:25:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I just got some kittens recently. They have never pood or peed in outside of their litter box no matter how long they are away from it. I say you let him sleep in the room with you, just make sure and let him familiarize himself with where things are in the room during the day. I don't think it's cruel, but I don't think it's necessary.
2007-07-15 19:25:45 · answer #10 · answered by BrenBren 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your not cruel. But i don't see why you can't have it sleep with you. Just make sure it knows where the litter box is and that he can get to it. Or just make sure he goes potty before bed and doesn't drink a bunch of water before bed then in the morning make sure he gets to his litter box.
2007-07-15 22:07:10 · answer #11 · answered by Kaysey 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋