help :-(

[ella1]

Hi everyone, firstly, thanks so much for the welcome to your site, and secondly, apologies in advance if this turns into a lengthy post; I'll do my best to explain with brevity.

I own a lovely 9 year old tabby called Cairo, I got her from a rescue when she was about 8 weeks old, she'd been found in a firestation and she was extrememly timid and scared; it took some work and patience but she turned out to be a wonderful affectionate cat, albeit still quite timid with new people. Anyway, we've been together for almost 10 years now - she's been with me through a major relationship breakdown and some single years too - me and Cairo cat against the world!

Anyway, 3 years ago hubby and I decided to have a dog, we now have Maisy, a cavalier king charles and probably the cutest, soppiest in the world! haha, and here starts the issue.

In the past Cairo used to have a cat flap and could come and go and she pleased, I had a huge a garden in a quiet area and she pretty much stayed in the garden, getting Maisy the dog co-incided with moving house and poor Cairo suddenly not only had a dog to contend with but also no cat flap (not possible in the new place), and a tiny garden (although we were in a very rural area so at least no roads).

So, over the past 3 years (and another house move!), Cairo has wanted to spend less and less time inside the house, and although she never wanders she just can't stand being near the dog and dashes off everytime she's bought into the house. The dog can be a bit boisterous but she really is no threat to Cairo (even our 16 year old siamese used to curl up and sleep with the dog before she died) but Cairo just won't hang around to discover this. (although funnily enough when they are both outside together they sniff noses and can be fine, it's just inside the house she gets freaked out).

Anyway, hubby is convinced i'm just being selfish by keeping Cairo outside and that I should re-home her, and the thought of it just kills me, but he's right when he says we are coming up to the 3rd winter now and the poor thing is outside! She does have everything I can think of to help her - special bed and bowls and everything, but it's not the same as snuggling on the settee is it?

So I thinking my options are to try and get her back into the house (although with an open plan house this could be tricky in the early days - if not impossible - when trying to give her some space away from the dog), or rehome her somehow...but would break my heart...So.....any ideas and feedback most welcome

thanks guys

xxxxx

[kado]

I realy feel for you. Have you heard of feliway diffusers and spray. I releases something that calms the cat down. You have too use it for a few weeks too make a difference it might work. How open plan is your house you will probaly need more than one. If she wont come in could you put a cat kennel in the garden with a heat mat on at least she will be warm. Personaly i would bring her in as it is getting colder. Sorry to ask how long ago did you loose your other cat and was she a companion too her

[OscarsMum]

Hi Ella,

This is a tricky one. I think you'll struggle to rehome Cairo in the current climate. Rescues are full to bursting and given her age she will be harder to rehome (but then that's not what you want to do anyway )
Do you have a spare bedroom that could be her safe territory?
I really do think, especially because of her age, that she should be indoors at night. If you can't achieve this then the next best thing would be a well insulated, sheltered bed outside complete with heat pads.
I bought these for my semi feral boy...

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/rodent...hutches/100178

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/rodent..._hutches/59060

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/c...blankets/13666

[dandysmom]

I don't suppose you'd consider rehoming the dog?

The Feliway dispensers might work if you could keep her indoors long enough to take effect; also perhaps some Rescue Remedy in her water.

Failing that, a heated outdoor enclosure sounds like the only other alternative. How sad for you and Cairo......

[Liz]

Tray crating the dog and letting the cat come in - My 3 dogs all have crates and we use them all the time - my dogs live with 46 cats mainly ferals so are now cat savy and a couple of the ferals adore the dogs to the point of obsession

I would try to get the cat back in we have all our oldies in as housecats for the winter except our 17y.o and she lives in the radiator bed but does venture out when the sun is shining

[ella1]

Hi guys
thanks so much for all your answers, there are some useful things to think about.

Cairo does already have a special bed outside and heat pads etc, she also have automatic bowls that open when she goes to feed so that her food is covered, although she seems to be getting a bit skittish of that now too!

Anyway, the diffusers are a great idea (although hubby's reaction to this was 'oh so now you're going to drug the poor cat just to get your own way?' //), but I think they could be worth a try - if she's in the house long enough to have an effect I suppose.

Also, the dog is crate trained so I guess that's another option in the first stages to get Cairo feeling more comfortable in the house, I think it's in the loft - must check!

And no, we wouldn't re-home the dog, I don't want to re-home anyone! but it's not the dogs fault, she's really not that bad, it's just that Cairo is very skittish, it's my fault really for allowing it to get to this point instead of making them work it out in the early days and perservering

thanks everyone, will let you know how it goes xx

[Phoenix]

You wouldn't be drugging your cat, feliway imitates the cats scent

[ella1]

i know, he's just a drama queen!

[Liz]

You could also try Zylkene - it calms some cats down - I have used it with feliway - you sprikle contents of capsule on their wet food - worked a treat on my latest feral kittens who are well on their way to being totally nice

[calismum]

I would second the crate idea for the dog, in conjunction with the feliway - (haven't tried Zylkene but heard it's good).

If you get the dog used to being crated for a few days so she is not too distressed and creating a noise when Cairo is in.

I think if you take your time and don't rush things then it'll probably work out fine.

Good luck, and kep us all posted on how things go.