Cat locked up?

Does anyone think it is mean to keep my kitty locked up in a bedroom while we are gone? The room doesn't have a real bed, it has a pullout bed so it doesn't take up much room, so he would have a lot of room to move. The reason I ask is because Samba is still spraying, so if we could lock him up when we are gone it would be a lot easier. We wanted to try Feliway, but it cost to much to have to buy more every four weeks. He doesn't spray when we are watching, so as long as we are watching him while we are home we don't need to worry. The problem is as soon as we leave he sprays somewhere else. Is it mean to lock him up? I don't know what else to do. Any input is appreciated.

Manda

is he neuterd?

Normally the best way to stop a cat spraying is to neuter him, that takes away his hormones, that make him want to mark his teritory

I used to keep Rosie and Sophie in a bedroom while i was at work, but now that i have added a third kitten i let them have free reign of the house so it's not cramped for them, but no your not being mean as long as he's not in there too long.

No it's not mean. I am pretty convinced that most single cats sleep when their humans are out at work anyway, so I don't see a problem at all in him being confined to a bedroom for a while - as long as he has somewhere comfortable to curl up and snooze and food/water/litterbox/toys for when he wants them

We had a similar problem with Sonic (not spraying, but peeing on the curtains is bad enough) so we did the same with him until we had it under control.

Samba is neutered, he has been since he was about 7 months old. We are hopefully going to build a "cat room" for him in our spare bedroom. I don't feel so bad doing it now that I know other people do it too. Thanks!

Manda

I don't think its mean at all. Have you considered building him a large stud cage? One from floor to ceiling and about 6-8 feet width?

If you use the bedroom, is it cleanable? If there is a rug in there, you may have a problem as it would not be washable if he sprayed. And if you are gonna build him a cat room - that would be even better as you could furnish it like a giant roomy stud cage. With treehouse, washable flooring, etc.

Charlie's breeder has a separate house they built next to their house for the breeding cats. Its furnished like a regular house and the boys (breeding) have a bedroom that is their room. The girls have free run of the rest and there is a separate room for moms and kittens.

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Charlie's breeder has a separate house they built next to their house for the breeding cats. Its furnished like a regular house and the boys (breeding) have a bedroom that is their room. The girls have free run of the rest and there is a separate room for moms and kittens.

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That's it, all I'm waiting for now is for my numbers to come up in the lottery. Cat heaven

Yeah, that's why Charlie did so well coming here - just another "house" to him. She has couches, tv, kitchen, etc. so they don't feel like its a "cage" or anything and she spends half her time in there

She wants them to be use to all normal household things as a kitten so they adjust better.

If I was breeding, I'd try and do the same kind of thing - even if it was a converted trailer house on the property

ADORABLE siggy and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAMBA!!! from The Nine and me...!

As long as Samba has clean litterbox, good food and clean water, a soft, clean, quiet place to sleep, some toys, and adequate ventilation or a/c, it isn't bad to keep him in one room while you're gone. Also, if you have a small radio you could leave on, on a station that's not rock (which stresses out most cats, myself included!), that would help Samba to not feel isolated.

when we are out, Mellow has the run of the place, but he is always in the den asleep whe we come home, so I think they like there own room/space,

LOVE Mellow's siggy and how great that he came into your lives on your honeymoon! Wonderful!

Its not mean if it is for a short period of time and he has food and water but make sure its not the whole day.