Elderly cats, persistent doxie, food, and litter

willowmoon

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I have two elderly cats (11 & 17). As well as a two year old mini-Dachshund and an old Lab mix.
There arent social issues between them.
The only problem is since the girls are old now they cannot jump as well or comfortably. Which means we had to take down the baby gate that blocked the dogs from getting into the room their food and litter boxes are.
Dachshunds are diggers, notoriously stubborn and hard to train.
Since she is the same size as the cats anything I can create to block off the room, yet have an entrance small enough for them to walk through, will only work on our lab mix. Our doxie is small, maneuverable, and sneaky so she would be able to scuttle in as well. Eating their food and Poop too! Bleh...
They are too old for us to start having a few specific feeding times. And need easy access to their potty boxes.
Any ideas on how to drsign or find a product that doesn't require jumping or walking a ramp to their food? And be inaccessible to the dachshund? They still jump of course, just not as well and their joints ache sometimes. I will continue to find a successful way to deter the dog in the meantime.
TIA
 

LotsOfFur

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This one is a tough one. As someone who has cats and a weenie mix I really empathize with your dilemma. :hugs:

I'm looking forward to seeing the creative solutions everyone comes up with. I will continue to think about this. :)
 
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Anne

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I guess steps won't help because the dog will climb them too? How high can the cats jump comfortably? Maybe a series of shelves won't be too difficult for them to climb?
 

sparkymema

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I would just build something and get a microchip cat door and collar. That way it will only open if that cat is there.
 

lonelocust

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You could install one of these in a door or even a large board covering a doorway:https://www.sureflap.com/en-us/pet-doors/microchip-cat-flap
There are cheaper ones that work with "collar keys", too
I was going to recommend this same microchip-controlled cat door + board(or door) solution. There's also a lot of tutorials on "ikea hacking" to add cat doors to things like closet or shelf doors if you want more information or a tutorial. 
 
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