So I get a week trial period coming up for trying to keep an older, higher maintenance kitty in my room in a house that I share with roommates.
He doesn't mind dogs, but doesn't like them. However, they (my roommates) have a 60lb dog that loves to bark at cats. She chills out after they're around for awhile, so Im hoping they will co-exist after awhile.
Im planning on keeping him in my room and letting him outside with a harness, eventually.
Im getting a Feliway diffuser the day before he will be here... anything I can do for the dog to help in that way? Any tips and tricks? Im going to try to bring the cat when my roommates are out of the house so if the dog causes a ruckus, no one will know about it and hopefully the dog will chill out before they get back home. Dog will be going for a big walk while kitty gets acclimated to the room. And another big walk if she gets excited by the cat smells again later on. Thankfully I have the whole day off as well as the following two.
(Before anyone goes into the "you should know that you can keep the cat before taking on the responsibility" Im well aware... I found him extremely sick behind the building where I work in June. He's fixed, older, extremely friendly and very sweet but I couldn't find a rescue to take him in anywhere within 2 hours of where Im at. Ive been driving 40min each way to take care of him almost every day since and my finances are getting too low to be able to do that comfortably, besides the 2 hours minimum it sucks out of my day. Besides the fact that he really needs the care Ive been giving him once daily, twice daily and no one else seems willing to do that. If this doesn't work, its likely his last chance as I just don't see him making it through the winter on minimal care as an outdoor community cat. And I can't keep driving that far every day unfortunately)
He doesn't mind dogs, but doesn't like them. However, they (my roommates) have a 60lb dog that loves to bark at cats. She chills out after they're around for awhile, so Im hoping they will co-exist after awhile.
Im planning on keeping him in my room and letting him outside with a harness, eventually.
Im getting a Feliway diffuser the day before he will be here... anything I can do for the dog to help in that way? Any tips and tricks? Im going to try to bring the cat when my roommates are out of the house so if the dog causes a ruckus, no one will know about it and hopefully the dog will chill out before they get back home. Dog will be going for a big walk while kitty gets acclimated to the room. And another big walk if she gets excited by the cat smells again later on. Thankfully I have the whole day off as well as the following two.
(Before anyone goes into the "you should know that you can keep the cat before taking on the responsibility" Im well aware... I found him extremely sick behind the building where I work in June. He's fixed, older, extremely friendly and very sweet but I couldn't find a rescue to take him in anywhere within 2 hours of where Im at. Ive been driving 40min each way to take care of him almost every day since and my finances are getting too low to be able to do that comfortably, besides the 2 hours minimum it sucks out of my day. Besides the fact that he really needs the care Ive been giving him once daily, twice daily and no one else seems willing to do that. If this doesn't work, its likely his last chance as I just don't see him making it through the winter on minimal care as an outdoor community cat. And I can't keep driving that far every day unfortunately)