Hi Everyone,
I've been living with my cat and my Wifes cat for some time, When we moved to a house finally from an apartment we made the decision to put them out in the garage so we could focus on toddler care.
Maggie , A large rather daft shorthair was happy in a cardboard box on its side with her snooza cuddler (a donut shaped warm bed) and Cassy a runt Main Coone was happy in a corner with just her cuddler.
However , The work going on in the garage means its not really a safe place for them. Nor is there space any more. So I built them a shelter recycling an old futon bed frame screws and all and other bits of timber. It has quite thick walls, almost no draft and a roof that lets in more light then heat (for Summer). The door has a linen curtain pleated over the door to trap warm air a little.
The plan was, Both of them together would generate enough heat for a microclimate inside. Their cuddlers were placed on a thick wool carpet offcuts and the unit is on wheels, So off the ground.
However, despite previously residing in very close quarters the daft large short hair refuses to go in while the other cat is there (despite them not fighting in years) which means each night I'm forced to make Cassys bed with some old clothes and linen to ensure shes warm enough and the daft one sits out the front of the shelter on her carpet and cuddler.
I've tried gradually introducing her, Shell be in there for 20-60 seconds without complaining but seems to have decided she deserves her own separate shelter. I try to put her in there at night (when Cassy is in) when its cold and she wont budge and bites me. Cassy does not make a sound and does not mind her presence.
I've tried waiting till its very cold, (2am) going out placing her bed back in the shelter... She meows until she wakes our toddler and refuses to go in. I have to sit it in front.
Its completely dry in there, Even in a storm, The gaps are insulated and blocked with foam and theirs no chemical smell as I used organic Tung oil to seal the timber. The nutty smell of which has long since faded.
Its very very heavy and does not shift or move in wind. Its starting to look like I have to cut it in half.
Does anyone have any similar experience or ideas? I was hoping instincts would work with the daft one but a vet or two has suggested shes mentally ill. She did always like to poop/wee on our pillows/bed/couch :\.
Their both around 13 years old.
I'm buying some feliway (calming pheromone) today, But ive found that completely useless in the past.
Curtain over door and foam insulation in gaps added since:
Showing the space inside:
I've been living with my cat and my Wifes cat for some time, When we moved to a house finally from an apartment we made the decision to put them out in the garage so we could focus on toddler care.
Maggie , A large rather daft shorthair was happy in a cardboard box on its side with her snooza cuddler (a donut shaped warm bed) and Cassy a runt Main Coone was happy in a corner with just her cuddler.
However , The work going on in the garage means its not really a safe place for them. Nor is there space any more. So I built them a shelter recycling an old futon bed frame screws and all and other bits of timber. It has quite thick walls, almost no draft and a roof that lets in more light then heat (for Summer). The door has a linen curtain pleated over the door to trap warm air a little.
The plan was, Both of them together would generate enough heat for a microclimate inside. Their cuddlers were placed on a thick wool carpet offcuts and the unit is on wheels, So off the ground.
However, despite previously residing in very close quarters the daft large short hair refuses to go in while the other cat is there (despite them not fighting in years) which means each night I'm forced to make Cassys bed with some old clothes and linen to ensure shes warm enough and the daft one sits out the front of the shelter on her carpet and cuddler.
I've tried gradually introducing her, Shell be in there for 20-60 seconds without complaining but seems to have decided she deserves her own separate shelter. I try to put her in there at night (when Cassy is in) when its cold and she wont budge and bites me. Cassy does not make a sound and does not mind her presence.
I've tried waiting till its very cold, (2am) going out placing her bed back in the shelter... She meows until she wakes our toddler and refuses to go in. I have to sit it in front.
Its completely dry in there, Even in a storm, The gaps are insulated and blocked with foam and theirs no chemical smell as I used organic Tung oil to seal the timber. The nutty smell of which has long since faded.
Its very very heavy and does not shift or move in wind. Its starting to look like I have to cut it in half.
Does anyone have any similar experience or ideas? I was hoping instincts would work with the daft one but a vet or two has suggested shes mentally ill. She did always like to poop/wee on our pillows/bed/couch :\.
Their both around 13 years old.
I'm buying some feliway (calming pheromone) today, But ive found that completely useless in the past.
Curtain over door and foam insulation in gaps added since:
Showing the space inside:
