[OsnobunnieO]

I'm not sure where to put this, so I figured this was an ok place. Addison is still rather new and a little afraid of coming out of my room unless I coax him out and he's sure its quiet and safe. I leave the door open so he doesn't feel trapped inside a tiny room all day, but he doesn't seem to want to come out.

My dog, however, likes going IN. I come home pretty much every day to see that she's eaten his food. He's not so afraid of her anymore, kind of ignores her, so I'm not really concerned about that. I just don't like that he doesn't have much to eat because she always eats his food! I've only caught her doing it once and she was very ashamed like she knew it was wrong, but she still does it when I'm not around.

I was thinking of getting some sort of baby gate but instead of putting it on the ground, having it about a foot or so up so he can come out, but she can't go in (she's a big dog). How secure are they? do they have to be on the ground or can I squeeze them between the doors well enough to hold?

Any other ideas on letting him come and go but keeping the dog out?

 

[Kittys Mom]

Since there is a door on the room you could set it up so that the door only opens a few inches. You could do it with door stoppers or even a piece of string that runs from the door handle to a little hook on the wall that you could just unhook when you went in.

You mentioned that it was a big dog, so I assume the dog is wider than your cat!

 

[adavis333]

The baby gate idea sounds like a good one. Different ones work different ways. I saw a really nice one for $2 at a yard sale last week. It wouldn't hurt to try it. Or you could buy one and take it back if it doesn't serve its purpose.

Propping the door open sounds like a cheaper idea! I'd try that first.

 

[Ianthe]

I have the WORST time keeping Howie out of the cat food :roll: If you just need to keep the dog out of the cat food, how about putting the cat food up on something where the dog can't reach it, like a desk, shelf, washing machine, etc.? That is the only way I can do it The cats can get up to the food, but not Howie

 

[OsnobunnieO]

My room is rather tiny, and the furniture set up I have is rather limiting. All his stuff is in there because its the only room he's comfortable in. I could prop the door open, but my desk is right next to where it opens, so it'll probably look shut... or the dog will barge in (she's known to do things like that). If I can get rid of all the clutter on my desk, it might be worth while to try to put his food up there. But it may take a while for him to realize its up there since he's never actually been up there. Amazing that he's never tried to jump on the desk huh?

 

[OsnobunnieO]

so I finally cleaned off my desk and put his food up there. He's been hiding in the closet most of the day (I had to pull out the evil vaccuum!) and doesn't have a clue anything is different. The only problem I have now is how to get him up there comfortably. I know cats can jump to high places, but the desk has no traction and I don't want him to jump and slide. I'll try to put the desk chair in front so it doesn't block the litter box so he can jump on the chair, then the desk. But now I need a new place for his favorite bed. I had it on the desk chair sitting in the sunlight in front of the window.

what to do, what to do :roll:

 

[Ianthe]

When I first moved the cat food up high, I had the same concerns (I'm a worrier :roll: ) The best way to teach him where it is is to keep putting him up on the desk next to the food, several times a day. He will learn amazingly fast...cats are so smart I have never had a problem with traction, but my cats are a bit older......maybe a towel?? Good luck!!!!!