Hi I just got a 1 1/2 yr old sphynx cat Friday night. We have 2 greyhounds she is trying to get used to. We have 2 litter boxes for her. One in our stair well and one in the basement. Can't keep one upstairs b/c of dogs. She uses the boxes during the day and when we confine her in the basement when we are gone (don't want dog and cat fights until we know they are okay together.) The dogs sleep with us in our room and Mia slept under the bed most of the night. She went in our bathroom in the middle of the night-we have a carpeted bathroom but at least she chose the right room! Do you think she is afraid to leave the room at night to go down stairs and use the box because the dogs are out? The dogs are very good with her. One is just interested in what she is doing all the time. Do I confine her to the basement at night? I'll never see her as we work all day too. What should I do? Thanks for any suggestions!
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New cat uses box during the day but tinkels in our room at night
Replies (3)
I think there are two issues that could be causing this problem. One is the distance of the litterbox. It may be too far away for her at night. You might try getting a baby gate and putting it on your bathroom door then putting a litterbox in there at night for her to use. She can climb over it, the dogs probably won't.
Another issue may be that she is still a bit afraid of the dogs. Getting a Comfort Zone plug in might help her. It could be that after she adjusts she'll be OK with going to the litterboxes that are further away.
Good luck with your new baby!
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When I had three dogs and 5 cats inside I was worried about the dogs getting into the litter box. So I bought a covered box. Then put it so it was in a corner and faced it the opening towards the wall. I made sure there was enough room between the wall and the box so the cats could get into it. The dogs left it alone for some reason. Maybe you could try doing that in your bathroom. That way the litter box would be close enough for your kitty to use.
Good luck
Jaime
The first thing that comes ot my mind would be to put a litterbox in that bathroom. Since you are afraid the dogs might get into it, would it be possible to put it in the tub or on the counter? That way the cat could get to it, but not the dogs. I know some people will shudder at the idea of a litterbox in the tub or on the counter, then maybe another type of stand to put it on? Just throwing out an idea that came to mind to maybe keep the cat from having to be banished to the basement at night. 
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Dottie
