Though designed for our feline friends, cat houses are ideal for small dog breeds. Also known as cat caves, cat houses look like a padded box with a small entry hole on one side. Small dogs who suffer from separation anxiety or just want to feel safe can benefit from sleeping or hiding inside a cat house.
Unlike crates used for dog training, cat houses can look quite pretty and have a roof that comes off to give your little dog seclusion without isolation. Here are some tips to help you choose the right cat house for your small dog.
Why Buy a Cat House?
Cleaning my bedroom one day, I realized that my small dog had dragged two pillows, five socks and one shirt under the bed to make herself a cave. There, between the dust mites and fur balls she went to hide when she wanted to feel safe. The solution was my husband’s idea. Let’s buy her a cat house.
Which Cat House?
We chose a wicker cat house with faux fur padding inside. The house was big enough for our little dog to turn around, stand up and get in and out freely. In addition, the roof of the cat house was removable, and when we turned it over it could function as a cushioned seat.
We placed the cat house in the bedroom, where our little dog had built her masterpiece of a cave. Inside the cat house we placed a shirt that my husband had worn, so his scent would fill the new cat house. We also took the roof off and replaced it at an angle so it would cover the cat house but leave the corners open, like a partial roof.
We use the cat house to keep our small dog feeling safe everywhere in the house or even when visiting friends. At night, our little dog sleeps with us, but in the middle of the night she moves to her cat house. In the day, we place the cat house in my home office. When we leave home, we place the cat house in the sunny living room.
By moving the cat house around our home we created safe places all over the house. This has helped greatly with separation anxiety and even potty training. Our little dog considers any area in which her cat house resides to be a part of her home. She feels safer and will not urinate or defecate there.
Where to Find the Best Cat House
There are many models of cat houses in a range of styles and prices. I recommend buying a large square or rectangle. You can find deals online, or look for a coupon to a major pet store (as I did) and buy a high quality cat house at a discount.
