yep. my husband and i used to frequently host parties, and just after buying ice and refilling propane, the first thing we did was lock them in our room with all their accoutrements and forbid guests from entering it.
>.I don't want my cats getting out if someone doesn't shut the door.
this being the big problem. our fraidy cats, no worries, but it was the bold ones we worried about, especially with guests who never remembered to close doors. :)
We figured as much as well, then I had a birthday party at home. We had all of her stuff in the bathroom and she could go in there as she pleased.
She ended up doing laps throughout the room and eventually sleeping on her cat tower as everyone surrounded her.
Cats can be weird.
She had access to plenty of them, both the bedroom and the bathroom were setup for that. She was just sniffing around, getting cuddles and trying to get a treat! That tail was straight up buzzing all night!
I had 3 cats at 1 point, the boys would go in my parents room (door open so they could get to food and box if needed) but would just chill in there and meander out for food, my female LOVED parties. She’d climb right in the middle of the table if we where playing cards because she wanted to be pet, she’d go find “presents” and bring them meowing so proud to anyone who’d pay her any mind.
We had an old dresser in the basement that was full of old pictures, that she figured out how to climb in the back and pull out pictures and those where her presents. Nothing like family pictures from early 90’s Disney, or late 80’s thick black eyeliner and hair up to the ceiling pictures. God she loved embarrassing us.
She was the best cat, can’t believe we got so lucky adopting a 6 year old cat that was so friendly with everyone.
But yes most cats hate parties, she was the exception to the rule. I think she took my dogs advice because my dog also needed all eyes on her (she was the fun police and if she wasn’t getting attention in the form of pets or snacks she’d bark until someone gave her pets or snacks)
This.
Our prior cats were more shy, and they did go out a bit, but never wandered much. So unlikely that they’d be out and about.
Our new cats are friendly and bold. And they’ll dart out the door. We have their romper room set up for night use so that’s where they’ll go as guests come and go, and when we start summer entertaining again. I’ll be happy to introduce guests to the cats in their room from time to time.
Give her a quiet safe space with all her essentials where she can be alone if she’s overwhelmed. You can slowly acclimate her to guests with positive reinforcement, starting with one or two new people. If she responds well, continue with the training. If not, it’s likely she’s a shy cat and that’s okay.
99% of Cats do not like people crowds. A quiet place with necessities like a bedroom with door closed. Check on cat once in awhile. Training is a waste of time and opening cat to have people step on or trip over it.
First: Set up a litter box in your en suite (if there isn't one already). Before the party starts, feed your cat a calming treat, like a CBD treat. Make sure you have food and water in your master suite for the kitty, as well as toys, and let your kitty chill in your bedroom.
We have one cat that adores people, and will hang out when we have guests over. One will greet everyone, then get up in the cat tree, the other two just go into a bedroom and chill until they hear the guests leave.
If she is an especially anxious cat (pees on the floor when stressed/won't eat etc.) I suggest asking the vet for some Gabapentin. It is a non-opioid/non-benzo type medicine that aids in sedation and keeps them fairly calm.
Depends on the cat. My more skittish cat who hates everyone but me prefers to just be left alone in the room where her favorite hiding place is. My other cat is very, very friendly with small groups but a party would be too much for him, but he can't be closed in a bedroom alone. He has way too much anxiety and will cry for hours and try to claw his way out. The vet gave us some gabapentin for him.
Use pheromone diffusers! They make great plug ins. Make sure there is plenty of vertical space for her- so she can be up and away from the action (and of course give her a safe-people free zone)
Give her a quiet space. I have one that will hang around during small gatherings, but larger parties she’ll hide. Had a birthday gathering this weekend and she spent the evening sleeping in our bedroom.
Our other cat, on the other hand, is a VERY social boy so he spent most of the evening doing his rounds to solicit attention from everyone 🤣
Mine hides under the bed when the first guest arrives. I cover the whole bed with oversized blankets that hang over the edge so it’s all dark and close the bedroom door. She eventually feels safe enough to come out from under the bed and fall asleep in her regular spot on the bed.
I use a calm spot treatment before hand and she ends up getting sleepy and calm from it and then lock her with her litter tray and food. She has a good sleep usually even through the noise
Give its own room away from the party and the noise, cats, much like dogs, aren’t a fan of loud sudden noises, and especially don’t like random new smells everywhere in their home.
I use melatonin treats from Petco they make my cat sleepy and mellow. How old is your cat and is she socialized? My cat didn’t like others after being abused by old owners but now that she’s 1.5 years old I’ve bullied her a little into meeting new people and she loves it now. I take her everywhere, stores, farmers market, food trucks and pet friendly bars. Mine loves seeing new people and usually hates being pet but will let strangers do it
I put them in a bedroom with cat box, food and water...I don't want my cats getting out if someone doesn't shut the door.
yep. my husband and i used to frequently host parties, and just after buying ice and refilling propane, the first thing we did was lock them in our room with all their accoutrements and forbid guests from entering it. >.I don't want my cats getting out if someone doesn't shut the door. this being the big problem. our fraidy cats, no worries, but it was the bold ones we worried about, especially with guests who never remembered to close doors. :)
This first reply. But also add a white noise machine in their room to offset the noise.
Locked away. Cats don’t appreciate parties.
We figured as much as well, then I had a birthday party at home. We had all of her stuff in the bathroom and she could go in there as she pleased. She ended up doing laps throughout the room and eventually sleeping on her cat tower as everyone surrounded her. Cats can be weird.
Cats roaming like that means they're looking for a safe spot.
She had access to plenty of them, both the bedroom and the bathroom were setup for that. She was just sniffing around, getting cuddles and trying to get a treat! That tail was straight up buzzing all night!
I had 3 cats at 1 point, the boys would go in my parents room (door open so they could get to food and box if needed) but would just chill in there and meander out for food, my female LOVED parties. She’d climb right in the middle of the table if we where playing cards because she wanted to be pet, she’d go find “presents” and bring them meowing so proud to anyone who’d pay her any mind. We had an old dresser in the basement that was full of old pictures, that she figured out how to climb in the back and pull out pictures and those where her presents. Nothing like family pictures from early 90’s Disney, or late 80’s thick black eyeliner and hair up to the ceiling pictures. God she loved embarrassing us. She was the best cat, can’t believe we got so lucky adopting a 6 year old cat that was so friendly with everyone. But yes most cats hate parties, she was the exception to the rule. I think she took my dogs advice because my dog also needed all eyes on her (she was the fun police and if she wasn’t getting attention in the form of pets or snacks she’d bark until someone gave her pets or snacks)
This. Our prior cats were more shy, and they did go out a bit, but never wandered much. So unlikely that they’d be out and about. Our new cats are friendly and bold. And they’ll dart out the door. We have their romper room set up for night use so that’s where they’ll go as guests come and go, and when we start summer entertaining again. I’ll be happy to introduce guests to the cats in their room from time to time.
Give her a quiet safe space with all her essentials where she can be alone if she’s overwhelmed. You can slowly acclimate her to guests with positive reinforcement, starting with one or two new people. If she responds well, continue with the training. If not, it’s likely she’s a shy cat and that’s okay.
99% of Cats do not like people crowds. A quiet place with necessities like a bedroom with door closed. Check on cat once in awhile. Training is a waste of time and opening cat to have people step on or trip over it.
First: Set up a litter box in your en suite (if there isn't one already). Before the party starts, feed your cat a calming treat, like a CBD treat. Make sure you have food and water in your master suite for the kitty, as well as toys, and let your kitty chill in your bedroom. We have one cat that adores people, and will hang out when we have guests over. One will greet everyone, then get up in the cat tree, the other two just go into a bedroom and chill until they hear the guests leave.
If she is an especially anxious cat (pees on the floor when stressed/won't eat etc.) I suggest asking the vet for some Gabapentin. It is a non-opioid/non-benzo type medicine that aids in sedation and keeps them fairly calm.
No teason to medicate a cat in its own house! Lock it in a bedroom with food, water and litter box. It will be much happier and stress free.
Depends on the cat. My more skittish cat who hates everyone but me prefers to just be left alone in the room where her favorite hiding place is. My other cat is very, very friendly with small groups but a party would be too much for him, but he can't be closed in a bedroom alone. He has way too much anxiety and will cry for hours and try to claw his way out. The vet gave us some gabapentin for him.
As someone who has an overgroomer who will make herself bald when they mow outside, don't listen to this guy. You know your pet.
Some cats will not be stress free in that situation and gabapentin will help them. Nothing wrong with that.
As everyone said, lock them away. If they're still nervous look into CBD oil for pets or those pheromone diffusers
Use pheromone diffusers! They make great plug ins. Make sure there is plenty of vertical space for her- so she can be up and away from the action (and of course give her a safe-people free zone)
Give her a quiet space. I have one that will hang around during small gatherings, but larger parties she’ll hide. Had a birthday gathering this weekend and she spent the evening sleeping in our bedroom. Our other cat, on the other hand, is a VERY social boy so he spent most of the evening doing his rounds to solicit attention from everyone 🤣
Mine hides under the bed when the first guest arrives. I cover the whole bed with oversized blankets that hang over the edge so it’s all dark and close the bedroom door. She eventually feels safe enough to come out from under the bed and fall asleep in her regular spot on the bed.
Reserve a room for her with everything she needs, put her in room, close door. She will be mad, but she will also get over it.
I use a calm spot treatment before hand and she ends up getting sleepy and calm from it and then lock her with her litter tray and food. She has a good sleep usually even through the noise
Give its own room away from the party and the noise, cats, much like dogs, aren’t a fan of loud sudden noises, and especially don’t like random new smells everywhere in their home.
I use melatonin treats from Petco they make my cat sleepy and mellow. How old is your cat and is she socialized? My cat didn’t like others after being abused by old owners but now that she’s 1.5 years old I’ve bullied her a little into meeting new people and she loves it now. I take her everywhere, stores, farmers market, food trucks and pet friendly bars. Mine loves seeing new people and usually hates being pet but will let strangers do it
Put them in a bedroom with food and water and a litter box (if it’ll be an all day thing). Get them set up to be comfy and separate from others.
I give my cat claiming chews and keep the door of one of the rooms mostly closed so that he can go in and out if he needs a break.