You're very nice to help your friend like this. It's a real godsend to her, I'm sure.

I wouldn't assume the cats are going to make a mess or need to be confined. I've had cats for years, and they're just fun little guys - they haven't caused any trouble. (The litter can get out of the box; just sweep a lot.)

I'd agree with the others to buy a new litter box. They are inexpensive ($40 for a good one) and that way it won't smell.

Ask your friend what the cats' routines are like. That'll help you ease them into your household.

Let us know in 2 years how the cats are doing.

No matter what you do, please don't tell your friend about how worried you are or whether the cats are behaving. I know it's stupid, but I had a friend complain about my dog (before he arrived) once during a situation like this and it made it so much harder to cope.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, we are military and have lived in tons of houses not our own with cats and have never had issues with smells when we leave.

Here is my suggestion:

Go to Home Depot or Lowes. Somewhere in the plumbing section, they have rolls of this gray waterproof showerpan liner sold by the foot.

Get a yard of that and put it under the litter box. If the box is against the wall, have the liner go up the wall a few inches. This will take care of any overshoots and protect the floor. If they miss, you just replace it.

Sweep and scoop daily.

We will do that, too. Thank you!

Or buy a litter box that has a top.

Get a new litter box, too. They're cheap, it'll be one less thing your friend has to think about, and I find that the plastic absorbs the smells after a while anyway, so it's good to start fresh.

Nature's Miracle is good. Get the original scented one. It works so well without a perfumey masking scent.

Get a couple of catnip toys.

Have your friend send a couple of t-shirts that she's worn but hasn't washed and put those in the cat beds or wherever the kitties are likely to curl up for sleep. They will be comforted by your friend's scent on them.

Anonymous wrote:OP, we are military and have lived in tons of houses not our own with cats and have never had issues with smells when we leave.

Here is my suggestion:

Go to Home Depot or Lowes. Somewhere in the plumbing section, they have rolls of this gray waterproof showerpan liner sold by the foot.

Get a yard of that and put it under the litter box. If the box is against the wall, have the liner go up the wall a few inches. This will take care of any overshoots and protect the floor. If they miss, you just replace it.

Sweep and scoop daily.

We will do that, too. Thank you!

OP, we are military and have lived in tons of houses not our own with cats and have never had issues with smells when we leave.

Here is my suggestion:

Go to Home Depot or Lowes. Somewhere in the plumbing section, they have rolls of this gray waterproof showerpan liner sold by the foot.

Get a yard of that and put it under the litter box. If the box is against the wall, have the liner go up the wall a few inches. This will take care of any overshoots and protect the floor. If they miss, you just replace it.

Sweep and scoop daily.

Anonymous wrote:Ugh... Not smart, OP.

- owner of 2 cats

Go away

Ugh... Not smart, OP.

- owner of 2 cats

Anonymous wrote:It does help cats to be in a smaller space for awhile when they are first in a new house. I'd probably pick a non-carpeted room if I had the choice, because it's easier to clean wood or tile floors. If the cats seem comfortable (social, looking to be petted, wanting to explore) after a few days, let them into a larger area. Maybe put them to bed for the night back in "their" room so they're sure to find their litter box.

If they are well socialized cats, they'll be fine! Good for you for taking them for your friend.

Thank you. Good tips.

Anonymous wrote:I think your dh is on the right track. I think it will be less of an issue than you anticipate. If you have a bathroom you don't use often, you might try confining them there.

We do. But, it's tiny. About half the space or less than the small spare room. Shower, toilet, vanity door. 2 cats would take up 25% of the space, plus litter box, 50% of the space. Is that too confined?

I think your dh is on the right track. I think it will be less of an issue than you anticipate. If you have a bathroom you don't use often, you might try confining them there.

It does help cats to be in a smaller space for awhile when they are first in a new house. I'd probably pick a non-carpeted room if I had the choice, because it's easier to clean wood or tile floors. If the cats seem comfortable (social, looking to be petted, wanting to explore) after a few days, let them into a larger area. Maybe put them to bed for the night back in "their" room so they're sure to find their litter box.

If they are well socialized cats, they'll be fine! Good for you for taking them for your friend.

OP you put unnecessary identifying information into your post. I'd ask to have it taken down and start a new thread with only the pertinent information to your questions.

My friend has been planning to leave for awhile, and it has taken a long time and a lot of friend support to get her in the position where she can actually move out of the apartment. She will be removed from a situation where she can take the cats back for 1-6 months. I go into this expecting 6, just because if I can't take them for a long time, I can't take them. She has 2 cats and we agreed to house them until she could take them back. We have no cats. We have no pets. Just one 4 year old and she has a 4 year old., so they are used to kids. We agreed to take them for the time being, because everyone else we all know has pets, and they can't introduce 2 new cats into the mix, and we are all afraid she won't leave when she needs to get out if she thinks her only option is to put the cats in a shelter. I wouldn't live in cats-in-new-temp-home nightmare for just anyone.

I used to have a cat, but I haven't in 10 years. I get that pets smell, they need things, they need to be fed. They poop and pee on things, especially in new places. Some of them need more attention than others. Some have anxiety and health problems. These cats are generally fine, but I am saying that I understand that every cat will be different and have different needs. We need to buy some enzyme cleaner. I assume she's bringing their litter box, but maybe we just want to buy a new one?

My husband said we should keep them shut up in our spare bedroom alone for awhile until they calmed down and got used to the smell of the house and us, because we're upsetting their lives. It's carpetted. I thought we'd keep them blocked in with us on the main floor, because that's where the wood floor is.

I know that a lot of people know a lot more about cats than I do. So, help us prepare for having these two furry guests on our house. No naysayers, because the choice is made. We choose our very good friend over our comfort.