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Can cats from different households share cat trees?

Hi, I'm looking at adopting some kittens from our local shelter soon. My friend who has 2 cats has a spare cat tree that she could lend/give me. I was wondering if it's ok for my cats to use it because the other cats' scent would be on the tree? (I don't have any pets so I'm not sure.)

We will most likely introduce her cats to mine at some point because we will catsit for each other during vacations. Thanks very much!


Asked by Guest 125568 on Nov 4th 2009 Tagged furniture, cattree in Other Behavior & Training
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Cleopatra

It really depends on the cats. Some are very territorial and might not like the scent of other kitties around. If the cat tree is clean and the other cats do not have any communicable diseases, or fleas or worms, I would say it may be ok. I know that they use carpeted cat trees in kennels, maybe call one near you and see how they disinfect it (if they would tell you that).


Cleopatra answered on 11/4/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 2 Report this answer


QUINCY

If they are little kittens they probably won't be bothered by another cat's smell, but bigger kittens might.

I foster for a local cat rescue and I take our cat trees outside, vaccum them throughly, and then spray diluted bleach water on them and let them dry. Make sure you spray all the carpet, even the little bit that is underneath where it is attached. I haven't found a tree yet where the bleach has stained the carpet, but you may want to test a little spot underneath.
You could also clean them with a little hand held carpet cleaner (like a Bissel Green machine) and some dilute laundry soap in a spray bottle.

Good luck on finding your new family members!! Be sure to introduce them to your friend's cats while they are still small so everyone will be more accepting of each other.


QUINCY answered on 11/4/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 2 Report this answer


Izadore (Izzie)

Once again, Quincy is absolutely right. However, bleach can "bleach" a carpet (been there, done that-got the spot to prove it) so make sure you dilute the water in the spray bottle to about 1 part bleach to 20 parts water or so. I've also had good luck deodorizing and spot-lifting with powdered Tide laundry soap--also a very light mix of Tide to water.


Izadore (Izzie) answered on 11/5/09. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 2 Report this answer


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