Our cousins have a dog they travel with, and they are planning on bringing him when they come to visit with us for a few days later this summer. Our cats get really distraught when any other animal is anywhere in their yard, much less the house. Our older cat is very prone to spraying, and although my initial response was to say "Love to visit with you, just please don't bring your dog", but I don't want to be rude, and they will be travelling for a few days, and we're just one stop of many.

What do I do?

Look into boarding kennels in the area. A lot of kennels will let owners take their dogs out during the day, and they stay there for the night..

I agree. It's your house and you have no obligation to let a dog stay there if you don't want - it doesn't really matter why. How is that being rude? Think from the other side -- I don't just take my cats with me and assume it's OK to bring them into anyone's house I happen to be visiting.

If you look into the kennels, then you're actually helping to try to accommodate the situation.

It's not rude to ask your friends to leave their dog outside, or in a kennel. Look at it this way. Your home is your cat's haven. It is the one place they feel safe in, and to violate that safety (in their eyes) by allowing a boisterous dog into it is extremely unfair to them.

Explain to your friends that cats aren't the social creatures dogs are, and that your cats experience behavioral issues during and after these visits. That should be enough of an excuse for any rational person!

Good luck...

I agreee with everyone else you just need to tell them and have them or you look into kennls for the dog to stay in... If not your cats will be mad at you not them and will no longer fel safe in there home.

I agree. It's your house and you have no obligation to let a dog stay there if you don't want - it doesn't really matter why. How is that being rude? Think from the other side -- I don't just take my cats with me and assume it's OK to bring them into anyone's house I happen to be visiting.

If you look into the kennels, then you're actually helping to try to accommodate the situation.

So u think I should look into making arrangements for a kennel just during the overnights? That sounds like maybe it may work... would we be responsible for paying the kennel fees? I guess we could just be honest and ask if they would mind putting buttons in a kennel since our cats wouldn't handle a dog in their home well. But what do we do with the cats while the dog is not in the kennel? They're OK outdoors for a bit but not all day if we're home

So u think I should look into making arrangements for a kennel just during the overnights? That sounds like maybe it may work.....would we be responsible for paying the kennel fees? I guess we could just be honest and ask if they would mind putting buttons in a kennel since our cats wouldn't handle a dog in their home well. But what do we do with the cats while the dog is not in the kennel? They're OK outdoors for a bit but not all day if we're home

They should pay it is thre dog and if it only for a few days then maybe putting the dog in a kenel till they leave is better or only getting the dog out for a few hours a days while they are there... That way the cats still fel safe it may suck for them and there dog but it is only a few days

No, Martina, I certainly wasn't saying you should pay for the kennel. Why should you? You seem to want to take all the burden of dealing with people coming into your home. Presumably you have invited them, great, and a good host does try to accommodate their guests. You didn't invite the dog -- they are just bringing the dog. So you have no reason to accommodate the dog unless you so choose. It's not rude to say no, and it's not your responsibility to find a way to solve the problem.

I merely meant that if you wanted to take the time to look into kennels yourself (for them to use and pay for), that you are already being accommodating - for something that isn't your problem to begin with. If you're feeling like you ought to help the situation in some way, then helping them out by checking into it might make you feel better.

Have you thought about keeping the cats in one room while the dog is there? And putting the dog in a separate room when the cats need out as well? Why not just tell the relatives the issue and see if they can suggest an option. If they are bringing their dog I bet they travel with it a lot and can help you with a solution. More often than not that's not a situation family will get mad about, especially if you are asking their advice, just be tactful and diplomatic for everyone involved. Is that an option?

I love dogs and cats. I have trained dogs to SCH111, FH, etc. etc. My stepchildren have a large incorrigible dog that is out of control, barks at me in my house, jumps up and puts his feet on the table when we are having dinner, is totally out of control while in our home. What kind of person thinks it is OK to have a dog at the dinner table, running around a home, or jumping on the sofa at a house you are visiting. These pet owners have no idea about animal behaviour and where dogs rate on the food chain!!

Have you thought about keeping the cats in one room while the dog is there? And putting the dog in a separate room when the cats need out as well? Why not just tell the relatives the issue and see if they can suggest an option. If they are bringing their dog I bet they travel with it a lot and can help you with a solution. More often than not that's not a situation family will get mad about, especially if you are asking their advice, just be tactful and diplomatic for everyone involved. Is that an option?

Should not even be discussed. If my home is a "non-smoking home" and a "no pet inside home" then why would someone exspect me to allow them to smoke or bring a pet in?