Keeping cats in carriers for long periods of time?!!?

Question

A friend of mine just lost a kitten she recently adopted. he was the sweetest little thing. He died from kidney failure.

My question is.. Can keeping a cat in a pet carrier for extended periods of time cause kidney failure?

This is what I think happened to him.

The family she adopted him from had several cats in pet carriers, kittens and adults. They said that the reason the adults were in carriers is that they needed to be neutered, to avoid more kittens.

The thing is, one of the kids in the home told my friend that most of these cats have been kept in the cages their entire lives. Only let out daily to feed and water, and then put back. She said it looked like they kept the cages fairly clean, but that the cats/kittens were a bit messy when the lady took each one out for her to hold. A couple had red skin patches, and somewhat runny eyes.

I told her I think this is VERY wrong, and that this is probably why her kitten (he was 5 months) passed away so young.

What are some negative effects that can come from this type of situation, I mean health-wise?

I feel so bad for those cats, and I hope they get them ALL adopted soon, if that is their plan. =/

Answer 1

First I want to say that these people do need to be looked into by ASAPC or some Human Society people, the conditions of the cats as you described do not sound like good conditions.

Did the kitten get checked out by a vet and be diagnosed w/ kidney failure? Or are you just thinking this is the cause? Kidney failure can be treated/managed. Because of the conditions, it could of been something else that caused the death, that is why I asked did the vet determine that to be the cause?

There are usually many things that can cause kidney failure, I've never seen or read about being crated, but since it was crated, lack of things could have caused. Kidney failure does usually occur in older cats, but can be linked to younger/kitten cats.

http://www.felinecrf.com/ is a great site to read.

I have a 12/13 yr old cat that was just diagnosed w/ hyperthyroid.

Answer 2

I agree this is very wrong.  There are lots of negative effects from keeping them in cages.  Litter box issues, socialization problems, health problems such as URI.   Kittens need a lot of different things to grow up to be healthy and well adjusted and the right environment..is imperative.  If I were you I would seriously consider reporting this woman to your local SPCA.

Answer 3

Sadly enough that family has the wrong ideas. Cats are meant to be outside and to run and hunt. Keeping them in a carrier does bad things and no cat should go through that. The cats are not properly cared for and if conditions get horrible it could count as abuse. Either way poor kitties.... :(

Answer 4

yeah that  is wrong the chemicals in plastic from pet carriers have been known to kill animals if you call animal police or a good shelter they can take them from her if they are in bad condition like you said

Answer 5

Agree with you 100%

Sounds like that family didn't neuter the adults & now overrun with more cats than they could manage, and it's the poor cats that are paying the price because of their owner's irresponsible behaviour.

For the sake of the other cats still in their 'care', you should inform the local animal rescure/charity or RSPCA about the state the animals are in, you can remain anonymous.

Answer 6

I would report this to the A.S.P.C.A.  They will probably investigate.  If they find nothing wrong they won't do anything.  But if they suspect wrong-doing, they will take the cats away and find new homes for them. I think this can be done without giving your name, if that is an issue.

Answer 7

ok listen keeping a cat inside a crate can not cause kidney failure trust me my dog stays in a crate because she is crate trained we take her out to play with her and everything and she is fine. she is almost 2 years old in october we got her when she was very young from the start we crate trained her and she's fine so yeah ther is a lot of things that can cause kidney failure and i assure you that is not one of them it is not wrong at all to keep your cat in a crate. some problems is like when they are young they accidently have an accident in there but thats it there is nothing wrong WITH THAT

Answer 8

OMG that is horrible...this woman needs to be reported! The cat proboble hdied because of holding in his urine. Poorthing did not want to p**s in his own bed. How sad and cruel