I wouldn't give up on the crate either...Lillie didn't like being in the crate when we first brought her home either. I was up with her every 2 hours for the first 4 to 5 nights. After a while she got used to it. Lillie was only 8 weeks old when I got her and 1.6 lbs..very small....I think (even though the crate is not big) it was very overwhelming for her where she didn't have her mom or litter mates. I put a cat bed (the kind with the hood) in the crate with a heating pad UNDER the bed...I made a little pillow and put it in the bed and made her a little blanket. I pulled the bed right to the front of the crate so it did't look so big to her...She is perfectly fine in there now. And....I have an adult that sleeps with us and Lillie still doesn't mind sleeping in her crate now.
On the food...I wouldn't put food in the crate. I used to pick up the food after about 9 at night...put Lillie on the pad, tell her to pee (she did) and then into bed she would go...she has never had an accident in her crate.
I hope this helps..I know what how sleepless nights feel..
__________________ Brenda |