Should I take my cat back?

[CatDilemma]

Hi I've nc for this as I don't want to get flamed.
5 years ago before I got pregnant with dc1 I had 3 cats. One was a really gorgeous old persian girl and two were kitten moggies. The old girl used to wee everywhere but her litter trayso the place we lived in was pretty grim.
A few weeks after I had ds I got offered a lovely new house. Only problem was, I wasn't allowed my cats with me. So I managed to find them a home. I was upset but I managed to move on. I lost touch with the lady that had them uuntil very recently. The old girl and boy kitten have passed away but the girl kitten is still alive. She's 6 now.
My dilemma is the lady that had them is not coping with her cats at all. Shes managed to find a rescue that will take almost all of them off her. But I'm in a positionnow where I could have my cat back.
As far as I can tell since remeeting her she hasn't had a nice time of it recently and it is really important she gets out of there. The rescue are coming for her on Wednesday. I'm just so undecided as to whether I should have her back ornot.

[lljkk]

I would take her back on trial. Your household may not be right for her now, but you can give it a try.

[cozietoesie]

Take her back.

6 is nobbut a youngster these days - and there's a good chance she'll still remember you.



And let us know how she gets on.

[CatDilemma]

Ahhh I thought you might all say that.
Lljkk you're right about my household possibly not suiting her. She's never lived with children and I have two.
I could get her tomorrow. Is it lots of extra work having a cat? I can't really remember now.

[bonzo77]

My cat is no work at all. Feed 2x a day, never uses litter tray provided as she prefers the garden. Locked in at night so no vet bills. Lots of furry cuddles and ignores the baby and toddler.

[cozietoesie]

It's some extra work but not a whole lot for a young cat. (Food, litter if needed and regular vet checks.) If she fits in, it could be good for your DCs to be brought up with a pet to care for as well.

[frustratedworkingmum]

Have her back if you can - the lady will be so grateful too. If it doesn't work out then she will have to go to the rescue. One word - Feliway

[CatDilemma]

What's feliway?

[Solero]

Absolutely take her back, wouldn't be without my 2

[frustratedworkingmum]

Its a cat pheremone that helps to calm and can help urinating in the house issues too. You can buy it from your vets, it may have changed it name recently but they will know what you mean, is not too expensive, buy a spray or plug in diffuser and have it there about a week before your cat comes home to help the transition, also spray it in the travel box. Good luck x

[tribpot]

Yes, I think you've prejudiced the answers by posting in The Litter Tray - you must have known we'd all be total softies where cats are concerned and vote for taking her back.

Obviously I support that option, too. Ours is not much trouble (provided she gets her own way in absolutely everything, obviously) and ds loves her to bits. He was 5 when we got her from Cats Protection and she wasn't the most confident of animals. He's always been very patient with her and knows if he gets too huggy she's likely just to vanish off to the airing cupboard.

Give it a try. She's young enough to be adaptable.

[fackinell]

Yes, get your girl back cats have a way of hiding themselves away if the HH too hectic. You've missed them and you loved them. Sorry about your boys but go get your girlie!!

[lljkk]

Ah, we have recently taken on an old codger cat who never lived with children before. He regularly scratches even very gentle 4yo DS who just wants to gently pet and kiss him. Bit of an onery old git. Flea-ridden to boot (argh). I'd chuck him out in a heartbeat but he's a perfect Bachelor Man's cat, loves teenage DS and DH.

As far as I'm concerned he's still here on sufferance, too.

It's worth a try to see if you can give her a home before she goes to Cat Rescue, that was my take on things with Old Codger Cat (but looks like we're stuck with him anyway).

[cozietoesie]

One thing to remember is that if the old lady wasn't coping, it's likely that your girl hasn't been to a vet for a bit - if ever. Check with the old lady if you can but if you take her back, I'd have her up to the vet ASAP anyway for the full check out including fleas, worms, teeth and whether or not she's been spayed. A microchip as well if you can afford it.

If you take her back, I'd just treat her as a new cat but I rather suspect that she'll remember you even though she may not show immediate signs of it. She may have changed in the intervening years but you (and your voice in particular) won't have changed much at all.



lljkk - I detect definite signs of a doting owner there! (Despite your gruff comments.)

[DeafLeopard]

Not that you need it but another vote to go get her

[CatDilemma]

I know shes been spayed because I did that (well paid a vet to) when she was a kitten. She's been treated for fleas a couple of days ago. She will need worming because that hasn't been done.
I left the decision to dp and he said yes so looks like she really is coming back.

[cozietoesie]

(I forgot vaccinations etc.)

Now that's good to know.

You'll have to be patient for a little of course. Let us know how it goes.

[Floralnomad]

When you get her I'd keep her in one room at first ,preferably one without a carpet ,to check the flea situation . The last thing you want is to be fumigating your house next week !

[cozietoesie]

Hopefully they'll all be gone or going but setting aside one room as a 'safety room' where she can run to hide and the DCs know not to go into is good in any case. Otherwise it's just setting up a feeding station and a litter station and you're away.



Oh - and getting a carrying box if you haven't got one. (You can likely make do with a cardboard box immediately but a proper box will be needed in the medium term.)

[CatDilemma]

I think she'll be coming tonight once the dc are in bed. Will be going cat stuff shopping today I think.
We've got an airing cupboard right next to the bathroom that dd can't get to. Ds can get everywhere but is old enough to knowto leave her alone.
So I'll need bed, litter tray and litter, carry box, food and bowls, worming tablets, feliway if I can find some and some toys. Anything else?

[Floralnomad]

Personally I wouldn't buy a shop wormer ,I'd go to the vet tomorrow and get one from them ,same for flea stuff . The pet shop stuff does not necessarily have the same ingredients and vets usually have the best stuff. ( way too many uses of stuff there)

[tribpot]

I wouldn't bother with a bed, unless she has one already? My cat has slept in her bed precisely one time.

[cozietoesie]

I wouldn't bother with a bed, either. An old blanket/throw/similar (preferably washable) will be fine if you want a soft place for her.

Bowls - well you should be able to find something in the cupboard for food and water bowls - and if you don't have any, beg some old newspapers from neighbours to use to put them and the litter tray on.

As for toys? I would get some old scrunched up bits of paper, inner toilet tubes, old cardboard boxes to start off with. They don't usually need much in the way of elaborate/expensive playthings. Some old little kids' toys (teddies/bunnies) from the local charity shop next week and put 'em through the machine in a soft wash. That should do her if you're desperate.

I'd also get wormer etc from the vet and not from the shop. You can register her at the same time!

[fackinell]

Felliway is ridiculously expensive and I'm not convinced it did ours any good. So happy you're getting her home!!