Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cat swiped at DS, AIBU not to want to get rid of him?

78 replies

Hairynigel · 09/01/2012 10:42

Get rid of the cat obvs, not DS.
DS snook up on him and squealed in his face, Cat took a short swipe and left 2 small scratches on his face.
Generally Cat doesn't have a problem with DS, he gets up and wanders off somewhere else if DS is annoying him, this has never happened before.

Just told DP and now he wants to get rid of Cat. He has never liked Cat and is always looking for reasons to rehome him. Cat is 123 years old and unlikely to be rehomed.

AIBU for wanting to keep him, even though he took a swipe at DS?

OP posts:
ABatInBunkFive · 09/01/2012 10:53

Rule here is if you annoy the cat you deserve it, if it was unprovoked it's different, keep the cat lose the DP Wink

MrsHankey · 09/01/2012 10:54

Also, I was same as Lisa when a teenager.

I've had some pretty severe scratches, usually trying to handle one of my/my families cats when they have to go to vets or get cleaned up in some way (I am 'official' cat handler Grin), but all nothing much to worry about.

HeadfirstForHalos · 09/01/2012 10:54

Also if I rehomed him dd2 would never forgive me, scratch or no scratch!

CoffeeDog · 09/01/2012 10:56

Twins had a few warning scratches form Percy pussy cat when he first came...... they leant not to jump at him/pull his tail..... 1 year later i think they could dive bomb into him and may just open an eye and give them a 'look'

DD has to prise him off her duvet to get into bed every night.... he just rolls to one side then back when she her feet are in ;)

They will all come to an arrangement ;)

Red2011 · 09/01/2012 11:04

Hopefully the cat swipe will teach DS to leave elderly cat alone. I have 2 cats aged 14 and DD aged almost 1. She has so far managed to tread on one cat (whilst walking on the sofa to grab cushions), pull the other off the arm of the sofa (he was sitting on a blanket), and pull fur out of both. So far neither cat has scratched but I could see female cat limbering up for some potential claw action yesterday when DD was stomping about too close. I stepped in to keep them apart but at some point the cats will snap. Hopefully she'll learn to leave them alone, or be gentle with them then. Smile

Vicky2011 · 09/01/2012 11:05

Rule here is that the cats are treated with love and respect, if they swipe because they are being tormented then it is definitely the tormentors fault. A lesson DS learnt at a very early age. They now both sleep next to him on his pillow :)

Definitely bin the DH not the mog!

MrHulot · 09/01/2012 11:08

a scratch is 'nothing', what you have to look out is infections from the scratch. cats claws carry germs because they hunt and mess with mice, birds,... (maybe not at 123 years old...)
personally i find that growing up with pets is invaluable, teaches respect, love, caring, how to deal with pain
just clean sratches carefully but keep the elderly cat

fairimum · 09/01/2012 11:10

We have 3 cats and similar has happened to us before - we would never think of getting rid of cats - children have to learn x

PurpleWithaBlueBun · 09/01/2012 11:11

Pah, I rely on the cats scratching Dd to keep her in line. Wink Didn't do me any harm!

Original poster
Hairynigel · 09/01/2012 11:14

Right, I've decided!
DP is going. I'm going to live happily ever after being a cat lady :)

OP posts:
SardineQueen · 09/01/2012 11:15

YANBU and your DS has learnt a valuable lesson.

Your DP is being quite horrid.

SardineQueen · 09/01/2012 11:15

Oooh xpost

Good choice Grin

DressingGownQueen · 09/01/2012 11:18

YADNBU. It is just what cats do when they are annoyed.

My dd got scratched at the childminder when she was pestering their cat. It has taught her not do it again!

When I was small my parents had an arse of a cat who used to sit waiting for someone to walk past and then lunge at them. Never did me any harm and we all loved his grumpy ways.

FreudianSlipper · 09/01/2012 11:18

ds would often annoy our cat and a few times got scratched and even a little bite not hard more of a warning

ds learned (eventually) that our cat was not a toy and now they are best of friends and play nicely together

he will learn no need to get rid of the cat

OrmIrian · 09/01/2012 11:18

How old is he?

If he's old enough to learn the lesson I think it will be fine. If he isn't, then keep them apart as far as possible. either way cat doesn't deserve to be rehomed. Rehome DH if necessary.

SusanneLinder · 09/01/2012 11:20

haha OP. If any DP didnt like cats,he would be out the door as fast as I could kick him :o

Luckily my DH is a total animal lover, and I saw a grown man cry for 2 days when our 16 year old cat died recently :(

stealthsquiggle · 09/01/2012 11:21

Our DC were always told that if they wound the cat up and she scratched, it was their fault. I agree it teaches them to respect animals - I was always confident that DCat would defend herself against small children - until she didn't! She is nearly 20 now, and recent visiting brat child was chasing her and picking her up and lugging her around and she didn't retaliate at all Shock - I had to go and rescue her and tell child not to touch her (not that he took any notice, but that is another story...)

I am glad you have decided to be on Cat's side in this, OP - DS will hopefully be more cautious in future.

Original poster
Hairynigel · 09/01/2012 11:23

Aww sorry to hear that susanne :( I'm dreading the day my cat dies. Had him since I was in school, there's no way he's going now!

DP doesn't hate Cat but he doesn't love him either. He just sees them as animals and nothing more. I see him as my little furry grumpy baby :o

OP posts:
EmmaBemma · 09/01/2012 11:24

Our cat takes swipes at our little girls if she feels threatened or cornered. They are both learning a healthy respect for her and know to leave her alone unless we are there and can supervise some gentle strokes.

ILoveGreggsSausageRolls · 09/01/2012 11:25

Perception Why have you brought dogs into this??

In my experience dogs are usually for more tolerable than cats. That said dogs can potentially do more damage.

OP YANBU. He will learn that animals are to be respected. Does your car have a fav room that you can put a gate on so your DS can't torment him?

OhdearNigel · 09/01/2012 11:37

DD was often swiped by our cats when she went too far. It has taught her that the cats do not appreciate being poked in the eye, pulled by the tail, squashed or ridden. A quick swipe with a sheathed claw has taught her respect for animals far more effectively than I ever could.

theworldaccordingtome · 09/01/2012 11:43

My mum volunteer for the CPL throughout my childhood there were cats in her house long before me and my sister. Your DC will be fine and will learn eventually to respect animals better if they are brought up around them. Your DH is being an arse IMHO. Then again, people who dislike animals always worry me a bit.

CurlyBoy · 09/01/2012 14:18

Our little boy came to live with us in March at 18 months old. We have two cats, one about 3 years old and one about 11. The young one has stayed away from him since he came. We only see her when he's napping or in bed for the night. The older cat loves everybody but doesn't see too well. It's taken him about 8 months to get used to the noise level and not be afraid of our boy. The problem is that he gets so excited when he sees the cat he screams or shouts or is very rough with him. Jimmy takes it in his stride and usually rubs up against him just after he's had his tail pulled, etc. We keep hoping that he'll take a swipe at him to show him that it's just not acceptable. The boy thinks the cat likes his behaviour because of how the cat reacts. Maybe your DS will be a little more cautious around your cat from now on.

hiddenhome · 09/01/2012 14:20

Noooo, you can't get rid of Cat!!! The poor animal is just defending itself.

I have an evil female cat who savaged my hand when trying to get her into catbox for her jabs, but I still love her, it's just the way they are. It's not like your cat is stallking around attacking people.

lollilou · 09/01/2012 14:24

As soon as my Dd could crawl she was after my elderly ginger tom cat and he swiped her a lot of times. She would chase him into a corner, once he caught her across her face and I'll admit to being worried but they soon learnt to adjust to each other.

Swipe left for the next trending thread