Cat Hell!

[blondiii]

I am an animal lover...honestly I am but I've had horses and dogs...I am a dog person.

But, my DH and I rescued two cats because we wanted pets and worked shifts so couldn't get a dog.

We lived in an open plan house so they had unrestricted access and totally wrecked it.

We moved house, and to stop this happening again I shut them in the (big) kitchen over night when we weren't around to supervise them clawing carpets and sofa's etc. They go outside too.

Then, DS came along. When I got back from the hospital one approached and attacked me for no reason. It also did a huge smelly wee in DS's Moses basket. Because of this I shut them in the kitchen more as I was home alone with new DS and I was frightened what they would do.

DS is now 1, I have tried being more relaxed about them but they've clawed DS twice (once because of fur pulling, once for no reason at all).

My cats are total dicks!! AIBU? I would have rehomed them by now but DH says they're family members and it's not fair etc but they make my life hell. I am always cleaning up there sick/poo and dealing with their attitudes, I do all the vet stuff and feeding. They're really high maintenance, worse than any dog I've had. I know the cat brigade will probably think I'm the devil incarnate but I am at my wits end.

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

The weeing can be marking, our cat usually marks Dhs belongings like his bath towel & not mine because he's more sure of me than Dh (who actually adores him but he's a one woman cat)

Er yeah. That's cat for 'she's MINE you bastard - find somewhere else to live'. :) (PS - Do you have a photo)?

OP - Your cats are adorable, although the second photo (with the fangs) is just a little scary.

I don't think feliway is going to work miracles. I think you need a proper behaviouist - and they are gorgeous kitties and deserve this.

A good behaviourist will also work with you and your family to show you how to best approach kitties so that you don't get too mangled.

[InformalRoman]

You could try them with Zylkene as well? We tried it with our anxious cat and it certainly helped her to become more laid back.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Spartacus

He's a good boy really.

Op Do try the behaviourist, your cat insurance might cover it.

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

A darling boy! And so p,eased to see you! Look at that tail!

[SapphireStrange]

He's got beautiful eyes, Fluffy!

[Neverm1nd]

We're they neutered late in life? I have 14 cats. I have two that behave like yours - both total dicks and wI'll turn in an instant. I love both the arses very much and have no children visiting so I am in a position where i can find them amusing. (But they really are dicks!). Both these two were rescues who've had tough lives. One is very elderly and the other disabled following a car accident after which his owner dumped him (she had a toddler and I cannot imagine this cat anywhere near a child anyway). Neither cat was neutered until well well into adulthood....I suspect toms that were intact for years are much greater tossers than those neutered young.

Just a guess though! Happy to be corrected.

[missymayhemsmum]

If they are often being sick, crapping/ weeing where they shouldn't they may be ill. I had an elderly cat who started doing this, she was getting recurrent kidney infections, which were treated by antibiotic injections. They made her bad-tempered as well, and ashe was yowling round with a splitting headache until we worked out what was going on. So I would start with a vet check up.
Is a catflap not an option?
Most 1-year olds learn what the cat will put up with by getting the odd scratch, but if the cat is just going for the baby unprovoked the cat might have to go.

[HermioneJeanGranger]

Are you playing with them or interacting with them much? I know you've got them toys, but are you actually spending time with them?

Cats have a reputation for being "easy" pets who don't need much attention, but in my experience, it's nonsense. Although they will happily sleep for hours on their own, you can't just feed them and let them out, and ignore them the rest of the time. They need attention - and you have to play with them! Get them to chase a laser pen or some string, or get them a toy you can put their treats in so they have to "hunt" to get food.

Please don't shut them in the kitchen all the time - cats need to be able to escape each other, and they won't take kindly to having one room with their food and litter trays in close proximity. Yes, they can go outside but not if you're shutting them in overnight without a catflap - it's not fair on them.

Are they peeing/pooing in their trays? Do you have enough trays? With two cats, you ideally need three, in separate, quiet locations, not lined up together or in busy areas of the house.

Good luck.

[cbigs]

Aw op they're beautiful cats! Unhelpfulbut true

[Jazzapples]

We were in a very similar situation with our two rescue cats and a baby and have recently found their behaviour has improved when we stopped giving them wet food. We were giving them pouches in the morning and evening and it was driving them to hassle us for pouches constantly, including scratching at the carpet and our feet to get our attention. We've now switched to higher quality dry food that's available to them all day and they're much more chilled out. Might be worth a try- I imagine it's cheaper than a cat behaviouralist (!). But you have my sympathy- it can be very frustrating and I hated feeling like they were making my home less pleasant and safe for my baby.

[GoodEyebrowDay]

You're getting a nicer response than the other cat thread!

I only have dogs so can't comment but it does sound territorial. Maybe a bit of attention?

[blondiii]

Maybe I am taking it too personally but when you put a lot of effort/time/money into something and it gets you seemingly nowhere it can be hard not to. Most the toys including the laser pen and cat trees etc they aren't interested in.

They use a litter box fine, they seem to throw up as they eat too fast or have hair balls etc (which obvs is not their fault and fine). They have regular vet check ups and are in good health.

Not sure about neutering age 🤔 the thing that really bothers me is safety. I know any change is tough for pets so we were really good about introducing DS and giving them extra attention but the one that just walked in and attacked me for no reason (I didn't move a muscle or touch him prior) just after giving birth was the one that marked DS's Moses basket and with hormones going crazy post birth it devastated me. I don't think I could every trust that not to happen again. Cat flap isn't an option on our door unfortunately.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions! I shall take note and persevere...!

[Fluffycloudland77]

Have you tried hissing at them when their naughty? It stops my boy when he's decided to pounce & bunny kick me.

[OrangeSquashTallGlass]

Is the feliway in yet? How are they getting on with it?

You can get various pet bowls to help with animals that eat too quickly and are then sick. Like these.

You can also get treats or a special paste that helps with hairballs:
treats
paste

[MoonlightandMusic]

Not easy for anyone - you mention they can't stand each other though - if that is the case then could you separate them at night? Maybe one in another room downstairs and the other in the kitchen? That would help with reducing their stress levels.

[ChestnutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

Op the thing that stood out for me is that you said they can't stand each other. I think that is key really, and the behaviour is worsening because when you shut them in the kitchen so much they can't get away from each other. It's possible to manage 2 cats who don't get along but requires effort and keeping them apart. I would think about rehoming one of them, many cats prefer to be the only cat really, they are not pack animals. Do you have. A friend or family member who would take one, even temporarily, so that you can assess their behaviour apart?

[Crunchymum]

God that 2nd pic is hilarious. Did you pick one to make the cat look so evil?

My cat is a bit of handful (she had caused herself 1k worth of vets bills - she is insured thankfully. And she got into a fight with neighbours cat which resulted in a tetanus and heavy dose of antibiotics for the mug that tried to separate them - me )

[Crunchymum]

Sorry posted too soon.

I'd not be without my cat though. I've had her for a decade, she is part of the family.

[downwardfacingdog]

What is your door like? Flaps can be fitted in glass by a professional. Or you can fit one in the wall if you had a suitable bit of external wall. I think being able to come and go (and escape each other) at will would surely help their stress levels.

[angeldelightedme]

You need to gbet rid! You have had 2 warnings now.Are you waiting for them to blind your baby, or scar him or what?

[kittykittykitty5]

My immediate thoughts were get a feliway like everyone else but also to change their food. Hmm. Random thoughts but are they Dreamies or Cat treat addicts?

I am wondering if they are playing up to get treats as this is I have realised mine do so we are currently day two into Dreamie Detox.

[QueenArnica]

It sounds as though you are doing your best but seriously, why would you keep pets that attack you and your son? If this was a dog it would have been put down.

Good luck OP but I for one wouldn't put my kid at risk like that.