To hate the cat

[VioletMissing2]

I feel like the worst person on earth

I’ve wanted a cat my entire life, having grown up with them. My mum even fosters for a charity, so I’ve spent most of my life surrounded by cats and it’s all I’ve ever wanted. I finally bought my own flat and could get one. So I waited for the right one to adopt. I wanted an older one that would be happy indoors as I’m on the second floor of a house conversion with no direct access to our shared garden. I knew that by getting an old cat he may have some issues, but this has so far surpassed anything

Since he arrived, all he has done is scream. He is so loud it is impossible to take calls at home, watch tv and most importantly sleep. Every night for the last two months, he has started screaming at 3am and not finished screaming until 6am. Ear plugs don’t work, and it’s a one bed flat so I can hear him everywhere. My neighbours can hear him. He is extremely loud and it is endless. Nothing will stop him

I have tried everything to get him to stop. We have been to the vets three times. He thought he was deaf and while he probably is a little bit, he can still hear everything else. He’s bad expensive arthritis injections which made no difference at all. I’ve changed his food, I’ve changed the timing of his food. I’ve changed his water. I play with him to make sure he’s not bored. Someone thought he might like to be outside, so now I’m taking him out and dragging him back in while he screams at me as I have to carry him a long way to the garden which he hates. I can’t function at work because it’s been 8 weeks of broken sleep for no time at all. My boyfriend can’t stay over anymore because he has to be up early for work and it would be impossible.

it’s currently 5am and I have been awake for two hours now. I can hear the cat screaming, I’ve had to lock him in the living room (he has access to everything there). I’ve got ear plugs in and he’s all I can hear

AIBU to wish I’d just never got him and to hate him

Only just seen your update. How sad op but I'd have been cross with the rescue, there's no way they didnt know he couldn't poo. If they genuinely hadn't noticed, they weren't attentive enough or had him in a foster home with too many cats.

I’m not cross with them, he was the only cat at the fosterers, but a whole house foster which meant they probably didn’t see him poo and didn’t see the pain he was in. He was able to poo at the start of me getting him, but where his litter box was placed in my small flat meant I witnessed the pain he was in, I can see why they wouldn’t have done. Their house was large too which would explain why they didn’t hear him at night but I did.

mega colon is also degenerative and there’s some discussion that the change in his diet and the stress of moving to mine exacerbated his condition.

the cat charity I got him from also helped me pay for his new diet, and accessed their vets for second opinions and help at every point.

in hindsight, I was just “unlucky” and unfortunate but I believe everyone tried their best and I don’t think anyone lied to me. Sometimes things are just crap.

Thank you. I really did try everything

It's really obvious from your posts how hard you tried and how seriously you took your commitment. I'm really sorry for your loss but take comfort in knowing that you cared for him and loved him well during his final months.

Megacolon has some pretty strong symptoms. I think another issue was that he wanted to be outside at night.

Thank you that’s very kind

Not in this case. He was absolutely fine at night once he was on the right tablets.

You did amazingly with him, OP. He was lucky to have you the last few months of his life. Keep us updated on your next cat, I hope you have an easier homing experience next time around, that was pretty tough. Not his fault of course but not easy to go through!

Oh, people can be horrible. You did your very best for this cat and I am so glad he had someone to care for him in the last months of his life.

@VioletMissing2 aw, thank you for the update and I'm so sorry to hear the ending, despite all your efforts. I commented on your thread back in May - my old girl was almost 18 then, and although she is still going strong for now, I am aware that one day I may have to make the same kind of difficult but compassionate decision. Sorry for your loss but your cat was obviously loved and you did everything you could have done.

Thanks for the update OP - I am glad he found you, many people really wouldn't have bothered to find out what was wrong!

Thank you for caring for your late cat. You ensured that he had a calm and easy exit at the end and he experienced compassion and love during his time with you.

I had this exact problem but with a rehome of a 9 month old kitten. Was told she was an indoor cat the whole time before, and happy. She came to me and 'cried' all the time - mostly in the middle of the night. I thought maybe she was on heat, got her spayed - still the same. My friend (who had several outdoor cats) was convinced she just wanted to be an outdoor cat. She ended up taking her and the crying stopped overnight. She never makes a peep now and is so happy. I think the previous owners either lied to me about her being indoors only (i was in a flat so had no option for her to be indoors), or she was screaming and crying for them which was the real reason they rehomed her.

I could be wrong but it might be that he just wants to be an outdoor cat?

soooomuchroomforactivities he has gone to cat heaven now, bless him.

Oh my goodness - i just read the whole thread. Im so sorry for your loss OP. You sound like an amazing owner.