To confront this client about pulling her cat's tail

[ChattyCatty25]

Name changed.

I am a cat sitter and recently met a new cat last Friday. The cat was cute and a real character, and the meeting went well - except for the fact that the owner habitually pulls the cat's tail, in order to pull her towards her.

Pulling cats' tails is very dangerous and uncomfortable, and can cause permanent, catastrophic damage to the spine and pelvic floor.

She tries to be a good owner, and doesn't mean to harm the cat. She just doesn't seem to know that this is a really bad thing to do. The cat doesn't appear overtly distressed, but seems generally nervous/flighty.

I didn't say anything at the time, because the owner was dubious about choosing me, and the purpose of the meet was to see if I was the right person. I was worried if I spoke up, I wouldn't be chosen, the owner wouldn't believe me anyway, and I would then have zero influence over the situation.

I have consulted the rescue the cat came from, and we agreed I would contact the owner myself, to prevent her feeling she was grassed up. Depending on her reaction, the rescue may also contact her.

What the hell should I say to her? I want to ideally make her understand what's wrong and prevent the cat being injured, without offending her. At the end of the day this is ignorance rather than purposeful abuse, she just needs some help to be a better owner.

I'm sorry OP but I don't understand how when you saw her do this why you didn't challenge her straight away.

She is obviously not a good owner if she does this.

It's so sad how people have pets but have no understanding of how to look after them.

If you see her doing this again surely you should just point out to her the danger her cruelty is putting the cat in.

I would have said something right there and then if I’d witnessed it as it’s such an odd and obviously wrong thing to do. Is this woman otherwise able to look after the cat properly? I can’t fathom why someone would think this is acceptable.

I think you’ll just have to say that you noticed that she pulls the cat to her by its tail, and that it’s actually unsafe and potentially harmful to the cat. So you would ask her not to do that again. I think you need to tell her plainly.

I would also have to have said something there and then. If the owner is going to be offended and huffy about that, I think you will find this customer difficult in many different aspects. In all honesty, depending on their response, I probably wouldn't accept them as a customer anyway.

I'd have said something in the moment to be honest but now you just need to be quite straightforward with her.

"I wanted to raise a concern with you, I noticed you pulling on your cat's tail during our visit and have to let you know that this is really dangerous for X and Y reasons. I know you wouldn't ever intentionally hurt your cat, so I wanted to educate you on the dangers of pulling their tails" or something.

It doesn't really need much sugar coating, realistically she could kill or paralise it, she needs to be told.

I can understand why you didn't say something at first meeting - as you say, if she took the huff and dismissed you as a cat sitter you would then have no influence over what happened.

I would just say pleasantly and politely that you are sure she doesn't realise but the risks of pulling the cat's tail are a, b, c. If she seems horrified and apologises, great. If she doesn't, refer back to the rescue.

You say "Do you know that pulling your cat's tail is very bad. It's an extension of their spine, causing pain and damage to it. It can affect balance and cause nerve damage. The cat will not be happy with this treatment.".

Bet she's one of those awful people who picks cats up by the scruff as well.

Jesus wept ! Why didn’t you say something? 🤦🏻‍♀️ That’s absolutely ridiculous to say nothing. That poor cat ☹️

I too don't understand why you don't pull her up on it there and then. This is so bad for the cat. I had a go at a friend once who under the guise of stroking pulled my cats tail so hard his rear feet actually left the floor. I never him near my cat again. I can't believe people don't know that its wrong to pull a cats tail.

I mentioned in the original post exactly why I didn't mention it there and then.

Anyway, a positive update: I sent a diplomatically worded text, and she responded well, saying she had no idea, that thankfully the cat shows no signs of damage, and was not offended.