Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to get rid of my son's new kitten

34 replies

susia · 24/09/2008 22:41

I feel completely miserable about this, I don't know what to do.

We have an older cat (3 years old) and she has been so happy with us but 2 weeks ago I got my son a kitten for him and I thought company for the other cat.

I followed the advice about introducing them slowly etc but my older cat hates the kitten and now will barely come in the house. I have to keep them completely separate and the older cat will only come in if the kitten is shut in an upstairs bedroom.

It can't go on like this. My older cat is really unhappy but my son loves the kitten. I feel I must get rid of the kitten but my son will be so unhappy. I will give it a bit longer and am seeing the vet at the weekend for advice but have a suspicion that we will have to get rid of the kitten.

OP posts:
QS · 25/09/2008 08:54

So, the new kitten, who has not been used to such a big space, has been given the run around of the house, and the old cat, has had her territory taken away from her, and has been usurped by a youngster. No wonder she is hurt, and has reacted badly.

Why could the kitten not stay in one room for the day? Why should the senior have to have any rights taken from her/him? Of course he is going to defend his territory, it seems you have set yourself up for a lot of trouble by taking away from old cat what he has had for a long time and giving it to kitten.

I understand you regret this. But, for all parties concerned, your son at least, getting rid of the cat, is setting a really bad message, and not the most responsible thing to do.

My sister recently took in her second ferral, and managed to get the two, one old, and one kitten settled within 3 weeks. The kitten as a child would have to settle for less, if the old cat were to accept the new and help "raising" him he would have to keep his rights and his territory, and slowly let some of it befall the youngster. The kitten spent a lot of time in a cage to start with. And old cat was given plenty of cuddles and praise. Now they have a blissful situation where old cat is helping look after the kitten, and will HISS to get the kitten down from tables and other places he shouldt be.

Try giving your cat his territory back. Let him roam the house. Let the kitten have a bedroom, while you are away. Let them both have the entire house while you are home. Keep an eye on him, when he enters the garden, etc. As he has to get used to that too.

Good Luck.

StewieGriffinsMom · 25/09/2008 10:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

StewieGriffinsMom · 25/09/2008 10:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

susia · 25/09/2008 10:54

qs - I completely agree with you but the reason the older cat has the kitchen and garden and the kitten the rest of the house is because the older cat now won't come in and it seems unfair to lock the kitten in a small bedroom when the cat isn't even using the house.
To let them both use the whole house would mean shutting the cat flap and locking them both in as the kitten isn't allowed out.

OP posts:
AprilMeadow · 25/09/2008 11:09

We had a kitten given to us on Friday and my other cat who is 5 is not impressed at all. She hisses at him and stays out alot. Pickle (the kitten) is being very good and doesnt try to get too close to Rascal as he knows she will hiss.

I do feel sad for Racal as she has her nose out of joint at the mo, but given time she will come round to the idea.

2weeks isnt that long a time for you cat to get used to the kitten. Try not to spearate them too much otherwise they wont bond.

Good luck

BouncingTurtle · 25/09/2008 11:11

I think QS means that you should shut the kitten in your ds's bedroom and let your older cat roam around the rest of the house.

Sorry you are in this situation but I do agree it would be horrible to usurp your other cat

There's lots of good suggestions here which are worth trying, I think you just need to give your oder cat more time.

susia · 25/09/2008 11:11

thankyou but the only way not to separate them is to lock them both in the house and I worried that doing that will make the older cat less likely to want to come in?

OP posts:
susia · 25/09/2008 11:14

bouncing turtle - I would be happy to shut the kitten in my son's bedroom but it seems pointless when the older cat won't come it. I am working at home today and so far the kitten has been shut up all morning but the older cat has sat outside.

OP posts:
MrsMigginsPieShop · 25/09/2008 14:28

Oh bless. I had to rehome a kitten recently and I was in floods of tears afterwards.

I just hadn't thought it through properly and we knew we couldn't keep her. Knowing she is now in a much better home is a great comfort, and I can smile at her wee piccies now instead of getting upset.

Obviously you don't want to upset your wee boy, but don't even consider the kitten's needs in this. If you take the kitten to a decent cat rescue type place then they will take great pains to make sure that her next home is a forever home, and unlike any older cats, she'll be in great demand.

Your child and your older cat come first - the kitten will be OK either way imo. Kittens have a wonderful way of tugging our heartstrings but she'll be fine.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread