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Original poster

Cat advice please. (long)

20 replies

NAB3 · 01/11/2006 16:28

My 12 year old cat has hypoestesia (sp) and will be on medication for life. The baby adores her and doesn't get the message that she has had enough of him. This meant that last Tuesday and Thursday she scratched him enough to draw blood. On the Wednesday I was stroking her, after she came to me, and after a few strokes she bit me. Today the baby was so excited to see her waiting on the drive when we walked home and he went up to her. My daughter and the baby gently stroked her and when she had had enough she walked off. The baby followed her and touched her, not hard, but I actually saw her try to bite him with her mouth open wide.

I have just fed the cat and seen that she hadn't eaten her tablet this morning. I can't believe she can get stoppy from missing half a tablet but I know my DH won't be impressed when I tell him. He has already said she will have to be put to sleep if she scratches the baby again, but I feel you can't for a scratch.

She has never been a lap cat and was always good with the kids. Maybe she is fed up that there is another one without fur, maybe it is her age, her illness. Don't know what to do other than keep an even closer eye on her than I do.

Does anyone else have any experience of this please or advice as to what to do? TIA.

OP posts:

oxocube · 01/11/2006 16:58

We have 2 old cats (15 and 16) and until recently had an even older one who died in her sleep. One of our reamiling cats is quite sick - kidney failure- and probably won't live more than another few months. He is a miserable bugger, always has been, but will tolerate adults and older children. My 2 younger kids just stay away from him now, although they are very fond of him, having known him all their lives. Older ds1 loves him and the cat will tolerate being stroked by him.

My cats pee in same spot in hall every night despite having a tray. They cause a lot of work, are only mildly affectionate and I moan about them constantly. I couldn't possibly have them put down unless they were suffering. But then I adore cats. Don't have an answer really. How old is your baby. Can he be taught to stay away from the cat? My kids have learned to respect an old animal's space but they are older (youngest is 5)

WhoooooshICouldGiveUpWork · 01/11/2006 17:09

Could she be in pain? Just a thought given the reaction when you stroked her as opposed to the baby.

As for the baby-I personally took the view that the cats were here before dd so she needed to learn how to treat them properly.She did get a couple of scratches(well a few) but now treats our eldest cat with huge respect and is VERY gentle with her.My dd is only 18mts so it can be doen.

Original poster

NAB3 · 01/11/2006 17:51

The baby is 16 months. It is so hard as he adores her and is so young so doesn't understand. If I see him about to whack her I say "Gently" and it usually stops him doing anything but sometimes he just can't help himself. I have had the cat since she was 5 weeks old and she was 7 when my first child was born. He is now 5 and I have a daughter of 3. When DS1 pulled her tail she was quite tolerant and when she had had enough she patted him with her paw (claws in). When DD was 6 months old and laid on the floor the cat scratched her on the nose for no apparent reason.

When the cat has had enough (usually when FIL is holding her and she is fighting to get down but he won't let her) she lets you know but she seems really fed up of the baby now.

She has left her half a tablet again and is crying to come in the main house. She spends most of her time curled up in her bed in the utility room.

OP posts:

WhoooooshICouldGiveUpWork · 01/11/2006 18:32

Ahh,poor puss-definitely sounds to me like she feels unwell or she really is just feeling and acting her age....what happens if she continues to leave her pills?
Am amazed she would eat them anyway-I have to a full headlock and risk mortal injury to get pills down mine...

jillandbea · 02/11/2006 10:07

I am sure some of what your cat is doing is related to her age, she is feeling a little old and cranky, my cat has always been temperamental and evil according to others but does have very stroppy days now. Your cat is probably getting slower at running away so probably scratches out instead, its the old fight or flight response if you feel threatened. If you are worried about it being pain related though definately contact the vet for some advice.

edie123 · 02/11/2006 10:18

She shouldn't be put to sleep for this, you are right. Although of course he is worried for your kids. I would just keep a close eye or if it becomes worse then get her rehomed with RSPCA. Im sure there is a reasonable explanation and you can make it work with keeping her.

ks · 02/11/2006 10:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

edie123 · 02/11/2006 10:57

But why kill the cat????!!!

If the cat is not suitable in the home (fully understandable BTW) then it can be rehomed!! I have no babies and would happily have a cat that scratches.

Original poster

NAB3 · 02/11/2006 11:23

I really really do not want to have the cat put down. I still don't feel it is justified at all.

I am not sure whether she could be rehomed. She is 12 and has been with me since she was 5 weeks old and doesn't like change. With her illness it would be quite a commitment as it is an ongoing cost too.

I have had my cat longer than I have been with my husband and he is less emotional about her and putting the baby first. He is also worried about her going for the babies eyes.

She just seems less tolerant. She will walk away (and can still run when she wants to) but if the baby follows her she reacts. It's like she has given him once chance and then disciplines him!

OP posts:

zippy34 · 02/11/2006 12:05

I think it's a good sign that the cat gives him a warning and walks away rather than lashing out immediately.

My cat's the same. Her priority when she's had enough is to get away and if that means a scratch or nip (never a bite that would draw blood - I think this is quite abnormal cat behaviour to bite hard) then it's our fault for not leaving her alone.

Does she have a safe place that the kids can't get to if she wants to be left alone?

Original poster

NAB3 · 02/11/2006 14:32

She sleeps in the utility room so can go in there whenever she wants but other than that she has to hide behind the sofa if the door is shut and she can't get outside.

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MissybaBANG · 02/11/2006 14:51

just keep more of an eye on your baby when the cat's around. no way put her down!

i have cats and a 6 month old. she's just started to take an interest in them, thankfully they keep their distance but i will just have to be careful and teach dd as we go along to respect the cats.

i had the cats first and if i had to rehome them (i hope i never have to), rather that than put them down.

zippy34 · 02/11/2006 16:25

I don't know how you would do this, but it might be worth having a place that the kids know is her special place and they're not allowed to play with her there.

My cat goes up on top of a cupboard when she's had enough and we make sure never to disturb her from there(except when she has to go in her carry box and that's always a traumatic experience - mainly for us)

ks · 02/11/2006 17:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

NAB3 · 02/11/2006 19:18

She never drew blood or hissed at DS1 or DD in the way she does DS2. She would let the older two know she had had enough but never properly scratched them. The baby (16 months) absolutely adores her and just doesn't know when to leave her alone.

I am totally against putting her down, I asked my inlaws if they would have her today if things got bad, but they were none committal. I will not put her down due to scratching but I also have to think about the baby and how far is too far?

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WhoooooshICouldGiveUpWork · 03/11/2006 14:51

I am pretty sure that after a few scratches the baby would learn to steer clear-my dd did and lets face it,kids will have far more than a few scratches to deal with in life.As long as the cat isn't stalking and attacking your child then I think let the child learn....he will,I promise.

Original poster

NAB3 · 03/11/2006 17:37

Thanks. He hasn't learnt anything today....

Tantrums on a child so small are quite amazing!!

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BuffysMum · 09/11/2006 21:02

My cat was def less tolerant at the end of his life - he whacked my youngest really hard (no claws tho) because she wouldn't leave his tail alone. He'd never done anything like that before apart from when cornered.

I think all you can do is your best to intervene when the babe is harrassing the cat.

I'm not sure how long you expect your cat to live but if the situation doesn't improve and it's likely to be years perhaps the cat would be happier somewhere quieter - perhaps you could sponsor his medication costs even if he's rehomed?

Original poster

NAB3 · 11/11/2006 16:57

Took the cat today for her routine blood tests. She will be on medication for life and she has to have tests to make there isn't too high a build up in her system. The vet was very pleased with her. She looked healthy, didn't have fleas, weighed 4.2kg and behaved when being wormed and having her flea treatment. I told her about her attacking the baby and she said it should all settle down once the baby gets a bit bigger. She also said she would help us rehome her if we needed her too. I told her I would rehome my husband first.

OP posts:

edie123 · 13/11/2006 20:28

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