Rehoming the cat

[McNicola]

Looking for reassurance, advice, anything really. We've had our cat for 3 years now, he was always a grumpy arse but since our LO came along he's been completely miserable. He hides away, is really skittish, always poos next to the litter tray but never in it, and generally really isn't happy. I'm considering rehoming him as we've tried EVERYTHING (Feliway, cat tree in a separate area away from our LO, etc) but I'm at my wit's end. we haven't got space in the house for more litter trays (we live in a really small house) and he does have access to the outdoors but still stays miserable. My husband has never liked him which doesn't make matters easier, but my toddler adores him and constantly wants to chase him, which I've tried to teach him to do gently but he's 20 months old and doesn't really get it. I'm considering rehoming him but really hating the idea, but equally I have no idea what other option there is.

Teach the toddler not to chase him. How exactly does a toddler chase ‘gently’?

It does sound like the poor cat would be happier elsewhere, although being shut up in a pen waiting for adoption wouldn’t be pleasant, it would be better than being chased and scared.

teach you toddler NOT to chase or pester the cat.

no wonder the cat is grumpy.

rehome through a charity, he'll be happier elsewhere.

I had to re-home two dogs when my home circumstances were less than ideal. It was a heart-breaking time, but a better outcome for the dogs nonetheless.

The toddler shouldn't be allowed to chase the cat all.

If you can't meet the cats needs then rehoming it is probably the kindest option all round.

Sorry, reread this and realised I didn't explain myself properly - I try to teach my LO to be gentle around the cat (so if the cat is on the sofa for example and my toddler wants to stroke him, I hold his hand and show him how to do it gently which the cat doesn't mind). I absolutely don't encourage the chasing at all and stop him from doing it whenever I can. I think the main issue is that my toddler is loud (as they are) and clumsy (not with the cat, I mean when he's playing) and that scares the cat if he's nearby.