my cat is jealous

11 replies

justinedelia · 27/01/2009 19:25

Since our baby was born 7 weeks ago our oldest cat (one of four) has become increasingly jealous and is now peeing on baby's stuff - ie pram, rug, and now bouncer. does anyone have any suggestions other than spending more time with cat - he always seems to want fuss when baby is feeding! he has always been a bit neurotic - has history of over grooming. any suggestions gratefully received.

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YouLukaBeautiful · 27/01/2009 19:27

Cats are pants aren't they?
Congrats on the new baby though/. Hope you sort it out with some advice from someone more understanding.

differentID · 27/01/2009 19:32

Is he a Siamese by any chance?

Original poster

justinedelia · 27/01/2009 19:34

no, he's a ginger! unfortunately, he's also my husband's least favourite cat and i'm getting fed up with defending him!

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differentID · 27/01/2009 19:35

How old is he?

RaspberryBlower · 27/01/2009 19:37

You could try that Feliway pheromone stuff which is supposed to help with stress and with peeing. You can get spray or plug ins. We had a plug in when we moved house and the baby was born and no problems at all with the cat. Although, I have no way of knowing whether. or not she would have been fine anyway

Original poster

justinedelia · 27/01/2009 19:38

i inherited him with my old flat - i think he's about 10. we used feliway before, it was hard to judge if it made a difference, but you've reminded me to give it a go....

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differentID · 27/01/2009 19:42

See how you go. Could you treat him a bit like a jealous toddler? When he comes up for fusses when baby is feeding, don't push him away but stroke him gently or have a laser light thingy to play with him. You'll have one hand sort of free to move a laser pointer around the floor. Then when baby has finished feeding you could fuss him a bit more?

Original poster

justinedelia · 27/01/2009 19:45

you're right, i've been so annoyed with him i've forgotten to feel sorry for him. this is my first post and i'm massively impressed with the response!

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Original poster

justinedelia · 27/01/2009 19:48

ps, i meant to say thanks very much to everyone for responses!

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differentID · 27/01/2009 19:51

you're welcome.
He sounds very insecure tbh, I'm sure he knows you love him, he's just trying to "put" you new baby in what he sees as his proper place- at th ebottom of the pecking order.
Hope it all helps you.

Lovesdogsandcats · 28/01/2009 09:08

When I had my first, my cats peed in things like the car seat. I am not sure it is jealousy as we know it, more a case of feeling the status quo has been changed and peeing on the new things that have changed it.
Mine stopped doing it after a bit, as I am sure yours will.

Flip