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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Birman cat

118 replies

EMUZ · 02/06/2013 20:43

Disclaimer that it is not mine
She follows me everywhere, I mean to the shop (then sits outside and waits for me), to the car (then tries to get in the car)
Comes in the window and follows me round the house yowling. Won't let any other cat near me and hissed/spat at a neighbours cat yesterday that came over for a stroke
Is this normal for a Birman?! I mean, I just don't get why she yowls at me all the time. I don't speak cat and I'm sure she's thinking "stupid human"

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 02/06/2013 20:52

The Lodger used to try and get into shops with me!

Are you talking back to her? When Seniorboy yowls, it means he wants something - nearly always attention/recognition but it could sometimes be a door opened, nosh, or eg just letting me know that his tray has been used.

Answer back eg

Seniorboy: Yowl

Me: What?

SB: Yowl

Me: What are you on about?

and so on. I don't yell but use an authoritative voice which is just a little louder than normal. He stops yowling after about 3 or 4 goes and then comes up on lap or close by for a stroke.

Original poster

EMUZ · 02/06/2013 20:56

Oh she tried to get into the shop but after much embarrassment when a passerby went "is that cat on a lead?!" Er no. Not mine. Pretending she's not with me

I do talk back to her but maybe need to try it a bit more. I know she isn't mine but its pretty difficult to ignore
When I come home from a night shift she is sat in my parking space waiting for me

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 02/06/2013 21:00

How long have you got her for?

My guess is that she needs a lot more attention - and she'll only know she's getting it if she hears you respond. A lot - but mainly at first because it should tail off a little. She's likely missing her owner.

Try to develop a special tone of voice that you use for her alone. Loud but indulgent. We'll have you speaking cat in no time.

Original poster

EMUZ · 02/06/2013 21:03

Erm well she's apparently a neighbours but they never seem to have her inside so I think I've been adopted. She sits outside my window and cries

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 02/06/2013 21:16

What a honey.

You do need to square things with your neighbour, though. (Which I'm sure you know deep down.) What if she gets ill or has a special diet or meds or...or....or....

Have a word with them about the situation.

Original poster

EMUZ · 02/06/2013 21:21

Oh yeah, I don't feed her at all, and I never keep her in (even though she tries)
Usually she comes in after a late shift so midnight ish and I kick her out before I go to bed. Today she wandered in for an hour and fell asleep then let herself out the window

OP posts:

dubdurbs · 02/06/2013 21:30

Oh she's beautiful!! I wouldn't mind being adopted by a cat like that! Aren't they indoor acts though, like, not suited to outdoor life? Because if that is the case, maybe you should hang on to her.

cozietoesie · 02/06/2013 21:33

I'd still let them know how much she visits though. Otherwise she could get confused. (Trying to stay the night sounds as if she thinks you're her home.) Are you on comfortable terms with the neighbour?

I grant you that you run the risk of them getting the hump and deciding they'll keep her in all the time. Would you keep her if it turned out that they were happy for her to live with you though?

Original poster

EMUZ · 02/06/2013 21:34

Don't know if this will work but a video of her coming shopping
i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/brighthair84/D42A6876-C6CB-4BED-9C2B-69663C906231-18103-000018783035E35E_zps771eb4ae.mp4

OP posts:

Original poster

EMUZ · 02/06/2013 21:36

None of us have ever seen the neighbours
She appeared at the same time as the house sold hence why we presume she is theirs.
I know she is outside all night, as she often wakes me at 4/5am crying outside

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 02/06/2013 21:40

Oops a doopsy then - you really better ask, including other neighbours who might have seen/talked to them. What if she isn't theirs at all but a stray?

And a cat like she sounds would want to be in sleeping of a night. I have to say that it sounds to me as if she's a stray who is looking for a new billet.

Original poster

EMUZ · 02/06/2013 21:42

Hmmm decisions! I figured as they don't have a cat flap they just chuck her out at night or when they go out
She appears v well cared for

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 02/06/2013 21:56

I'd try a jolly note through the door in the first instance. Might also be an idea to check with any other neighbours that you do know. You might not be feeding her but who knows but that they are.

Original poster

EMUZ · 02/06/2013 21:58

I will ask around. I've asked next door and another set of neighbours and both say "think it belongs to them but never seen them"

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 02/06/2013 21:59

I understand.

Original poster

EMUZ · 02/06/2013 21:59

I've read the other cat threads on here hence why I don't feed her or shut her in and I throw her out after she's had a cuddle
Although I can't stop er following me shopping

OP posts:

Ubermumsy · 02/06/2013 22:00

I so would steal that cat

Original poster

EMUZ · 02/06/2013 22:04

She is beautiful. I'm not a cat person, never had them but she seems to have attached herself to me

OP posts:

Ubermumsy · 03/06/2013 10:14

Thing is, EMUZ, she thinks you're a cat person...

ProtegeMoi · 03/06/2013 10:18

Stunning!

I have Birmans and they are bred as indoor only cats!

They are very docile, trusting and a little bit daft so have no sense of danger, will lie in roads full of traffic, approach strangers to play etc. I am very surprised the owner has her wandering the streets like that.

She's a seal point and is beautiful.

The following you and yowling is normal, she either wants feeding or attention. Are you sure she's being cared for and not lost?

Original poster

EMUZ · 03/06/2013 12:54

Definitely not lost
Not sure about docile as she's a little madam but very trusting
Indoor cats you say? So suitable for an apartment?

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 03/06/2013 13:01

Someone looking to give her house cat status just might find it difficult now that she's got used to outside - once they're used to that they're often unhappy being kept inside. (Not always and not at night time usually - sometimes a cat would just love to be an inside cat, particularly as they get older or in winter.)

It matters in my view as to how much company, stimulation and room you can give an indoor cat. I work from home and have a big old house with loads of scampering room and stairs to gallop up and down - so Seniorboy is a happy camper. I can see that in different circumstances he might be miserable.

It all depends.

SconeInSixtySeconds · 03/06/2013 13:04

That is a beautiful cat

Original poster

EMUZ · 03/06/2013 13:39

Oh no not indoor for her, but maybe she has put an idea in my head

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 03/06/2013 14:11

Ah right! Well there are frequently oriental cats (including Siamese, Birman, Balinese, Tonks etc) looking for homes - including older housecats whose owners may have died or been unable to continue looking after them. Have a look see on the net - just google for xxxxxx rescue and most if not all of them have websites.

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