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

Original poster

How do you know if your cat is happy?

13 replies

FushandChups · 07/12/2013 16:36

Silly question I suppose but how do you know?

I took a cat that my friend needed rehoming and I am just a bit worried that she's unhappy.

She is quick to purr and loves sleeping on my bed, day and night. However, I do have two quite energetic youngsters (DD is 4 and cat mad and DS will be 2 just after Xmas and is very excitable), so when she ventures into the more communal parts of the house, she gets a lot of 'attention' and then kids do their usual running, screaming, 'being kids' things - not at her, just in general! She does play (ish) in that she likes batting a little ball but doesn't play with the few toys we've bought her and she has a tendency to bite if she gets overwhelmed/overexcited??

Because she's been rehomed, I was advised to keep her in for two weeks but am worried that when I let her out (mid next week), she won't come back Sad

As mentioned, she curls up on my bed and stays there pretty much full time at the mo and comes in for some nice snuggles when I go to bed (and does come down to see me once the kids are in bed). What do you think?

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Reiltin · 07/12/2013 16:38

I'd leave her at it. One of mine spends most of the day on my bed, even though she can go out. I'd keep her in for a bit longer cos at least she's happy in your room. But I'm a big softy!

Original poster
FushandChups · 07/12/2013 16:44

Reitlin - I was thinking of keeping her in longer .. not the way I am at the mo which is making sure the door to the hall is closed before I open the front door.. but just not highlight the fact she could go out if she wanted to.. just for a bit longer.

But she has been an outside cat and not sure if it's cruel to now keep her in?

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cozietoesie · 07/12/2013 16:49

She'll let you know if she wants out. I'd keep her in if she's happy with it - and you'll be keeping her in at night as well in the future because of the extra dangers? The weather is so lousy that she'll probably prefer to be in the warm.

Does she have the run of the house at the moment? (I'm thinking about her being able to easily find places to get away by herself, particularly if the DCs are being 'busy' and in view of the fact that she's likely getting over-stimulated.)

Original poster
FushandChups · 07/12/2013 17:26

Total run of the house, I just close the door to the front hallway when we head out... she definitely has her 'spots' in each room but just hides away in my room most of the time

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Original poster
FushandChups · 07/12/2013 17:27

And yes, would be calling her in at nighy if she was outside (does respond to her name apparently!)

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thecatneuterer · 07/12/2013 17:28

Totally agree with Cozie. I'd keep her in for quite a bit longer, either until she makes it very plain she wants to go out, or until the weather improves.

And make sure she has somewhere she can escape to away from the children.

And if she's eating, and looking relaxed and even playing a bit, then I'm sure she's perfectly happy.

cozietoesie · 07/12/2013 17:30

They get used to it quickly - especially if they learn it in winter. (No fun being out when it's cold, wet and nothing doing.)

Original poster
FushandChups · 07/12/2013 23:08

Quick question about the biting though - is that her playing/having fun or is she pissed off? It seems to be her default setting when she starts to get into the whole playing thing and I'm not sure if it's wanting to play more or telling me to back off.

Tonight, gave her a gentle stroke as I came to bed which she seemed to be enjoying and was purring loudly, rolled onto her side and when I went to stroke her (still on her back ish), she went straight for the bite Sad

If she's a bit of a biter, so be it, but I don't want to be upsetting her!

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cozietoesie · 07/12/2013 23:15

She's getting too excited. (All wound up and no other way to let off steam.) It may be intensely pleasing to her but it's still all too much - many cats are very sensitive to over-stimulation in that way.

Best to let her make all the running in coming to you for love and even when she does, seriously restrict stroking, chucking her chin etc. (Talking should be fine but hold back on the physical stuff.)

You'll come to know her signals and body language when you know her better - the tail is often a dead giveaway. (Flicking or thrashing.)

tinkertaylor1 · 07/12/2013 23:17

My cat purrs VERY loudly and rubs his head against my face and his whiskers drip with a greasy liquid (ugh!) in fact im going to google it now !

cozietoesie · 07/12/2013 23:17

PS - if she does bite, say NO in a firm voice, put her down or away from you and then ignore her until she comes up to re-engage. When she does come back, let her be the one to dictate what happens and restrict yourself as above.

cozietoesie · 07/12/2013 23:18

.....and his whiskers drip with a greasy liquid......

Yikes.

Original poster
FushandChups · 07/12/2013 23:59

Thanks Cozie. .. and good luck with your greasy fluid tinker Shock

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