Friend or prey

[Justusemyname]

Our cat is three and we have had her almost two years. Two weeks ago we got baby piggies. She likes to watch them and wants to share her toys with them. Mean and evil DH says she wants to eat the piggies. I think I need expert advice and a vote.

Really hard to say.

I wouldn't risk finding out though.

My cats would cheerfully eat them I'm afraid. That said, they can be funny about things in their house - evilgingercat will catch pigeons, but ignores the chickens totally.

MCat used to hang out with the chickens, when it was just him and DH being bachelors together. He'd known them since he was a kitten though, when they were bigger than him. He had no such qualms with the partridges though.

Could a cat bring down a baby piggy? Aren't piglets about the size of a puppy? Just speculating here.

If they can, they will, is my motto.

Barring eg being a kitten around chickens. ie if at first meeting they were unable to manage a prey, they'll continue to be ok, as though they don't realize things have changed.

It doesn't sound like too much of a problem to me. If you know her well, then hunting behaviour ought to be obvious - and I wouldn't have thought that small pigs would really stimulate hunting instincts by their shape and the way they move. The bringing of toys is a bit odd though so I'd guess she's confused more than anything. How big are they and how many of them are there?

Having said all of which, I wouldn't let them mingle freely unless you're around.

Are they actual pigs or guinea pigs?

They are guinea pigs. She's not actually bringing her toys to them, I was giving her more friendly credit than she probably deserves! They are 4 1\2 months old.

My other cat was scared of them but has had a couple of looks since but normally isn't interested.

The other was just watching them with her big eyes in. If they move quickly she runs off scared.

That was a good point - I'd forgotten that people often call guinea pigs 'piggies'.

Baby guinea pigs? I wouldn't trust her a single inch. And 'big eyes' can mean preparatory behaviour. I'd keep them apart - and keep counting them.

Ha ha at counting. I will. As I have three kids I count a lot so one, two is covered.

I'm a too trusting mummy which is why my human kids run rings round me

There was me thinking you meant actual pigs, the pink ones with snouts. And imagining this huge beast, capable of killing them. Cat of the Baskervilles.

I was wondering why you and cozie thought it was safe.......

We had two piggies, until recently (they died of old age btw). Our cat, who takes great delight in stalking the dog, rarely paid them any attention. The only time she was interested was when they were drinking out of their water bottle. But I think it was the noise of the little ball in the spout that attracted her attention.

They were indoor piggies. She would be in the same room with them and not even glance in their direction. However, I was never sure if she was feigning disinterest and waiting for the ideal moment to strike......

I suspect that in many ways, cats are quite simple souls. Apart from inanimate objects, humans and other cats (can of worms there) their world seems mostly down to 'bigger things' (eg dogs) and 'breakfast' (the rest.)

'Big eyes' would suggest to me that she's assessing the situation with a view to deciding what to do with them. You could be lucky and they so quickly become part of the wallpaper that she starts to ignore them - but on the other hand, she might decide to pluck up her courage and start some 'biffing' to test them out.

I wouldn't be taking any chances, myself.

I was brought up in the country, Fluffy - someone says 'piggie' to me and I straightaway think 'oink' !

I was eyeing my own 2 cats, and doubting their ability bring down a 4 1/2 month old pig.

Bet ASBO Cat could though.

Asbo cat is coward. Anything bigger than a pigeon is out of bounds.

He hides if someone knocks the door.

That's caution and not cowardice I think. Good survival trait. (Any cat that becomes involved in as many fights as ASBO isn't a coward.)

I reckon my cat would have a go with a piglet. I think with the guinea pigs the outcome wasn't worth the effort. So she was very 'Meh, who cares?' about them.

DP still thinks cats are evil because one of them ate his pet guinea pig when he was small. I think it was pretty traumatic for him at the time.

I definitely wouldn't risk it!

It was an adult guinea pig too.

I certainly wouldn't trust her when they are big enough for the indoor play pen but it was more about are they still I danger when in their indoor cage. Looking at her paw size and the bars I think she could get a leg in.

DS1 just informed me that one cat and one pig have sniffed each other.

Well they seem to be quite yummy. There's a programme (Border Patrol?) and they often find BBQd Guinea Pigs in suitcases.

Wouldn't fancy it myself though.

They can catch baby rabbits - I wouldn't risk it

If they're already in a cage, I would reckon they're OK. Cats aren't daft so I reckon it would have to be something known and enticing to get her to try through bars - and if she can only get a leg in, I don't think she could do any real damage even then.

Just check the cage fastenings?

PS - and maybe keep an eye on DH and DS1. Some men and youngsters can be given to 'experiments' particularly if they're bored - a sort of 'Why don't we try X and see what happens? Maybe they'll.......'