Indoor cat becoming farm cat

[hilbil21]

Disastrous idea or doable?

Shes going to be fed and given water but you're right about the other stuff and thats my worry.

All the places I phoned have months and months of waiting lists.

What do you suggest I do.

How was she before the toddler was born? Was she okay around adults? If so, could you re-home her to an adult only household instead?

I don't think it's fair re-home a 6yo cat to a farm when she's never been outdoors in her life.

Shes always been as aggressive as she is now. But as adults we know to shake her off push her away etc. Up to now shes been fine towards my son but has recently decided he is to be treated the same as everyone else. This is my point if it was just an issue with a new child then fair enough but its not.... what adult only house is going to want an aggressive cat?!

Maybe go with the barn but continue to find a space in a shelter for her if it doesnt work out

How long are you spending playing with her each day? Is she getting much chance to chase, pounce at and "kill" things other than your ankles? She sounds bored rather than fear-aggressive. I'd be very surprised if she's not rehomable. Her behaviour doesn't sound that awful to me, and probably manageable in an adult-only home, though not suited to a home with small children. She may also be better off somewhere that can offer her an indoor/outdoor environment to get some of her energy out. Could you cast your net abut wider looking for rescues? Avoid the RSPCA. The Blue Cross and Cats Protection operate across the country.

Our adult male was quite aggressive when we first adopted him - he hissed, scratched and bit without being provoked. He was mainly neglected in his last home (he was fed and given water, but he wasn't cuddled or played with)

Six months on and he's a lot better - we play with him everyday, for a good chunk of time. He chases string, plays with the kitten in cardboard boxes, charges up and down the stairs, attacks his scratching post and is even starting to come and sit with us for cuddles through choice.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is...how much time do you spend with her? Lots of people see cats as an "easy" pet as they don't need walking or taking out to the toilet like dogs, but in my experience they still require a fair bit of attention and play.

I've cast the net quite far across scotland. I contacted both large and small type rescue centres yesterday. 7 or 8 of them at least. They ALL had lengthy waiting lists. I would love to think of her in a house with adults and no kids presence annoying her. I just dont know what to do its all quite upsetting.

As a previous poster said, what if she ends up scratching DS eye or something like that

When I was a teenager we had an aggressive cat at home. She was fear-aggressive and unpredictable. She was much loved even though she was a moody, scratchy little nightmare. We all knew to give her a wide berth and the vet never attempted to handle her without protective gloves after her first visit. We were all devastated when she died. There are lots of people who would quite happily take on a slightly trickier cat.

To answer PPs questions I play with her quite a lot. Probably not as much as I did when she was a kitten but she's a lot less interested now than she was then!

How come she's a house cat? Is there any scope for letting her play outside?
Our house cat also has free run of the garden (we catproofed it). He loves playing out.

If I could let her out I think she would be a very different cat. Unfortunately we live on a main road and I expect she would be squished fairly quickly as she has no road sense.

Is there any way of just letting her out the back? A run or something?

I suppose I could look into it. A run isnt going to help her get her aggression out but its worth a shot maybe

Are there other ferals on the farm? It may be very hard for a new cat to work their way into the group, very often ferals have familial links and it has been shown that cats are far more accepting of cats they share genes with than those they don't. I have no idea how they know, but somehow they do.

There are some feral and semi feral that came to her individually from cats protection. None of them are related to each other

There are some feral and semi feral that came to her individually from cats protection. None of them are related to each other

Can you build a catio in your garden that she has access to via a cat flap? She might calm down if she has access to the stimulus of outdoor space, plus (if she has some warm shelter out there) you could shut her out for a few hours in the daytime when your sons around.
Also have you tried feliway?

Yep tried feliway. Will have a look at catios

Sounds like you've really looked at all the options for this cat.
The farm sounds like the best thing you've found. The cat's not content with you.
I strongly suggest you take the cat to your friend, who has relevant experience. Soon.

The issue of a new cat integrating into an existing farm cat situation , well, it's so much easier for them when there's loads of space. And they're a bruiser, like yours.

This solution is fair to the cat, fair to your child. As an ex Vet nurse, please give this cat a chance to be happier. And please protect your child.Cats can do a surprising amount of damage.

This is what I was saying yesterday, if it was a dog attacking a child I would have to put it down but people seem to be a lot nicer about cats!

When I was a Vet nurse, I was actually injured more by cat's than by big growly bity dogs.

There's a lot of soppiness/deep affection for cats, which I completely understand. This cat is not happy. Let it go to the farm, where it might become happy.
A cat that means to wound should not be around a small child.

The veterinary nurses in our vets actually look scared when I take her in. They need to put her in a crush cage to give her her booster jag. Thank you for your posts you've made me feel a lot better

Cats that will be quite vicious to people are in a very small minority.
They are just not suited to being house cats. Not at all.Even without a child, you're not doing this cat a favour- but, there's a solid chance that she'll be happy on the farm.
For the cat's sake, it's a good idea; for your child's sake, please don't hesitate.
I really feel you're doing the right thing all round.

I would do it. She sounds like she would hold up and possibly enjoy been a farm cat. At the end if the day they are animals and have a built in coat. They adapt. You're not cruel at all.

She'll probably be ok as a farm cat. My pedigree british long hair actually chooses to stay out almost 24 hours a day, he loves the great outdoors.
When he does come in he is very sweet and friendly and loves his cuddles but that is not often.
It sounds as though she will have warm and cost accommodation.