I don't know what to do anymore [sad]

[AyeAyeFishyPie]

We adopted a 5 year old rescue cat last April. She was a bit bitey but we knew that. Charity wanted her to be an indoor cat (due to a cough and - apparently - her being Egyptian and therefore not being familiar with our roads ).

We wake to her miaowing every morning. We can't let her sleep with us because she won't settle and we don't sleep. In 18 months she still hasn't calmed down - every morning she miaows. We both work and I feel so guilty leaving her - she is very sociable and i feel very guilty. She mouths a lot - unpredictably. Rescue said she would be fine with children but I can't see it (we will TTC soon). We have recently moved and she seems really interested in going outside. But there is a road and a railway line very close.

I hate to say it - but I regret getting her

Can you cat proof the garden? Have you had her vet checked? Tried feliway?

I've had her checked at the vet (400 quid dental after rescue said she had been checked). Cat proofing would be almost impossible - lots of trees and next doors fence is in a terrible condition

And now she is cuddling up against my leg

Build a catio? This cat sounds like she needs to go outside.

Lead train her?

Have you ever been to Egypt? If the cat can cope with their roads and manic driving, she can probably stroll accross the M25 unscathed!

Cats from North Africa have different temperaments. They are loving (usually) but bitey because they love the attention but have no manners. They are also quick, highly intelligent, and look for mischief. We used to foster for a charity which brought cats like is over, they are an acquired taste, but brilliant! It doesn't surprise me about the dental either.

I was actually contacted several times by new owners regarding the behaviour of their African immigrant cats, as their behaviour was absolutely not what they were expecting. Feel free to pm me if you'd like.

Do you have room for an outdoor run? Easy to make with aviary panels and netting, fix together with wire, put a little house in and a table for her to sit on, a few interesting bits for her, it will keep her safe and give her some fresh air.

I had a bitey cat, I think he had no mother to teach him how to behave as a kitten, he was a bit of a devil. He would go for feet, ankles and heads. I kept him though but different circumstances to yours.

I just wrote about my several unhappy times with adopted cats. They sometimes do not work out.

My dc come first, so gave a couple away to people who were a better fit. Try not to give him back to the rescue but see if you have some one who is in the country. Maybe an older person who is home with a garden.

My new cat loves us! So much, that i wonder if he wad happy with first owners. But my sil was much better fit with cat who came with our house. Cats are finicky. Don't feel guilty for not keeping it; it is better to give it to a home where it is happy.

Honestly. My friend works at a cat rescue. She knew i had two small children. She told me to take a cat who hated dc! I finally gave him to my mother. He was so happy with her that he hid the moment he saw us through the door and would come out after we left. I asked my friend and she admitted that she just liked him and wanted him to have a good home.

Dogs may appreciate your kindness, cats are demanding. THAT is why i saluted the mnetter who is allowing her cat a litter of kittens; there is a need for family raised cats.

Best of luck.

Abby the cat you're talking about will be spayed by this time next week, thankfully.

I admit I am a novice cat owner, so I could be missing something obvious...but why can't you let it out? It clearly wants to be outside.

The charity might have recommended one thing but you're in charge now, right?

Living, to each his/her own. But there is still a need for reasonable, well bred animals of all kinds. Do not look for logic where it is mob ruled.

Amygardner, letting the cat out risks losing the cat. I have one who was a feral kitten of feral parents. He brings home dead things and worse: ticks or other parasites. Ticks can transfer to people and give them lymes or other diseases. Plus neighbors dislike cats on the loose.
Its better for it to be a housecat; my reasoning for limited but responsible breeders of non-fancy breed cats.

One shouldnt have to be wealthy or give a proverbial limb for a companion cat. Cats raised by loving families are fantastic pets and in this age, few people are willing to go to the trouble.

But why can't this particular cat get out? The say-so of a charity volunteer a couple of years ago? I'm really confused by this thread!

The shelter obviously thought this cat would be better indoors. Busy roads and train tracks don't help. My local shelter will only let people who live on busy roads adopt indoor cats. Some cats just aren't indoor cats though and won't be happy kept indoors.

OP I'd pm stressy!

But they could be wrong! If the cat is demonstrably unhappy, try letting it out and see if that helps.

I think once you're the owner living with a cat on a daily basis, the welfare of it is your responsibility. And if that means not following the advice from the shelter (last April!) then so be it.

She sounds like she wants to be out can you get a cat flap?