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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

When is the right time to get new cat?

80 replies

DobbyTheHouseElk · 31/01/2019 10:32

Advice please. My beautiful boy died before Christmas after a battle with diabetes. He was 15yrs and I’d had him from birth. The house is so empty without him, and I’m missing him terribly.

I’ve approached the CPL to see if we are suitable cat owners etc and to start the adoption process.

The DC and DH are keen for kittens as soon as possible. However I’m a bit cautious, still missing my boy, but wouldn’t turn a kitten away if one turned up.

CPL have a young cat ready to adopt, but DC and DH want a pair of kittens/young cats.

I don’t know what to do. Kitten season is spring apparently so it gives me a bit more time. But now I’ve seen a pic of the young cat needing a home (with a sad story) I don’t know what to do.

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CallMeSirShotsFired · 13/02/2019 21:24

BEAUTIFUL BOY!

Hello snorecat and welcome to your best new life!

Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 13/02/2019 21:25

The rescue place said not to touch his tummy, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

OP posts:
minkies11 · 13/02/2019 21:28

Tummies are vulnerable places for cats - some go mental and some trust you and enjoy tummy tckles! Seems like he is relaxed with you!

CallMeSirShotsFired · 13/02/2019 21:31

ShotsCat is completely unpredictable with her tummy.

She'll ether roll over and completely forget all semblance of dignity dignity; or she'll go for you all claws and teeth. Although usually she reels you in with the former then hits you with the latter.

Couchpotato3 · 13/02/2019 21:35

Oooooh, he's gorgeous! Congratulations on your new kittie!

bellinisurge · 13/02/2019 21:40

What a handsome wee man.

Wolfiefan · 13/02/2019 21:42

Bless that sweet face. He may not have wanted his tummy touched in rescue but may feel more relaxed with his new slaves. Wishing you many many many happy years together.

crimsonlake · 13/02/2019 21:45

What a lovely happy ending to your story.

Fluffycloudland77 · 13/02/2019 22:11

He’s gorgeous, you don’t see many pure white cats.

beansontoastfortea · 13/02/2019 23:38

He's so gorgeous!!! So pleased he has a loving home with you 😻

Toddlerteaplease · 14/02/2019 03:57

We used to have a white cat. Good luck with the sunscreen on those enormous ears!

caesio · 14/02/2019 06:00

He looks so lovely and settled Smile

MrsCatE · 14/02/2019 06:13

Congratulations on SnoreCat! It's lovely he's settling in so well. All credit to you!

Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 14/02/2019 06:29

He is very cute and training his slaves well. He hasn’t been shy or difficult as they predicted. He’s fitted in well. I’m wondering if he’s on his best behaviour still!

I shouldn’t have been so reluctant to start with.

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bellinisurge · 14/02/2019 06:31

I think he's found somewhere he's happy and comfortable with. I'm not sure cats do "best behaviour "Grin

BigcatLittlecat · 14/02/2019 06:31

Oh my goodness he is gorgeous boy!!! He's landed on his paws!
Our old lady died a Monday afternoon, we had a rescue kitten in the house by Friday Eve. She had been found in a taped up cardboard box with her sisters at the dump.
A very quick turn around but it worked for us. At the moment she's in the bathroom watching the love of her life (DH) having a shower!

When is the right time to get new cat?
LetBartletBeBartlet · 14/02/2019 06:39

He's a very handsome fellow, and it's wonderful that you've found each other.

JenniferJareau · 15/02/2019 06:52

So glad he liked you and has found a loving home with you.

PestoSnowissimos · 16/02/2019 21:36

Oh I’m sooooo pleased you got him & he’s settled in with you so quickly!
I just knew he was meant to be with you.
So very happy for you all Smile
And he’s absolutely gorgeous btw 😍

Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 17/02/2019 07:25

Thanks everyone. He is so loving and has fitted in so well.

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Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/02/2019 22:41

So we’ve had snorecat for a week now. He has been utterly perfect. Until today...he hissed at the dc for no reason. I said maybe he was a bit scared and not to worry.

But tonight he went up and attacked one dc in bed. Unprovoked kicked and scratched. So I went to remove him and he bit me.

Then I ignored him and let him do his own thing. He was on the sofa looking cute so I went to have a chat and to tell him he’s ok and have a stroke. He saw me and freaked out, looked at me like he didn’t recognise me, flat ears, bulging eyes and fluffed up tail. Honestly it was so weird. It was like a flashback he was having. We know he’s been mistreated previously, but we’ve only ever been kind to him and he’s been fine for a week. Now this, he feels like a totally different cat. I’ve put him to bed as normal in his bedroom and I’m soaking my hands in antiseptic.

Why would he suddenly do this? Nothing has changed at all here. We are the same. No one has frightened him or threatened him. It’s scared me actually. Any advice welcome.

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beansontoastfortea · 20/02/2019 01:23

You need to let snore cat know whose boss... we have a scratchy cat that won't take any shit off anyone... except me! If someone tries to move him from his spot he will have a go... DP has started to mimic how I deal with the cat as previously he has been showing fear and that's the worst thing you can do...

My main tactic is to hold him by his scruff if he starts his nonsense... this stops him in his tracks... also I'd prepare myself with long sleeves before I went to pick him up just so if he went for me it wouldn't stop me doing what I needed to do... It took a few weeks but I don't need to do anything now as the cat doesn't even bother to try it with me and if he does he gets a grab on his scruff.

That being said the unprovoked attack on your dc is worrying, maybe it's worth a visit to the vet?

There's a really useful program you can watch actually hang on I'll find the link

beansontoastfortea · 20/02/2019 01:26

Ok this program is annoying on many levels but there are some great tips in there too lol

bellinisurge · 20/02/2019 05:55

Jackson Galaxy who hosts My Cat From Hell has his own YouTube channel. It's really good. Cats Protection also have some cat behaviour videos.
Sounds like something that you can't possibly see at the moment triggered that response.
Also check out with a vet that there isn't a health problem. Cats are good at hiding those.

Original poster
DobbyTheHouseElk · 20/02/2019 08:53

Thank you. I’m going to contact the CP branch we got him from and ask if they know why he’d behave like that.

They can’t tell me details of his abuse, but did say he would forget it in time.

He has been to the vet last week, and was signed of as in perfect health, so I’m not sure if it’s illness.

We have followed their feeding to the letter and he has toys and bedding from them that have the right scent. He also has a plug in feliway for calming.

He was ok last night, no strange behaviour but I’m giving him a wide berth.

It’s really upset me, I want a cat to cuddle and love and if he’s going to randomly attack us, it isn’t good. When he attacked DC I firmly said no. And picked him up to remove him. It was during this that he then went for me, so I did attempt to scruff him to get his teeth out of my wrist. But he was gone before I managed it. The CP don’t recommend scruffing at all. But I have done it before with previous cats.

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