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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

Madam Cat

37 replies

tortiecat · 16/09/2020 17:21

Dcat is a 10 yo rescue cat who we adopted just prior to lockdown - she has been my constant colleague and companion whilst I have been working at home.

She spends the morning asleep on the sofa, lunchtime on my knee, and then the afternoon sitting next to me looking out of the window and occasionally mewing and rubbing herself against my legs until her/our dinner, whereupon she finds DH or I and settles down on top of one of us until we go to bed.

The rescue centre said she was fine to go outside but she simply refuses to go - we have popped her outside (we have tried both the back and front of the house) and she runs straight back to the door and pleads to be let back in, whether or not one of us is with her. Catnip leaves her cold. We have tried several toys at different times of the day but excepting a brief play with a laser or chasing a moth after dark she just sits there disinterested or confused. She doesnt seem particularly curious so things like cardboard boxes are left completely alone and although she loves her food she uses the bare minimum of effort to extract a treat from a treat ball and then just wanders off. Although she seems happy enough and is hugely loving and affectionate I am concerned that she is a bit bored, can any of you wise cat slaves owners advise me if this is normal / if there is anything else that I can try please?

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Original poster
tortiecat · 16/09/2020 17:23

Obligatory pictures of DCat.

Madam Cat
Madam Cat
Madam Cat
OP posts:
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 16/09/2020 17:30

Some cats are just very chilled - I think you may have one of those.

And she looks very contented - so since she's clearly interacting with you I wouldn't worry about it

AFireInJuly · 16/09/2020 17:35

I wouldn’t worry. Cats become a lot less interested in toys etc as they age. I think perhaps they figure out that it’s not real! She looks very affectionate - I would guess that she just wants to be around you and have cuddles.

Gottalovesummer · 16/09/2020 17:37

Do you know what her background was?

She looks so contented with you, maybe that's just enough for her to feel happy, loved and safe?

madcatladyforever · 16/09/2020 17:38

Shes lovely. Could be at her age she just isnt very interested in all that. My old cat likes to go out once a day and potter in the garden but other than that she just sleeps. She does like the blunt end of a knitting needle and will chase that but only for a minute or two. She sounds really content to me.

Ludo19 · 16/09/2020 17:41

She's gorgeous. You have a real lap cat. I wouldn't force the outside issue. I agree with the other posters, her age combined maybe with never knowing what it was like to be played with perhaps. Her background may have something to do with that

thecatneuterer · 16/09/2020 17:41

Really, don't worry about it. She is obviously happy. She just wants a home, food and her human. Older cats often aren't that bothered about much else (although lots seem to enjoy sitting in the sun).

I'm not surprised she wanted to come straight back in if you plonked her outside suddenly, but what happens if you just leave the garden doors open?

Original poster
tortiecat · 16/09/2020 17:51

Thanks all who have replied so far Smile I am feeling more reassured! Neither DH or I have had a cat previously so have been Googling how to best look after her and most of the advice online suggests you have to have dedicated play time, but she just wants to cuddle.

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Original poster
tortiecat · 16/09/2020 17:53

@Gottalovesummer

Do you know what her background was?

She looks so contented with you, maybe that's just enough for her to feel happy, loved and safe?

@Gottalovesummer we were told that her owner sadly passed away and she was at the rescue for 3 months, I think? She had a brother whom she lived with previously but when they shared the same pen at the rescue she was stressed and unhappy, she cheered up considerably when in her own pen and so when we took her we had to promise that she would be an only cat!
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minipie · 16/09/2020 17:54

She’s 10, she’s reached pipe and slippers age! She’s happy pottering.

Original poster
tortiecat · 16/09/2020 17:56

@thecatneuterer

Really, don't worry about it. She is obviously happy. She just wants a home, food and her human. Older cats often aren't that bothered about much else (although lots seem to enjoy sitting in the sun).

I'm not surprised she wanted to come straight back in if you plonked her outside suddenly, but what happens if you just leave the garden doors open?

I totally see your point @thecatneuterer, I would run inside too if picked up and plonked outside! We just wanted to encourage her as we thought she might like to explore but she was having none of it, and we havent tried for a while. When the back door is open she sits next to it and sniffs things, basks in the sun for a few minutes and then goes back into the house.
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Original poster
tortiecat · 16/09/2020 17:57

... by things I mean the doorframe and shoes next to the door... and there was that one time she ate a slug...

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TastelessBracelets · 16/09/2020 17:59

So she's managed to ditch her annoying brother and has gained two loyal and sedentary humans to sit on? She sounds like she's having a great life.

Original poster
tortiecat · 16/09/2020 18:01

@madcatladyforever

Shes lovely. Could be at her age she just isnt very interested in all that. My old cat likes to go out once a day and potter in the garden but other than that she just sleeps. She does like the blunt end of a knitting needle and will chase that but only for a minute or two. She sounds really content to me.
I am a knitter @madcatladyforever so will try the blunt end of one of my fat bamboo needles and see if she shows any interest in it! If not as @minipie says I will just resign myself to the fact that she is at pipe and slippers age (I love that phrase) and delight in the lap sitting!
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Original poster
tortiecat · 16/09/2020 18:02

@TastelessBracelets

So she's managed to ditch her annoying brother and has gained two loyal and sedentary humans to sit on? She sounds like she's having a great life.
This made me laugh @TastelessBracelets!!
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Toddlerteaplease · 16/09/2020 18:21

My cats are exactly like this. Hardly play. Bit to fused about going out and happy just snoozing.

Original poster
tortiecat · 16/09/2020 19:37

@Toddlerteaplease

My cats are exactly like this. Hardly play. Bit to fused about going out and happy just snoozing.
Good to hear @Toddlerteaplease! I love Cheddar and Snorg (long time litter tray lurker!)
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nettie434 · 17/09/2020 07:31

Catnip leaves her cold

I am another person who thinks Madam Cat believes she fell on her paws and is quite happy to be a lap cat. A friend told me the other week that catnip is the same as coriander in humans. There is a genetic variant which means that some of us like the taste of coriander and others dislike it. Apparently only about 70% of cats react to nepetalactone (the active substance in catnip). Valerian is an alternative but I don't know if anyone sells valerian cat toys. You can buy valerian as an essential oil but the doses they put on the bottle are of course for humans so I assume you might need to check what would be the right amount to put on a toy or scratching mat.

Ellmau · 17/09/2020 10:48

She's beautiful!

And her fur looks lovely and soft.

Bargebill19 · 17/09/2020 18:54

Madam cat knows when she’s landed on her paws .... and is not for shifting! Why go outside when that means you might lose an excellent hotel with fab butler service?!!!!

Vinorosso74 · 17/09/2020 20:06

She obviously can't be bothered with certain cat things. It sounds like she's quite happy with you so I wouldn't worry and be glad she can't be bothered to go out to find you any presents. She is very gorgeous.

Original poster
tortiecat · 17/09/2020 20:58

Thank you all! We adore her and are very happy indeed to have all the cuddles, I just wanted to make sure that we weren't neglecting her by just sitting with her. Thankfully she is fit and well, she can run and jump quite gracefully if she chooses to, like when chasing a moth, it's just that most of the time she simply can't be bothered!

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Original poster
tortiecat · 17/09/2020 21:00

@nettie434

Catnip leaves her cold

I am another person who thinks Madam Cat believes she fell on her paws and is quite happy to be a lap cat. A friend told me the other week that catnip is the same as coriander in humans. There is a genetic variant which means that some of us like the taste of coriander and others dislike it. Apparently only about 70% of cats react to nepetalactone (the active substance in catnip). Valerian is an alternative but I don't know if anyone sells valerian cat toys. You can buy valerian as an essential oil but the doses they put on the bottle are of course for humans so I assume you might need to check what would be the right amount to put on a toy or scratching mat.

I did NOT know this @nettie434! Shock I don't like coriander, so it's good to know that I have something in common with Madam Cat (other than being lazy and sitting down). I will repeat this fascinating fact to everyone and will look into valerian.
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QueenPaws · 17/09/2020 21:03

Mine goes out but only to snore in next doors garden and see if she will give him any ham Hmm
Mostly he lies on me, blinking adoringly. Occasionally plays with a cotton wool bud, ribbon or hair bobble. His main thing is following me round purring so I trip over him constantly

Madam Cat
Vinorosso74 · 17/09/2020 21:07

Ollie!

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