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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Looking after neighbours cat, scratched me

31 replies

Lorrymum · 27/12/2021 19:46

My neighbour is in Thailand for 2 weeks and asked me to feed family cat. I feel sorry for him, he has the run of the house but has to stay in for whole 2 weeks.
Today I went in and after he had greeted me and I stroked and fussed him,I put out food, water and cleaned litter tray he launched himself at my legs and scratched me quite badly through my jeans. I have had cats in the past and have to say I was quite shocked (scratch drew blood and really hurt!)
I will wear wellies tomorrow to protect my legs but I have no idea why he did it.
Second question, are cats raw fed? The owners left mince and raw chicken to feed him with (and dried food). Unfortunately they didn't think it through and the meat was on its use by date by Christmas Day so I have been just feeding dried food until I can get to shops tomorrow.

OP posts:
TheCreamCaker · 27/12/2021 20:11

Some cats love raw food, but I don't think a cat should be fed only raw stuff. Have you got any pets? Perhaps your cat didn't like a particular scent on you.

Original poster
Lorrymum · 27/12/2021 20:22

Could be the scent of my puppy I suppose and they are not exactly the best of friends!

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 27/12/2021 20:24

Is the cat usually indoors?

Beamur · 27/12/2021 20:26

Eek. That cat didn't take a shine to you.
I don't really know about raw food for cats. Obviously if they hunt they eat raw food but even so you have to worm/deflea cats because of that!
If it's used to a high protein diet buy something like Applaws. Make sure cat has access to water if on dry food only for a few days.

ArblemarzipanTFruitcake · 27/12/2021 20:29

If he's used to going out and is shut in, this will just be pent up frustration and nothing personal.

As long as the biscuits are a complete cat food he will be fine on them.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 27/12/2021 20:33

My old cat used to suddenly freak out and attack me. Turned out she was partially blind from a young age. After that I'd call her and let her come to me. But cats can get very freaked out with changes.

Original poster
Lorrymum · 27/12/2021 20:39

He is normally outdoors prowling the neighbourhood for unfortunate pigeons. I have known him since he was a kitten but it was probably a mixture of frustration at not getting out and me just providing dried food. Hopefully the wellies will help! I had forgotten how painful a cat scratch can be. His Mum and Dad will be home on Saturday, thank goodness

OP posts:
janicewheeler · 27/12/2021 20:41

He might need to burn off some energy with abit of playtime ?

zafferana · 27/12/2021 20:45

He's probably frustrated, bored and lonely. I really think owners are irresponsible to bugger off for two weeks and just have someone go in and feed their cat. Poor thing is probably wondering where his humans are and why he's home alone. As for leaving a load of out of date raw chicken for him to eat - your neighbours are selfish fuckwits Sad

I'm sorry you got scratched so badly and have been left with this situation to sort out. Do you play with him? Indoor cats need stimulation.

roseblosssom · 27/12/2021 20:49

My cats are on raw food - specially designed for cats. You can make your own but just raw chicken on its own isn't good enough, needs a whole host of vitamins etc added to it. Obviously you buying a pack of I'm date mince will be fine for the time you're looking after the cat but it isn't a good long term diet for the owners to have it on.

Original poster
Lorrymum · 27/12/2021 22:23

I feel very sorry for him but I really haven't had time to play with him over Christmas. I m not impressed with my neighbours. He is a beautiful cat and it is a long time to spend on his own and he must be wondering what the hell is going on

OP posts:
mdinbc · 27/12/2021 22:52

When you say he launched himself at you, perhaps he was clinging to you so your wouldn't leave? We had a dog that would nip at us when we tried to leave.

Cats are real creatures of habit, and will go a bit mad when their routine is upset. When i look after my son's cats I will feed them, then just sit and watch a tv show for a bit so they have some company.

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/12/2021 22:59

He sounds bored as fuck. Two weeks in a house with fuck all to do all day!.

At least in a cattery there’s things to look at, mine had a stables attached to it, gun dogs to look down on and other cats around.

Toddlerteaplease · 28/12/2021 06:31

Yes. Mine has full time staff and ducks, chickens, dogs and horses

ElftonWednesday · 28/12/2021 06:37

Most cats much prefer being in their own homes to a cattery. Cats do miss their humans for
-something warm to sit on-- affection, but unless they are very young, won't be "bored" at all.

icedcoffees · 28/12/2021 16:03

@Lorrymum

I feel very sorry for him but I really haven't had time to play with him over Christmas. I m not impressed with my neighbours. He is a beautiful cat and it is a long time to spend on his own and he must be wondering what the hell is going on
There's absolutely nothing wrong with a cat being home alone for two weeks (as long as someone comes in to feed, clean trays and play).

You sound (in the nicest possible way) a little inexperienced - I would suggest to your neighbours that they hire a professional cat-sitter next time as they will come twice a day and spend 30 minutes playing and interacting with the cat, not just feeding and going again.

Original poster
Lorrymum · 28/12/2021 18:56

Not sure I would describe myself as inexperienced with cats. I had two of my own but I was never badly scratched for no apparent reason. I have also cared for my friends cat but he had access to the outdoors so presume its a mixture of anxiety (where are my owners?) and boredom. He is quite happy to be stroked and fussed it was just the sudden, random attack on my legs that I didn't understand.

OP posts:
OwlInLove · 28/12/2021 18:58

He scratched you through your jeans and drew blood? Through thick denim? That's quite some scratch

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 28/12/2021 19:01

He wants to play. Go in armed with a pounce toy and direct his pent up energy towards that instead of your leg!

Flossieskeeper · 28/12/2021 19:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

icedcoffees · 28/12/2021 19:14

I had two of my own but I was never badly scratched for no apparent reason.

It's not for no apparent reason - he's been stuck inside for a week when he's normally allowed out to roam and he's taking it out on you because you're only person there.

Cats are predators and like to hunt for their food. Having a human come in, put biscuits in a bowl and leave means they don't get to fulfil their natural instinct. This would normally be fine as most cats have human company and interaction, or are allowed outside to roam and play.

But at the moment, this cat just has you. And if all you're doing is going in, putting biscuits down and going, then I'm afraid that's probably not enough for him. He needs more interaction and stimulation, which is why I suggested a cat sitter - they will spend a good 30 minutes with him playing and interacting with him before feeding right at the end of the visit.

ElftonWednesday · 28/12/2021 19:24

Why would the cat not be allowed out? Surely they have a flap? Why should it be "stuck inside"?

icedcoffees · 28/12/2021 19:30

@ElftonWednesday

Why would the cat not be allowed out? Surely they have a flap? Why should it be "stuck inside"?
Some owners don't like their cats going out while they're away (I'm a cat sitter and this is very common) as they don't want the worry of the cat getting hurt or not coming home while they're away.

I'm not saying it's right when the cat is used to going out, but it's more common than you'd think!

MyAnacondaMight · 28/12/2021 19:36

It’s probably just misplaced aggression. If you can play with him for 10 minutes twice a day it would really help him - a feather on a string or similar, to play hunt and chase. Poor cat being locked inside for 2 weeks with no company or stimulation - he must be going out of his mind.

Other ideas: hide his dry food and/or treats in a few places around the house for him to find. Put the radio or tv on for him. Throw dry food up the stairs for him to chase, to tire him out a bit.

prontobip · 28/12/2021 19:42

We keep our cat inside when we go away, we don't like the thought of him being stuck in a tree or lost without us being there to look for him.

We do encourage our cat sitter to play with him for a bit when she visits.

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