Cat scratching toddler!

[foxyroxy141]

My 7 year old cat (Minnie) has always been a bit peculiar but even more so since my 18 month old daughter was born. She has become extremely grumpy (although she was pretty grumpy before....). About 3 weeks ago she badly scratched my daughters face when Isabelle was trying to touch her - Isabelle wasn't being rough or pulling fur etc she had barely even touched her. Minnie tried to attack my daughter again last night and now my husband says if it happens again we have to get rid of her. We had Minnie from the CPL so I don't think it's really fair to give her away again but obviously my daughter has to come first. I have tried telling Isabelle not to go near her but because she is so young she doesn't really understand. Please help!

[gessoo]

What a difficult situation. Your daughter's welfare must come first though, foxyroxy. I am a great animal lover so I would never rehome my animals except in exceptional circumstances, but I think you should try and rehome Minnie, bless her. You say she has always been grumpy and obviously this isn't going to change. Your daughter presumably just annoys her. small children's high voices and quick movements can make some animals agitated.

You will have a very fraught life if you keep Minnie - you will always be on edge. And your daughter is going to be running around more and more and annoying Minnie (not intentionally) just by being an active little person.

I think Minnie will be fine if rehomed. Do you know any people that might take her? She might be better now in a quiet home with older people - definitely no children.

Hard decision to make. This is just my view.

Best wishes

xxxxx

[smudge]

Hi foxy - a few years ago after losing our Smudge, we bought a beautiful 8 week old kitten & called her Tilly. She seemed fine for the first couple months, but then began to strike out every time any of us went to gently stroke her.

After her biting & severely scratching my husband's hand, which swelled up enough for him to visit our practise nurse - then after her scratching our grandaughter's hands & face, just missing her eye - we decided to take her to the vet for advice. The vet said she thought she was half feral & that she would only get worse at lashing out. She also said that training feral cats wasn't always succesful.

After a lot of soul searching & tears, we decided to take the vet's advice & take her along to a cattery for re-homing. She said there was always 'someone' who would be happy to take her in & let her roam around in sheltered accomodation & in a different environment other than a domestic one.

We all felt terriblt guilty afterwards, but it just wasn't worth the risk of any of our grandchildren or anyone else being injured.

I think your husband has the right idea that if Minnie strikes again, it might be best to re-home her. Good luck & hope all works out well in the end. -x-

[smudge]

*terribly

P.S. Our youngest granddaughter is an Isabel.

[smudge]

P.P.S. If you scroll down that link to CONTAINMENT I, the first para' describes exactly what our Tilly was like.

[foxyroxy141]

Thank you both for your answers. I would hate to give Minnie away but I don't think she's enjoying life much at the moment. She spends most of her time hiding from Isabelle so maybe she would prefer a different home. I will leave things for a couple of weeks as I don't want to make a hasty decision. It's such a shame though. Appreciate your thoughts xxx

[smudge]

You're welcome foxy.

It took us months to come to our final decision & as heartbreaking as it was, we all realise it was the best thing to do for Tilly & us. -x-

[andy-hughes]

Cats are pack animals, and hierarchy is important to them. Isabell has taken Minnie place in the pack, and mover her down a notch, and she (Minnie) doesn't like it. Minnie instinct is to try and Make Isabelle's place in the pack uncomfortable, so that she 'moves on' - not practical, but this is cat logic.

As suggested, she may not adjust to the new regime, and you may have to re-home her.

[kh_merrills]

I have 2 cats,one is a rescue cat like yours and one we got as a kitten out the paper. Ironically, the one we got as a kitten is the one that will lash out at my one year old Daugter! Although, in his defence, she is rough with him and at first I stopped him and her going near each other but anyone thats ever tried this will understand, this is easier said than done. Now, I let him scratch her and her be rough (to a degree) with him. I don't give either one sympathy when they want it but keep an eye on them to make sure it won't get out of hand. This has worked for me as they are both now more aware of each other and Olivia leaves him alone more as she doesnt want to get hurt and he doesnt play with her now either.

Since having your child, have you given him less fuss/ attention as he maybe jealous?

[Elfin]

Sounds to me like your daughter (or another child from the cat's previous home) has probably traumatised your cat at some point, thus prompting the aggression you are experiencing now. I'm surprised that your daughter is still happy to go near the cat after being so badly scratched - you'd think she would have learnt that she might get hurt again, thus problem solved.

I don't recommend keeping cats with small children - it is not appropriate. Cats command a good mix of understanding, personal space and respect - things that toddlers are just not capable of. And as all parents know, you can't keep an eagle eye on your toddler 24/7 so who knows what goes on.

Sadly, I think Minnie would be happier with some peace and quiet and personal space. She may well get rehomed quite quickly, so I'd recommend going that route (and not getting any more cats until you're sure you'll have no very young children in the house!).

I've just lost my cat to old age last week -- I'm trying sooo hard to resist the temptation to have Minnie myself...!

[gessoo]

Sorry to hear about your cat Elfin. Sad time for you.

I must admit I had three cats when my son was born, and a dog! We had no problems whatsoever, he was just so gentle with them all and they with him. He seemed to know instinctively he had to be gentle - perhaps that was because one of them sat on my lap most of the time when he was just a 'bump'!

(Would be nice if Minnie could come to you)

[Elfin]

Aw thanks gessoo. I posted on here at the end of last year, wondering whether I should make the call to the vets. Everyone was so kind. Finally, I had to do it last week - he was 19, had been blind for over a year and kept walking into things and becoming disorientated. Not very dignified. You know when the time is right, don't you. I've been in pieces for the last week, but now am trying desperately to resist the temptation to go straight back to the RSPCA for another one. I do miss the feel and smell of his fur, and the sound of his big purr. Uh oh, I'll be starting myself off again... *sniff.

(Sorry for hijacking your thread foxy...)

[smudge]

If you get to read this Elfin - I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved cat too.

[Elfin]

Thanks smudge :-)

[minihedgehog]

Hello,

I am very sorry for your predicament. Obviously cats are very territorial, new arrivals are often a problem and it seems that your cat is of an insecure nature, and so feels it badly. I also agree that children's movements and noise can be alarming to them, but on top of this, when children are interested or excited, they have wide eyes, which is actually an open sign of aggression in cat language, whereas the narrowing of the eyes is affectionate, so your little girl's loving or interested glances could be making your cat feel threatened as well! I disagree with andy about cats being pack animals, I don't think that is the real issue. I know that in a feral situation they will often gather in breeding colonies. I suggest looking at the RSPCA cat care manual on the bit about introvert cats, perhaps you can try some of those tips before resorting to the very difficult decision, at least you know you've tried your best. I really hope you find the best arrangement for all! Best of luck!

[gessoo]

Sorry to disagree too, Andy. But cats are not pack animals. They are solitary predators, but can form relationships. There are lots of reference if you Google, but this is quite good.

http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/training/train_that_cat.html