cat scratching toddler (again....)

[foxyroxy141]

Didn't know how to post a link to my previous question on same subject - sorry. Basically my grumpy 8 year old cat (Minnie) went for my daughter again on the weekend - she didn't actually scratch her this time but she swiped 3 times at her face and probably would have scrammed her eye if she'd been about 1cm nearer. My husband has now said that Minnie has got to go back to the CPL to be rehomed, which is where we had her from 3 1/2 years ago. I know that obviously my daughter's safety has got to come first but I do feel that he's over reacting somewhat - I got scrammed many times as a child and it never did me any harm. My little girl is only 21 months so doesn't really understand to keep away from her - she loves animals and just wants to touch her, she's not rough at all. Has anyone got any thoughts on this? I just feel so guilty that she may have to go back to CPL - after all we 'rescued' her from there in the first place. What if no one else wants her? She's a house cat which probably cuts down the number of people who'd want her. Sorry this is so long xx

[caz21]

Sorry to say foxy but i think your hubbie has a point, your daughter could get quite badly scratched by her, and how would you feel?

Some cats just do not like children, and if this is the case its not fair on your cat either, if she went back to the CPL they would find someone to love her i'm sure, and they would rehome her somewhere without young children.

As you say you rescued her, you probably don't know her past and maybe she has had a bad experience with young children to cause her to try behave that way towards your daughter?

[kita1]

Another alternative would be to try and rehome her yourself? Try putting an advert in local papers etc. explain that she is an indoor cat and needs a quiet home, she sounds ideal for an older person living on their own. You never know there may be just the person living near to you.

My mother has had cats before and her last two got killed on the road, she now refuses to get another as she cannot cope with the distress of loosing them in such a bad way. An indoor cat would be perfect for her.

At least you will know what happens to your cat and may even be able to visit her from time to time. She sounds the ideal companion for an old person living on their own, if your husband is not entirely happy keeping the cat it is not fair to him or the cat as he will begin to resent having it around and if it does end up scratching your daughter it will cause more rows between you.

There will be a home somewhere that is perfect for the cat, it is just a matter of finding it.

Good luck, I know it is hard to part with an animal, but it is for the best and at least you are not having to have her put to sleep because she has done serious damage to your daughter.

[WendyS]

I really don't know whether your husband is over-reacting and I understand his concerns about your daughter's safety. Could you not try and keep the cat out of the room where your daughter is until she's a little older? Possibly the cat - like the rest of us - was having a bad day suffering with the current heatwave and this was making her really irritable. It does seem a pity to rehome her if she's already been made homeless once. Perhaps if you bought your daughter a large fluffy toy cat, called it "Annie's special cat" (or whatever your daughter's name is, and encouraged her to stroke that one, instead of the real one, you could engineer some kind of compromise. However, if your cat isgenuinely irritable and scratchy by nature, then perhaps rehoming is the only option.

[Ms.Hijinx]

i think your husband is way over reacting what if your little girl hurts the cat does he propose to send your daughter back!!! you are your cats family you cant just rehome her cos she has had a bad day! i agree with the others who said it was probably the heat please give her another chance good luck

[Litchick]

I agree with Wendy -- of course I would not want any harm to come to your daughter but as you said she doesn't really understand yet how to handle a pet.....please try not to rehome the cat if you can help it. Do try to keep them separated until your daughter is a bit older.

[deemartin]

When our son was born we had two dogs and a cat I know exactly what you're going through toddlers are facinated with everything and you need eyes in the back of your head. Our boy was always trying to poke his fingers into holes; nostrils etc so we had to keep a strict seperation policy. If you decide to keep your cat have you thought about a play pen? It's good to have a safe place to put your toddler if you have to pop to the loo and you could then carefully supervise and contact with the cat. Children soon learn and so do cats most of whom will keep well away from small children.