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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / January 2005cat hates baby
I have a new baby, she is just over 2 months old. My cats are fine with her, one just kinda ignores her and the other treats her like she has always been around, ie. lies with her (with my supervision) just generally is great with her. The problem is my in-laws cat, he hates her. Visiting is always an exercise in diligence to make sure he does not go near her and hurt her. He usually starts hissing at the baby when we show up, and at me. If anyone tells him to go away he hisses at them too, then runs away hissing at nothing. Then forget about going where he is to get anything, Once he ran to the basement and when I went down to get a bottle of pop, he wouldn't let me back up, he sat on the stairs and hissed at me, I had to yell for MIL to rescue me. He has never been a friendly cat, and has bitten and scratched me in the past when I tried to pet him so I learned my lesson, and I know that he would hurt the baby as well if he were to get the chance. She will definately have to be taught that Nannies and poppies cat doesn't play. Is there anything that can be done to try and make this cat a little more accepting of the baby? Or will we just have to be constantly on guard when we visit? I am all for putting the cat in the basement as soon as we show up and therby avoid the problem but they always want to leave him up. It's a bit too late when leaving him alone gives him an opportunity with the baby that he takes. Yes, I really think he would maliciously attack her in his jealousy. > I have a new baby, she is just over 2 months old. My cats are fine with > her, one just kinda ignores her and the other treats her like she has always [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > he takes. Yes, I really think he would maliciously attack her in his > jealousy. Well, I don't understand why they don't just set up a room for him to be in while you visit. It is what I would do and is much less stressful on all parties including the scaredy cat (I'm certain he is just scared of strangers and especially wierd looking mini humans and not jealous.) Cats aren't malicious. Keep the cat sequestered and away from the baby. he's just scared. Sheesh. -L. She just asked for advice. After all this NG is health AND behaviour. Sheesh.  Signature.oO rach Oo. > Cats aren't malicious. Keep the cat sequestered and away from the > baby. he's just scared. Sheesh. > > -L. > She just asked for advice. After all this NG is health AND behaviour. > Sheesh. You and Lyn can both be pills so "sheesh" back at you. > > Cats aren't malicious. Keep the cat sequestered and away from the > > baby. he's just scared. Sheesh. > > > > -L. .oO wrote: She just asked for advice. After all this NG is health AND behaviour. Sheesh. -- .oO rach Oo. ****************** Yeah, but who calls a cat "malicious"? That's just assinine. And it isn't exactly brain science to figure out that the cat needs to be sequestered. People bitch and complain about their cats scratching their kids all the time - well, who's fault is that? Duh! I just get really tired of people being so freaking DUMB when it comes to cats. -L. it's the woman's baby for christs sake. The cat is not hers. A little understanding goes a LONG way. Signature.oO rach Oo. > .oO wrote: She just asked for advice. After all this NG is health AND > behaviour. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > really tired of people being so freaking DUMB when it comes to cats. > -L. > it's the woman's baby for christs sake. The cat is not hers. A little > understanding goes a LONG way. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > really tired of people being so freaking DUMB when it comes to cats. > > -L. hahahaha! Dueling thin-skinned top posters. Just tell your inlaws that you will not bring the baby to visit unless the cat is locked up during your visit. ---MIKE--- > Just tell your inlaws that you will not bring the baby to visit unless > the cat is locked up during your visit. > > ---MIKE--- And it doesn't have to mean the cat is deprived. If my cats have to be put in the bedroom for a while, they have beds, a litter box, food and a window. Honestly, try to convince your family that the cat is probably MORE stressed out being out and about during visits than if he has his own little home free from strangers. >> Just tell your inlaws that you will not bring the baby to visit unless >> the cat is locked up during your visit. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > out being out and about during visits than if he has his own little home > free from strangers. I agree with Mike and Karen. Your in-laws should be told -- and you should *stick to it* -- that there will be no further visits unless they agree to put the cat in another room. The present situation is dangerous for your baby, and placing the cat in a separate room while you visit would be best for all (you, the baby, *and* the cat). This does not mean that the cat should somehow be punished for something that he really doesn't understand. For example, I will often place Holly and Duffy in the computer room *for their own protection* when I have workers in the house. Make sure the room you select will be comfortable for the cat -- water, toys, litter box. A bedroom might feel less like "punishment" to the cat than the basement. It would also be better to place the cat in a separate room before you arrive to reduce the association of "separation" with your visits. MaryL I don't think you should tell someone else what they should or shouldn't do in their household. To give an ultimatum to the in-laws is even worse. I think the in-laws should be invited to see the baby at the OP's home or if the OP is visiting from out of town then she and the baby should check into a hotel. We humans seem to side with the baby rather than taking the cat's feelings into consideration here. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > I agree with Mike and Karen. Your in-laws should be told -- and you > should *stick to it* -- that there will be no further visits unless they [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > MaryL >We humans seem to side with the baby rather than taking the cat's feelings >into consideration here. Uhhh... most of the people on here were saying to put the cat away for the cat's sake, not just the baby's. I agree with that. Why expose the cat to stress unnecessarily? OTOH, yes they do need to be concerned about the baby's safety. Why is that wrong? Is it going to harm the cat to be put in a room for a few hours? Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG Stop thinking so human here. Cats like to have the run of the house and if they are feeling they are being displaced simply to make a human happy that might not be so smart. The OP is invading the space of the feline here and then trying to find a way to dictate the rules of a house not belonging to her. I think the OP should offer to allow the in-laws to come to her house to see the baby or if visiting from out of town to stay at a hotel. This way everyone including the cat is happy. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > Uhhh... most of the people on here were saying to put the cat away for the > cat's sake, not just the baby's. I agree with that. Why expose the cat > to stress unnecessarily? OTOH, yes they do need to be concerned about the > baby's safety. Why is that wrong? Is it going to harm the cat to be put > in a room for a few hours? > Stop thinking so human here. Cats like to have the run of the house and if > they are feeling they are being displaced simply to make a human happy [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > to her house to see the baby or if visiting from out of town to stay at a > hotel. This way everyone including the cat is happy. That's ridiculous. I always place Holly and Duffy in the computer room (where they have a cat tree, toys, water, and litter box) at Halloween because I don't want to take *any* risks with their safety. Likewise, I sometimes place them in the computer room if workers are in the house -- again, for their safety. In the situation we are discussing here, it would be for the benefit of both the baby and the cat. The cat does not need to feel displaced, especially if the cat is given some extra treats at the same time. This isn't punishment; it is simply common sense to separate the two during a period when the baby would be in danger and the cat is apparently feeling threatened or frightened. MaryL Why is it so rediculous? Having a cat in one room so they don't get out or frightened by constant traffic and the trick or treaters is one thing but asking for the cat to be confined before coming over is quite another. The OP shouldn't give the in-laws an ultimatum or demand the rules of someone elses house be changed. This is a human baby and the situation is entirely different. The OP and her child are invading the territory and then trying to get the owners of the home to bow down to her wishes. If the in-laws want the cat to have run of the house while the baby is there then the OP has a choice to either confine the baby to a room, stay at a hotel, or invite the in-laws to her house to see the baby. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > That's ridiculous. I always place Holly and Duffy in the computer room > (where they have a cat tree, toys, water, and litter box) at Halloween [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > MaryL I think Cat Protector is trolling now! ---MIKE--- > I think Cat Protector is trolling now! > > ---MIKE--- No, he honestly is that thick. There is no need to protect a human infant from a cat that exhibits aggression, in his world. But, as I pointed out elsewhere, at least he has not bred. > Stop thinking so human here. Cats like to have the run of the house and if > they are feeling they are being displaced simply to make a human happy [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > to her house to see the baby or if visiting from out of town to stay at a > hotel. This way everyone including the cat is happy. What if she were bringing her cat over to visit? Would you still feel the same way? Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG That isn't the case here. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > What if she were bringing her cat over to visit? Would you still feel the > same way? > Stop thinking so human here. Cats like to have the run of the house and if > they are feeling they are being displaced simply to make a human happy [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > to her house to see the baby or if visiting from out of town to stay at a > hotel. This way everyone including the cat is happy. "Mommy, why can't we go to Grandma and Grandpa's house?" "Because we would be invading the cat's territory, sweetie." Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG That would work with me. Kids need to be educated. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > "Mommy, why can't we go to Grandma and Grandpa's house?" > "Because we would be invading the cat's territory, sweetie." Or it could make the cat feel as if the baby his more important than he and will get locked up everytime mother and baby come over. If the OS was smart she'd stay at a hotel and have the in-laws go there to visit. This way the cat is not having to be stressed out even more thinking his territory is being invaded. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > And it doesn't have to mean the cat is deprived. If my cats have to be put > in the bedroom for a while, they have beds, a litter box, food and a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > out being out and about during visits than if he has his own little home > free from strangers. >>Just tell your inlaws that you will not bring the baby to visit unless >>the cat is locked up during your visit. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > out being out and about during visits than if he has his own little home > free from strangers. Exactly. I lure mine into "their room" with treats by shaking the pouch. They follow me every time. If they felt deprived, they would have caught on by now and rejected my attempts. When I return to let them out, they're always cuddled up nicely on the guest bed or perched on the window sill, content as can be. He sounds a nervous cat. Babies smell strange and make horrid loud nosies and by hissing he is acting defensively. He isn't acting out of jealousy or maliciousness. He ran to the basement to escape you and from his point of view you followed him so decided attack was the best form of defence. From both your points of view it would be safer and kinder if the cat was placed in a secured bedroom before you arrived.You can then relax and enjoy your visits. Alison > I have a new baby, she is just over 2 months old. My cats are fine with > her, one just kinda ignores her and the other treats her like she has always [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > he takes. Yes, I really think he would maliciously attack her in his > jealousy. Karen Chuplis wrote: Well, I don't understand why they don't just set up a room for him to be in while you visit. It is what I would do and is much less stressful on all parties including the scaredy cat (I'm certain he is just scared of strangers and especially wierd looking mini humans and not jealous.) I don't understand why they don't either, I always want to secure the cat in a seperate room and I wish they would do it before we arrive, unless we are showing up unexpectedly, but they just won't do it. They always wait till the cat is freaking out to remove him from the situation and then it is really too late. The cat is upset and hissing, people are upset with the cat for the hissing and he doesn't know what to do except run away, I am afraid that one day his response won't be run away but attack. Usually when something upsets his routine (ie, uncles dog visiting, workmen in the house) he pees in the corner too but oddly enough he hasn't done that yet with the baby visits. I would like the cat to be tolerant of the baby so that when she is older she is not terrified of the cat and so that if she tries to pet him as she will do with our cats, he doesn't claw her up because he has only bad things associated with her. The basement is the cats alter home in the house, a bedroom would be more punishment than the basement. He has toys down there, his litter box, lots of places he likes to sleep. He spends time in the basement quite often even if not confined to the area. It is a full finished basement, rec room, laundry room, windows, etc. alison wrote He ran to the basement to escape you and from his point of view you followed him so decided attack was the best form of defence. That was about 2 or more hours later I went to the basement, would he still be upset that much later? well, I guess he obviously was. I just wish there was some way to get him to be more accepting and not have him getting so upset. He is the total opposite of my own cats who are both so laid back, one is a little nervous of men, but she just hides in a closet or under a chair whenever company shows up, never the hissing freaking out behaviour. And usually comes back out after they have been here a while and she realizes they are not a threat. (She was rescued at 4 months old, kinda think a man may have hurt her, she especially is afraid of men with beards, with the exception of bf) > He sounds a nervous cat. Babies smell strange and make horrid loud > nosies and by hissing he is acting defensively. He isn't acting out of [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > his > > jealousy. > Karen Chuplis wrote: > Well, I don't understand why they don't just set up a room for him to be [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > room, > laundry room, windows, etc. I think you and/or your husband need to develop a strong backbone and simply *refuse* to enter that house until the cat is placed in a secure location. Your in-laws are being unreasonable, and you ar really enabling them when you continue to visit under these conditions. It would be far better for the baby (who would be safe), for you (who would not need to worry), and for the cat (who is probably very frightened and stressed-out). This is not intended to be antagonistic or a "personal attack" -- just a statement of what I see as reality. Moreover, this situation will probably carry over into other areas of your lives. The longer your in-laws get away with this type of controlling behavior (and that's what it is), the more they are likely to try to control your lives in other ways as well. MaryL > I think you and/or your husband need to develop a strong backbone and simply > *refuse* to enter that house until the cat is placed in a secure location. > Your in-laws are being unreasonable, and you ar really enabling them when > you continue to visit under these conditions. I agree, and since these are inlaws I think the husband should put his foot down. > Moreover, this situation will probably carry over into other areas of > your lives. The longer your in-laws get away with this type of > controlling behavior (and that's what it is), the more they are likely > to try to control your lives in other ways as well. In the in-laws' defense, they may not realize that the cat will be more comfortable in the basement, and they may feel that they have an obligation to the cat not to "lock it up." They may also be hoping that somehow, the cat will get over its anxiety and get along with the baby. I'm not saying they're doing the right thing; I'm just saying they may not be pure evil =) Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* >> Moreover, this situation will probably carry over into other areas of >> your lives. The longer your in-laws get away with this type of [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > I'm not saying they're doing the right thing; I'm just saying they may not be > pure evil =) Oh I imagine that is very much the case. They probably feel it is "mean". But that just means they need some education. >> Karen Chuplis wrote: >> Well, I don't understand why they don't just set up a room for him to be [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > MaryL Or, as an alternative, tell the in-laws to visit at your home (minus the cat). Don't permit the situation to continue -- this is just common sense -- your baby comes first! MLB > Karen Chuplis wrote: > Well, I don't understand why they don't just set up a room for him to be in [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > cat for the hissing and he doesn't know what to do except run away, I am > afraid that one day his response won't be run away but attack. Explain to the inlaws that they are encouraging the cycle of agression by not removing him before he gets this upset. If he doesn't get worked up everytime someone comes over, he would probably learn to eventually be calm through an entire visit. If the basement is a comfort zone for him, then they are doing him a favor by putting him down there during visits. I would just bet though that if they put him down there before he gets upset, the time before he gets upset would get longer and longer and he would eventually be comfortable with your whole family. > alison wrote > He ran to the basement to escape you and from his point of view you [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > there was some way to get him to be more accepting and not have him getting > so upset. Adrenaline is an amazing thing. Just consider how long we humans can stay touchy and upset if we get worked up and we lash out at anyone who crosses our path whether they deserve it or not! For animals, it can be worse, because in their animal mind, this is instinctually a matter of life or death so they stay hissy a good while if allowed to get a real head of steam going. I still think if they would just remove him to the basement at the first sign of getting hissy, that time would get longer everytime. They might also consider a couple of Feliway diffusers around to help his anxiety. (www.feliway.com though they can be bought in most pet stores or at the vet though online is usually cheapest). >Karen Chuplis wrote: >Well, I don't understand why they don't just set up a room for him to be in >while you visit. It is what I would do and is much less stressful on all >parties including the scaredy cat absolutely - put that baby in its own room :-) J snip > The basement is the cats alter home in the house, a bedroom would be > more punishment than the basement. He has toys down there, his litter [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > just wish there was some way to get him to be more accepting and not > have him getting so upset. I agree with Alison. It really does sound like the basement is his "safe spot" and he knows to retreat to it when he's stressed about whatever is happening in the house. Does he have something to hide in/under down there? Rosalie's safe spot is my bedroom under the bed. No one can get her there, and I won't even try to get to her there (but at the beginning I worked hard to lure her out). But when you guys are visiting, it would be best if you didn't "invade" the cat's safe place -- send one of his trusted humans down instead. --Catherine & Rosalie the calicohead >> The basement is the cats alter home in the house, a bedroom would be >> more punishment than the basement. He has toys down there, his litter [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] >--Catherine >& Rosalie the calicoheada That is where Cactfive loves to get to if we have company. However if they arrive before he can get to that end of the house he is frantic to find a sopt. I take him to my room and put him under the blankets. He stays there until company leaves. The only exception is when my in-laws come from Scotland. He is hidden for most the time they are here and they usualy stay about 1 month. By the time he comes out to see them they are leaving. He cuddles me at night but he refuses to come out and visit new people. Poor scared baby. Karryl Karryl http://www.elexorr.com/~soft/index.html http://www.elexorr.com/~soft/Mat/index.htm http://www.elexorr.com/~soft/cats/index.htm "If a man is a fool, you don't train him out of being a fool by sending him to university. You merely turn him into a trained fool, ten times more dangerous." ----Desmond Bagley. > I have a new baby, she is just over 2 months old. My cats are fine with > her, one just kinda ignores her and the other treats her like she has always > been around, ie. lies with her (with my supervision) just generally is great > with her. The problem is my in-laws cat, he hates her. Visiting is always > an exercise in diligence to make sure he does not go near her and hurt her. Your inlaws need to shut him up when you visit. If you lived with him a more involved solution might be called for. I also don't understand why they are against putting the cat up. My Catfive always is put away when someone is over, he is so scared so I figure (he would hide any way and maybe not in a good place) I put him in my bed room where I know he is comformtable and safe. He is less stressed after my company leaves and I don't have to look for hours to find him. Karryl I can see the point of the in-laws. When people visit my home they know I have cats so they are willing to accept the fact they are in the cats territory. My cats may feel comfortable in my bedroom but they also have their favorite resting spots outside of it. If the cats choose to hide when company is over, the door to the bedroom is always open so they can go in there. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > > I also don't understand why they are against putting the cat up. My [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Karryl > I also don't understand why they are against putting the cat up. My Catfive > always is put away when someone is over, he is so scared so I figure (he > would hide any way and maybe not in a good place) I put him in my bed room > where I know he is comformtable and safe. He is less stressed after my > company leaves and I don't have to look for hours to find him. Catfive? Is he named after the type of ethernet cable? Not mocking, just curious. I think it's a cute name and it made me grin =) Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* >> I also don't understand why they are against putting the cat up. My Catfive >> always is put away when someone is over, he is so scared so I figure (he [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >Not mocking, just curious. I think it's a cute name and it made me grin =) Yes, both me and my husband work in the computer field so it just seemed natural to have Catfive. For any one interested I have updated my cat site and moved to a new server. I also updated my sons pit bull site. Karryl >> I also don't understand why they are against putting the cat up. My Catfive >> always is put away when someone is over, he is so scared so I figure (he [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >Not mocking, just curious. I think it's a cute name and it made me grin =) forgot to post links Karryl http://www.elexorr.com/~soft/icats/ndex.html http://www.elexorr.com/~soft/index.html http://www.elexorr.com/~soft/Mat/index.htm http://www.elexorr.com/~soft/cats/index.htm "If a man is a fool, you don't train him out of being a fool by sending him to university. You merely turn him into a trained fool, ten times more dangerous." ----Desmond Bagley. > forgot to post links > > Karryl > > http://www.elexorr.com/~soft/icats/ndex.html I tried the link above, also icats/index.html and cats/index.html ... nothing's working! Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* >/ made a typo on the one line http://elexorr.com/~soft/cats/index.htm http://www.elexorr.com/~soft/index.html http://www.elexorr.com/~soft/Mat/index.htm http://www.elexorr.com/~soft/cats/index.htm "If a man is a fool, you don't train him out of being a fool by sending him to university. You merely turn him into a trained fool, ten times more dangerous." ----Desmond Bagley. > http://elexorr.com/~soft/cats/index.htm Thanks! Very cute cats. Signaturemonique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eros was adopted! Eros has a home now! *cheer!* Here is a good idea. Why don't you stay at a hotel? Problem solved. The cat shouldn't have to be put in locked in another room or put in the basement just to accomodate you and your baby. You and your baby are in the cat's territory which is also probably the reason he hisses or swipes. You are invading his space. The cat is not being malicious but prefers you not interrupting his peace. You could lock your baby to one room that the cat can't get to. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com >I have a new baby, she is just over 2 months old. My cats are fine with > her, one just kinda ignores her and the other treats her like she has [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > he takes. Yes, I really think he would maliciously attack her in his > jealousy. > Here is a good idea. Why don't you stay at a hotel? Problem solved. The > cat shouldn't have to be put in locked in another room or put in the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > not interrupting his peace. You could lock your baby to one room that the > cat can't get to. I love my cats more than anything, but that's just ridiculous. She shouldn't be allowed to bring her baby over to see her parents because she is invading the cat's territory? Some of my cats run and hide when I have visitors. Should I never have people over to my house? Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG Anybody who comes to my house knows that I have cats so they make a choice as to whether they still want to come or not. If one objects then that is their problem. Nobody should try to make you change the rules of your house if they don't live there. I think that staying at a hotel (if visiting from out of town) or allowing the OP's in-laws to come visit her home is probably best here and it takes the stress out of the whole thing. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > I love my cats more than anything, but that's just ridiculous. She > shouldn't be allowed to bring her baby over to see her parents because she > is invading the cat's territory? Some of my cats run and hide when I have > visitors. Should I never have people over to my house? > Anybody who comes to my house knows that I have cats so they make a choice > as to whether they still want to come or not. If one objects then that is > their problem. Nobody should try to make you change the rules of your house > if they don't live there. I think that staying at a hotel (if visiting from > out of town) or allowing the OP's in-laws to come visit her home is probably > best here and it takes the stress out of the whole thing. I am so glad you have no bred. For so many reasons. The hotel idea is a good one, if I didn't live 5 minutes drive away :-) Everyone who comes to my house knows I have cats too, but if one of my guests were fearful, or allergic, I would remove the cats to another room to lessen the impact on them (the guests). We are frequent visitors to their home, BF lived there with said cat, and I practically did, I was there after work till bedtime before we got our own place, so we are not strangers to this cat. It is hard to have them visit us, when the turkey is at their house :-)) We are frequently invited over for meals. They have a house and more room for visiting whereas we have an apartment and not a whole lot of room. It is just easier to visit them. BF works a five minute walk from their house so quite often we would stop in with the baby after he got off work, or stop in if we were at the mall, which is also practically in their backyard. A lot of the visits are inpromptu I will admit because we were in the neighborhood. They will remove the cat to the basement if other people are coming to visit who are afraid of the cat. And every time he does get extra treats and stuff, quite often shrimp, that's his favorite, he'd probably even love the baby for the few minutes he was eating shrimp if she had any for him. They will soon have two grandchildren visiting, in March their other son is having a child as well. I do not want either of the children to be hurt by the cat. To the person who implied I am an idiot because I called the cat malicious has obviously not met this cat, he can appear malicious at times. I am actually pretty educated about cats. I also volunteered at the local shelter as a cat caretaker. And I have never met another cat like this one, and there were some mean cats come into the shelter. The only hand he won't bite is the one containing shrimp. Maybe malicious was not quite the correct word, if you reread the paragraph and substitute unprovoked or surprise attack the baby, maybe that wuld be better. My point was that I think the cat would attack the baby without warning if given the opportunity. This is also quite a large cat, easily 20 pounds, and unpredictable. He has in the past bitten and scratched the in-laws who own him for some imagined slight on the cats part. Maybe they wanted him to get out of the kitchen chair and tried to move him by picking him up. Something I'd never try but his owners should be able to accomplish. He has even been known to swipe at them in their sleep. > > Anybody who comes to my house knows that I have cats so they make a choice > > as to whether they still want to come or not. If one objects then that is [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > I am so glad you have no bred. For so many reasons. > This is also quite a large cat, easily 20 pounds, and unpredictable. He > has [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > at > them in their sleep. It sounds like the cat may have misdirected aggression. Here's an article that briefly explains it: http://www.drpetra.com/Cats/Aggression%20&%20Redirection.htm There have also been numorous threads on this ng about it with lots of helpful hints. Since you live in the area and drop by unexpectedly, maybe your in-laws should try Feliway and/or Rescue Remedy to calm the cat down. They may also want to speak to their vet about this behavior. If you are coming over for a planned, extended visit, I would still ask them to put the cat away until this behavior is under control. Another thing you could do is leave a blanket or something that smells like the baby in their house, in a spot where the cat likes to hang out. It could help the cat get used to the baby. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG Well you didn't state that you were 5 minutes away. I would invite the in-laws over then to see the baby. I too have had people that came over that were allergic to cat dander but they know full well that I have cats and are usually willing to deal with it instead of having me change the cat's routine. I think I have to side with your in-laws on this one. The cat deserves to be considered here and if you are going to their house then you need to go with whatever they feel comfortable with. If the cat has run of the house and you are bringing over a baby then you need to put the baby in a secure room that the cat can't get to. Also, this cat is not being malicious. He is protecting his territory. To him, you guys are invading so you need to be a little more sympathetic here. SignatureCat Galaxy: All Cats! All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of Your Computer Needs! www.panthertekit.com > The hotel idea is a good one, if I didn't live 5 minutes drive away :-) > Everyone who comes to my house knows I have cats too, but if one of my [quoted text clipped - 70 lines] >> >> I am so glad you have no bred. For so many reasons. >Here is a good idea. Why don't you stay at a hotel? Problem solved. The cat >shouldn't have to be put in locked in another room or put in the basement [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >interrupting his peace. You could lock your baby to one room that the cat >can't get to. You assume I have to lock the door when I put Catfive up....he is left with the door open and he stays in the room by himself. If I don't know company is coming he just hides where ever he can and some places are not really good places. You may also be assuming that the same is with the orginal poster. Maybe the cat would love the option of being away in the basement. My girlfriend just had a baby and it is 4 months old now. She has 4 cats and one kept coming up trying to bite the baby. The largest female wants to mother the baby. The other 2 don't really have much. reaction to it. She has had to slowly set the bondries for the cat and never leaves the baby in a room alone where the cats can bite or do a little too much mothering. Like I said the baby is 4 months old, the biting cat has stopped that but is still very concerned about this new creature. I am guessing this is going to be an ongingn process as the baby grows and the cats accept the changes. Karryl >I have a new baby, she is just over 2 months old. My cats are fine with >her, one just kinda ignores her and the other treats her like she has always >been around, ie. lies with her (with my supervision) just generally is great >with her. The problem is my in-laws cat, he hates her. Visiting is always get rid of the baby: http://www.gwally.com/articles/baby.shtml > >I have a new baby, she is just over 2 months old. My cats are fine with > >her, one just kinda ignores her and the other treats her like she has always [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > get rid of the baby: > http://www.gwally.com/articles/baby.shtml Hilarious.
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