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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / July 2005My cat keeps hurting herself
Hello! This is my first post and its a really serious one. I have a really shy cat who will jump miles into the air if you scare her. And the only place she feels safe is inside the couch which is where she sleeps everyday. Recently she's been cutting herself on some sharp objects in there. I've tried to keep her out of it by stuffing pillows and blankets down into it but she always finds a way into it. And thats my problem...how do I keep her out of there? I heard there might be some spray or scent that cats don't like, and if you spray that on certain things than they won't go there...but does that work? And for how long? And can we smell it? Thank you for taking time to read this. Allen > Hello! This is my first post and its a really serious one. I have a really > shy cat who will jump miles into the air if you scare her. And the only [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Thank you for taking time to read this. Allen, how long have you had her? And what is her history? >Allen, how long have you had her? And what is her history? I've had her for 13 years so far and she's always been shy about everything. She'll hide for hours on end if something or somone new comes over to the house. All up to this point she'd hide under one of my family's beds but for some reason or another she found the couch to be a better spot now. She has cuts all over her face and in her ear. Its gotten to the point where I can't look directly at her any more. But I never noticed until now that she dosn't have any scratches or cuts on her body, just her face. Maybe thats a clue to somthing? I'm really desperate for advice, or a solution, so sorry for my ranting here. Allen > I've had her for 13 years so far and she's always been shy about everything. > She'll hide for hours on end if something or somone new comes over to the [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > somthing? I'm really desperate for advice, or a solution, so sorry for my > ranting here. It's very odd. Poor kitty. What kinds of sharp objects are in your couch? I don't think mine has sharp objects in it. Can you get a new couch? Are you sure no one is hurting her and she's hiding from *them? Have you asked a vet? She might need some sort of medication; it's not much of a life to hide all the time. I have a scaredy cat, too, but he only hides if company comes over so, most of the time, he's having a decent life. I feel bad for your poor little kitty. Maybe it isn't cuts at all but some sort of strange allergy or disease process? I would go to the vet asap. Her life is not very happy. Candace > Hello! This is my first post and its a really serious one. I have a really > shy cat who will jump miles into the air if you scare her. And the only [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Allen You could try covering it with a sofa cover. Does she have any cat trees or condos she could go into instead or even and empty box with a blanket? >> Allen > >You could try covering it with a sofa cover. Does she have any cat trees or >condos she could go into instead or even and empty box with a blanket? I don't have any condos but shes scared of boxes, so I never gave that thought a chance. Also what kind of sofa cover would cover the hole into the couch? I think I failed to mention the hole, I'm really sorry if I did, I'm sort of in "panic" mode. But so far just these few questions you all have asked me has been more helpful than anything I've found online so far so thank you so much for addressing this. Allen > >> Allen > > > >You could try covering it with a sofa cover. Does she have any cat trees or > >condos she could go into instead or even and empty box with a blanket? > Allen Yes, I would be thinking about replacement, another very safe place. Have you tried to disinfect the cuts yet? As far as the hole in the couch, stuff something in it, and old towel or shirt. Later >>> Allen >> [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Allen Well, where is the hole? Couch slip covers cover the entire couch and you just tuck the extra material in. http://www.surefit.net/customerservice/productinfo/one_piece.cfm \ wrote: > >> Allen > thank you so much for addressing this. > > Allen Allen, you've come to the right place, we care deeply about people as much as we do cats. Why not talk to us; this is a great place to be honest. The great thing about this place, is that you can be honest without fear of condemnation. Tell us about the jumping cat, we wants to help, yo! On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 02:04:59 +0000, wrote: > Hello! This is my first post and its a really serious one. I have a > really shy cat who will jump miles into the air if you scare her. And the [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Allen What I get from reading your letter is that you scare the cat just to see her jump in the air> Is this correct? No wonder she hides. That is called "cat abuse" And this has been going on for 13 years? Correct your behavior and I am sure that poor scared cat will feel much better. Grow up > On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 02:04:59 +0000, wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > your behavior and I am sure that poor scared cat will feel much better. > Grow up This is really true. I thought the cat had to be new to the household. You are absolutely right. > > On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 02:04:59 +0000, wrote: > > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > This is really true. I thought the cat had to be new to the household. > You are absolutely right. Sounds to me like he just has a really rather neurotic cat. Unfamiliar humans over for a visit see my semi-feral cat more often than my epileptic cat. She just spends a lot of time hiding. Allen's cat sounds to be easily startled and maybe overreactive. Allen - if she's afraid of boxes, you need to find another place where she can go to hide and be safe. She doesn't WANT to hurt herself. Is there a room she can get to where nothing else can get at her? If you have company over, where do they NOT go? You can find cheap little carpeted kitty condos at Petsmart or Petco or just about any pet store. If you're expecting company, place her in an off-limits-to-company space in your home. Make sure she has access to food, water, and a litterbox. Let her back out when they've gone and the house is settled and quiet again. Pay attention to when she chooses to climb into the couch. Don't experiment with it - just keep an eye on her. Try to figure out what seems to trigger her need to hide and work at eliminating that. Most importantly, she should be seen by her vet. You need to make sure she's healing well and feeling okay. > On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 02:04:59 +0000, wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > your behavior and I am sure that poor scared cat will feel much better. > Grow up I just thought they meant if she gets scared. Not that the person was purposely scaring her. You know like if you come up and they don't realize or make a loud noise in the kitchen etc. Idon't think they meant on purpose. > What I get from reading your letter is that you scare the cat just to see > her jump in the air> Is this correct? No wonder she hides. That is > called "cat abuse" And this has been going on for 13 years? Correct > your behavior and I am sure that poor scared cat will feel much better. > Grow up I didn't really take it that way; I assumed he meant loud noises, other things startling her, etc. I think there is more going on but I don't know what. Why would there be things in the couch cutting her face? I would think a cat who gets hurt somewhere would not keep going back. They're smart enough to avoid pain. Could someone be doing something mean to the kitty and she is trying to hide from that person in the couch? And why can't the couch be fixed, reupholstered, junked, something? Candace > > What I get from reading your letter is that you scare the cat just to see > > her jump in the air> Is this correct? No wonder she hides. That is [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Candace Just a guess... but there is no cat and no couch just a little boy who is home from college and daddy and mommy left him alone, sadly they forgot to lock their computer before going out. > Just a guess... but there is no cat and no couch just a little boy who is > home from college and daddy and mommy left him alone, sadly they forgot to > lock their computer before going out. That thought occurred to me and I hope it's so...I hate to think of a poor little kitty with her face all cut up. Candace > Just a guess... but there is no cat and no couch just a little boy who is > home from college and daddy and mommy left him alone, sadly they forgot to > lock their computer before going out. You're probably right. How come the guy that started this thread and the guy that started the "cat not drinking/peeing" thread are both from CatKB and they both have "/ before their name? Candace > I think there is more going on but I don't know what. Why would there > be things in the couch cutting her face? I would think a cat who gets [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > And why can't the couch be fixed, reupholstered, junked, something? I know, that couch sounds very unsafe. If a piece of furniture was hurting my cat that bad, I would get a new one. You can find free couches that are in better shape on Freecycle. In the meantime, provide her with some better hiding options like a kitty condo, a crinkly bag, anything else besides the couch. Take her to the vet too take make sure those cuts are not infected.  Signature-Kelly >> What I get from reading your letter is that you scare the cat just to see >> her jump in the air> Is this correct? No wonder she hides. That is [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Candace Maybe it's not something under the couch cutting the cat's face. I'm wondering if there might not be something that is causing the cat to rub it's face raw while under the couch. The only time I've seen cats do this is when they want out of a carrier or cage but could pain cause a cat to rub like that? What brought that to mind are the wounds in the ears. Cats will scratch their ears raw when they have an ear infection, mites etc. Might be worth a vet visit. I'd also set up some feliway diffusers to see if I could get the kitty to chill out some. W Fold out couches have rails, wiring for the mattress to lay one and lots of places to get cut. I sliced open a finger one time folding one away. I could easily see a cat getting cut on this stuff especially if they are desperately trying to stuff themselves into a tight spot. Celeste > > What I get from reading your letter is that you scare the cat just to see > > her jump in the air> Is this correct? No wonder she hides. That is [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Candace > On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 02:04:59 +0000, wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > your behavior and I am sure that poor scared cat will feel much better. > Grow up One of the cats at work, Stinky, is also easily scared. We've had her at work for over six years now, since she was 3 months old. She will also leap into the air when startled sometimes. Sometimes she'll be in my office hanging out and some will come in (someone she knows) and startle her. She'll puff up and want to get out of my small office, but if the person is in the doorway she freaks. Finally she'll bolt out and then all of a sudden realize that there's nobody new, and calm down. Sometimes she will race to the back and go to one of her preferred hiding spots. Fortunately, not in a couch! But it is possible for a cat who's been someplace for a long time to still be nervous and freaky. Stinky has never been mistreated, and wouldn't let anyone she doesn't know near enough to even attempt to mistreat her. It's just the way she is. -- Liz > But it is possible for a cat who's been someplace for a long time to still > be nervous and freaky. Stinky has never been mistreated, and wouldn't let [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > -- > Liz Maybe the cat is deaf? Seriously, how do you know it is not. > Hello! This is my first post and its a really serious one. I have a really > shy cat who will jump miles into the air if you scare her. *Stop* scaring her! Its not funny. And the only > place she feels safe is inside the couch which is where she sleeps everyday. > Recently she's been cutting herself on some sharp objects in there. I've > tried to keep her out of it by stuffing pillows and blankets down into it but > she always finds a way into it. > > And thats my problem...how do I keep her out of there? Buy a slipcover that covers the entire sofa, or better still, buy a sofa that is safer for your cat. > Buy a slipcover that covers the entire sofa, or better still, buy a sofa > that is safer for your cat. Lighten up Dr. Zaius. Dem bitches never came back I wish to address the people who either don't belive me, or think I'm abusing my cat. I have five cats, all of whom I love deeply. There are three males, all of which are cuddle-bugs and love attention; and two females, one who thinks shes queen of the world and then the one I'm having trouble with jumping in the couch. In my 15 years of being a cat owner I've never experienced a problem like this before. Thats why I'm worried and why I came to these boards. Also, someone wrote somthing so horrible that it hurt deeply, saying that I abuse this cat for pleasure. As I've said before she's easily startled and I was trying to paint a picture of how "skidish" she is. If someone came to my house right now, that person wouldn't see her for so many days because shes just that scared of anything "new". On a different note I wish to thank everyone who had constructive ideas and helped inform me on those Couch Slip Covers. I'm looking into buying one right now. Allen > I wish to address the people who either don't belive me, or think I'm abusing > my cat. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > helped inform me on those Couch Slip Covers. I'm looking into buying one > right now. I apologize, Allen. It made sense to me because I have seen other men do this. If the slipcover does not work (go to surefit.com, they are good and fairly cheap) maybe think about getting rid of the couch and getting one that she can't hide in. \ wrote: > On a different note I wish to thank everyone who had constructive ideas and > helped inform me on those Couch Slip Covers. I'm looking into buying one > right now. > > Allen Can you prove that this jittery cat is not deaf? Maybe this is why he keeps getting startled. > On a different note I wish to thank everyone who had constructive ideas and > helped inform me on those Couch Slip Covers. I'm looking into buying one > right now. > > Allen The nice thing about those is they can make an old piece look brand new and are VERY sturdy. I have one on an old chair and it is 8 years old. I need to think about replacing it. I may finally break down and get a new chair but I kind of hate to! > I wish to address the people who either don't belive me, or think I'm abusing > my cat. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > house right now, that person wouldn't see her for so many days because shes > just that scared of anything "new". People in this group are just absolutely bizarre and so disconnected-from-normal-reality sometimes, it's unreal.... There was nothing in your post that implied you were scaring her, people here just go off-the-handle at anything nowadays. Sorry you had to deal with it so soon. I've got a cat that does kinda the same thing, except she's only about 3 and we've had her a couple of years. In 10 more years, she's probably going to be the exact same way (if we accidentally kick something with our feet while walking and it makes enough of a noise, she's gonna jump - it's that way now, and I'm pretty sure it'll be that way until she dies, and that's *not* abusing a cat or scaring her to see her jump, it's just a part of life). Oh, and for clarification for some folks - there are springs inside some couches, they're metal, sometimes they break and have sharp, pointy ends, and those ends can end up scratching any flesh, be it human or animal. There are also staples that attach the upholstery to the actual couch frame, which are metal, which sometimes break, ... Seriously, though, do either cover the couch or buy a new one. brian SignatureIf you want to reply to this message by mail, you will have to change the reply address to beuchaw@beuchaw.net > Seriously, though, do either cover the couch or buy a new one. > > brian > -- woohahaha sucka! help help, I got a hole in my couch! Me me me, pick me I know... mmm mmm mmm Got any good advice for lipstic on a shirt collar? Or how bout them nasty iron marks on my pillow cases!!! Please help I am desperate >Got any good advice for lipstic on a shirt collar? Quit wiping your dick on your shirt :-) -mhd > >Got any good advice for lipstic on a shirt collar? > > Quit wiping your dick on your shirt :-) Oh, please! Do you really think barry applies lipstick there? Because that's the only way lipstick would GET there ... :) >> >Got any good advice for lipstic on a shirt collar? >> >> Quit wiping your dick on your shirt :-) > >Oh, please! Do you really think barry applies lipstick there? >Because that's the only way lipstick would GET there ... :) Lipstick on the blowup doll? -mhd > >> >Got any good advice for lipstic on a shirt collar? > >> [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Lipstick on the blowup doll? Ahhh, yes, it seems I did not explore every possible scenario! > Ahhh, yes, it seems I did not explore every possible scenario! Don't be talking bout my June Cleaver womakin >> Ahhh, yes, it seems I did not explore every possible scenario! > >Don't be talking bout my June Cleaver womakin Hope you aren't rough on the beaver like Ward was. -mhd > >> Ahhh, yes, it seems I did not explore every possible scenario! > > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > -mhd :) Ward ... I'm worried about the Beaver. > > >> Ahhh, yes, it seems I did not explore every possible scenario! > > > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > :) Ward ... I'm worried about the Beaver. I'm pretty sure he'll take good care of the beaver, lol sorry I couldn't resist > > > >> Ahhh, yes, it seems I did not explore every possible scenario! > > > > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > I'm pretty sure he'll take good care of the beaver, lol sorry I couldn't > resist Hee! > I'm pretty sure he'll take good care of the beaver, lol sorry I couldn't > resist Oh he's fine, I got him pickin squash and tomatoes all day. but i do suspect him and lumpy have been playin birds! I don't know what Im goin do. hamandche...@betweentheknees.com wrote: > Hope you aren't rough on the beaver like Ward was. > > -mhd I don't have the whole family, just June :0 Well, ok, maybe a Mary Anne from Gilligans Island, Betty Rubble, Martha Stewart, and a PAULA ZAHN but that was last week. Now I'm feeling kinda sea-sick, this room is hummin harder How soon I will delight! How Straight and good! > >Got any good advice for lipstic on a shirt collar? > > Quit wiping your dick on your shirt :-) > > -mhd You mean my girlsfriends shirt collar? Heck, I'll just buy her a new one, after all, she's a cook in the kitchen a maid in the parlor and a whore in the bedroom yeah, Ill get her a new shirt > Heck, I'll just buy her a new one, > after all, she's a cook in the kitchen > a maid in the parlor > and a whore in the bedroom > yeah, Ill get her a new shirt What am I saying! I'm just playing; I ain't no slut > People in this group are just absolutely bizarre and so > disconnected-from-normal-reality sometimes, it's unreal.... There > was nothing in your post that implied you were scaring her, people here > just go off-the-handle at anything nowadays. Sorry you had to deal > with it so soon. Seriously. I truly did not think anything implied that the OP was scaring the cat on purpose. I cant believe how some folks get so presumptuous so fast! Well, I can believe it...but...geesh! To the OP: Good luck with your kitty! Get that couch taken care of ASAP! Pam > > People in this group are just absolutely bizarre and so > > disconnected-from-normal-reality sometimes, it's unreal.... There [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Pam One would think that if one's cat was hiding in a place that was leaving cuts and scrapes on one's cats face, one would have enough sense to close off the area without needing to post a "how-to" on a usenet group. If it were my cat, I'd toss the couch for safety reasons and bring my cat to the vet to have the scratches looked at, particularly those around the ears. And the clincher here is I'd do all that without waiting for a how-to guide from here. And these are the reasons I labelled this poster a fraud, and I still do... As for "normal day reality"... here's some for you, 19 year old cat with CRF, fluids nightly, praying, coaxing, pleading, begging anything to get him to eat enough so that his bowels don't get blockages... 16 year old dog, chronic ear infections, chronic skin allergies, inflammation and swelling from scratching so much (and yes he is on medications, these flare ups occur every two to three months)... I can go on but why bore everyone, there are many here who deal with "normal-reality" on a daily basis and to say they are disconnected from it is to undermine the care and love those in this group give their animals daily. > > > People in this group are just absolutely bizarre and so > > > disconnected-from-normal-reality sometimes, it's unreal.... There [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > are disconnected from it is to undermine the care and love those in this > group give their animals daily. You have far too much sense to survive around here, Trish. :O) Soon Lynnie will be stalking you, too, snarling, "There is no reality, ONLY PERCEPTION!!" lol >>>> People in this group are just absolutely bizarre and so >>>> disconnected-from-normal-reality sometimes, it's unreal.... There [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > lol When you fail to percieve a car making a left turn across your travel path, did the collision really occur? Reality is more than just your perception. >One would think that if one's cat was hiding in a place that was leaving >cuts and scrapes on one's cats face, one would have enough sense to close [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >from here. And these are the reasons I labelled this poster a fraud, and I >still do... The reason I posted on here is because everyone else I talked to, and even the vets I asked about it couldn't give me a definite answer on what to do. I can't afford to take her to the vet because of my low income; I even asked if I could make payments or somehow work it off by working in the kennel but they said no. And because I don't own the couch and still live with my family I can't throw it out or modifiy it in anyway. Belive me I have tried every option I could think of and once again I needed new ideas. > The reason I posted on here is because everyone else I talked to, and even > the vets I asked about it couldn't give me a definite answer on what to do. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > family I can't throw it out or modifiy it in anyway. Belive me I have tried > every option I could think of and once again I needed new ideas. how do you know the cat is not deaf? can you prove she is not? I don't understand a jittery cat (for no reason) >how do you know the cat is not deaf? can you prove she is not? > >I don't understand a jittery cat (for no reason) I know shes not deaf because she can be anywhere in the house and hear the cat food can open. > I know shes not deaf because she can be anywhere in the house and hear the > cat food can open. > > -- > Message posted via http://www.catkb.com lol Yeah, I'd have to have a talk with my parents about the couch. If yure saying the bottom lining is torn loose, flip the couch on it's face and re-staple the under-liner. I just can't believe your parents will not assist you in this. > One would think that if one's cat was hiding in a place that was leaving > cuts and scrapes on one's cats face, one would have enough sense to close [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > from here. And these are the reasons I labelled this poster a fraud, and I > still do... If you've been reading Usenet for more than 6 months, you shouldn't be surprised at how many people ask Usenet for advice and *don't* take their car to the mechanic, or take themselves to a doctor, or call a plumber, or take their animal to a vet, or ... (ad nauseum) > As for "normal day reality"... here's some for you, > [snip] By "normal reality", I meant this: How can someone read a post like the OP's and immediately come up with the theory he's scaring the cat intentionally and still be connected to normal modes of thinking and reality? You have to be pretty f.cked up to think that (and post that you think that) the OP is intentionally scaring his cat. That's all I meant, and maybe I should've said "normal thought processes" instead. Sorry about all the cat/dog problems you're having - hopefully they'll be resolved in the best way possible for you and the animals soon... brian SignatureIf you want to reply to this message by mail, you will have to change the reply address to beuchaw@beuchaw.net > > One would think that if one's cat was hiding in a place that was leaving > > cuts and scrapes on one's cats face, one would have enough sense to close [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > brian Thanks, slowly the dog improves and the cat lives for the attention, many days are good and then days like yesterday suck :) Can't have it all! I wanted to say my frustration should not have been directed at you, I was frustrated with the OP and the term normal reality, and yes I've seen many come and go and ask basically how to put their underwear on, maybe next time he'll engage the brain before delaying the obvious and get the couch fixed one way or another and maybe he'll have his cat checked, one can only hope. I believe the reason it was thought he was scaring the cat was because of his choice of wording, he didn't explain it well, and left an opening to be misinterpreted. Hwoever, I still think he's a poser but nonetheless I guess we should try to help them just in case there is a small chance he's not. Thanks again **UPDATE** After many hours and lots and lots of sewing, we (my parents and I) have finally patched the hole up! So far it seems to be working as her cuts have started to heal wonderfully. I did take her to a vet and they told me to rub neosporin(sp?) on it everyday. So all is well on my end of the table! Thank you for all your suggestions and help. On another side note...I can't belive cat people, just like me, totally rejected me. Granted I just showed up out of the blue, but please just give me a chance! Allen >**UPDATE** > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > >Allen I'm glad you got the situation squared away Allen. I'm sorry I didn't see your original post. This forum is pretty hard on people, eh? Charlie |
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