I was wondering if anyone out there can help me understand what is going on with my cat Chester. Recently,approx. 4 mos. ago we had to make him an out side cat because he seemed to be aggresive towards our newborn. He seemed to adjust ok, we have a fenced in yard and he was well taken care of,but just 1 mo. ago he starred to escape by digging under the fence and when he comes home,he always brings home a snake! He never kills it though, it's always alive,which really upsets my husband who is deathly afraid of snakes. We always have to kill it,but when we start to get the hoe,that's what we use,Chester starts hissing and afterwards just goes under the porch for at least an hour,sometimes more. It's getting so upsetting. Can anyone please give me any ideas as to why he does it,or better yet,how to stop it. Thank you for your time.
2006-08-09 10:52:14 · 7 answers · asked by gone2soon 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Is Chester neutered? If not, neuter him immediately. While a fenced yard is a good idea, there are a lot of predators for cats, i.e., owls, coyotes, people. If your cat is digging to get out it may be because he's not getting enough attention from his family and negative attention is better than none. He's bringing you home "presents," unfortunately it's a snake. Cats bring their owners gifts to gain love and acceptance from you. If you punish him, he'll keep doing it until something he brings you meets with your approval. Maybe try spending more time with him and letting him back in the house. He may exhibiting jealousy of your new arrival. Cats are a lot like children. I think Chester may just need some extra love and attention, along with the baby, so he knows he doesn't need to compete and that the little one isn't a threat to his home. I hope this helps. Next time he brings you a snake, tell him what a good kitty he is and thank him. Maybe next time he'll bring you a mouse. =^^=
2006-08-09 11:07:02 · answer #1 · answered by Donna 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when he was aggressive tword your newborn he was just trying to establish peking order so to speak! He can't understand that the baby isn't old enough to learn that yet. As far as the snakes go, he's bringing you toys and trying to contribute his share (or what he considers his share). When you kill the snake he takes it as rejection. You have rejected his gift or offering! Try getting a really big bucket with a lid. When he brings home the snakes, tip the bucket over and catch the snake inside and then dispose of the snake when the cat isn't looking. Praise him and let him know it was a job well done! It hopefully will be a passing fancy - until next year when the snakes are plentifull again. My cats always brought Mice! By the time I saw them they were very dead - but mice just the same!
2006-08-09 11:13:22 · answer #2 · answered by Carolyn T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chester sounds like a male cat and if so you may want to get him "fixed" if not done already, as this calms them down. If the snake is not poisonous do not kill it as they do a lot of good. Call animal control to rescue the snake. Chester is just hunting and bringing his catch back to his master to show off what he can do. This is a very normal thing for a cat to do. So if all else fails learn how to catch snakes and relocate them.
2006-08-09 11:13:03 · answer #3 · answered by gary o 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the snake is a gift to you and your family, trying to get back into your "graces" not understanding why he is out now. I had one who brought half killed squirrels.....eww. Since it is alive he might think he needs to teach you to hunt. I was told this years ago when one of my cats kept bringing me slightly injured mice. He is probably confused as to why you dont accept his gift and in a way feels rejected himself. You need to find a way to kind of thank him for the gift.....take him away from it when you kill it so he doesnt see. My cat who brought the mice would get a treat and I would carry him away loving him while my husband smashed the critter. Hope this in some way helps.
2006-08-09 11:38:04 · answer #4 · answered by angel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chester is acting out in anger because he feels that you have cast him aside for the new addition to the family. He is acting out in jealousy. Consult your vet for some tips on behavior problems.
2006-08-09 20:28:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are you killing the snakes??? Obviously he is not bringing home rattlesnakes, just release the poor thing. Snakes are in decline thanks to people like you. AND you are breaking the law..snakes are protected. Your cat is bringing you a gift and you are killing it. You are suppossed to praise your cat for bringing home "a kill".
2006-08-09 15:30:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aww, hes bringing you presents!! Dont let him know you dont appreciate them, you'll hurt his feelings!
Apparently in his travels, someone has chased him out of their yard with something that either looks like the hoe or, with a hoe!
Neutering lessons the wandering!
2006-08-09 11:18:08 · answer #7 · answered by Katz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋