About 7 or 8 months ago I rescued a kitten from my old roommate's house. He had barn cats that werent fixed and had kittens non-stop. At one point I rescued one because the mom abandoned her. She is absolutly beautiful but the problem is...she is mean. I got her fixed and tried to do nothing but give her love and she bites you. You cant even pet her, and I mean literally because she bites you. Its not where you pet her for a while and she plays with you, the entire time I have had her I could bet her maybe 5 times. I think it is because she is ferrel and maybe imbreed. I feel that I am doing a horrible thing but I am thinking about giving her to someone to have as an outside cat. ( I would but I live in an apt.) Do you think I am doing the right thing?
2007-01-17 05:54:41 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
It is as if she is playing and not being mean.
2007-01-17 06:00:34 · update #1
If you feel that the kitten is beyond your capabilities to care for, then I don't see a problem with you letting some one else give it a try. It is true that over time the kitten MIGHT calm down, but is it worth cuts and scratches all over your hands and arms? You did what you could for the little one, that was more than some people would have done, you should be proud of yourself. WAY TO GO!
2007-01-17 06:02:20 · answer #1 · answered by a_on_mic 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe she was just made to be a barn cat. My dad has a cat that is mean as Hades, but is just at home in the barn. He keeps the mice out of the feed for the horses, and out of the hay also. So maybe taking the kitten wasn't actually 'rescuing' her. You may find her a home where she is a barn cat and will be a good mouser for someone. I know you care for her and that you are doing the right thing honey. I believe in you.
2007-01-17 14:06:05 · answer #2 · answered by amy_kiwee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could give her to someone as an outside cat, but she is probably acting that way because she has never bonded with anyone and getting petted and stuff is unusual for her. She might think that if you try to touch her it's because you want to harm her. Our cat was the same when we got her 2 years ago. She was 2 and had already had 2 homes before we got her. She hated to be touched and definately hated being picked up and would hiss and scratch if you tried to, but basically I showed her that she could trust me, that I wasn't going to hurt her and that she could enjoy a little TLC and that's ok. 2 years later, she sits on my lap and purrs, she sleeps on my bed and sometimes she comes up to me to get petted which she definately didn't do when we got her. She still hates to be brushed and dislikes being held but she has come a long way and calmed down a lot. It may take a while and effort and patience from you but it would be better to create a bond with her rather than pass her on to yet another owner, don't you think?
2007-01-17 21:50:07 · answer #3 · answered by ☺Catriona♥S☺ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You say you would keep her but you can't because you live in an apt. So where is she now? Before you do anything with her, I would take her to the vet and explain all of this to him. There maybe some medication she can take for this. Or maybe she'll grow out of it; she is still a kitten. But I would not give her to anyone that would keep her outside. Cats shouldn't be outside; too many dangerous things can happen to them.
2007-01-17 15:01:13 · answer #4 · answered by November 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First you have to ask yourself, 'why did you rescue the kitten?"
Then you must remember that cats are their own entities - unlike dogs and puppies.
I imagine if this kitten is used to being wild, she probably might have some trust issues - which with alot of patience and love, just may turn out to be not so mean.
Cats have their own personalities, and some just don't being touched/hugged or played with (not unlike people) - and just may want to be shown love in other ways (like just you being there with her, being fed and just being talked to in a soothing voice).
I have one friend who found a skittish, kitten who hissed alot, hanging around her yard and took it in, and after a year or two, became very loving and affectionate - while another friend was given a kitten who is still mean to everyone except the owner.
I believe trust would be the biggest obstacle to overcome and it's really up to you on how much your willing to put into your new relationship with this kitty.
2007-01-17 14:26:13 · answer #5 · answered by Elke 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, as a person who has a lot of investment & interest in animal behavior and welfare, I think it's fair for me to say that likely you would be doing the right thing by relinquishing the cat to a person who can take care of her as an outdoors cat.
Ferrell cats are much different than their domesticated cousins, and even domesticated cats can be a challange to overcome behavior problems.
So... Do I think you are doing the right thing? Yes, for your situation, I don't see many other alternatives in this case unfortunately.
Maybe you could talk with a veterinary doctor about tranquilizing medications on some level.
Hope this helps!
2007-01-17 14:02:02 · answer #6 · answered by jdinsd 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you rescued her as a newborn this is very common. They don't have the social skills most kittens receive from their siblings & mother. So they don't know how to play properly & will sometimes be anti-social & generally not very nice. If you give her to someone as an outside cat make sure she is fully vaccinated & is free of viruses that she can pass on to other cats.
2007-01-17 14:59:01 · answer #7 · answered by KATHY 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
About eight months ago, I adopted a six-month old kitten. She had been raised with other cats and was with her mother and siblings until I adopted her. It took me about two months before she would even let me touch her. It took almost six months before she would let me stroke her. She just recently began jumping up beside me to cuddle and be stroked. She still doesn't like being picked up and sometimes still runs or hides when I go near her. All cats are different. If you can handle it, give her more time. Talk to her softly and don't push yourself on her. I thought my kitten would never lie beside me and let me stroke her. It took some time but it was worth the wait. Now, we really enjoy each other's company.
2007-01-17 14:31:25 · answer #8 · answered by Am_I_Bluffin'?? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try playing with her some toys or a tape measure and drag it along the floor for her to chase and grab and when shes calmer try petting her if after a few wks u think its not helping it would probably be best to find a gd home for her with a garden take the kitty for a visit if u find some1 to see how it gets on in case there is the same prob dont just leave her or she might be palmed off on yet another person i fear
2007-01-20 20:18:14 · answer #9 · answered by Miss Karen Roe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I volunteered with a feline rescue, and I think your plan is probably for the best. Since she hasn't been fending for herself, please make sure the person sets out dry food and water for her, though!
If you have tried your best, that's all you can do. Some feral cats are not meant to be tamed.
Make sure she has all of her shots before you let her loose on the world!
2007-01-17 14:19:42 · answer #10 · answered by Meg M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋