I'm not sure of this behavior ..maybe I'm being paranoid - I just want her to be comfortable here in our home, and not have to hide all the time. Oh, she's really gonna hate us when we declaw her this Thursday.
2007-02-12 17:00:35 · 22 answers · asked by chunkie_cheese23 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
If you got her very recently (within the last week or so) she will do this. I had a cat that hid for over 2 weeks and would only eat or drink after everyone (except me the night owl) was asleep or out of the house.
Let her do this...she will become comfortable soon enough and then you won't be able to stop her :) When she does peek out just talk to her gently and perhaps you can coax her to come to you if you bribe her with some food or a cat treat. Eventually she will realize you aren't going to hurt her.
Good luck
2007-02-12 17:05:54 · answer #1 · answered by dustiiart 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You do know that de-clawing is equivelent to having all your fingers chopped off at the first joint, don't you? It is a cruel and unnecessary procedure becuase there are other alternatives out there such as "soft paws" - ask your vet about them or see them on line - they are cheap and very effective. And I hope you realize that the vet who suggested de-calw is only trying to make money on you to the ultimate expense of that poor cat. Geeeezzzzz....
As for the cat hiding - that's a cat's normal behavior when in a new environment - especially one with other pets or kids. Once the cat becomes certain that the new "den" is a safe place, he'll be more willing to walk about. Teach your kids also to be gentle with the cat and not to chase him around even when they only want to pet him. teach them to call the cat and to approach softly so the cat will learn to trust them
Please don't declaw that poor cat.
I wish that poor cat had another owner. You don't sound like the kind of person who understands or appreciates cats. Why not find this cat another home and get a puppy for your kids instead?
2007-02-12 18:10:43 · answer #2 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Declawing is cruel and banned in other countries for a good reason. When you have your cat declawed you may end up with a biter and one that does not use the litterbox.
I agree with the others that you should find the kitty a good home and get a dog. Cause I would hate you too if you cut off my fingers. That is only going to make matters WORSE!
2007-02-13 01:40:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
1st of all don't dare declaw her and if she hides she is probably being teased by your kids when they think you're not looking.. This doesn't sound like a good situation for the cat, she's not a toy. Before declawing her please talk again to your vet, maybe she's not a good fit for your family especially if you're thinking of declawing her which is like having your finger cutoff to the first knuckle...The fact that she comes out only when your kids are sleeping is bad, many people are in denial about their children, but the fact she only comes out if they;re asleep is proof that they may tease her.
And you're not really concerned about her being comfortable because you're getting her declawed, please be a decent person and find this cat another home.
2007-02-12 17:10:27 · answer #4 · answered by magpie 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Cats sleep in the day and play at night. They are nocturnal for the most part... Every cat I have ever had does the same thing and really winds themselves up with wanting to play and meow and it is time for humans to sleep. When you declaw her she will just be sleepy for a day or so and will be fine.. Good luck with Kitty!
2007-02-12 17:04:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like kitty is definitely frightened of the kids. Do they mishandle her at times or act loud or aggressively towards her (I'm not being judgemental at all, kids often do this though). I don't know how old your children are, but perhaps you could ask them to try to be quieter around the kitty.
Re declawing, you probably already know that it is illegal in most western countries and you can be charged with animal cruelty for having it done (it's illegal here in Australia). I've never understood why they still allow the practise in North America, when you can be charged over here and in many other places with cruelty if you have it done. Please do some research on it first, and you will see that what I say is right.
Hope kittie relaxes soon....and I hope she gets to keep her claws!
2007-02-12 17:19:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
It takes time for a cat to get used to a new environment. Especially one with loud rambunctious children if she is not used to that! Give her time and space (the kids need to do that as well!).
Has anyone even explained to you that you can keep your cats nails trimmed short and avoid a lot of problems that way? Go to the Cornell Feline Health Center's website for great video demos on doing that (and other helpful things).
Use "Sticky Paws" tape on furniture and places you don't want her scratching. She NEEDS a place to scratch. Get a good solid, stable, and tall (3 feet at least) scratching post and also a cardboard scratching ramp in case she prefers horizontal surfaces.
You are right, she will probably get worse after you have the ends of her toes cut off! (No wonder!) She is already scared and stressed trying to get used to her new home... why in the world would you want to do something like that to her??? If she scratches your kids I guarantee it is either because they are not treating her right (supervise and teach them how to go slow, be quiet, and be gentle! Do not let them chase her, grab and pull at her!), or her nails are simply too long and she can't help it (TRIM them!).
Good luck. It takes time for them to get comfortable in a new environment.Make sure she always has a quiet safe place she can retreat to if needed.
2007-02-12 17:48:00 · answer #7 · answered by Meowser 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Cats are nocturnal. And if you cared about your cat, then you wouldn't treat her so badly as to get her declawed. You don't want her to be comfortable in your home, you want to be comfortable with her in your home. That's a big difference, being between being unselfish and selfish. And the manner in which you write it makes it sound like you think it's a big joke. She probably senses what a cruel person you are and chooses to avoid while she can. Why women tend to feel they have to impose their will upon small animals is beyond me. And how they get away with being called the gentler of the species eludes me as well.
2007-02-12 17:07:12 · answer #8 · answered by marklemoore 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Most animals are like that in a new environment and children tend to be noisy and hyper. If it is a new cat i'm sure hte cat is not used to this and may be scared. This happened to me once, and I promise once your cat gets used to the new change he/she will come around. It will just take some time.
2007-02-12 17:04:17 · answer #9 · answered by butterfly_tat_luver79 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I hope you have done your research on declawing. I am not judging by any means. Most cats that are declawed become biters as this is the only other form of defense they have. Please prepare yourself and your children for this. I have seen many cats show up at shelters for this behavior, it is really sad.
2007-02-12 17:09:31 · answer #10 · answered by sgarrison94 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋