What should we do about the cat?

Question

My friend's husband has an evil cat that keeps scratching their baby. It's unprovoked, perhaps jealous. My friend is very upset about it. Her husband won't get rid of it because he's had it for such long time. What should she do? Or better yet, how can we get rid of the cat and make it look like an accident?

Answer 1

Consider the position the cat is in. Your friend has completely turned the cat's life upside down. The cat now has to share it's attention with this strange small thing that makes loud noises and smells weird, and does unpredictable things. I'm afraid there are few choices your friends have now that the baby is home and the cat doesn't like it. We don't speak cat, so we can't explain to them that despite all the changes we still love them. It will take some time to get comfortable with the baby. In the meantime if it is scratching the baby, there is a real concern for contracting disease. Cat scratches are not harmless. Cats harbor bacteria under their nails (Think, where do cats go with those paws?) and babies are sensitive to all things because their immune system is not developed yet. For the baby's sake the cat should either be kept away from the baby or declawed. I normally do not recommend declawing because I have seen the proceedure done incorrectly numerous times, and the result is not good. However, in this instance, keeping the cat away from the baby is not going to help it get used to the baby. The family is going to have to do some controlled training with the cat and the baby that just won't happen if it never sees the baby. The only other option is to get rid of it. Your friend and her husband have to sit down and have a talk about this and decide what they are going to do. Until they do, keep the cat away from the baby. Leave a used baby blanket somewhere on the floor where the cat will find it, but not where the cat sleeps or near the litterbox. Allow the cat to become used to the smell of the blanket before even trying to get them back together (declawed or no). Establish a routine for the cat involving excercise (schedule playtime). Excercise reduces anxiety and playtime reinforces to the cat that they are still loved. Consult a veterinarian with behavior experience and make sure that they have a good track record with the surgery if they are going forward with declawing. Cat's nails do not regrow if the proceedure is done properly.

Answer 2

No. Definitely don't think it's your place to "get rid" of someone else's animal.

If I were her I would seriously sit down with him and talk it over... perhaps speak to a vet, or someone that's more knowledgeable about animal behavior... see if there's a way to make the cat stop. Perhaps set a time to give the cat attention? - I'm sure there's not a lot of time with a new baby, but if he's unwilling to give up the cat... then he's got to try something to change the current state of things.

Is there anyway to keep the cat away from the baby? Put the cat in the bathroom when the baby's out and about... and let her/him out when the baby's asleep, and close the baby's door?

I have two cats and when my little girl comes... I know I would try everything recommended before giving them up. In the end, of course, you do what's best for your baby, but you should try other options as well. Is there a place the cat could stay? With a relative? Until the child's older?

Just some ideas...

Answer 3

Considering the circumstances it will NEVER look like an accident. Some one needs to make a decision, what is more important. The cat or the baby. There are many no kill animal shelters that it can be taken too or even better just have the cat declawed. Any vet can do it and the cat will only be left with their back claws for climbing and itching. I have met cats that have been declawed and if the cat still manages to scratch the baby with her hind claws then definately get rid of her. It is a danger to the baby next because what if you find the cat in the babies crib one morning??? Think about it.

Answer 4

Perhaps the cat just needs some extra attention.... but if the husband refuses to give it away, even for the short term, seperation is the best bet. By "baby" do you mean toddler, or truly an infant that is not mobile yet? If it is a toddler, they are very curious by nature, and inclined to poke, so unprovoked to you may be different than the cat's prospective of having a toddler lurching towards him. Keep the cat confined to a room away from the child- shouldn't be too hard. And pls don't hurt the cat- take it to the ASPCA on the sly if you have to, but don't hurt it- it's not evil.

Answer 5

Boy... I'd love to say get rid of the cat and make it look like an accident, but that's unfair.

In reality, if you have seen the scratches personally, you could do what I am about to recommend, rather than just tell your friend to do something that she might have a conflict over due to her husband's opinion.

You (or she) could call the SPCA and discuss the situation with them. Ask them if they can visit on a report and remove the cat as a threat/danger to the infant. If that doesn't pan out, talk to the baby's pediatrician and request he counsel the father. The cat COULD escalate, and if the cat inflicts serious harm, the father could be arrested for child abuse for not removing an unsafe animal who injured the baby. Another thing to remember is that cat bites and scratches are considered to be a STRONG source of infection.

If an authority figure such as SPCA or Pediatrician talks to the father about the danger he is subjecting his baby to, he's more likely to listen... AND... it will take it out of a power or control conflict with his wife.

Answer 6

bad idea to try and get rid of the cat. The husband will know and not be happy. AS much as i against it i would suggest looking into declawing the cat. But over keep the cat away from the baby and if you see it going towards baby get a squrt bottel and spray the cat with water. Slowly it will learn to stop its behavior. At least till the husband can find a home he apporves of. For the most part keep the cat in one part of the home and the baby in another. Dont let the cat in the babies room. Wishing the best.

Answer 7

I have had cats all my life, and I have never known a cat to scratch a child without any kind of provocation. When my daughter was a baby, she used to nap on a blanket on the floor, with one of the cats at each end of the blanket. When she was a toddler, they would let her wheel them around in her doll stroller.

Maybe your friend is telling you this because SHE is jealous that her husband loves the cat so much. Or maybe the baby is pulling the cat's tail very hard. I would suggest that the baby not be left alone with the cat, and I'll bet the scratches will mysteriously disappear.

Answer 8

The cat is probably jealous. I am surprised that any parent would put a pet above their child. Scratches from a cat can easily get infected and cause problems for the baby. While I am a cat lover myself, I would not put up with either of my cats harming my children. If he insists on keeping that cat, can it be declawed? Or if not, I would say that you may have to try to find a home or shelter that will take the cat. I don't think that lying to the husband is a good idea, but she needs to talk to him for the safety of the child.

Answer 9

For the sake of the baby, he really needs to get rid of that cat.... If it is harming his own baby, he needs to realize that the baby comes first over anything. As far as getting rid of the cat, he will know what happened so I would just suggest that the wife talks to the husband and tells him that the baby is more important!

Answer 10

Don't get rid of it, declaw it if it is hurting the baby. Either all four or just the front (if it goes outside). Yes I know, a lot of people think it is inhumane to declaw, but my cats seem fine and healthy. Try spraying water at the cat whenever it goes by the baby too.