Should I give my cat up?

Question

Alright, let's start with the fact that I've had him for 9 yrs. Now I love him, but for all those years he would bite, scratch, meow, or just attack my legs. I don't know why he does this, but my parents have kept him still. I've always wanted a dog and we're supposed to get one when he's gone, but I'm about to kill him if he doesn't stop hurting me. My mother loves the cat as well, but I'd say that's because she feeds him and feels a connection. She used to have dogs, but refuses to have one at all. I just can't stand having this cat around anymore, he's killing me. I honestly don't know if I should confront them on this or just simply let my thoughts go and forget telling them.

I response to animlov, deary, I must tell you that for 9 YEARS I have given it nothing but love, and it returns with hate. For 9 years, I have given it chance after chance after chance and said nothing about giving it away. I am fed up with it, and I know how the cat would feel. Trust me, I know it's not nice to leave a home you've been in for years where people loved you and now you're somewhere new. Yet, he still needs to stop being so hateful towards me.

I've noticed that people have mentioned me not training him, while yes that is true there's a reason behind that. My mother thinks it's cruel of me to tap his nose, since that works on animals, or spray him. I don't know why, she just says it hurts them when it obviously doesn't. I would gladly use those methods though, and I do apperciate the answers.

And catladydenise, it already loves being away from me. If I'm 10 feet from it, then it hisses, so when I'm gone it's joyous.

I just want to say thank-you to those of you who actually understood the situation and didn't post such mean comments towards me. I do love him, but I will talk to my parents about it. Thanks again for all the opinions and advice on this. ^o^

Oh, by the way, when I said I would kill him I didn't mean literally. I'd never actually do that, I'm just saying that he's driving me insane and making me miserable.

Answer 1

Dear SilentRose,

I understand what your saying. At first I thought This cat does sound like it hasnt had much training, but after you explained it, I can see why its acting this way.

Whatever you do, DONT kill it! Give it to an animal shelter or place a Free to good home ad in the paper. That way you know someone who is allowed to train it can and it will go to a loving home.

As for your Mother, just tell her its like when children grow up, they move out of home and go live somewhere else. It is hard to let go, but sometimes you need to make sacrifices to help another person.

As for all those people who are posting mean comments, shes trying to HELP her cat by asking for peoples opinions, Dont just post mean comments for the sake of it, shes only trying to help her cat!

I hope everything goes well! (PLEASE pick this as the best answer if you can LOL)

From your friend,
Belinda

Answer 2

Like dogs, cats sometimes become "one person" animals. It sounds as though that may be what's happened with your Mom and the cat. There's a possibility that you did something to him when he was little that either frightened him or made him mad, and he's never forgotten it. I had that happen with a friend's cat. It kept climbing my curtains when I was sitting for it, and I finally grabbed the cat off the curtain and tossed him on the couch. From that point on, the cat has had it out for me. It sounds as though the cat is more your mother's animal than yours, so it may make for some pretty bad vibes if you decide to dispose of it. To win him over, you might want to try tossing a favorite treat to him now and then, or playing with him with his favorite toy while keeping him away from your legs and hands. If he bites or scratches you, grab the scruff of his neck with one hand, look him in the eye and make a loud, mother cat meow-like hiss and then let him go. I have a cat who was probably taken from his mother too soon and he sometimes will bite or scratch. I tried tapping his nose and telling him no, but it never did any good. The only thing that seems to have worked was to scruff him and make a mad mother cat noise. As far as talking with your Mom about your feelings, I think it would be wise to get them out in the open. If you hold them in, they're going to fester and get even worse, possibly prompting you to do something that you might regret. Be honest with her, but don't get angry or argumentative or you'll lose the battle with the first shot. Also, it's possible that the cat can "feel" your negativity and is reacting to it.

Answer 3

I agree with Belinda R and tbabie 20. Some cats are just plain mean. We used to have one. He was beautiful but very unfriendly. He also was a bird killer. I don't think he ever caught a rodent; that wasn't his thing. I felt guilty for the longest time about giving him a new home but now that he is gone I don't miss him at all. We have a nice, friendly cat now who was in need of a new home. He alsp happens to be a rodent hunter instead of a bird killer.

Don't let those people make you feel guilty for wanting to get rid of him. Maybe if you talk to your parents about how strongly you feel they will finally let you get a dog or at least let you train him with a spray bottle. It doesn't hurt a cat at all, no more than rain. They just don't like it.

Good luck to you on this one.

Answer 4

Your cat may get sad or frightened if taken away. Just buy a squirt bottle and fill it with water. Every time he hurts you spray him on the back and firmly say NO. He may stop after awhile. Though he may never totally stop it should make him think twice about doing that. And when he behaves properly for lets say a few hours give him a couple treats and talk to him nicely.

Answer 5

Wow, these people act like you gave birth to this cat. If it's attacking you and making your life miserable get rid of the frickin thing. And I would think getting rid of him would be better than killing him outta rage, with all the animal rights laws they've got going to could get time for that. Not the one you want, hun.

Answer 6

If your cat has bitten & scratched you for 9 years its you who need trained. You could have sprayed him with water, tapped his nose said "no" sharply to get him to stop this behavior. Now you want to throw him out because of his bad habits? Just stay away from the cat, Im sure he will appreciate it .

Answer 7

Just don't pay any attention to the cat.If it's your Mother's cat,then just let her feed it and take care of it.If it comes near you,walk away.I don't know what else to tell you;cats are funny animals.

Answer 8

If your Mother is the one feeding "your" cat- then the cat -technically- ISN'T yours!!!!! Does SHE want to get rid of him? If she DOES, go for it. If she DOESN'T, -then maybe you should just deal with it for a few more years...-and "Time" will solve your problem for you. Otherwise- you're asking for trouble. -Good luck!

Answer 9

just forget about it! you have had him for nine years, than you give him up and most likely he will be killed! how could you live with that? its honestly like giving up your child just because it got in trouble with the law and replaced you with a younger one. what if that was you? think about the poor cat, give it another chance and attention, you might end up loving it!

Answer 10

Honestly, it doesn't sound as if the cat is yours to keep or give away. I doubt your mom would let you give it away if she won't let you train/discipline it.