The cat has been growling, hissing, and then running away from my daughter and my husband. My husband wants the cat gone. I've had her for so long and just feel like she will be put to sleep if given away mainly for her aggressive tendencies. Is she just getting old and crabby or what? I don't want to wait until she bites or scratches my daughter.
2007-12-09 10:26:07 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats can have a hard time adjusting to kids. I had one that was about 7 when my first child was born. He pretty much acted the same way. BUT, usually the cat AVOIDS the child. It growls and hisses if the kid comes neat the cat. Rarely do cats hunt out the kids and attack them. SO....the child has to learn to stay away from the cat. Sometimes a scratch will teach the child that they need to leave that cat alone. It happens when you have kids and pets. Either playing or getting too close to an unreceptive pet..a kid that lives with pets WILL get scratched. Just a fact of life. Supervise the cat and child and make sure the cat has an escape route. Unless the cat is hunting down and attacking the child, they CAN and WILL learn to get along.
2007-12-09 10:32:00 · answer #1 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the hissing & growling is recent, then either your husband or daughter is making the cat afraid.
It would be different if your daughter was a newborn, but at 20 months, I am betting she is crawling/walking & making her presence known in the house. A child needs to be taught how to behave around animals & the younger they are taught, the better.
NEVER leave your cat alone with your daughter. What a toddler thinks is playing can be very hurtful to a cat, pulling his tail, loud noises, etc. Teach your daughter how to pet a cat, NOT to pull his tail & ears & they should get along fine.
2007-12-09 11:20:19 · answer #2 · answered by judyrae41 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a 3 yr old great-granddaughter, who has been raised with cats. She's been TAUGHT to "rub" the kitty from head to toe (direction), while being held in my daughter's lap. The cats were afraid, at first, but when they realized that my daughter was NOT going to let her granddaughter HURT them, they all became friends. My daughter learned this from ME. When my kids were young, I told them....."a dog/cat has only two ways of "protecting" themselves, since you're bigger! Biting/scratching. If you ever come to me crying that you've been bitten/scratched, I'll know YOU DID SOMETHING that caused it, and YOU'LL be the one in trouble!" They learned REALLY EARLY that they were to "be careful" OF the animals, and all of them love/have animals of their own, now. So......if you TEACH your child (and husband) that the cat is only protecting herself from harm, everyone should be able to "live in harmony". It'll take some time/effort on YOUR part, so make sure your husband isn't "sabotaging" your efforts, behind your back. Hope everything works out......a 9 yr old relationship is nothing to just "throw away"!! Good luck.................
2007-12-09 11:11:21 · answer #3 · answered by brutusmom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a 13 year old neutered male. He doesn't like my grand kids, he has a bad hip. And that age really is hard on cats. Protect your Cat from your daughter. Really you need too! I make my grand kids leave him alone. I shu him away to go hide somewhere, and he would rather hide then fight. Maybe your cat hurts. Old injury you never knew about. Good Luck!
2007-12-09 10:40:31 · answer #4 · answered by itsmetrea 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wow, don't get rid of the cat. Who has been with you longer the cat or the husband? Just kidding, maybe your husband just doesn't like cats and is antagonizing it. As far as the baby, teach the baby to stay away from the cat, not to touch it. They will both adjust in time. You love your cat and it would not be fair to get rid of it - "can't you all just get along." It just takes time.
2007-12-09 10:37:31 · answer #5 · answered by Bette 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your cat is jealous because she got all your attention and love and now she can see you giving it to your daughter.Give her lots of love so she knows you still love her and you could try doing it while you are on the sofa with your daughter on your lap. This way she'll realize that your daughter is not a threat.
2007-12-09 16:34:04 · answer #6 · answered by Kerry 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
learn the difference between right and wrong. you are responsible for the well being of your cat. maybe your husband is mean to the cat when you are not there. ditch the idiot and get a guy with better values.
2007-12-09 10:32:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
She's not old and she is no threat to your daughter. You have a responsibility to the cat as well as yourt daughter
2007-12-09 10:50:50 · answer #8 · answered by Ken 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd side with the cat, someone has been aggressive enough to her to make her vocal and reactionary. It's not a process of getting old, nine years old is NOT old. 16 is old, she's in the prime of her life.
The main question is what is your husband and daughter doing to make her fear them enough that she needs to warm them off?
2007-12-09 10:34:02 · answer #9 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hmm, I have three cats, its just that shes not use to your husband or daughter like she is to you. So make her more comfortable near both. Let your husband feed her, so she knows that he's safe to be around. :]
2007-12-09 10:31:35 · answer #10 · answered by iubestemaxionela 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋