I have a 14 year old cat who has always been a bit cranky although she always seemed to like my granddaughter, checking on her when she cried as an infant and all. She always runs the show though when it comes to petting her. She will allow it until she is done and then she hisses and goes off. Yesterday my granddaughter who just turned 2 was petting her very nicely. I was watching and as soon as the cat started stiffing I knew it was time to get her away, so I tried to grab my granddaughter but didn't get to her in time and the cat hissed and bit her hand. She didn't leave a mark but it scared my granddaughter who was still talking about it today. My first thought was get rid of a cat who bites but she is 14 years old and to put her in a new home at this age would be tramatic. Right now she is staying away from my granddaughter and if she comes to close to my granddaughter the dog "protects" her by chasing the cat off. I guess my question is how do I keep from kids getting bit again? Any advice on how to deal with a cranky part siamese cat?
Well, the cat is staying away from my granddaughter pretty good and even if she tries to go in the same room such as the livingroom where my granddaughter is, the dog stops the cat, making her really cranky. At this my 2 year old granddaughter starts getting panicky and yelling "No Tara (the dog), Kitty bit pssst bit" so that tells me she isn't forgetting and she worries the dog will end up getting bit too.
Thank you all for your advice, I will keep a close eye but to shut her in a room away from everyone won't work since my granddaughter is here pretty much all day on the days I babysit. I will keep her away from the cat though.
Yes her shots are always up to date.
We had a cat like this when I was growing up, she got progressively worse. In the end my Mom decided to get rid of her (10 + Years) after she tried to bite me in the face -- I was a teenager and did not do anything to get that response.
I love my cats too -- but if it happened again I'd get rid of it.
I agree with D. K on this one, get a squirt bottle and spray her if you feel she is getting ready to strike. Siamese are famous for being a bit cranky. (I have always had siamese in my family) You might as well put her down if you are thinking of getting rid of her because she will not live long afterwards. She will just die of a broken heart because you have been her owner for so long, that is just not fair to her.
P.S. I keep a spray bottle by my chair at all times to make my cats behave, (I have three.) You would be suprised how well it works.
D. G
Honestly I would get rid of the cat. My cousin got bit by a cat in her wrist. It was such a severe bite that she now needs surgery. And her she is in constant pain from it. This happened a year ago. Cats mouths are very dirty she ended up with cat scratch fever and some other infection, was in the hospital for three days. The cat had been hissing at a young child and she stepped in to shoo the cat and that is when the cat latched on to her wrist. He bit right through her tendons. Seeing what she has had to go through I would hate for that to happen to a child. Hope that helped.
Hi S.,
One idea would be to only allow your grandkids to pet the cat while the cat is in your lap. That way you would be able to better control the situation, and the cat might feel a little more relaxed with you right there also. You may also want to contact your local Humane Society. They are always willing to help out with pet issues especially if it means a pet will be able to stay in its home.
Good luck,
B. M.
S.,
I don't think it is necessary to get rid of the cat. If your granddaughter is prone to play with the cat despite warnings (like hissing) I would just keep them apart when your granddaughter visits.
We have a crabby cat. We have had her since before we had children. She has mellowed with the kids considerably, but still all the affection has to be on her terms. We teach the kids her signs (when she hisses or bats with her clawless paws, she is saying "No" and it is time to leave her alone.)
Kids learn fairly quickly with cause and effect. Our kids just pet her until she is done and they know to leave her alone. Our 17 month old is learning right now. The cat basically put her mouth on my daughter's hand the other day but didn't bite down or leave a mark and my daughter is learning when to leave the cat alone. When other kids come over to play, we just have the cat hang out in a different part of the house with the door shut.
Good luck,
S.
I used to have a cat that was just plain mean. She liked me and that was it. I could tell when she was about to go into a tissy and I would squirt her with a squirt gun. She was never really nice to anyone other then me, but at least I could get her to leave other people alone.
I agree at this age it would be wrong to move her to a new home. You have always been here home and it would not be fair to her to change all of that. Especially since it was just the one time. From now on just make sure to keep the two of them away from each other. Don't let your granddaughter seek the kitty out to play with and don't let the kitty get close to her again. Lock the cat in a safe room if need be while your granddaughter is in your home. My mother always used to do that when ever we would have company. Not because our cats were mean or anything. Just so they were out of the way and we didn't risk some one getting bitten because of fear or over stimulation.
My mother always has siamese cats. One was a siamese tabby though. Anyways... They ALWAYS are biters. Or at least the three we've had in my lifetime. One named Tiger bit me when I was little and I learned my lesson to never touch that paticular cat again. I was pry about 3 when it happened and I can still see it clearly in my head. Never ever made the mistake again of over petting my welcome.
Did this scar me. NO! It taught me to respect animals. I have three cats to this day. As a young girl I had two very special cats to me that I still mourn to this day.
Some cats are biters. If they don't inflect damage (as in require stitches or even just the presense of blood I guess)or go after you (as in stalk with the intention of attacking) I personally say you educate the youngsters that if you mess with that cat you may get bit. It doesn't mean anything... the cat is just grumpy. But you know this so if you get bit you well Get bit! LOL!
You've had this cat for 14 years. You know her! She is now just old and in more pain every year just like as what happens when we get older. She'll have less patience but she means no harm. She's just like a grumpy old lady or man! LOL!
As with any animal who bites a child without proper provocation it is best to get the pet away from the person that keeps getting bit. If you have a friend that would be able to take her so you can still see her or you could always give her to the shelter but my advice would be to remove the cat before she does leave a mark on your granddaughter.
Just make sure your cat is up to date on its Rabies shots! In Iowa, if your cat bites someone and they go to the doctor, they report it to animal control, and they can take your pet away if it isn't up to date! Just a heads up!
My cat bites sometimes...I have decided to lock him up when we have other kids over.
I also have a half siamese/half calico cat who is 10. He is very good with toddlers suprisingly but is like yours, he likes to be petted on his terms...as with any animal. i would just remind the kids tht the cat doesnt like to be petted or tell them to pet the dog instead. In our situation, our godson would pe tthe cat, the cat would move, and he would follow and continue to try to pet the cat. After about 20-30 minutes, he did infact get bit, but the cat hissed and walked off. In my oppinion, the cat gave the warning signs and told the child he was getting irritated. just remind the child to leave the cat alone...at 14 years old, a new home would probably not be a good idea.
I too have a 14-year-old cat who is getting quite grouchy. She even has started being picky with the dog who has been here since before her. I do day care for my grandchildren and I just watch her very carefully and tell the girls she is grumpy and ugly, so please leave her alone. She will hiss and growl at them, but so far has not bit or scratched anyone. Thank God. She does try to stay away from little ones and people she does not know very well, which is a good thing, but not always happens. I guess the best idea is to either put her in a room by herself while the grandkids are there or put her in a travel cage to be on the safe side. Good luck, I know what you're going through.
Can you just keep the cat in a separate room when your granddaughter visits?
Because their always has to be a leader of the pack, your cat has decided she is the alpha female. You need to reestablish the order of importance. Do some online research on retraining order to animals. When you figure out how to start, have your grandkids do the steps too, until the cat is last in the order ranking.
I am a cat lover and can remember being bit as a child as we always had a cat :) You learn to leave that cat alone after awhile :) I would just your cat in a seperate room when your grandchild is over. You would not have to worry, your granddaughter wouldn't be scared and the cat would probably be happier chilling out by itself.
At 14 years-old most people wouldn't take her and any shelters would probably euthenize her.
Hi S.
I think one of the only things you can do is make it a rule that no one is allowed by the cat. Your granddaughter will probably choose to stay away anyways but if she dosen't you can remind her about being bite and to leave the kitty alone. T.
I would keep them seperate, even if you are in the same room. When cats become older they become more touchy towards touch, even if they are the nicest cat in the world. My siamese at 5 years is a bit sinppy when he is done being petted. I agree that getting rid your cat is not the best option morethenlikely your cat is reaching the end so just giving him is own sanctuary when your granddaughter comes over (even if it is your bedroom or spare bathroom with a warm blanket) would be the best option.
