Someone dumped a cat at our house, and we made friends

[murielm99]

with her.

People dump animals all the time in the country. We try to care for them.

Anyway, she is a pretty tuxedo cat. She was skinny and funny looking when she came here. She was very aggressive about food and would not let our other outside cats eat. I fed her separately. She became quite tame and friendly.

She got pregnant and had kittens. Her kittens are about two months old. I have petted them before, when she was there, with no problem. But today, I petted one of them, and she attacked me. She flew at my legs several times, and scratched me quite badly and deeply in several places before I could back off. The right leg is the worst. I am sure I will have scars.

I went to the doctor. He gave me a tetanus shot and an antibiotic shot. He gave me some other antibiotics to take for ten days. I am quite shaken. I like cats.

[LaurenG]

1. That makes me feel bad

Feral cats can do that. Out of the blue they just lose it. They think something is a threat and they go for it. I hope your leg heals up soon. :shrug:

edited: spelling

[DELUSIONAL]

2. Maternal aggression is scary to witness (or feel)

Some mother cats are more tolerant -- perhaps she has had bad experiences with people and she had a flash back. I know that some people just catch the kittens and drown them -- and from that experience the mom cats don't trust people.

It's especially difficult for you since you believe you had made friends with this stray cat.

I'd move back from the cat and ignore her completely -- put down the food and then turn your back and ignore her and her kittens. Cats hate to be ignored.

[WCGreen]

3. They are animals....

It took us over two years to tame our off the street project....
Now, she sleep in the bed, usually in my place....

But sometimes she still loses it and hisses and snaps at us....

[xchrom]

4. my neighbor and i share a cat

and she is a handful.
after more than 9 years she still has quite the wild streak -- and will rip you open if you touch her in the wrong spot.

but we love her -- where ever she winds up at night -- my house or my neighbors -- we're up and down all night letting her in or out -- she is the queen and rules our houses with an iron paw.

she even ruled my dogs when they were still on the planet.

she's a tiny, scared acting little thing -- but knows how to get her way.

[DELUSIONAL]

5. Our neighbor has a cat like that

you'd think the cat was part dog -- she greets people and likes to be around people. But DO NOT TOUCH her. She acts like she wants to be scratched or have her belly rubbed but DO NOT TOUCH her -- she has the quickest, sharpest claws.

I call her the junk yard cat -- because she is meaner than a junk yard dog and beats up ALL the dogs who dare step foot on her property. My little dog who loves cats has managed to make friends with her -- but even this dog has great respect and will only touch noses with her -- and has great respect for the long reach and nasty moods of this cat.

This cat is absolutely devoted to her family and adopted them -- when she was moved several miles away by her owners she returned to the home and family of her choosing.

Nasty cat -- but I can't help but have a soft spot for her when I watch her welcome her family home -- like a faithful family dog. Yes she has bloodied my hand.

[Jamastiene]

6. PTSD

Animals can get it and she might have it. Don't be too upset with her. If she has it, she can't help it. Also, she might be jealous. I know I've seen that before. It doesn't hurt to always remember to pet the mother first with animals. They may let you pet the babies then. I've never actually had a problem as long as I pet the mother first. In one case, the mother wasn't tame and wouldn't let me pet her, but she would bring her 4 kittens over to the house and look at me and leave. She wanted me to babysit. That's what I did too. She trusted me to babysit her babies, but not to pet her. That was odd. She died not too much later after having them and 1 got killed on the road and one disappeared. I took the other two in. I still have them today living with me in a different place. They are Yogi and Domino that I have talked about before here a lot. I wish I had some pictures to share. I sure miss my scanner...

[DELUSIONAL]

7. I don't think the junk yard cat has PTSD --

her first home was with a bunch of scientists -- and they didn't take the time to train her not to use her claws. As far as my neighbors know she was never mistreated -- but since the staff was constantly changing the cat didn't have one person she could own. Now she has a staff of two humans to obey her every command.

Kittens will use their claws inappropriately and must be taught to keep their claws sheathed during play with humans.

Cornell University has done some interesting cat behavior research. They've found that some cats are just wild and have a wild streak -- no matter their early environment. Other cats are naturally domesticated even if they begin life in a feral colony.