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Post by pliny on Oct 24, 2013 13:04:14 GMT
I've got two cats (mother and son). The problem is that mom is continually wandering in parts of the town where I live which has a heavy traffic problem. To prove the point I've just had a 'phone call from someone found her some fuss on the local Asda car park! The problem only really started after my wife moved out May last year but has got worse over the last few months. Before then she was in most of the day so the cats had human company all of the time. The odd thing is that mom had a mutual hate relationship with my ex and so can hardly be missing her! Paradoxically, the son who was my wife's favourite has been extremely clingy over the last few months and so I'm wondering if a) mom's dangerous wanderings and b) her son's increased demands for attention are linked. To complicate matters since the separation from my wife I've started dancing and going out in the evenings in an attempt to rebuild my life and so quite often in the evenings, WHEN I can get them in , they're on their own. I can cope with the son's increased clinginess but her wanderings which are causing me major worries as it's possibly only a matter of time before she gets hit by a car: a situation I'm dreading as I love these cats very much. Advice / comments / suggestions would be most welcome and are urgently needed before something happens to her.
Many thanks
Michael
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Post by lotsofcats on Oct 24, 2013 14:00:37 GMT
Welcome to the forum. I think you are going to have to be cruel to be kind to the mother cat - try to make your garden 'cat-proof' to keep her in. I am assuming you have a garden of course. I have a large cat pen and shed in my garden so that 6 of my cats can go out safely in the day - I once had an 8 month old kitten killed by a car. However, I can share your concerns as I also have a cat called Toffee (my avatar) who was a stray and he still goes out wandering. He doesn't like one of my dogs so I have to keep them apart, plus he is a very territorial cat and so are my 2 male cats - they are fine as long as he is the other side of the pen! My husband saw Toffee run across the road yesterday and a car had to brake. It is a constant worry. Is it possible you could build a cat pen? or fence off part of your garden and put up fencing with the 'cat-proof' edging? Here is a photo of my cat pen:  |
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Post by pliny on Oct 24, 2013 14:19:22 GMT
Thanks for the prompt reply. I'll look into cat-proof fencing. Does anyone know where I can buy it in the Warwickshire area please? Following my posting on here I rang my vets who've suggested that I take her there this evening for a chat with a vet as the behaviour is not in character. I'll keep you posted how I get on.
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Post by migsy on Oct 24, 2013 14:35:43 GMT
It's a super cat pen lotsofcats,what cat could fail to enjoy such a lovely home of their own? Perhaps pliny can make similar if he is quite handy and has the time.
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Post by lotsofcats on Oct 24, 2013 15:28:30 GMT
Thanks for the prompt reply. I'll look into cat-proof fencing. Does anyone know where I can buy it in the Warwickshire area please? Following my posting on here I rang my vets who've suggested that I take her there this evening for a chat with a vet as the behaviour is not in character. I'll keep you posted how I get on. ruthcatladymcd on here has recently had her garden cat-proofed and she said it was expensive but well worth it. The company that did it are called Protectapuss and they are from Cheshire - I had a look on their website - there's lots of photos. You can also buy stand alone cat pens - I've seen them on ebay. Good luck at the vets - it will be interesting to know what they have to say. |
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Post by heartpawprints on Oct 24, 2013 22:13:15 GMT
Michael
it's heartening to read that you are keen to resolve the situation as a lot of people would not be overly concerned - although none of those are on this forum. You could have a look on the main your cat website and search for articles. I'm sure they've done a couple recently on cat proofing your property. I think you're right to assume connections in the behaviour of both of your cats. Do you have plenty of toys and scratch posts for them? One of my cats Floyd moved in with my neighbours because he preferred having the human company that I couldn't give him during the day due to work so I can truly sympathise.
Hope all goes well at the vet's. Keep us posted and we are all wishing you well.
Rachel.
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Post by tonib on Oct 28, 2013 1:08:10 GMT
Welcome to the forum pliny. I can't add anything more than the others have and wish you good luck in finding the solution to the wandering, whether from the vet or other means. I understand your concern, our cats go out & 2 of them have access overnight, luckily we're fairly quiet only a close away from a country park but I still worry if they're late & not around. The following advice is not going to stop your cats wandering but may help re-unite them with you. 1. Get them microchipped (if not already done) so hopefully if anything did happen a vet or other body could scan & get your contact details - useful if they lose any collars 2. Consider looking at the Loc8tor product which has helped us find our real wanderer if he's not back when wanted. There's at least one other forum member using it. www.loc8tor.com/uk/pets/Let us know how you get on. |
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