House cats - killers?

[graceanne]

I don't think it helped that most of the kids (and even a few grownups) who saw my sister's bandaged arm responded with their own stories of being scratched by a cat - often, their very own pet.

What did your mom tell you about dogs?

With the first bite, I don't remember. I was two.

The second bite, honestly, was my fault. We'd just moved, as in we'd arrived days before. The neighbors dog had puppies and Mom took me and Miss to see them. This dog had NEVER seen me before in her life and the first thing she sees is me grabbing for one of her puppies.

She bit me. I think it helped that Mom explained about mom's and babies and stuff. She told me that the doggy is a good doggy that was taking care of her babies, etc.

Our cat, M&M, badly clawed my daughter once. She had kittens and my mom showed up with her dog. My daughter was in hugging the dog. She left a foot long, deep, scratch down my daughters back. Honestly, I kicked her, too. Then I scruffed her and threw her ass outside.

Then I talked with my daughter, after she stopped crying, about Mom's and babies and how not all kittys are like that. And after my mom left, and we let the cat back inside, I made them 'make up'.

I don't know what my mother told my sister, in the immediate aftermath. She was taken to the emergency room for a few stitches and a shot, and I was sent to Tommy G.'s house for the duration.

That night, my dad told us that cats, when outdoors, behave like wild animals - so we should always just leave them alone. When my sister announced that she'd never leave the house again, he told her that she didn't have to worry because cats wouldn't see her as prey, so if she left them alone they'd leave her alone too.

That last bit turned out to be only partially true. There was a portion of my mother's garden that this cat just loved to visit. It would jump onto our fence and then leap down and roll around in the plants, flailing its arms and legs and generally behaving like devil's spawn.

Cat learned the hard way not to do this when I was in the yard. But it had no respect for my sister or even my mother, and of course I wasn't there every second. My mother finally dug up that part of her garden, and the cat stopped coming back.

Cats are like any wild animal, they respect those who are bigger and meaner. You mom and sister were afraid of the cat, and the cat knew it.

In your sisters case I would have immediately taken her to the pound and had her handle and pet some friendly cats. It's just like falling off a bike, or getting bucked off a horse. You need to get right back in the saddle or you'll have a life long phobia.

I also would have called the pound and reported a feral cat that's abusing the neighborhood kids. They'd have captured it and put it down.

 

[Recidiva]

I don't mind my kitties eating my food as long as I'm done with it first.

Only one of the cats will eat human food, though, and she prefers carbs to anything else. Doughnuts especially.

I have a no-human-food rule, mostly because it's scary to me what animals are and aren't allergic to - raisins, chocolate...what else? Eeek.

I can't keep houseplants because one of my cats likes to gnaw on anything green. Again, afraid of poisoning. Though buying greens for them is hilarious. Watching them try to wrestle a full catnip plant back to their lair...wherever they think that is...

I also can't keep things like feathers or dried flowers or dried leaves because another kitty likes to knock them all on the floor and roll around in them.

I've tried tons of cat toys too, and usually the kitties are just scared or dubious of them. Best toy ever is a crumpled up ball of paper. Hours and hours and hours of fun followed by forgetting where it is, followed by hours of fun later when they find it again.

 

[graceanne]

I don't mind my kitties eating my food as long as I'm done with it first.

Only one of the cats will eat human food, though, and she prefers carbs to anything else. Doughnuts especially.

My cat, tiara, had the best table manners. She wasn't interested in human food, and stayed away from the table - unless we were having fish. Then we'd have to lock her outside. If we were opening a can of tuna, we'd have to be all elbows until we could put the 'tuna juice' in a bowl for her, or she'd have stolen the tuna right out of our hands. lol

 

[satindesire]

I have a no-human-food rule, mostly because it's scary to me what animals are and aren't allergic to - raisins, chocolate...what else? Eeek.

I can't keep houseplants because one of my cats likes to gnaw on anything green. Again, afraid of poisoning. Though buying greens for them is hilarious. Watching them try to wrestle a full catnip plant back to their lair...wherever they think that is...

I also can't keep things like feathers or dried flowers or dried leaves because another kitty likes to knock them all on the floor and roll around in them.

I've tried tons of cat toys too, and usually the kitties are just scared or dubious of them. Best toy ever is a crumpled up ball of paper. Hours and hours and hours of fun followed by forgetting where it is, followed by hours of fun later when they find it again.

I'd love to get a planter specifically for cat grass and cat nip for the cats. I think that's be a good treat for them.

I look up a food online to see if it's okay to give before I give. I don't want to risk hurting them.

My cat, tiara, had the best table manners. She wasn't interested in human food, and stayed away from the table - unless we were having fish. Then we'd have to lock her outside. If we were opening a can of tuna, we'd have to be all elbows until we could put the 'tuna juice' in a bowl for her, or she'd have stolen the tuna right out of our hands. lol

Hahaha!

We had to stop buying the canned cat food because of the insane freak outs the cats would have. The pouch kind is almost totally silent and we don't have any furry accidents anymore. I can't eat tune b/c of the mercury, so tuna cans aren't an issue, thank God.

My cats have terrible table manners only because they're attached at our hip and even though they aren't interested in the food so much, they want to sit in our laps and nuzzle us all the time. I keep the cats in the bedroom when we have guests. I don't mind my kitty sleeping on my lap when I'm eating, but I'm pretty sure other people wouldn't like that.

 

[graceanne]

I'd love to get a planter specifically for cat grass and cat nip for the cats. I think that's be a good treat for them.

I look up a food online to see if it's okay to give before I give. I don't want to risk hurting them.

I've had a planter of cat nip. The cats ate it to the stub, and it died.

 

[Recidiva]

I've had a planter of cat nip. The cats ate it to the stub, and it died.

Yeah, a plant of catnip has never survived longer than about 45 minutes after I got it home.

 

[JMohegan]

With the first bite, I don't remember. I was two.

The second bite, honestly, was my fault. We'd just moved, as in we'd arrived days before. The neighbors dog had puppies and Mom took me and Miss to see them. This dog had NEVER seen me before in her life and the first thing she sees is me grabbing for one of her puppies.

She bit me. I think it helped that Mom explained about mom's and babies and stuff. She told me that the doggy is a good doggy that was taking care of her babies, etc.

Our cat, M&M, badly clawed my daughter once. She had kittens and my mom showed up with her dog. My daughter was in hugging the dog. She left a foot long, deep, scratch down my daughters back. Honestly, I kicked her, too. Then I scruffed her and threw her ass outside.

Then I talked with my daughter, after she stopped crying, about Mom's and babies and how not all kittys are like that. And after my mom left, and we let the cat back inside, I made them 'make up'.



Cats are like any wild animal, they respect those who are bigger and meaner. You mom and sister were afraid of the cat, and the cat knew it.

In your sisters case I would have immediately taken her to the pound and had her handle and pet some friendly cats. It's just like falling off a bike, or getting bucked off a horse. You need to get right back in the saddle or you'll have a life long phobia.

I also would have called the pound and reported a feral cat that's abusing the neighborhood kids. They'd have captured it and put it down.

The cat that scratched my sister was the new neighbor's cat. For the rest of my childhood, it lived a few doors down.

My mother wasn't afraid of the cat; she just didn't want to hurt it. So she would stand there, calling out and waving her arms, in a futile attempt to get it to leave our yard. Of course, the cat just didn't listen.

It knew not to come into the yard when I was there, because I always carried stones in my pockets, and had a practiced right arm.

 

[satindesire]

Yeah, a plant of catnip has never survived longer than about 45 minutes after I got it home.

*dies laughing at the visual*

 

[curvacious]

our long hair cat loves to hunt the pesky flies and spiders that get in. She plays for a while but usually ends up eating the. The short hair cat does pretty good at hunting but doesn't usually eat the insects. We've not yet had a mouse inside that i know of but a few years ago there were a couple of mice that were crawling under the siding and the cats would slink over to the area of the house where you could hear the scratching. The long hair one loves tuna so anytime i open a canned food item she has to sniff it to know it's not tuna (like when i open canned tomatoes). The short hair cat is the one that likes people food and oatmeal is her favorite. she gets the crazy long distance huge pupil stare going on.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

.... So she would stand there, calling out and waving her arms, in a futile attempt to get it to leave our yard. Of course, the cat just didn't listen....

You never taught your mother the efficiency of a waterhose with a pistol-grip type nozzle???

 

[Sir_Winston54]

I refer all the cat people, except Keroin, to my last post in the "Real Betticus" thread.

 

[graceanne]

The cat that scratched my sister was the new neighbor's cat. For the rest of my childhood, it lived a few doors down.

Yes, I know. That's why I would have taken her to find a nice cat to pet. And I would have called the pound and/or trapped it and taken it in.

My mother wasn't afraid of the cat; she just didn't want to hurt it. So she would stand there, calling out and waving her arms, in a futile attempt to get it to leave our yard. Of course, the cat just didn't listen.

It knew not to come into the yard when I was there, because I always carried stones in my pockets, and had a practiced right arm.

Ah, ok. Your mother is a lot nicer than I am. After a cat attacked my kid, it would have feared me like satan.

 

[JMohegan]

Yes, I know. That's why I would have taken her to find a nice cat to pet. And I would have called the pound and/or trapped it and taken it in.



Ah, ok. Your mother is a lot nicer than I am. After a cat attacked my kid, it would have feared me like satan.

I'm confused. I thought you let the cat that clawed your daughter back into the house, and had child and cat "make up."

Apologies if I read that wrong.

At any rate, my mother honestly believed that the neighbor's cat would not stalk and attack my sister, as long as my sister left it alone. She was right about that; the cat never did.

Some people hurt cats to discourage them from rolling around in plants and ruining their garden. I'm certainly one of them! But that's just not my mother.

As for the idea of stealing the neighbor's cat and taking it to the local shelter - that's tempting, I know! Every stray I've ever seen, as teen or an adult, I've lured with food and taken to the shelter right away.

With regard to actual pets, though, my general rule of thumb for breaking the law applies. If it's not worth the risk of getting caught, it's not worth doing. My parents rule of thumb was - don't break the law.

As an aside, the first thing people do when they lose a pet is call the shelter and ask if they've got any animals fitting that description, right? No way the shelter would have destroyed that cat the first day. It was very fat and very well groomed. Looked just like the pampered, overindulged pet that it was.

 

[JMohegan]

You never taught your mother the efficiency of a waterhose with a pistol-grip type nozzle???

Haha - no. I was 6 when that cat moved into the neighborhood, and the hose thing didn't occur to me.

My friends and I did wage war on that cat with water balloons, though. It took a while, but eventually we taught it not to shit in the sand at the local park.

Did you have a pet growing up, Winston? You grew up before video games, right? Did you spend every possible moment outside, like kids in my neighborhood did?

 

[Netzach]

Uhhh - I hate to sound callous, but if the cat is sitting there in the sun and then all of a sudden a four year old is in its face going KITTY!!!! its reaction is in no way savage or un-cat-apropos. If the cat had leapt on her and clawed her from behind, then it's evil or feral or whatever, but cats don't generally fuck with anyone who doesn't fuck with them. Why is that unacceptable?

It's not a dog. And frankly, I don't expect strange dogs to act well in that situation either.

The fact that I had to walk past some jogging dumbass with four unleashed german shepherds today inspires rage on my part, not wow Rin Tin Tin, how well behaved. Unlike a cat they can KILL SOMEONE. But everyone's so sure that their snookums is fine and dandy that they think I'm supposed to have confidence in their sit command. Holy shit, though, a cat scratches a kid who got in its face and let's pelt it with rocks!

I had plenty of scratches because I was an insistent dumbass as a child who would MAKE cats like her. My mother didn't take it out on the cats in question. I didn't get phobic, though I don't fault anyone for that. The habits that needed changing were mine, not the cats.

I grew out of it. My cat doesn't bite me, but I also knew that even I should not get in her face in certain situations. At the vet, quaking and peeing herself with terror and hunched down?

She'd never bite me, but even she might bite me.

 

[JMohegan]

Uhhh - I hate to sound callous, but if the cat is sitting there in the sun and then all of a sudden a four year old is in its face going KITTY!!!! its reaction is in no way savage or un-cat-apropos. If the cat had leapt on her and clawed her from behind, then it's evil or feral or whatever, but cats don't generally fuck with anyone who doesn't fuck with them. Why is that unacceptable?

The fact that I had to walk past some jogging dumbass with four unleashed german shepherds today inspires rage on my part, not wow Rin Tin Tin, how well behaved. Unlike a cat they can KILL SOMEONE. But everyone's so sure that their snookums is fine and dandy that they think I'm supposed to have confidence in their sit command. Holy shit, though, a cat scratches a kid who got in its face and let's pelt it with rocks!

I had plenty of scratches because I was an insistent dumbass as a child who would MAKE cats like her. My mother didn't take it out on the cats in question.

I grew out of it. My cat doesn't bite me, but I also knew that even I should not get in her face in certain situations.

Mom, is that you?

In all seriousness - this is a blunt & colorful translation of my mother's point of view.

 

[Netzach]

Mom, is that you?

In all seriousness - this is a blunt & colorful translation of my mother's point of view.

Ha, that's funny.

They're just like that. Mostly. I can't imagine my boy scratching anyone ever other than other cats. He'd be all about the evasive wiggle.

 

[Netzach]

seriously what's with the large off leash dog trend?

My neighborhood is pissing me off.

I like large dogs. I don't trust other people's.

 

[JMohegan]

Ha, that's funny.

They're just like that. Mostly. I can't imagine my boy scratching anyone ever other than other cats. He'd be all about the evasive wiggle.

Is he an indoor cat? I'm no expert, obviously, but it makes sense to me that the behavior of cats in & outdoors is really different.

In the first place, when a cat's outdoors, it isn't with his owner. If I were a cat, alone in the great big world of bikes and cars and strange humans, I'm sure I'd be defensive and hostile too.

 

[Netzach]

Is he an indoor cat? I'm no expert, obviously, but it makes sense to me that the behavior of cats in & outdoors is really different.

In the first place, when a cat's outdoors, it isn't with his owner. If I were a cat, alone in the great big world of bikes and cars and strange humans, I'm sure I'd be defensive and hostile too.

He's indoor. I've always had indoor only, I wouldn't have the slightest about the flea tick car and fightin' outside pet. He's very comfortable around us, others visit and he hides under the bed. People think I'm nuts when I talk about his friendly social ways.

 

[JMohegan]

seriously what's with the large off leash dog trend?

My neighborhood is pissing me off.

I like large dogs. I don't trust other people's.

This wasn't illegal when I was a kid, but it sure is in my neighborhood now. Of course, people sometimes do it anyway, but I consider it very rude.

As certain as I am about my ability to control my dog, I'm also very sensitive to the fact that random people on the street have no idea about either one of us. As I said on the cat/dog thread, I don't consider it to be my neighbor's responsibility to accommodate the needs of my pet.

My dog is off leash in my fenced yard, friends' fenced yards, and on the remote trail where we run. If I see another person, I stop, give the heel command, and hold on to his collar.

 

[graceanne]

I'm confused. I thought you let the cat that clawed your daughter back into the house, and had child and cat "make up."

That's what I did in my situation. I then stated what I'd have done in your situation, because it's an entirely different situation.

At any rate, my mother honestly believed that the neighbor's cat would not stalk and attack my sister, as long as my sister left it alone. She was right about that; the cat never did.

Some people hurt cats to discourage them from rolling around in plants and ruining their garden. I'm certainly one of them! But that's just not my mother.

Nothing wrong with that. Honestly, I wouldn't smack a cat for rolling around in the plants. I would spray it with water and throw things at it (I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn - the cat would be in no danger).

As for the idea of stealing the neighbor's cat and taking it to the local shelter - that's tempting, I know! Every stray I've ever seen, as teen or an adult, I've lured with food and taken to the shelter right away.

With regard to actual pets, though, my general rule of thumb for breaking the law applies. If it's not worth the risk of getting caught, it's not worth doing. My parents rule of thumb was - don't break the law.

If the cat is feral and attacking, which I now realize it wasn't - I was reading between the lines and figured it was continuing the cause problems - it's not a crime. It's protecting your own.

I, also, trap strays and take them to the pound. We have a . . . well it's not a low kill shelter, because they put down sick animals and animals that they wouldn't be able to find a home for due to meanness - but it's almost a no kill shelter. I've taken in LOTS of cats. One of the joys of living in a shitty apartment complex. Lots of abandoned animals - the landlords got used to me having a cat long enough to take it in and were pleased I was taking care of the issue for them. They even would let me use their cat carriers to transport the cats.

As an aside, the first thing people do when they lose a pet is call the shelter and ask if they've got any animals fitting that description, right? No way the shelter would have destroyed that cat the first day. It was very fat and very well groomed. Looked just like the pampered, overindulged pet that it was.

Usually, feral animals - that is animals that attack for no reason and aren't safe around the human population - get put down whether the owners want it back or not. People look at cats and think it's no big deal, cause they're so small, but a cat can kill a small child. A cat can blind and permanently disable a full grown person. A cat is treated just like a dog if they will attack a child.

This wasn't illegal when I was a kid, but it sure is in my neighborhood now. Of course, people sometimes do it anyway, but I consider it very rude..

It's still illegal in most places, but whether it's enforced depends on the neighborhood and whether they want to make a fuss.

If the dog stays in his yard, and doesn't get in trash cans, and doesn't chase cats . . . in other words if the dog is really well trained, most times the neighbors don't care and don't make a fuss.

I have a neighbor who's dog craps in my yard - leash-less, but he cleans it up, so I could care less that his dog crapped in my yard.

 

[JMohegan]

Feral = not owned. A cat living outside, no collar, no home.

They are easy to spot, because they are scrawny, disheveled, covered in fleas, unkempt. They don't necessarily attack people. They do attack wildlife - that's how they get dinner.

I actually have a lot more sympathy for feral cats than I do for pet cats that are allowed outdoors. I don't think it's reasonable for a pet (cat or dog) to be allowed to roam free in the suburbs.

 

[graceanne]

Feral = not owned. A cat living outside, no collar, no home.

They are easy to spot, because they are scrawny, disheveled, covered in fleas, unkempt. They don't necessarily attack people. They do attack wildlife - that's how they get dinner.

I actually have a lot more sympathy for feral cats than I do for pet cats that are allowed outdoors. I don't think it's reasonable for a pet (cat or dog) to be allowed to roam free in the suburbs.

So, my definition of feral was different, so I went and looked it up. Both our definitions of feral are correct.

1. existing in a natural state, as animals or plants; not domesticated or cultivated; wild.
...
3. of or characteristic of wild animals; ferocious; brutal.​

I feel sorry for wild cats and dogs. Quite often there's abandonment and/or abuse in their lives.

And I agree. I don't think that pets should roam free. But if they're being followed by and owner taking them for a walk, I'm groovy with that as long as they're trained and friendly.

 

[satindesire]

Here's a video for the people who think cats can't be trained.

You can teach your cat to give you a high five!

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/animal-planet/4481-cat-high-five-video.htm