I Am So Sick of This Kitten

Get up tomorrow morning, take the kitten to the vet and get its shots and schedule spaying. Put the cat out with adequate food and water OR take it to the nearest humane society. Tell hubby (who doesn't ALLOW?? you to keep a dog inside) that this is how it is. Cats hate being confined so choose one of the above options and go with it. If hubby doesn't like it, remind him to never bring home another stray.

A six week old feral kitten needs a LOT of time and human interaction - NOT life in a crate. It is a completely inappropriate children's pet. Plus it needs veterinary care and vaccinations. Please find this kitten an appropriate home.

I would suggest to take the kitten to the Humane Society or local ASPCA. Keeping it in a cage is really not healthy, and if it's yowling it's not happy. Kittens need play and love and if you are unable to give it that you need to take it somewhere where it can find a home.

If my kids carried an a baby animal by the tail and I corrected their "incorrect treatment" of said pet and they continued with the "obnoxious treatment" of kitten, and kitten defends itself, I would tell my kids that they get what they deserve. But I don't allow my kids...AT ANY AGE...to mistreat animals anymore than I would allow them to touch a hot stove or stick pins in their eyes. So if your child mistreats an animal, correct their behavior. If you don't know how, think about what you would do if said child was getting near a hot pot of spaghetti to stir it.

Having "barn cats" does not mean you have pet cats. They are likely feral, unsterilized, never vaccinated and unlikely they get checked for parasites. Feel free to correct me if I am incorrect on my assumptions.

It's also clear to me that you and I think differently about animals because dogs are "pack animals" and your FAMILY DOG'S family is his pack...that'd be you and I don't think it's right to keep an dog outside all the time anymore than I think it right to chain a dog. Get a pet, let it inside the house and pet him and brush him...give him CLEAN, fresh water and food everyday in clean bowls.

So back to the kitten, now a cat, that you hate, that you allowed your daughter to mistreat. The likely reason KITTEN attacks your children is because your kids are mean to HIM and he has to defend himself. Kittens love to be played with, gently, tickled and snuggled, not having "his" tail pulled because that is how your child carries said pet. You don't sound like you are too nice to "him" either...it sounds like you have had KITTEN quite a while and still refer to KITTEN as "IT". Okay, so you hate or dislike cats intensely and choose to have them live in barn without medical treatment or probably food, fresh water and parasite inspections/treatment, but as rodent control. You wouldn't be first. For Christ's sake, if you don't want KITTENS, spend a few dollars to FIX the cats in your barn ! I'm assuming there might be more kittens around your property because most female cats have a litter of a few even but maybe these were eaten by local predators or hit by a car crossing the road.

As far as mistreated KITTEN, whom now is likely scared of your child, and is likely borderline unsocialized, do not release it OUTDOORS to get sick with a horrible disease, hit by a car, killed by a coyote or fox, live in your barn as rodent control and to have MORE KITTENS, please contact a rescue group !

As a matter of fact, I will help you get this kitten away from you and your family ASAP.

Please email me with your city and I will HELP YOU find a rescue group that will take this cat, sterilize cat so he/she cannot further reproduce MORE UNWANTED pets and find a "good" home for kitten.

My kids learned how to treat animals nicely when they were about 1 year old because my there was no way my pets signed up to have their tails pulled by an undisciplined child. When ,my cats 'hissed' at my kids, I explained to my children..."That is how YOU know that Kitty doesn't like what you are doing, so stop." I never corrected kitty and now my children are absolutely AMAZING AROUND PETS ! They know to treat a pet by petting gently and kindly. They know to ask to pet someone else's pet. They know that when pet walks away...that pet wants to be left alone and they are not to chase or harass.

And no, I disagree that a cat is going to yowl 17 weeks old because she is in "heat". Kitten is still young enough to be socialized and find a good, loving home where he can be handled appropriately.

As far as daughter, correct her behavior and assure her that if she mistreats animals, they will retaliate. See, they don't have words to say "Stop, that hurts." They will bite or scratch because that is how they express disdain for being mistreated. That is how "kitten" corrects your child ! As far as daughter's wounds, put some ointment on the wounds, bandages, whatever. Instruct her to stay away from the cat...or she will be disciplined by both you and kitten, unless she is willing to treat little innocent kitty nicely.

Do you have a litter box and food? Does kitten have a blanket in pet carrier at least?

It doesn't sound like your husband gives a rats patootie about the kitten either so when you find a rescue group to take kitten, he likely won't care. He's not a responsible pet owner because a responsible owner ensures that kitten is happy, kids are learning how to treat pets responsibly, and that pet has all she needs including vaccinations and appropriate nutrition. They also ensure that "pet" has appropriate bedding...not some hard, cold crate to stay in 8-12 hours per day even though there is supposedly a loving family at home. See, crating is really for when you aren't home, or at night, and I don't know of too many people that crate cats unless cat is sick.

Again, feel free to send me an email or your city and I will HELP you find a rescue group to ensure kitten will live on, vaccinated and sterilized.

But, who is that kitten's mother??? Is it your barn cat? Consider having your barn pest control pets "sterilized". You want to do both male and female because you don't want the male ROAMING and impregnating another female. And they will. They can smell a female in heat a few miles away !

So again: Feel free to contact me with your city and I will assist you in finding a rescue group for that sweet kitty. Please consider having your barn pets sterilized or there will be more unless you want to feed the local coyotes or owls with kittens, but that isn't cool for the kittens.

FYI: I know some rescue groups local and they may know of rescue groups in your area. But I did just a basic preliminary search on "kingwood" assuming that is where you are located. I found this group, albeit, I know nothing of them. Again, feel free to contact me because I want to HELP this kitten find a safe and loving home. But here is a local Texas group:http://www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/74984.html

Also read this on their page about HOW to introduce a new cat to your home: http://www.adoptapet.com/cat-adoption and http://blog.adoptapet.com/bringing-home-your-new-cat-or-k...
Make no mistake: This is NOT the cat's fault.

Here is another link that may help you find local rescue group:http://people.consolidated.net/window/shelters.htm
Let me know if you want me to help further...help you help kitty.

You're the mom that doesn't stop at stop signs and kind of thinks that's funny!!

It is more clear now that you allow your daughter to hang a kitten by the tail and then cram it in a crate. Do the kitten (not a CAT yet at 11 weeks old) a favor and take it to a shelter in the morning. That's not my usual feeling but it doesn't belong with you another day. I truly thought this must be a joke or something because a mother or father couldn't act like that...wow!!

Having read the previous post about your daughter, you really have more problems than an abused kitten.
Who spanks their child 10 times in 2 hours?!? Kind of a clue there. Your child needs help, but so do you. You have completely lost control. A 3 yr old is in control of your household.
Need further proof that you both need help? Your daughter was almost kicked out of the MDO program FOR VIOLENT BEHAVIOR!!! Having worked in child care for over 3 yrs, I can tell you that they don't like kicking anyone out. But, violence is one of the few things that will do it.
In reality, the kitten isn't the issue here. It needs to go. And, not just outside. I don't care if you "live in the country". Your husband won't let the dog in the house, but allows a kitten who's being abused? Something's not right here.
Anyone who reads your other questions should be able to see very clearly that you are not just venting. You are desperately crying out for help. Get some.

Boo frickety hoo. It's not hard to do a Google search that will bring up animal shelters in your area. You obviously have internet access - use it.

I have news for you. It's your fault your daughter is full of scratches because you are not teaching her how to treat the cat.

You have 0 sympathy from me. I feel sorry for the cat and any other animals you have.

I feel really sorry for the cat, not for you or your daughter. Be responsible and get the kitten to a local shelter or even leave it at a vet's office. Sounds like anything is better for that poor animal than the home it's living in right now. You're the adult here - act like it and take action.

Also - the cat has lived in your home long enough that if you simply boot it out the back door, it will hang around and howl to get back in. If you want it out of you life - and that sounds like the prefered option here - take it to a shelter.

When cats get mistreated (like carried around by the tail) they get mean. Cats respond well to love and play & cuddling & affection!!!

I know b/c our neighbors down the street abused 3 kittens for 2 months and then abandoned them in a cage in their driveway. We took in two of them and they are sweethearts!! But the first week was challenging as we had to train them to trust people. Your family is NOT training this kitten to trust people and love people.

Please take it to a shelter tomorrow!!! b/c you guys obviously do not know how to do the job. It is very unfair to this kitten and to your kids to go on this way. Someone who can love this cat should have it. I see no words or hint of love anywhere in your question. Sorry---it's the truth.

You don't convince him for something like this...you just have to tell him that this kitten is NOT a good fit for your family. You have to emphacize that this kitten is making your family miserable while he is away. It is also not fair to crate a kitten all the time. The cat needs to move...period...

OPEN THE CRATE!!!

TO THE BACK DOOR!!!!

LOL...

Kitty is old enough...and sounds like you have 'property' and other 'outdoor' animals...

Back that kennel up to a back door and let kitty 'escape'...TELL hubby kitty 'escaped'...(the 'truth')

maybe kitty will become an 'indoor/outdoor' cat...but sounds like your backyard has LOTS to offer!!

***make sure kitty is neutered and has shots****

Best Luck!
michele/cat

Some people are so rude on here. I would just get the cat fixed, get its shots, and turn it out. Cats and dogs do fine outdoors and have for tens of thousands of years. Do it as soon as possible. Tell hubby that has to happen or it's going to a shelter. Some people on here need to get some perspective. Cats and dogs are not human children. I wish people would just get a grip. You are at your wits end. I feel for you, the cat, and your kid. The situation sucks! Good luck.

If your husband said you could find a home for it when you took it in, take the bull by the horns and do it. It will be easier to rehome as a kitten. Why wait for your husband to do it? You and your daughter have tortured the poor thing long enough! Parents need to to teach their children how to handle living, sentient beings with care and since you have no desire to do that with your daughter, find someone who can. And please don't be irresponsible and just "let" the kitty outside-- find a home!

You asked a similiar question a couple of weeks ago about the cat vs. the kid. You were spanking your kid every time she touched the cat. You still haven't found this cat a new home? Since you are home all day, find the cat a new home and when your husband comes home tell him you took care of the situation since he could not.

I think if it were me (I love my cat) in your situation. I would take kitty to the shelter and then tell hubby that it escaped. Done.

Same situation as you, live on a farm...put kitty outside...save yourself the grief! If you are the one home all day to deal with it then you get to choose!

I've had luck with www.petfinder.com. Put in your zip code and see if there's any rescue league or even an individual in your area who may be looking for a kitten.

Some pets are just not a good fit for a family:(

First teach your child to stay away from the cat. It may take her getting scrached a lot before she learns, that's the way my daughter was with my in laws cat. The cat is just defending her self. and it sounds like kitty is ready to be fixed. If you let it out side without being fixed you create another problem for your self, a cat that makes more kittens. Keeping a cat in a crate is kinda mean. Does the cat have toys, cats LOVE string, give her some string to play with. or a ball of tin foil.

Sounds like instead of the crate you should put it outside. Your husband can bring it back in and you can put it out. It is not like anything will happen to it outside. It will be an indoor outdoor cat. Win win

I may get yelled at....but kitty would be gone. Take her to your nearest PAWS shelter and tell them what is going on and that you don't want this cat that you FOUND. You will be liable if someone comes to your house and the cat attacks! I completely understand your stress about having this animal in the house. I would tell your husband that he can take the cat to work with him every day or the cat is going to the pound/shelter. Those are his two choices because you are DONE being a kitty sitter. And then do it.
L.

I am a big fan of Jim Fay's Love and Logic books because the strategies work just as well for adults as they do for kids. This is what you need to say to your husband (and without sarcasm)" This kitten is now a cat and is causing a lot of stress in this household, so are you going to take it to the shelter or let it live outside with the rest of the animals? You let me know which you choose otherwise, I am going to make the decision for you." Seriously. You and your kids have to live there too and should get more say than the dang cat. Hope this helps!
A.

Happy wife, happy life......

The cat goes outside

First, you can trim the cats nails and get a scratching post or get soft paws on the cats nails, that will solve the scratching problem right there. I had to have stitches in my face from a severe cat scratch when I was young, so I know all about that.

Second, train your daughter how to hold the cat. Not to not touch it, but how to pick it up, pet it, not hold it by it's tail. That can actually injure the cat and cause digestive and nervous system damage. Put both kitty and daughter in time outs. When she mistreats the cat, put the cat in a crate in another room and put the daughter in chem out. Reintroduce them by having the cat sit nicely in your daughters lap and sit there with her, gently rubbing it properly.

Third, don't crate the cat. It's bored and it's yowling because it is bored and unhappy.

If you do have to crate it, do it for short periods of time. Our crate is big enough to hold a litter box, small cat bed and a bowl of water and a small scratch pad. It's a large dog size kennel and it's perfect.

Also, for childhood discipline and teaching issues, I strongly recommend Dr. Sears, he has some wonderful expert advice that can really help you:
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/discipline-behavior

Hubby brought the cat into the house, I would put the cat out of the house. He made a decision that YOU didn't want, you are entitled to the same. The cat would be happier roaming outside anyway, it's their nature. Get it fixed and turn it out.

I have a male cat (fixed) that insisted on peeing in this one certain corner. Nothing I did made a difference. (Yes, I went the vet route, and every other suggested route) - So one day, after paying to have my carpet professionally cleaned, I just opened the door and put him outside. He is still my outdoor kitty. Never tries to come in, but hangs around, and I feed and care for him.

if your going to keep the cat. then you need to teach your daughter how to be gentle. we were taught how to treat a animal from a young age. your daughter is hurting the can and in return getting hurt. if you let your husband read what you wrote i believe he would know the best thing for the cat would be to let it go to a home that loves it. or if he wants the cat to let it oustide. but your still going to need to teach your child to be nice to the cat. we were able to teach our kids to be gentle to animals. good luck.

I think you need to take the cat to a shelter.
LBC

I would take it to the nearest shelter so you don't have to crate him anymore, worry about him or try to keep away from your daughter.
I feel bad for you but I feel bad for your daughter and you as well.
Sounds like the best case scenario is for the cat to find a loving home.
Good luck and take care until you can do this.
It's not the cat's fault. It really is just a survial mode to last out if being handled roughly.
Please take care and I hope you get to find him a home soon.

Couldn't the door just happen to accidently left open a bit? Im not a animal person of any kind so I understand. There's no pets in or outside this house. Period! :)

I feel so bad for this kitten. Kittens are curious creatures, and also need socialization if they are going to be house cats. Penning in up in a crate is doing nothing for it. I would take it to a shelter now while it is still young and cute and has a shot at adoption. Let me just say that the yowling won't stop. My cat was doing that as a kitten and it is so much worse and more annoying now that she is 13 years old. You can cut the kitten's nails so that it won't scratch as much. Some people just are not cat people and those people just should not have cats.

You have a lot going on in your household without another youngster (human or pet). The cat needs to go, outside, or to a new home, period. Looking back at your recent posts, it sure doesn't seem like you have the time or energy (and from your post, the desire) for an indoor pet. It's a handful and my advice is to tell your husband you are the one at home and get to make this decision. If he wants to take it to work or with him during the day and deal with it fine, otherwise it can't be in your home and for him to insist that it stay (if he does) is pretty darn selfish.

I know others have been harsh with you and while I somewhat agree, I think you were put in a situation you didn't want and certainly aren't in a position to play the nice guy and let this slide. You have every right to say NO, bye bye kitty! What I think you are guilty of is trying to make a situation work that just can't right now. Maybe that can happen in the future when it's thought out, maybe not and that is okay too.

Get rid of it while your husband is at work. He's not home- its not his choice and eventually, the thing will hurt your daughter. Its just a CAT, not a person....priorities, people.

Im so sorry about other ppl being rude! they are hiding behind a computer screen and will say anything! I hate it when people do that, and its happened to me on here several times!

If this kitty is cause problems in your home, its time for it to go, and if hubby isnt doing it then youve got to.

you can post it for free or for sale on craigslist in your area.
post it in the newspaper.
post it on facebook.
heck even post it on mamapedia if you need to!

good luck!

.

Have her fixed then if she is to live inside have her declawed. She is young enough. And before any one says how horrible I am for declawing my cats, it's better they declaw the kitty than have a bloody baby and torn up furniture because that will be next. That is if you keep kitty inside. If she is booted out, then let her keep her claws.
Two of mine are declawed. THey are none the worse for wear. One is a fantastic mouser at our summer home.

Put the cat in the bedroom at night in the cage and see if he changes his tune. Evidently he is gone most of the day and doesn't have to deal with the brunt of the cat's ways. You do not want your daughter scarred for life.

Fix the cat and send it outside to be with the others...

My husband sometimes does this to me too...decides something should be done a certain way, but I end up doing it...or wants something that doesn't add at all to his work load but does to mine...

So I try and pick my battles if it is a small thing, putting stuff into three different recycling bins and a compost container...I try to do it, he handles taking the recycling but I have to continually sort it. (And when I forget, he will start digging stuff out of the trash...maddening), but I just go with it.

But a pet is another thing all together...I would have to put my foot down and say the cat has to go...good luck!!

46 posts saying pretty much the same thing... Its. a. cat. You have control over this. Other things you've posted you haven't had any control over......!!

dont let these ppl get to you please. growing up we had several outside cats and dogs that were well cared for and lived long happy lives. my fiance on the other hand grew up in the city so he convinced me to get a house cat. kittens are crazy, tearing things up, hiding under the sofas, and yes scratching and biting all members of the family. some how we managed to put up with ours until we got him neutered and he has calmed down drasticly. but some ppl even think neutering is inhumane.