I dont know if i can take care of my cats anymore?

Question

I have two cats who are about 3 or 4 years old. They both got adopted about the same time so they have never been apart. One is grey and lazy, she just likes to sit around and watch. the other is extremely hyper, meows incessently and always gets into and onto everything. They have never been outdoors. They are spayed and declawed in the front. Recently i moved to a new home and had a baby three months ago. They don't really bother her but the amount of hair that is all over everything is getting terribly bothersome not to mention the fact that i barely have time to feed and clean their litter box much less play with them. My daycare worker says that cats don't need that much attention adn i think that if it was just the grey cat that would be true but the otherone needs constant attention adn supervision. unfortunately when i was single and didn't mind the hair, my roommate at the time and i never got them used to bathes or grooming so now when we try they FREAK out! I even got collars to try to keep ahold of them better but they snapped them both! The vet bill just for their shots is already $200 for the both of them. i feel bad because for the most part of the day and night we have to keep them in the basement and sometimes in the kitchen where there is a little window that they love because when we are gone or asleep the one gets into and breaks or has a hairball all over the place! that's another problem but i know it would be solved if we could bathe them more. We even bought the "furmanator" but neither my husband or myself can hold them down enough to gt anything done. i just don't know what to do., I love them and would feel guilty giving them away. i would like them to be able to go outdoors, we have a fenced in back yard but my husband says they will die for sure then. i just don't think i can take care of them appropriately anymore. not with a three month old. what do you think i should do? thanks for any advice you can give me!

heather

Answer 1

The last thing you would want to do is give them away...but if you have to do some research and bring them to an animal shelter that DOESN'T put animals down just because they couldn't find them a home. Cats are fine by themselves though because they're not like dogs and they have each other...if your having trouble with the gromming take them to PetSmart or Petco and they will do it for you. Even your vets might groom them for you! Hope that helps and I hope you'll be able to keep your kittys!

Answer 2

You should probably try and find some good homes for them .

Answer 3

You CAN'T CAN'T CAN'T let declawed cats go outdoors unless they're the rare cat who enjoys walking on a leash.

Cats don't need a lot. Provide food, water, and clean the litter box. If they approach you, pet them. Take them to the vet as needed. This is not a big commitment. Take 5 minutes out of your internet time and take care of them. You could have fed them and cleaned the litter box in the time it took you to ask a question.

If the cat fur bothers you, you shouldn't have gotten a cat. Cats shed. Don't confine them to the basement just because you don't want them to shed. Don't get an animal that you can't commit to caring for for its whole life. You made a commitment when you got those cats, and you need to honor it.

There are valid reasons for giving up pets. Severe health issues, losing your house, your own death. Being "too busy" is not one of them. You need to take responsibility for these animals and don't kick them out because you've gotten sick of them. Animals are not toys.

There are lots of people who have both cats and children. My parents had cats and a dog when I was a baby and *gasp* they were able to feed both me and the animals!

Sorry if it sounds harsh, but you're not making a convincing case for "not being able to care for them." Now, "not wanting to care for them," that's a different story.  

Answer 4

I'm so sorry you've found yourself in such a difficult situation.  Don't pay attention to the people who are rude and assume the worst of you, since they probably don't have a clue what it's like to have a baby AND a full-time job.  It must feel like you have TWO full-time jobs right now, so you're probably exhausted and that's heightening your feelings of frustration.  Just take a deep breath and know that there's probably a solution to this problem.  It IS true that other people have babies AND pets, so it really can be manageable.  

If I were you, I'd talk to friends, family members or coworkers to see if any of them have ever dealt with these same issues and find out what they did.  Also, you can go to PetSmart, PetCo or another pet store to find out what they'd advise.  My sister-in-law has two long-haired cats and a baby, and she's taken her cats to a groomer and had them shaved.  They look so funny now, but at least they're not shedding like crazy.  Also, depending on where you live, they have low-cost vaccination clinics at some pet stores, so maybe you should check that out.  As for making your hyper kitty less hyper, I think a vet or animal behaviorist might be able to help you with solutions.  I read something recently in a book about cats that said harp music actually acts like a tranquilizer to some cats -- it has something to do with the drone of the strings that people can't hear but cats can.  There was a study done at San Diego State University that proved this.  I can't say for sure if it actually works, since I haven't had the need to try it (my kitty is pretty laid back so she has no need for tranquilizing).  Anyway, if worst comes to worst and you find that you just have to give them up, try to find them a good home with somebody you know before resorting to turning them over to a shelter. And if you have to give them to a shelter, please try to find a no-kill shelter where you know they'll be kept alive and cared for until they're adopted.  Hopefully, though, you'll get through these rough times and be able to keep your family (people and pets) together.

Answer 5

on one hand it must be so stressful with a new baby and 2 cats but on the other hand if your child doesnt have any pets in the house they are usually afaraid of them when they get older. cats cleen themselves you dont have to give them baths but if they have hairballs you need to brush them more. maby try to find a nice home for them and when your child gets older you can get another cat or even a dog.

Answer 6

my two cats also shed alot the only thing that you can do is my a lint roller.

Answer 7

it isn't fair that you have subsided your cats for your husband and baby. you knew when you adopted them what they would be like and that you have to be able look after them properly even in the event of you having a baby. However, if you really feel you can't look after them properly anymore, then you should ask around in your friends or family if anyone would be capable of taking them off your hands, preferabbly someone who has experience of having cats. it would be best if you could find someone who lives in a nice suburban area with a nice big grassy garden and plants to roam in so they can live like cats not rats!

Answer 8

If you don't keep them and don't find them a good home then you'll be sentencing them to death.

What have you tried to manage the shedding?

Do you brush them? Do you feed them a high-quality, grain-free diet?

You should be able to find them a cheaper vet, unless they need special care.  A check up and shots shouldn't cost that much.

I wouldn't bathe them either.  Most healthy cats never need a bath.  Some do, but even those shouldn't need more than a couple a year.  Mine never get baths and always keep clean.  Too many baths can really aggravate their skin and could increase the shedding.

There are cat fences you can buy or just make yourself to go on your existing fence.  Look around online and you should see pictures.  My mother and I built one just from looking at pictures with stuff from home depot and a fencing store (fencing store was cheaper, HD had everything).  A well-built one should keep them safely inside the yard.  

You can ask the vet for suggestions on calming the crazy one.  Feliway may be a good choice.  But if he has a little safe outdoor area he may start using all his energy out there. If they're going to try going out then start them on Frontline, Advantage, or Revolution so you don't get fleas on them or on anyone else.  I wouldn't keep them outside only but having the option to play out there could help.  Just keep an eye on them out there for awhile to make sure they can't get past the fence.

Don't bother giving them baths unless they roll in mud or something.

Get them a high quality food like Innova Evo or something similar, nothing that can be found in the grocery store.  They'll eat less, shed less, and be healthier.  

Answer 9

You know i read the header and thought 'here is a person that is having financial problems and is looking for a way to try and keep the cats in their home. Then i read your post

Your post basically states that you are just too damm lazy to do what needs to be done any locking them in the basement helps some but there is still a bit of work to be done that bothers you. So now your hoping to kick them out of the house so the problem goes away. If that doesn't work you figure you can always take them to the shelter and believe that they will get adopted while they'll probably get killed but you'll be ok c ause you won't know

   that about sum it up?

Who is going to teach your kis what the words RESPONSIBILTY and

COMMITMENT mean? orf the value of a life for that matter

Answer 10

well for the litter problem they make automatic litter boxes that scoop the p**p in the bag for you and all you have to do is take the bag out and replace it with another.  Also, they make wipes for cats that is just like bathing them but without the water.  You can use that on them for about once a month and they wont smell anymore.  And I'm sorry about the shedding fur problem they don't relly make stuff for that.  I guess you could give them to an animal shelter but I think that's very cruel.  For the hyper cat you can hide treats around the house and it will most likely stop bothering you.  I told someone else to do that because the cat always wanted her attention and she said it worked perfeclty so it might work for you.  You just hide the treats around the house where the cat most goes and it keeps busy the whole day looking for treats.  And the shots wouldnt b that expensive because we go to banfield which is a pet hospital inside of petsmart.  The yearly fee is about 300 dollars and you get all the shots done and all the visits are free.  

Answer 11

If you REALLY want to help your cats and would like to be able to put them outside then get a proper run built for them or have a look at Petsnap.com.  They have a fantastic range of cat confinement items so you can put your cats outside knowing they are safe. If your garden is secure you can buy rubber "spikes" which fit on your fence and stop the cats from jumping over.  You can also buy rollers which fit to the top of fences so that if your cat jumps on top of the fence it will simply roll back off because it cannot get a grip.  There is really no excuse for not being able to keep them safe.

I am assuming that you are at home all day with your baby.  I have 6 cats and as soon as one of them uses a litter tray (I have at least 4 down during the day and 6 at night) I scoop the litter and throw it away.  It must take AT LEAST 2 MINUTES.  

If you love your cats you will find a way.  Take them to a grooming parlour and then keep it up yourself.  Combine the grooming with treats - don't "hold them down" - give a treat and then a groom.  Little and often is best rather than a huge grooming session.  Try a "zoom groom" which most cats love.  It is made of rubber and massages the cat as well as removing hair.    Give them the attention they need when your baby is asleep - they tend to do a lot of sleeping don't they?  

Answer 12

You need to figure out your priorities. There are lots of people who have kids and spend less time with their animals but don't neglect them. If you have another child will you neglect your first one? You can take care of your baby and your kitties you just have to make a schedule and stick to it. You adopted these kitties and in doing so you (at least in my mind) vowed to take care of them for the rest of yours or their lives. You can take care of them you just have to make it a priority after your child.