Returning cat to cat cafe due to my illness?

seleneadele · Mar 24, 2016

Hi there,

I adopted a sweet, sleepy girl from a cat cafe about 4 weeks ago. I have a pretty severe chronic illness and was hoping for some company. A lot of the support groups said cats were the perfect companion for people with chronic illnesses. I found an older cat at the local cat cafe and fell in love. They described her as "loving long, luxurious naps" and when I visited, they said she was the mellowest cat they had ever met. Now, I knew that she could perk up a bit in a different environment, but I had hope. She perked up a lot at home. And that's great! I'm really happy she feels comfortable and happy in he new home, but she wakes me up every 2-3 hours (4-5 times a night). Like the internet suggestions I found, I completely ignore her (don't move or say anything), give her lots of interactive toys while I'm at work, play with her for a good 45 minutes an hour before bedtime, feed her a meal before bedtime, and have black-out curtains. She still continues to wake me up, and it's getting worse, not better as time goes on.

With my chronic illness, sleep is critically important for me. My stats for my health have dropped and my boss has noted a downshift in my performance. My doctor suggested I return her, as my health is more important. I feel awful, as she is such a sweet girl and I made this commitment to her, but she is truly impacting my health and life.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what they would do next?

Thank you.

kntrygrl256 · Mar 24, 2016

I'm sorry to hear about your illness and having to return your sweet kitty. Unfortunately most cats are nocturnal and they don't realize that when they wake us up at night for attention it affects us.

Is there any way you could put her in another room at night so she isn't able to wake you? It would be a shame to take her back if you can put her in a separate room.

Kat0121 · Mar 24, 2016

seleneadele said:
Hi there,

I adopted a sweet, sleepy girl from a cat cafe about 4 weeks ago. I have a pretty severe chronic illness and was hoping for some company. A lot of the support groups said cats were the perfect companion for people with chronic illnesses. I found an older cat at the local cat cafe and fell in love. They described her as "loving long, luxurious naps" and when I visited, they said she was the mellowest cat they had ever met. Now, I knew that she could perk up a bit in a different environment, but I had hope. She perked up a lot at home. And that's great! I'm really happy she feels comfortable and happy in he new home, but she wakes me up every 2-3 hours (4-5 times a night). Like the internet suggestions I found, I completely ignore her (don't move or say anything), give her lots of interactive toys while I'm at work, play with her for a good 45 minutes an hour before bedtime, feed her a meal before bedtime, and have black-out curtains. She still continues to wake me up, and it's getting worse, not better as time goes on.

With my chronic illness, sleep is critically important for me. My stats for my health have dropped and my boss has noted a downshift in my performance. My doctor suggested I return her, as my health is more important. I feel awful, as she is such a sweet girl and I made this commitment to her, but she is truly impacting my health and life.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what they would do next?

Thank you.

Hi and welcome!!

I'm sorry to hear about your illness. Like @kntrygrl256 I was going to suggest maybe trying to keep the cat out of the room while you sleep. If that isn't an option, another suggestion would be---- maybe another cat to keep her company?? Cats often do better in pairs. How was she with the other cats at the cat cafe?? Can you ask the people at the cafe if there was one particular cat that she was especially bonded to? If there was, it would be a familiar face and they could focus their attention on each other and let you sleep.

Yes, you do need to put your health first. I hope everything works out for you.

haleyds · Mar 24, 2016

If you really have to take her back, at least it will be to an area she is familiar with, where she was obviously content before. I understand your issue as we had an indoor rabbit for four years until my mothers allergies got so bad that she could hardly breathe anymore. And he was contained to just one room at that, so although it's normal to feel guilty about it, at the end of the day your health is more important and the kitty will be in safe hands.
If you really do need a companion though, I would suggest an old dog from a shelter, they like to sleep when we do [emoji]128522[/emoji]

gothceltgirl · Mar 25, 2016

I'm so sorry to hear about this. I too have a chronic illness, which I'm having a really difficult time with. As it's very costly to manage it, many of the things that I need are supplemenatary, so I have to buy them myself. I also recently took in a cat. I'm having a difficult time for other reasons. I have to block my bedroom door sometimes though, so that she stays out. I too really need to sleep in order to be my best when I do eventually get up. I'm a night owl, so that helps, but since my cat is pregnant, she eats pretty much every 4 hours or so. So I usually feed her when I get up in the middle of my sleep cycle to use the toile, then I go back to bed, block the door so that I can get the rest of my ZZzz's.

LTS3 · Mar 25, 2016

haleyds said:
If you really do need a companion though, I would suggest an old dog from a shelter, they like to sleep when we do [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Or consider a different type of pet. If a dog is too much work, perhaps a small animal will be perfect. If you keep the tank / cage out of the bedroom, it might not affect your sleep. Many shelters have small animals for adoption. If you've never had a small animal before, plese take the time to read up on proper care before you even go look at animals to adopt. Every small animal is different and care is different for each besides providing food and water and a clean tank / cage to live in and toys / playtime.

nansiludie · Mar 25, 2016

Might consider a Betta fish, they have much more personality than other fishes. I have had them and they are fine pets.

haleyds · Mar 25, 2016

Also rats, I know there's a huge stigma about them but they're very very intelligent, kind, playful and bond deeply with their owners. They can be kept in a cage outside of the bedroom and are very low maintenance. They require more love than anything else to keep them happy

kntrygrl256 · Mar 28, 2016

haleyds said:
Also rats, I know there's a huge stigma about them but they're very very intelligent, kind, playful and bond deeply with their owners. They can be kept in a cage outside of the bedroom and are very low maintenance. They require more love than anything else to keep them happy

I am planning on getting a couple of rats once I get moved into my new house. They are awesome pets but you need to make sure you get at least 2 because they are very social animals.

They are very intelligent and can be very loving if handled properly.

laura h · Mar 28, 2016

I also have a chronic illness and I found Comet to be an excellent companion during the day. At night I sleep with my door closed and he's out in the living area/kitchen. I make sure he has toys, a night light, and food and water. That way he can't bother me so I can get my sleep. It took a little while to get used to it, but now it's part of the routine and he's comfortable with being alone at night. I don't know if it will work for you, maybe you can try it. If it doesn't work, I have to agree, your health comes first.

Good luck and hugs .

Laura

Returning cat to cat cafe due to my illness?

seleneadele

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kntrygrl256

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Kat0121

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haleyds

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gothceltgirl

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LTS3

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nansiludie

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haleyds

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kntrygrl256

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laura h

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