Cat Emergency: Attacked my neighbor's Dog

[darlili]

Hey, I'm impressed that the three of them are as close as they are in the photo! Believe me, when I got my boy, my girl definitely wouldn't get as close as the three cats are in your picture - but, within a few months, they'd sleep on the bed just inches from each other, and now they do groom each other. That's not to say there's not an occasional spat -but I did try to make sure I told each cat how much I love them and that they're both my special babies. I know, funny, but I think cats can be insecure if they think a new 'person' is taking their place in the family.

Seriously, looking out the window does not mean they actually want out. My little girl spends hours looking out the patio door, but the one time she went out on the patio, she froze and couldn't wait to get back in. And she promptly started looking out again.

I'd say let your boyfriend know how much you appreciate him for trying to understand how you feel about Nala, and what a great guy he is for trying to make things work out for all three cats. Let him know you really understand his challenges but how much you love and respect him for standing up for you and Nala, and you appreciate his patience - that it makes you love him more. That his protecting Nala and making sure she's ok inside shows you what a good man he is.

From what you've said, I think Nala definitely wants to be an indoor cat. If you can add some features to your place so all the cats have more places to call their own and get away from each other occassionally, it'd be good - cats use vertical space as well as floor space as territory. I have two cat trees - it's funny watching how the two cats switch off taking 'charge' of a tree.

Good luck - Nala's lucky to have you in her corner, but I do think the poor little girl just wants to live with all of you, and with time everything will work out.

 

[ldg]

Originally Posted by darlili

I'd say let your boyfriend know how much you appreciate him for trying to understand how you feel about Nala, and what a great guy he is for trying to make things work out for all three cats. Let him know you really understand his challenges but how much you love and respect him for standing up for you and Nala, and you appreciate his patience - that it makes you love him more. That his protecting Nala and making sure she's ok inside shows you what a good man he is.

j_eden, I went back and re-read your post, and I read it wrong, sorry. I think darlili's advice is much better. Every once in a while you have to stand up to your family - it's great that he's strong on respecting their wishes, but basically it is about saving a life.

 

[icklemiss21]

I am the kind of person who would tell my BF to go live in the garden and take the cat in

 

[carolina]

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

I am the kind of person who would tell my BF to go live in the garden and take the cat in

me too....

But that is besides the point...
I am confused about something though: You said you live in a tiny one BR. apartment, right? So... I am assuming you live alone with your boyfriend, right? So, how come his family has so much say on this decision? They should have no say whatsoever here... Unless you were living in their home - can you clarify that, so we can help you better?

About the wall:

Yes, those are super cheap shelves from home depot. Both the shelves and the brackets are Rubbermaid. I used heavy duty drywall anchors, to hold up to 70 pounds each. My heaviest cat is 19lbs, and he runs around on it without a problem - in fact, he is the white cat on the first picture.

I covered the shelves with the thinnest carpet available at Home Depot, dirt cheap, I juts asked them to cut me 2 strips for me, and I cut it with regular scissors at home, and glued on with a glue gun. Something like a couple of dollars per strip of carpet.

The whole project took me less than an afternoon to do it on my own, from buying to assembling to hanging, and my cats use it a LOT, a good part of their day is spent on it, either playing chase, watching time go by, or just relaxing....

The whole thing, including shelves, brackets, carpet, glue gun, anchors, screws, even an automatic laser guide for hanging it straight since I was doing it alone, cost me less than $100. I believe Shelves brackets and Carpet would be about $60-70.

BEST kitty investment I ever made.

Here is Lucky' seal of approval for the Self

 

[j_eden]

Okay, update on the situation......


A lot has changed over the past few days. Surprisingly enough, my bf was right. She likes to come over to us every now and then, but she no longer pines at the door, this behavior slowly stopped each day. We took her in for a bit, because we wanted to see which she preferred.

She was very upset indoors, she was nothing like how she was back when she lived with us. She kept hissing at us, and ran out the door the minute we gave her the choice. Then outside, she'll go back to being a doll to us.

She'll sit by the door sometimes, but if we let her in, she'll want out right away? It's very change.

I have to bait her inside if I want her to come in. Still worried about the dog situation though, because she picked a fight with him again, and he chased her this time, up a tree. She got down alright, but I wish there was some way I could get her to stop messing with the dog.

 

[staceyloobug]

Originally Posted by otto

please let her back inside. Don't force her to live outside after taking her in. I know I already said this, but, the poor little girl, it's breaking my heart. (and hers)

Me too, Otto. But I was afraid to have that opinion and have it misread.

I also agree with the person who said she probably wouldn't be adoptable. You say in your original post that she would be, but in my experience, it's normally the youngest cats that go to homes, sadly. I adopted Butters and Rosalita (below) at 1 year and 1.5, and they had been at the shelter for 9 long months waiting for a home. I still think about that, and I feel a little sick that they were there that long, but I do think they were waiting for me.

Anyhow, yes. You said twice that she badly wants inside. Just let her in! The people on the site are very knowlegeable about introductions and living in small spaces. Let them help!

 

[staceyloobug]

Originally Posted by Carolina

me too....

But that is besides the point...
I am confused about something though: You said you live in a tiny one BR. apartment, right? So... I am assuming you live alone with your boyfriend, right? So, how come his family has so much say on this decision? They should have no say whatsoever here... Unless you were living in their home - can you clarify that, so we can help you better?

About the wall:

Yes, those are super cheap shelves from home depot. Both the shelves and the brackets are Rubbermaid. I used heavy duty drywall anchors, to hold up to 70 pounds each. My heaviest cat is 19lbs, and he runs around on it without a problem - in fact, he is the white cat on the first picture.

I covered the shelves with the thinnest carpet available at Home Depot, dirt cheap, I juts asked them to cut me 2 strips for me, and I cut it with regular scissors at home, and glued on with a glue gun. Something like a couple of dollars per strip of carpet.

The whole project took me less than an afternoon to do it on my own, from buying to assembling to hanging, and my cats use it a LOT, a good part of their day is spent on it, either playing chase, watching time go by, or just relaxing....

The whole thing, including shelves, brackets, carpet, glue gun, anchors, screws, even an automatic laser guide for hanging it straight since I was doing it alone, cost me less than $100. I believe Shelves brackets and Carpet would be about $60-70.

BEST kitty investment I ever made.

Here is Lucky' seal of approval for the Self

This picture is ADORABLE!

 

[staceyloobug]

Originally Posted by j_eden

Okay, update on the situation......


A lot has changed over the past few days. Surprisingly enough, my bf was right. She likes to come over to us every now and then, but she no longer pines at the door, this behavior slowly stopped each day. We took her in for a bit, because we wanted to see which she preferred.

She was very upset indoors, she was nothing like how she was back when she lived with us. She kept hissing at us, and ran out the door the minute we gave her the choice. Then outside, she'll go back to being a doll to us.

She'll sit by the door sometimes, but if we let her in, she'll want out right away? It's very change.

I have to bait her inside if I want her to come in. Still worried about the dog situation though, because she picked a fight with him again, and he chased her this time, up a tree. She got down alright, but I wish there was some way I could get her to stop messing with the dog.

Well, if you're set on having her outside, please at least make me feel a little better by telling me she is spayed? Right?

And I know this is a serious problem for you, but I do have to laugh at a little cat going after a huge dog.

I'm afraid if she must be outside, your only other option if she has to be outside and she can't be near the dog is to pen her. But like someone else earlier said -- the dog should also be restrained. I'm thinking the DOG should be restrained moreso than the cat, only in the eyes of the law. There are leash laws for dogs (there might be some sort of law for cats, but I don't know). Right? Can you talk to your neighbor about a compromise? Why should you put out the expense of a fence if the neighbor won't, you know? It's a joint-problem. Maybe he could help you with the cost of the fence?

And if the boyfriend refuses to let her in, maybe you can compromise there, too, by telling him he'll have to help you pay for the fence, then.

I'm sorry. I'm trying to brainstorm here, but I really am only repeating what's already been said, and they proved to be not possible.

 

[cslenker]

My neighbor has a few cats and one of them will attack my dogs if they go into their yard. Was the dog in your yard? My cats as well will attack a dog or cat that strays into our yard.

 

[j_eden]

We share the backyard with our neighbors, and he's one of those guys that sort of take the easy way out with a dog. Instead of walking them, just let them out into the backyard. But the dog is old, 12 years old, so it isn't hyperactive or anything.

I mean the dog wouldn't even really go after her if she didn't come after him, (yes, it's a funny image to think about, but I still don't get how such a little animal can be so tough) And she goes all out, back arched, fur all puffed out, attacking with intent to hurt..etc.

We want to get her spayed, but with how she acts now, how could we go about in keeping her inside while she recovers? It seems like she's stressed indoors (plus the overnight at the vet alone).

I'll probably make a post on the stray/feral board concerning TNR, and try to find some info. on that, because I think she needs to be spayed.

 

[staceyloobug]

Originally Posted by j_eden

We share the backyard with our neighbors, and he's one of those guys that sort of take the easy way out with a dog. Instead of walking them, just let them out into the backyard. But the dog is old, 12 years old, so it isn't hyperactive or anything.

I mean the dog wouldn't even really go after her if she didn't come after him, (yes, it's a funny image to think about, but I still don't get how such a little animal can be so tough) And she goes all out, back arched, fur all puffed out, attacking with intent to hurt..etc.

We want to get her spayed, but with how she acts now, how could we go about in keeping her inside while she recovers? It seems like she's stressed indoors (plus the overnight at the vet alone).

I'll probably make a post on the stray/feral board concerning TNR, and try to find some info. on that, because I think she needs to be spayed.

Um, YES. You need to tell the boyfriend he needs to get her spayed or let her inside. You need to spay her EITHER WAY, really, but if I had to choose, I'd say at the VERY LEAST do one or the other.

This could VERY WELL be why she whines to be outside and why they aren't getting along.

I'm so sorry if this sounds strongly-worded, but please please get her spayed. Just please. There are so many cats born every day, and there just aren't homes for them all. Unless you can care for every kitten that she has (and just space-wise, you can't), you can't afford for her to get pregnant. And if there is a male cat ANYWHERE outside, he'll find her, and she'll get pregnant.

All of mine are fixed, and they never set foot outside. It's a healthier life for them all around. If you need help with low-cost or free spay/neuter clinics, I'm sure someone here can provide that for you.

So anyway, please, until she is fixed, please keep her inside. Please find a way.

 

[otto]

I did not know Nala is unspayed. That changes everything. EVERYTHING. It has everything to do with her behavior in the house to the other cats. If she is in heat, she will want to be outside. If you don't get her spayed very soon, you will have more than one cat to deal with, you will have a litter. And another, and another.

She chases the dog because she sees the yard as her territory.

My opinion remains that Nala should be kept inside. Before, during, and after spaying. She lived inside all winter, happily. Spayed, things will be much different.

Sooner or later the dog will not run, he will attack. And that will be the end of Nala.

<edit>PS Maybe this sounded a little harsh. It was wonderful of you to take Nala in, I am sincere when I say that. But....when you take in a stray, she becomes your responsibility, there is no other way to look at it. Nala is your cat, not a stray that you feed. It's time to make a stand and do right by her.

 

[carolina]

Oh God, she isn't spayed? You are saying you rescued a cat for the winter months, then you let her just go loose intact, ready to get on heat, outside come spring?
I was not going to say anything, but Dear Lord

About the dog: A cat is a cat, a dog is a dog... You can't teach one just stop being what it is. This is a big dog... One day it will snap.

 

[icklemiss21]

The ASPCA in NYC offers spays and vaccines for $99 (less if you receive any public assistance) and $75 for just the spay if you had vaccines done

http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/ser...spayneuter.htm
Lots of low cost spay places that will have dealt with worse cats than Nala at this link, many do feral spays so a shy socialised cat will be no big deal.

http://www.friendsofanimals.org offer spay certificates for $65 with over 10 vets in NYC\\

Generally they are fairly subdued after the spay, but make sure you get dissolvable stitches so you dont have to bring her back in 10 days if you go through a vet

 

[j_eden]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The cats we have now, the two males were cats given up by a friend when she needed to leave the country, they were already 3 years old and already neutered (in fact when she gave them to us, she didn't even know the genders). My mother had a cat when I was growing up, but this is the first time my boyfriend and I have really taken in a cat (Nala). So with all your advice I am learning a lot, and regret a lot of what we didn't do.

We were afraid that if we spayed her, she would get docile and be unable to protect herself back outside, because the initial idea was to give her shelter during the winter, and let her go back outside in the spring.

However, situation aside she has an appointment for this weekend to be spayed regardless, because having her remain unspayed would be the worst thing we could do right now.

Will spaying her change her behavior a lot? I'll update everyone on how it goes, thanks for all the insight, it may be harsh, but it's more helpful than anything else, and I appreciate it very much

 

[staceyloobug]

Originally Posted by j_eden

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The cats we have now, the two males were cats given up by a friend when she needed to leave the country, they were already 3 years old and already neutered (in fact when she gave them to us, she didn't even know the genders). My mother had a cat when I was growing up, but this is the first time my boyfriend and I have really taken in a cat (Nala). So with all your advice I am learning a lot, and regret a lot of what we didn't do.

We were afraid that if we spayed her, she would get docile and be unable to protect herself back outside, because the initial idea was to give her shelter during the winter, and let her go back outside in the spring.

However, situation aside she has an appointment for this weekend to be spayed regardless, because having her remain unspayed would be the worst thing we could do right now.

Will spaying her change her behavior a lot? I'll update everyone on how it goes, thanks for all the insight, it may be harsh, but it's more helpful than anything else, and I appreciate it very much

I am SO SO SO happy you are having her spayed! I can't even put it into words, so I'll just put this:

As far as her behavior changing -- I haven't seen any difference in Rosalita at all. Other than, you know, she won't go into heat anymore, which means she may be even LESS aggressive towards animals, and less likely to stray from your yard.

After she does get spayed, you might see that she will be able to get along with your indoor cats. But that is a bridge we can help you cross when it happens. For now, I think you'll have to have her inside the night before the surgery (because she can't eat/drink after midnight, I think), and ask your vet about afterwards.

Again, I'm so so happy!

 

[otto]

j eden...you're terrific! You could have got defensive and shut us out. Instead you are willing to listen to us, heed our advice and act on it. Hurray for you!

Spaying will help regulate her personality, that's all. With all those raging hormones gone, you'll be able to find out what kind of cat she really is, and I think she sounds like a winner. She Chose you, after all.

 

[j_eden]

Originally Posted by Staceyloobug

I am SO SO SO happy you are having her spayed! I can't even put it into words, so I'll just put this:

As far as her behavior changing -- I haven't seen any difference in Rosalita at all. Other than, you know, she won't go into heat anymore, which means she may be even LESS aggressive towards animals, and less likely to stray from your yard.

After she does get spayed, you might see that she will be able to get along with your indoor cats. But that is a bridge we can help you cross when it happens. For now, I think you'll have to have her inside the night before the surgery (because she can't eat/drink after midnight, I think), and ask your vet about afterwards.

Again, I'm so so happy!

If she could get along with our other cats... oh god, that would be the BEST outcome ever, because I know my bf is strongly against 3 cats, but that could sway his mind. Or we could at least go back to fostering her, but we'll have to see how her temperament is after the surgery, and what she seems to want (inside life or outside life)

A little nervous though... will she be okay that night she spends at the vet? We have to bring her in very early in the morning and wait until the next day to pick her up. I hope it doesn't traumatize her.

 

[otto]

Don't worry. Cats have been surviving the trauma of spaying for many many years, she'll be fine!

 

[icklemiss21]

My BF was against 4 cats and 5 cats - he got over it

She will be fine at the vet and they can keep an eye on her for infection / fever etc just in case.