Cat Adoption/Rehome-HELP

I have a wonderful 6 year old indoor cat that I am at a crossroads with. I had a baby 7 weeks ago and it just doesn't seem as though the cat is adjusting well. The vet says she seems "stressed". She currently has a UTI that I just paid for an antibiotic shot to fix. I can see that she is a little down. I make sure that she gets a lot of 1:1 attention. Honestly, she seems indifferent to the baby. Doesn't go near her, doesn't go in her room, doesn't sniff the baby stuff that's around.
I don't know what to do. I can't keep her like this. It's not fair to her.
Does anyone have suggestions for what I can do or anyone that will adopt her or shelter her?
TIA.

Message edited 6/1/2011 7:19:17 PM.

Re: Cat Adoption/Rehome-HELP

She will adjust. It has only been 7 weeks, not even 7 months or even a year. Just as you are adjusting to your new life as a mother, your cat is adjusting to the new life with a baby in the household. I think you are expecting way too much too soon from your pet re adjusting.It is fair to her to keep her and provide for her as you always have. She will "get over it" and accept the change eventually. If you are worried about her getting used to the change in your household, why would setting her up for an even bigger change (new house, new family, new life....even worse, SHELTER with loads of other animals???????) be any better or any less stressful or any more "fair" to her?

You are worried about her and what is fair to her but shipping her off to a new home simply b/c you feel she hasn't adjusted quickly enough is far from fair to her and far from what is best for her. She will do just fine if you give her PLENTY of time to adjust and continue to provide for her (food, love, shelter, etc). In time, she will be perfectly fine. Once she gets used to the change in the household, all will find new balance in the home.

My dog didnt get used to my DD until my DD was around a year old and had gone through infancy. As to be expected, having a baby in the household is a big change for animals as well as if you had human children who have to adjust to a new sibling/baby.

Message edited 6/1/2011 11:25:27 PM.

Re: Cat Adoption/Rehome-HELP

Posted by Goobster

She will adjust. It has only been 7 weeks, not even 7 months or even a year. Just as you are adjusting to your new life as a mother, your cat is adjusting to the new life with a baby in the household. I think you are expecting way too much too soon from your pet re adjusting.It is fair to her to keep her and provide for her as you always have. She will "get over it" and accept the change eventually. If you are worried about her getting used to the change in your household, why would setting her up for an even bigger change (new house, new family, new life....even worse, SHELTER with loads of other animals???????) be any better or any less stressful or any more "fair" to her?

You are worried about her and what is fair to her but shipping her off to a new home simply b/c you feel she hasn't adjusted quickly enough is far from fair to her and far from what is best for her. She will do just fine if you give her PLENTY of time to adjust and continue to provide for her (food, love, shelter, etc). In time, she will be perfectly fine. Once she gets used to the change in the household, all will find new balance in the home.

My dog didnt get used to my DD until my DD was around a year old and had gone through infancy. As to be expected, having a baby in the household is a big change for animals as well as if you had human children who have to adjust to a new sibling/baby.

Re: Cat Adoption/Rehome-HELP

Posted by Diana712

Posted by Goobster

She will adjust. It has only been 7 weeks, not even 7 months or even a year. Just as you are adjusting to your new life as a mother, your cat is adjusting to the new life with a baby in the household. I think you are expecting way too much too soon from your pet re adjusting.It is fair to her to keep her and provide for her as you always have. She will "get over it" and accept the change eventually. If you are worried about her getting used to the change in your household, why would setting her up for an even bigger change (new house, new family, new life....even worse, SHELTER with loads of other animals???????) be any better or any less stressful or any more "fair" to her?

You are worried about her and what is fair to her but shipping her off to a new home simply b/c you feel she hasn't adjusted quickly enough is far from fair to her and far from what is best for her. She will do just fine if you give her PLENTY of time to adjust and continue to provide for her (food, love, shelter, etc). In time, she will be perfectly fine. Once she gets used to the change in the household, all will find new balance in the home.

My dog didnt get used to my DD until my DD was around a year old and had gone through infancy. As to be expected, having a baby in the household is a big change for animals as well as if you had human children who have to adjust to a new sibling/baby.

I agree with every word of this..

You seem to be getting "stressed out" yourself.. Just be patient , Dont force the cat to go near the baby.. Let her come around on her own. She will , cats usually do .. I am actually petting and almost picking up a 13 year old feral that has been in my yard for the last 6 years.. Its taken months for her to let me go near her.. Now , she cant get enough of me.

My dog took months and months to even smell my dd when i first took her home.. I would say a good 6 months.. I think you would feel guilty rehoming her if you didnt give it a chance. Its wonderful for a child to grow up with a pet.. Just hang in there..

Re: Cat Adoption/Rehome-HELP

My cat took a few months to adjust to DD. Little by little she got more comfortable and now, at 1 year, they are great buddies. Just give it some more time. It really does all work out.