What am I going to do?

[<3 Mumofthreetobe <3]

I just don't know what I am going to do. We had to move into a new rental so my Aunty took my cat but I just had a phone call to say to come and pick him up. He almost killed one of her cats (she has 5 and is making himself king cat). He's a purebred Ragdoll but has major aggression issues.

But now with a baby, I don't want an aggressive cat. But at the same time, he was a valentines present from my husband 3yrs ago... What should I do? I would keep him outside during the day and inside in the garage during the night. Do I have to bite the bullet and get rid of him?

[Kazbah]

Will you be getting him back? Cats are different in a group situation to a lone cat situation. You can get a pheremone spray which would calm him down. Is he desexed? This would make a difference too.

Good luck.

[~Lashes~]

i would get him home and watch his behaviour, he could just be doing it because of a diffrent enviroment, diffrent people ect.
we had our 2 dogs at my mil's while we moved and had to bring them home sooner then planed as they started to fight constantly, they were going ok here untill bil came over and stirred them up. it turned out he was starting the fights at mil's house and untill he started them here they were fine.
good luck, but i would keep a close eye on him and hope it was just him having to prove his place at your aunts.

[berrme]

Was he aggressive when he was with just you and DH? I agree with Kazbah, cats are very different when they are around other cats. My cat won't have abar of other cats, but despite years of harrassment at the hands of my now 4 and 2 year olds, has never even swiped them. I would see if he calms down back with you think about getting rid of him.

[<3 Mumofthreetobe <3]

Yes, he was very aggressive with me to begin with. He'd attack me and I'd literally have to throw him off me to get him to stop. And, yes, he is desexed.

[appletree]

Can you look into re homing him somewhere more suitable? I've got a friend who runs a cat re-homing charity, there may be something similar in your area? You could call your vet or pound or similar and ask if they know anyone who would help you re-home?

[NaeNae]

I agree with Kazbah, if he is not desexed that makes a HUGE difference. ALso the whole cats and babies thing I think (just my opinion) is so OTT. Providing you have a mosquito net over the cot and are diligent there is NO reason why there cannot be babies and cats under the same roof.

You CAN buy a tent type mosquito net that sits under the cot mattress and has a zipper style thing to get baby in and out.You'll probably find the cat will want NOTHING to do with a screaming loud baby anyway.

As for aggression, has he had this problem with you in the past? I am not talking about the occasional scratch or bite either? Cats with cats is one thing, cats with humans is another... different species and different hen pecking order.

FWIW my daughter is 15 months and my cat has only been semi interested in her for the last 4 months. He has always steered clear and NEVER gone into her room unless I was in there too. Before she came I would find him in the cot and because I this I worried a little but I always locked him in the living room when I put her down for a nap AND I shut her BR door.

I am sure if you bring him home it will all be ok. When your bub gets big enough s/he will taunt the cat and get a few nasty scratches etc but its all part of the childs learning to treat animals with respect.

Nae x

[NaeNae]

Yes, he was very aggressive with me to begin with. He'd attack me and I'd literally have to throw him off me to get him to stop. And, yes, he is desexed.

oh my cat stalks me when he is in a mood and latches on with all four feet and teeth ... but he is part of the family so take him warts and all

ETA: I was just wondering and I don't want to offend by asking ......... do YOU still want the cat? If you are happier without him then get rid of him but depending on how you read your post it can read like the ONLY reason you want him is because he was a gift and not because you love him LOL

[<3 Mumofthreetobe <3]

No, I mean aggressive as in would have ears pinned back, tail wagging, jump up and attack my face with paws around my head, claws dug in and back legs kicking and scratching me. If it was play he'd stop, but when I try and calm him down it just aggravates him more and he won't stop and my DH has had to 'rescue' me.

[NaeNae]

Moe does that too ........ damn cat ...........

seems to me like you have your mind made up already and just want others to say it so Yep, get online and search for a Ragdoll rescue service, there is bound to be one as its a pure breed ITMS ....... hand him over and give him a chance to find a loving home that understands the breed temperment ..... other societies and pounds might not know what the specific bred needs.

[Astrid]

Do you still have the breeder's contact details? Often they like to know if you no longer can have one of their animals. You may be lucky and take him for you as sometimes they know of people who can take them.

[*Efjay*]

Wow, I have not known ragdolls to be so aggressive in that way?

I personally have a low tolerance for that sort of behaviour from pets. If he is & has always behaved this way with you (is it just you or would he do this too DH also?) then he needs a good kick up the bum & put in his place.. Problem is, you can't really kick him up the bum LOL. Cats are different, its not like you can pull him into line with a good obedience training programme like I would suggest with a dog.
He is trying to be the dominate one & he is going about it all wrong. If it was me, he would live outside permanently (but then you may find the neighbourhood hunts you down to cover the vet bills for the local cats he is bashing up) or just get rid of him. Im not one for passing on problem pets so you would need to send him to a place that will assess his suitability for re homing. But honestly if he displaying such aggressive behaviour he may get put down. I would do as suggested above & look into a ragdoll rescue mob (if there is one local enough to you) or contact the RSPCA & talk with them about your options.

But in all honesty he sounds like an ******** cat that needs a good slap LOL

[Kazbah]

Not realising he was this aggressive all along, I agree with FJ.

[MrsBexie]

sounds like he needs a new home..

Ragdolls are usually so lazy, placid and loving!!!!! You definitely don't want an agressive cat around a baby! That and it sounds just freaking annoying

[~me~]

I have a pure bred Ragdoll..she is lazy, placid and floppy, has a few mad moments, nothing agressive. She is also an indoor cat only so has never had to fend for herself. It was also a reccommendation from the breeder to keep her indoor as Ragdolls are normally indoor only cats a general rule due their placid temperament and not being able to fend for themselves very well.
I would be contacting the breeder to see if you can return him. I know it's a long time to have him, it' just that he may have something wrong with him psychologically.
You could also talk to a vet about putting him on Cat Valium if you want to keep him.
His behaviour doesn't sound like he would tolerate a toddler or a new baby. My DD can pull our Cats tail and pretty much do anything and the cat just walks away.
Good luck with your decision.

[<3 Mumofthreetobe <3]

He's got 1 chance. My plan is to get him used to the new house, then let him outside. He LOVES being outside. We thoughts at the old place that he was so aggressive because he was going stir crazy being kept inside 24/7, (as I heard, they aren't so great at defending themselves) but we let him out during the day and that calmed him down a bit. Seeing him with my Aunt's cats, I know he can defend himself, that's for sure. If he does create problems with the neighbours, shows any aggression towards myself or DD (he's always been fine with DH?), then he's gone. I will try my best to find him an appropriate home. He does deserves a good home cos he's a great cat when he acts like a ragdoll!

My DH got him for me (the ragdoll breed) due to their nature. I think we ended up with a rogue though, lol. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how he gets on day by day.

[*Efjay*]

Have a chat with your vet. He may do well on something called Clomicalm. There are also other products that could help but its been some time since I worked so Im a little out of touch with whats available these days.
I had a cat once who behaved the way you describe with your ragdoll. She was only youngish though Less then 18 months. Desexed etc etc .. On a not so thought out day at teh shops I purchased a new kitten with out thinking how the other cat would react. On the way home I started to panic thinking she would kill the kitten. Strangely it was just what she needed. She ignored him as much as possible but he pestered her constantly, He would wait till she was sleeping & then go sneak up & quietly curl up as close to her as he could safely get with out her knowing. She would boss him around etc but never got too aggressive just enough to tell him to **** off LOL. But after about a month he won her over & she was so much better behaved with us, she just wanted someone she could be the boss of.

Not sure if this would be a wise thing to try with your guy though LOL

[<3 Mumofthreetobe <3]

Well so far so good =) He's been great (except for snoozing on Amelia's blanket and in her portacot). He has shown no sign of aggression and has even spent most of the day coming in and out. He has been following me around when he's been inside, just like he used too. I'll gradually let him out more and more until he is completely outside (hate having to keep doors shut and Amelia's rugs/toys off the floor).

Now, I want to do the right thing by out landlords and apply in writing to keep him here, permanently. But what do I write in the letter? So far, I have 'In line with our rental agreement I would like to apply, in writing, to have a pet at the premises.' - uh, that's not much of a letter...