Was My Cat Abused?
May 19, 2010 8:24 PM Subscribe
Last week, my cat ran in through his kitty door and jumped onto the back bedroom windowsill all in a rush.
He had a bunch of those weeds that look like wheat stuck to him throughout his fur, and worse, he smelled very strongly [warning: strong stomach required!] of diarrhea!
There's a whole field of those wheat-like things in the back of our apartment here. However, I'm concerned that he may have been abused. After all, I know that cats get diarrhea when they feel trapped, and I wonder what kind of natural event might have occurred that could have caused him to feel trapped.
This is not the first time I have suspected abuse. A few months ago, it appeared to me that someone might have snipped a couple of his whiskers (above the eyebrow) with a scissors. Another time, it looked like his whole neck and chin had been dunked in water, and I suspected that this took place at the hands of a human being (we have a couple of outdoor swimming pools here at this complex.) I just didn't think that he'd be stupid enough to dunk his own chin/neck in the water, given his cat-like repulsion of it!
Do you think it is more likely that this was a natural occurence, or is it more likely that he was actually abused? What makes you think so one way or the other?
Any well-intended suggestions, feedback, potential explanations, support, etc. would be greatly appreciated!
There's a whole field of those wheat-like things in the back of our apartment here. However, I'm concerned that he may have been abused. After all, I know that cats get diarrhea when they feel trapped, and I wonder what kind of natural event might have occurred that could have caused him to feel trapped.
This is not the first time I have suspected abuse. A few months ago, it appeared to me that someone might have snipped a couple of his whiskers (above the eyebrow) with a scissors. Another time, it looked like his whole neck and chin had been dunked in water, and I suspected that this took place at the hands of a human being (we have a couple of outdoor swimming pools here at this complex.) I just didn't think that he'd be stupid enough to dunk his own chin/neck in the water, given his cat-like repulsion of it!
Do you think it is more likely that this was a natural occurence, or is it more likely that he was actually abused? What makes you think so one way or the other?
Any well-intended suggestions, feedback, potential explanations, support, etc. would be greatly appreciated!
I am not a person who is morally on all counts opposed to outdoor cats. But if I had even the vaguest inkling that my (currently hypothetical) outdoor cat was in some kind of danger by being outside, or being mistreated by my neighbors? That cat would become an indoor cat that very moment.
That said--whiskers can actually break. Cats can and do sometimes do stupid things around water, or anywhere else. But I wouldn't take the chance, even so, if I were worried, and you sound worried. You'll feel considerably better if your kitty is where you know he's safe.
posted by gracedissolved at 8:33 PM on May 19, 2010 [3 favorites]
That said--whiskers can actually break. Cats can and do sometimes do stupid things around water, or anywhere else. But I wouldn't take the chance, even so, if I were worried, and you sound worried. You'll feel considerably better if your kitty is where you know he's safe.
posted by gracedissolved at 8:33 PM on May 19, 2010 [3 favorites]
The first month or so was hard, but it's been six, mow, and he's fine and happy.
Six months, now, rather. I'm not turning into a kitty, I swear.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:34 PM on May 19, 2010 [10 favorites]
Six months, now, rather. I'm not turning into a kitty, I swear.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:34 PM on May 19, 2010 [10 favorites]
Best answer: Just within the last hour: one of my cats stuck his head in the running water of the kitchen faucet (not unusual - he does this a lot), and the other cat accidentally fell into the bathtub, which had about 2 inches of water in it at the time. There was much hissing and splashing and terrified fleeing about the house until he calmed down enough for me to wipe him off.
So - some cats do like water, and some other cats do accidentally fall into water. I wouldn't discount either possibility with your cat. I would consider keeping him inside if the pools are accessible to him. What if he accidentally fell in and couldn't get out?
And if he was out in a field, who knows what kind of animal might have spooked him. Even city and suburban areas have wildlife like raccoons and coyotes, as well as stray dogs and cats that could easily scare (or hunt down) someone's pet.
If you're concerned about human abuse though, you might try asking other cat owners in the complex if they've noticed anything unusual with their cats.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:46 PM on May 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
So - some cats do like water, and some other cats do accidentally fall into water. I wouldn't discount either possibility with your cat. I would consider keeping him inside if the pools are accessible to him. What if he accidentally fell in and couldn't get out?
And if he was out in a field, who knows what kind of animal might have spooked him. Even city and suburban areas have wildlife like raccoons and coyotes, as well as stray dogs and cats that could easily scare (or hunt down) someone's pet.
If you're concerned about human abuse though, you might try asking other cat owners in the complex if they've noticed anything unusual with their cats.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:46 PM on May 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
I don't think this smacks of obvious pet abuse; your cat could just be a maniac. However a useful experiment might be to keep it inside for a couple of months. If you find it crashing into things, getting wet, etc., then maybe your cat is just a klutz. Otherwise, maybe keep it inside full time.
posted by shownomercy at 8:56 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by shownomercy at 8:56 PM on May 19, 2010
Best answer: While we can't know, these incidents sound to me like natural occurrences - I don't think a would-be abuser would get their kicks cutting off the ends of a few whiskers or dunking a cat's chin into water. (My experiences with cats and water are similar to SuperSquirrel's.) Those are incredibly bizarre things for people to do to cats, especially over the course of several months.
That said, being outside has natural dangers and issues for cats. If these really worry you perhaps it's time to keep yours inside a little more.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 9:00 PM on May 19, 2010
That said, being outside has natural dangers and issues for cats. If these really worry you perhaps it's time to keep yours inside a little more.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 9:00 PM on May 19, 2010
Response by poster: Yes, they were Foxtails! But suddenly he had a lot of them stuck to him, as never before. Plus the diarrhea. What might explain this result besides human abuse?
posted by SociologistTina at 9:02 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by SociologistTina at 9:02 PM on May 19, 2010
Best answer: I think you're right to be concerned about possible abuse. I agree with SuperSuirrel--ask neighbors with cats if they've noticed anything unusual with their cats. They might not have been paying attention (especially if the cats are outdoors and not around much) but you bringing this up will make them more aware. They might have noticed a few odd things but brushed it off as something else. And while you're trying to figure this out, keep your cat indoors!
It's like parents who suspect their child may have been physically or sexually abused--you know your kid best and your instincts are kicking in for a reason. Same goes for pet owners and their pets. People don't listen to their instincts often enough.
Good luck!
posted by wannaknow at 9:02 PM on May 19, 2010
It's like parents who suspect their child may have been physically or sexually abused--you know your kid best and your instincts are kicking in for a reason. Same goes for pet owners and their pets. People don't listen to their instincts often enough.
Good luck!
posted by wannaknow at 9:02 PM on May 19, 2010
Best answer: SociologistTinaPoster: "Yes, they were Foxtails! But suddenly he had a lot of them stuck to him, as never before. Plus the diarrhea. What might explain this result besides human abuse?"
Well, if your cat was chased by something he really had to get away from, that would explain it. Are there any large cat-chasing dogs around?
posted by Dipsomaniac at 9:06 PM on May 19, 2010
Well, if your cat was chased by something he really had to get away from, that would explain it. Are there any large cat-chasing dogs around?
posted by Dipsomaniac at 9:06 PM on May 19, 2010
Also, if you suspect abuse and decide to keep your cat indoors, please don't let your investigation into the issue end there. There are a lot of sick, twisted people out there who abuse animals on a regular basis. Sometimes it's a neighbor kid, in which case his parents and the authorities need to deal with it in a serious manner--we all know torturing/abusing animals is a precursor to more violent crimes and disturbing behavior.
posted by wannaknow at 9:07 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by wannaknow at 9:07 PM on May 19, 2010
Response by poster: Yes, maybe he was chased by another animal and got really unnerved. Good point!
Yes, I think there could be some really twisted people out there, but so far my investigations with other neighbors have turned up nothing. So I pray this was just a natural animal occurance.
Thanks you guys!
posted by SociologistTina at 9:54 PM on May 19, 2010
Yes, I think there could be some really twisted people out there, but so far my investigations with other neighbors have turned up nothing. So I pray this was just a natural animal occurance.
Thanks you guys!
posted by SociologistTina at 9:54 PM on May 19, 2010
If it is at the hands of a human, my guess is it's likelier a child than an adult. Kids do weird things to animals sometimes; I remember being very small and getting bitten by a cat, so I threw mud at it to make it run away, for instance. I think an adult who really wanted to hurt a cat would just do so; whereas maybe a kid would be likelier to get snippy with scissors or experimental with a handful of foxtails. The good news is a kid probably won't really badly hurt your cat. The bad news is that the kid's antagonizing the animal, which can't be pleasant for the cat. Maybe get to know the neighbourhood kids and see if any of them play with your cat, then have the "be gentle" talk with them?
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:06 PM on May 19, 2010
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:06 PM on May 19, 2010
Best answer: What might explain this result besides human abuse?
A million kabillion things. I would be hesitant to look for complicated answers when simple ones will suffice. Cats are experts at getting into stupid trouble, I wouldn't necessarily pin it on an evil tormentor. Also, if the hypothetical abuse amounts largely to getting wet, having burrs, etc. I wouldn't be too concerned; it will make your cat more reluctant to muck about the neighbourhood getting into trouble, so is probably good for you in the long run, if the neighbourhood has cars, drownable pools, etc.
posted by smoke at 10:34 PM on May 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
A million kabillion things. I would be hesitant to look for complicated answers when simple ones will suffice. Cats are experts at getting into stupid trouble, I wouldn't necessarily pin it on an evil tormentor. Also, if the hypothetical abuse amounts largely to getting wet, having burrs, etc. I wouldn't be too concerned; it will make your cat more reluctant to muck about the neighbourhood getting into trouble, so is probably good for you in the long run, if the neighbourhood has cars, drownable pools, etc.
posted by smoke at 10:34 PM on May 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
So I pray this was just a natural animal occurance.
This would also be awful for your cat, and could just as easily (or more) lead to him getting maimed or killed, or laying on the ground bleeding for hours or days. As a subjective experience for the cat, it's still really bad. Dogs kill cats; wild animals kill cats.
posted by amtho at 6:13 AM on May 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
This would also be awful for your cat, and could just as easily (or more) lead to him getting maimed or killed, or laying on the ground bleeding for hours or days. As a subjective experience for the cat, it's still really bad. Dogs kill cats; wild animals kill cats.
posted by amtho at 6:13 AM on May 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Yes, I think there could be some really twisted people out there, but so far my investigations with other neighbors have turned up nothing. So I pray this was just a natural animal occurance.
"Natural animal occurrences" can leave your cat just as dead as asshole human occurrences. You do have a super awesome way of preventing both of these types of occurrences -- keep your pet inside. That way your cat stays safe from coyotes and from rotten people with kerosene and matches.
posted by crankylex at 6:57 AM on May 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
"Natural animal occurrences" can leave your cat just as dead as asshole human occurrences. You do have a super awesome way of preventing both of these types of occurrences -- keep your pet inside. That way your cat stays safe from coyotes and from rotten people with kerosene and matches.
posted by crankylex at 6:57 AM on May 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: My cat (who is, granted, a giant wimp) befouls herself when she gets confronted by *another cat*. Even the next door neighbor's seven pound geriatric cat is enough to bring on the diarrhea.
posted by Wavelet at 7:16 AM on May 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Wavelet at 7:16 AM on May 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
A suggestion for the foxtails: cats looooooove to roll around on the ground. I don't doubt that your cat spent a good amount of time in the field on the prowl, and may have snagged some foxtails that way. But if your cat found a nice patch of ground, s[he] probably rolled all around in it and could have been covered with foxtails, among other things. Heck- depending on what was on the ground, that could explain the smell, too.
posted by Eicats at 7:18 AM on May 20, 2010
posted by Eicats at 7:18 AM on May 20, 2010
If he rushed into the house and jumped on the windowsill, that is completely consistent with being chased by something, right?
My cats are 100% indoors, we have no kids, we're not abusing them, and aside from the foxtails, everything you've described has happened to them. One of my cats bit his own tail so severely he had to go to the vet for stitches (we know it wasn't the other cat, we've seen him do it to himself). They are not rocket scientists.
posted by desjardins at 7:46 AM on May 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
My cats are 100% indoors, we have no kids, we're not abusing them, and aside from the foxtails, everything you've described has happened to them. One of my cats bit his own tail so severely he had to go to the vet for stitches (we know it wasn't the other cat, we've seen him do it to himself). They are not rocket scientists.
posted by desjardins at 7:46 AM on May 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
Cats and dogs usually don't pass up the chance to roll around in something stinky. Especially dogs. The world's greatest dog - Tiffani - the wonder dog, once rolled around on a dead rat and it took two days of bathing her to get the smell off. Phew.
posted by winks007 at 12:03 PM on May 20, 2010
posted by winks007 at 12:03 PM on May 20, 2010
Best answer: The principle of Occam's Razor says to use the least complicated explanation. It's probably not abuse. Cats are naturally predators, and have a lot of wild behaviors that make no sense to us in their domesticated lives. My cat once injured herself enough to bleed and need stitches, while in the house, and we could never figure out how it happened. A cat could easily get wet by brushing up against freshly watered shrubs, or, at worst, being squirted with water by someone who prefers that your kitty not join her in a chair.
posted by theora55 at 1:52 PM on May 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 1:52 PM on May 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
In light of your suspicions, though, it really might be time to consider making your kitty an indoor kitty. I know it's hard, and I know it seems mean at first, but we made a similar decision with our indoor/outdoor cat after he kept getting into fights with neighborhood cats, requiring expensive vet visits. The first month or so was hard, but it's been six, mow, and he's fine and happy.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:31 PM on May 19, 2010 [11 favorites]