Help re my poor cat, please :(

[DonnaL]

Any advice from cat lovers much appreciated...

My cat is about 2 1/2 years old we got her from the RSPCA when she was six months old. She used to be quite plump and healthy, but she always used to freak out whenever kids came over and she'd just hide until they left.

Then we had our baby nine months ago, and ever since then she's slowly lost heaps of weight, and now has really patchy and dull looking fur, there are a few small patches where you can see her skin through the hair. She went from being an inside cat to an outside cat - which she seemed to like... and she's free to wander in and out whenever she pleases. She's had some flea issues but I've treated her with Frontline. She also has had problems with a scabby patch behind her ear that she scratches til it bleeds.

She's still eating, drinking and pooping fine, and doesn't seem particularly miserable - but isn't exactly bouncing off the walls. And she's really scared of the baby, and stays far away from her usually.

So any ideas? I'm trying to feed her more to get her to gain some weight and I don't know what else to do... I'm going to take her to a vet very soon to see what they think, but I'm just so worried about the cost - I really can't afford anything too expensive at the moment. Do you think perhaps she could be suffering from stress? I'm starting to think that maybe she's just never adjusted to life with Mischa around and just isn't coping with it.

Thoughts?

[Lastcenturymum]

Sounds like emotional displacement issues.

Firstly she must have been abused by kids before she came to you going by her behaviour.

Second, she has been replaced and removed to outside (does she come in at nights?) And how much attention does she get from you guys when around?

A friend had two cats and one starting 'eating' scratching herself and it was a power struggle in that case, but she had to have hormone treatment. I think you need to talk to a vet about it but not sure what you can do other than change it's circumstances.

Cats can be very jealous animals. Sorry to hear about her. Poor kitty

[DonnaL]

She always sleeps inside, and is always scratching at the door to get outside in the morning, then spends her day moving between the couch and the back patio... and the door is always open so she can come in or go out whenever she wants... so I'm just more inclined to think that it's the baby stressing her out.

[jmfly]

Sounds like your cat has some issue with small kids in the past & isnt coping to well at all, Take her to the vet straight away, a good vet will be very understanding and will be more concerned for the welfare of the animal and not their wallet, I have herd of many setting up a payment plan for those who cannot afford the vet bills.

Good luck!!

[Pregnor]

Poor kitty, sounds like it is stressed, i would take it to the vet. You can get some anti anxiety medication, it cost me $20 for 20 doses though :(. It really sounds like its she is very stressed about kids, so maybe they can suggest how you can teach her that the baby is ok and wont hurt her. She could probably do with a bit of extra attention!

[Nex]

Talk to your vet about a plug in pheremone thingo called Feliway. I understand it calms down cats really well without having to administer medication all the time.

[Mum2Tyla]

it could be stress or could be a food allergy,c ats commonly have allergies to fish, I would try feliway to start with if no improvemnt I would try an elimination diet, so you eliminate fish for 2-3 weeks and then reintroduce and see what happens, cats do not handle change well, some cats are worse than others, and you dont know her history which can make it very hard, good luck, i hope she get better soon
Kelly