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Old 01-01-2017, 07:12 PM   #1
Gemma_xo
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Default Potentially getting a cat? (NOT BY CHOICE!)

Hi,

A situation has arose and I've GOT to take a kitten in in a couple of days, whether or not it's staying with me is unknown right now. I know this is probably one of the worst things considering I have two hamsters, they live in the front room.

What steps do I need to take to protect them and / or the kitten from each other? Obviously I can put the hamsters in a different room but that isn't something I can realistically do long term. Is there anything else I need to / should do?

If temporary, I can relocate the hamsters into my bedroom, but I live in a flat, there really aren't many other rooms suitable for them or the kitten. If it's permanent, well, I don't quite know what to do...?
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Old 01-01-2017, 07:36 PM   #2
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Default Re: Potentially getting a cat? (NOT BY CHOICE!)

Hello, I know what situation you're in. My dog was bred to be a hunting dog and hates all my small critters so I'll tell you that it can be tough, but if the proper precautions are taken, you can work it out. I would definitely try to move them into another room and if it's possible, keep that door shut or perhaps buy a pet gate to stop your cat from getting in. I would also recommend you keep the hams up high to where your cat can't get to them. Now I don't know whether your little ones are in a cage or aquarium but if they're in an aquarium you could invest in screen clips to hold the lid on the tank, and if they're in a cage you could always put mesh over the bars of the cage in case your cat happened to get in and tried swiping at them, this will hopefully prevent them from being touched. You could also train your cat to stay away from your hams. It's hard to get an animal to ignore its natural instinct, but it's worth a shot at least. If your cat stares at the hams or stalks them, force him away and reward him for sitting nicely and not antagonizing them. Your hams will most likely not notice the cat and if they do, they'll learn to cope. Have plenty of hides for them to feel safe in case they do feel threatened by the cat. Keeping hunting animals and prey animals in the same home can be done and peacefully, but it will take work. I wish you the best!
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Old 01-01-2017, 08:06 PM   #3
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Default Re: Potentially getting a cat? (NOT BY CHOICE!)

Hopefully this video will be some help. I haven't watched it in a while, but ErinsAnimals has two cats successfully living with her hamster. At the time, I believe it was two hamsters and several cats and kittens.

I don't have much other advice because my family hate cats and my dad's girlfriend's dog doesn't notice Jasper and thinks Oreo is a TV .
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Old 01-02-2017, 05:41 AM   #4
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Default Re: Potentially getting a cat? (NOT BY CHOICE!)

Is this kitten in danger or can`t be rehomed via a rehoming centre/cats protection? It`s a dilemma for you having hamsters already and won`t be easy keeping them apart if the kitten/soon to be cat, will be staying and can`t be sectioned off from the hams.

If S/he, ends up being a keeper, then I suppose you might be thinking will you have more hamsters as a consequence after the two you have pass over if you keep the adult cat, or will the kitten be a temporary stay and you don`t really want a cat?

I`m a mushy person too when it comes to helping take in strays or unwanted animals, but a cat is something I would think hard about if I had rodents as pets. That`s not to say the cat would ever harm them if a room was used for the hamsters cage and the cat was locked out of that room at all times, but it never works if someone forgets to close the door or secure the room.
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Old 01-02-2017, 06:02 AM   #5
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Default Re: Potentially getting a cat? (NOT BY CHOICE!)

I have two house cats and three hamsters - never had a problem. The hamsters have never been frightened of the cats and the cats tend to avoid the hamsters. My Maine Coon cat was sat in the playpen when I had a hamster in it once, the ham went to investigate the giant fluff ball and Rommy (the cat) ran off the instant the hamster started walking towards her. Wuss! I had a hamster escape and my moggy just sat and watched him, no interest in playing/catching/eating him. Maybe it has something to do with them being house cats and have never hunted? Both have been house cats since birth.

All three of my hams cages are on a shelving unit with very little space between the top of the cage and the next shelf, this is to prevent the cats sitting on the cages (mostly so they don't break it! If they both sit on a cage it would be 10kg+ of weight on the top). Although my moggy has squeezed in on top of one before, the ham came along, pulled some belly fur that was poking through and took it to her nest lol.

There are some things you should consider - any external tubing on the cage can be an issue, I've had a cat try and stand on the tubing and pulled it off. The cage/s need to be on somewhere very stable to if the cat does climb the cage it's not going to fall down injuring both the cat and the hamster. The cages need to be extra secure - no risk of a cat sticking a paw in or the hamster escaping.

You can use different methods to get the cat to leave the cages alone - distraction, spraying water, loud noises (shouting/clapping hands). The cat will soon catch on.
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Old 01-13-2017, 02:39 PM   #6
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Default Re: Potentially getting a cat? (NOT BY CHOICE!)

Just wanted to update this, I haven't got the cat, probably wont be..
My mum took her own life on NYD, it's fallen to me to deal with the aftermath, she did have a cat, it's believed the cat has been taken by a neighbour, being an indoor cat and multiple neighbours known to have access to a key safe prior to me being able to get to her house.
I've contacted the RSPCA and local cat shelters / vets etc to my Mum's, no where has the cat, and I've called the microchip database, she hasn't been scanned anywhere hence belief of her being stolen. Wherever she is, I do hope she's happy and safe.

Thanks for all the advice, if I do get a call that the cats been found I will be having her, but I'm almost 100% positive that's not going to happen.

Thanks anyway all!

Gemma.
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Old 01-13-2017, 04:40 PM   #7
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Default Re: Potentially getting a cat? (NOT BY CHOICE!)

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother, losing family is a very tough thing. I too hope the cat is happy wherever she is, sorry for your loss
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Old 01-14-2017, 02:17 AM   #8
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Default Re: Potentially getting a cat? (NOT BY CHOICE!)

I'm very sorry for you're loss . That must an incredibly hard situation to be in. I hope you and your family are ok and the cat is happy and safe.
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Old 01-14-2017, 03:11 AM   #9
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Default Re: Potentially getting a cat? (NOT BY CHOICE!)

Really sorry to hear about your Mum that must be very difficult for you. I hope that you are ok, as far as that is possible in the circumstances.

I hope the cat is alright as well. What a worry on top of everything else.
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Old 01-14-2017, 08:41 AM   #10
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Default Re: Potentially getting a cat? (NOT BY CHOICE!)

You must be going through a very sad time, so sorry for the loss of your Mum. You must be heart broken. Hope you get the cat back if that's what you want. Or that the cat has found a good home.
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