We had a bad experience with one of our cats this weekend. Marlon is a neutered male, around 3 years old. He's always been a little off, but he's generally very sweet with my fiance and me. We've known for a while that he can be territorial with certain people, but that's only a problem if people directly approach him. Usually, if guests ignore him, he ranges from affectionate to standoffish.
This weekend, though, my cousin, her husband, and their 2.5 month baby were visiting. Shortly after they arrived, I was out helping my cousin park, and my fiance had excused himself to the bathroom. My cousin's husband, who has grown up with cats and knows how to behave with them, was holding his son.
Apparently, the baby started crying, at which point Marlon basically attacked my cousin's husband while he was holding the baby! The cat stalked him around the room until he got close enough to take a big swipe at his legs. Fortunately he had soft paws on most of his front claws, but he still managed to rip a big hole in his pants.
We are terrified of what might have happened if the baby had been on the floor when this happened. What's more, we're planning on having kids in two or three years. Hopefully Marlon has mellowed by then, but what do we do if he hasn't? I'm a big believer in teaching children to respect animals, but you can't very well teach an infant not to cry! Any advice? Anyone else dealt with this problem?
This weekend, though, my cousin, her husband, and their 2.5 month baby were visiting. Shortly after they arrived, I was out helping my cousin park, and my fiance had excused himself to the bathroom. My cousin's husband, who has grown up with cats and knows how to behave with them, was holding his son.
Apparently, the baby started crying, at which point Marlon basically attacked my cousin's husband while he was holding the baby! The cat stalked him around the room until he got close enough to take a big swipe at his legs. Fortunately he had soft paws on most of his front claws, but he still managed to rip a big hole in his pants.
We are terrified of what might have happened if the baby had been on the floor when this happened. What's more, we're planning on having kids in two or three years. Hopefully Marlon has mellowed by then, but what do we do if he hasn't? I'm a big believer in teaching children to respect animals, but you can't very well teach an infant not to cry! Any advice? Anyone else dealt with this problem?