Panic! Neighbours cat in my house around my piggies food. Can this make my piggies ill?

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Hi, I am under a huge amount of stress at the moment and have moved back to my mother's house with my piggies following a relationship breakdown.

I also suffer from severe OCD in regards to germs/contamination especially when it concerns my piggies. I am also trying to nurse a sick boar back to health (another thread), I'm having a really rough time at the moment.

Anyways, to get to the point, today I found next doors cat in my room, lurking around my piggies and their food. The cat sneaks in and this is causing me massive anxiety. I left the door open for literally 5 minutes whilst I was preparing Dexters critical care and medcine in the bathroom.

Due to fleeing from my home for peace at my mams, the boxes of hay, bags of pellets and all my piggies treats were in easy reach of next doors cat and now I am frightened to death that the cat has been in at them and spread germs that could make Dexter even more ill and my other piggies ill.

I feel like I'm going to have a nervous breakdown, my OCD is getting more out of control due to sleep deprivation, emotional misery and the fact I am not eating properly due to being so exhausted.

Can anyone tell me whether my piggies are now in danger of catching any illnesses from this cat. I do not drive and won't be able to get anymore food delivered until 3 days time so I really don't know what to do.

The cat is an outdoor cat and is constantly seen catching mice and even rats. I am really really worried about my piggies. I just can't take anymore anxiety. Thanks x

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

By the way, the cat gets in due to my mother always having her front door open for her German shepherd, so she can come in and out as she pleases. This is how the cat is able to enter my mother's home x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I am under a huge amount of stress at the moment and have moved back to my mother's house with my piggies following a relationship breakdown.

I also suffer from severe OCD in regards to germs/contamination especially when it concerns my piggies. I am also trying to nurse a sick boar back to health (another thread), I'm having a really rough time at the moment.

Anyways, to get to the point, today I found next doors cat in my room, lurking around my piggies and their food. The cat sneaks in and this is causing me massive anxiety. I left the door open for literally 5 minutes whilst I was preparing Dexters critical care and medcine in the bathroom.

Due to fleeing from my home for peace at my mams, the boxes of hay, bags of pellets and all my piggies treats were in easy reach of next doors cat and now I am frightened to death that the cat has been in at them and spread germs that could make Dexter even more ill and my other piggies ill.

I feel like I'm going to have a nervous breakdown, my OCD is getting more out of control due to sleep deprivation, emotional misery and the fact I am not eating properly due to being so exhausted.

Can anyone tell me whether my piggies are now in danger of catching any illnesses from this cat. I do not drive and won't be able to get anymore food delivered until 3 days time so I really don't know what to do.

The cat is an outdoor cat and is constantly seen catching mice and even rats. I am really really worried about my piggies. I just can't take anymore anxiety. Thanks x

Hi

I am very sorry for your stressful situation, which is coming out in your obsessive anxieties.

There is actually very little that can jump from cats and humans across to guinea pigs and vice versa; especially via the food vector. Please take a deep breath.

If this is a particular problem point for you, please try to get hold of a sturdy moving or storage box or two for your piggy supplies etc. that the cat cannot get into - even if it means parcel taping them closed between use in a pinch right now.

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Hi

I am very sorry for your stressful situation, which is coming out in your obsessive anxieties.

There is actually very little that can jump from cats and humans across to guinea pigs and vice versa; especially via the food vector. Please take a deep breath.

If this is a particular problem point for you, please try to get hold of a sturdy moving or storage box or two for your piggy supplies etc. that the cat cannot get into - even if it means parcel taping them closed between use in a pinch right now.

Thankyou for your reply, I think my main worry is if the cat has had rats in its mouth and has been eating or licking my piggies food.

The cat is known for raiding people's garbage and has even stole some of my mother's German shepherds (Sasha) food. It will eat anything it can get too.

God, I really am struggling at the moment. My OCD has got that bad I am now using disposable gloves to give my piggies their food, just incase the cat has got in and there are any germs around the house. I have been so careful and feel like now the cat has intruded the one room I have tried to keep clean from it, I have failed. My disposable gloves were even in easy reach of the cat so darent even use them now. To top it off when the cat ran up the stairs my mother's dog went crazy and also ran into the piggie room. So now I fear there could be germs from the cat and the dog. Like I said, my OCD is very severe at the moment x

 

[Wiebke]

Thankyou for your reply, I think my main worry is if the cat has had rats in its mouth and has been eating or licking my piggies food.

The cat is known for raiding people's garbage and has even stole some of my mother's German shepherds (Sasha) food. It will eat anything it can get too.

God, I really am struggling at the moment. My OCD has got that bad I am now using disposable gloves to give my piggies their food, just incase the cat has got in and there are any germs around the house. I have been so careful and feel like now the cat has intruded the one room I have tried to keep clean from it, I have failed. My disposable gloves were even in easy reach of the cat so darent even use them now. To top it off when the cat ran up the stairs my mother's dog went crazy and also ran into the piggie room. So now I fear there could be germs from the cat and the dog. Like I said, my OCD is very severe at the moment x

HUGS

Instead of throwing things away, please just give them a wipe with some disinfectant if you have it that badly. Wash your own hands before and after. Please be aware that good handwashing is very effective and that you are much less likely to transfer anything than when wearing gloves.

Try to get hold of some lidded boxes for the food that you can tape closed for extra safety.

Please also try to take the time to look after yourself and your own mental hygiene (Mindfulness).
Would your mother be OK with you fixing a surdy hook in the wall near your room door handle so you can padlock the door from the outside whenever you are not there?

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

I really do have it bad, it is mentally exhausting. Thankyou for your concern and advice.

Yes, I will make sure to wipe everything down however, don't think I will be able to do anything about food, hay etc. Do you know if the cat has licked their food and had rats in its mouth if there is any danger there?

That is a good idea! Yes my mother would be fine with that. Thank you x

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

I will get my hands on some lidded boxes too x

 

[Wiebke]

I really do have it bad, it is mentally exhausting. Thankyou for your concern and advice.

Yes, I will make sure to wipe everything down however, don't think I will be able to do anything about food, hay etc. Do you know if the cat has licked their food and had rats in its mouth if there is any danger there?

That is a good idea! Yes my mother would be fine with that. Thank you x

There is a small chance; most things need direct contact however. Just throw away the top layer if needed and make sure that you keep any food in a lidded box you can parcel tape so it is not easy to get in for the cat.

Please make sure that you also look after yourself because your current agitation means that your obsessive anxiety will otherwise simply lock onto on a new issue as soon as you have sorted out the current one. Make sure that you review your exercises and if needed ask your mother for help and regular reminders. I know that it is not a good time for accessing further help right now.

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

There is a small chance; most things need direct contact however. Just throw away the top layer if needed and make sure that you keep any food in a lidded box you can parcel tape so it is not easy to get in for the cat.

Please make sure that you also look after yourself because your current agitation means that your obsessive anxiety will otherwise simply lock onto on a new issue as soon as you have sorted out the current one. Make sure that you review your exercises and if needed ask your mother for help and regular reminders.

Ok, I will try not to worry and throw away the top layer. I think with all the bad luck I have had this year (which is alot) it has fuelled my anxiety leading to my OCD spiraling out of control. It really is so hard to shift once it has got its grips on me.

I will try and look after myself more and make a little down time for myself. It's just so hard at the moment with Dexter being so ill. It's constant round the clock care with feeding, medcines etc and my piggies always come first but now I'm starting to lose all energy. I just dont want to fail them x

 

[weepweeps]

I’ve had a cat and a dog whilst having piggies. I’ve never had any issues with either. Give yourself a break. They will be fine. Try and relax. Make a little time for yourself. It is exhausting looking after a sick piggy long term. I’ve been there. You are doing a great job. I also have OCD and Anxiety.

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

I’ve had a cat and a dog whilst having piggies. I’ve never had any issues with either. Give yourself a break. They will be fine. Try and relax. Make a little time for yourself. It is exhausting looking after a sick piggy long term. I’ve been there. You are doing a great job. I also have OCD and Anxiety.

That is reassuring to know, thanks! I really am trying to make time for myself but having this awful mental condition is taking over my life. Over the past year I have got so much worse, doing normal things is taking me forever due to intrusive thoughts.

For instance, last year I could do piggies hay, pellets, waters and veggies in say 40 mins. Now due to thinking my hands aren't clean and washing them upto 8 times, then washing them before I do each individual task, it's taking me over 2.5 hours. The water bottles are the worst, for some reason I have to rinse them over 10 times before I think they are clean and if the bottles happen to touch the taps, I have to start over again for fear that germs have gone into bottles.

The same scenario when doing medcines, I have to rinse syringes multiple time with hot then cold water and still think they are not clean. I could go on forever with my traits, it is exhausting. It's all about germs and contamination.

Yes looking after a poorly piggie is shattering but OCD is even more so. Thank you for your support, I really am trying my best. How do you cope with your OCD? Is it as severe as mine? X

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

That is reassuring to know, thanks! I really am trying to make time for myself but having this awful mental condition is taking over my life. Over the past year I have got so much worse, doing normal things is taking me forever due to intrusive thoughts.

For instance, last year I could do piggies hay, pellets, waters and veggies in say 40 mins. Now due to thinking my hands aren't clean and washing them upto 8 times, then washing them before I do each individual task, it's taking me over 2.5 hours. The water bottles are the worst, for some reason I have to rinse them over 10 times before I think they are clean and if the bottles happen to touch the taps, I have to start over again for fear that germs have gone into bottles.

The same scenario when doing medcines, I have to rinse syringes multiple time with hot then cold water and still think they are not clean. I could go on forever with my traits, it is exhausting. It's all about germs and contamination.

Yes looking after a poorly piggie is shattering but OCD is even more so. Thank you for your support, I really am trying my best. How do you cope with your OCD? Is it as severe as mine? X

I won't even use a tea towel, I spend over £30 a month on kitchen roll cos I know it's clean. I go through 2 rolls a day due to washing my hands, they are raw now x

 

[weepweeps]

They are happy to sit in their own poop and pee. Tell yourself that there’s nothing on your taps or hands that’s worse than that.

No my OCD probably isn’t as bad as yours but it COULD be if I allowed it to be. I practice mindfulness and also meditation for relaxation. I try really hard not to overthink things. Have you spoken to a doctor about things? Obviously the more stressful things you have going on in your life the worse your OCD will be.

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Ha ha that's what my mam says and I reply, "but mam that's their own germs," and she just shakes her head.

Yes I have had numerous medications and councilling which did help a little at first but the OCD came back with vengeance.

Yes, I definitely agree the more stressful things are around you, the worse the mind bully gets! It has been a very stressful year for me, my partner drove me round the bend (he is bipolar) going missing for days on end, overspending, drinking etc, my mother took critically ill, I got evicted due to landlord wanting to sell up, I lost 2 piggies and now Dexter is very unwell, the list goes on. I'm hoping next year will be different, better x

 

[weepweeps]

It might be worth another chat with the doctor as things are bad again. Some times we just need reminding of the helpful tips that we learnt before but then forget to practice once we feel better.

 

[Betsy]

What a very difficult year you have had @sarahloo89. My Mum had bipolar (it was the depressive side rather than the manic side) so I know how hard it is to live with. What with your OCD and stuff it must have been very hard for you. As @weepweeps has already mentioned it may be worth another chat with your GP he/she may be able to suggest things that will help you. I can understand the constant washing of hands thinking you don't want to contaminate stuff, if they are red raw they must be so sore. Have you thought of hand cream to make them better or are you worried about that might be bad for you?

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

It might be worth another chat with the doctor as things are bad again. Some times we just need reminding of the helpful tips that we learnt before but then forget to practice once we feel better.

Yer, I'm definitely thinking about booking an appointment.

 

[Betsy]

Yer, I'm definitely thinking about booking an appointment.

Thinking about it is good that is the first step. The next bit, actually booking an appointment, takes courage and actually going for the appointment takes strength. We are here for you. You can do it!

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

What a very difficult year you have had @sarahloo89. My Mum had bipolar (it was the depressive side rather than the manic side) so I know how hard it is to live with. What with your OCD and stuff it must have been very hard for you. As @weepweeps has already mentioned it may be worth another chat with your GP he/she may be able to suggest things that will help you. I can understand the constant washing of hands thinking you don't want to contaminate stuff, if they are red raw they must be so sore. Have you thought of hand cream to make them better or are you worried about that might be bad for you?

Yer it is really hard to live with your right. I got the manic side of Luke say 70% of the time then when he would eventually appear again, that's when the depressive side started. So it was constant. I didn't wanna leave him but I honestly could not cope and he wasn't putting the effort in to try and control it, for instance choosing to drink when he knew this would flare his manic up. I believe his behavior has caused my spiral in my OCD so I needed a break from him, sounds awful but true.

Yes, I have tried creams but when I am washing my hands constantly, I just keep washing it off. And I think if any cream is left on my hands after washing and the pigs ingest it then it will make them ill. My mind is constantly in battle and it's a vicious circle. So so tiring x

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

My mam just gave me this to cheer me up. Beautiful little piggies always do

 

[Betsy]

Yer it is really hard to live with your right. I got the manic side of Luke say 70% of the time then when he would eventually appear again, that's when the depressive side started. So it was constant. I didn't wanna leave him but I honestly could not cope and he wasn't putting the effort in to try and control it, for instance choosing to drink when he knew this would flare his manic up. I believe his behavior has caused my spiral in my OCD so I needed a break from him, sounds awful but true.

Yes, I have tried creams but when I am washing my hands constantly, I just keep washing it off. And I think if any cream is left on my hands after washing and the pigs ingest it then it will make them ill. My mind is constantly in battle and it's a vicious circle. So so tiring x

It must by exhausting! I really feel for you. You need to see a Dr and get some help for your OCD.

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

It must by exhausting! I really feel for you. You need to see a Dr and get some help for your OCD.

Thank you for your support! I know and I will eventually, it's finding the courage to do it, again x

 

[Betsy]

Thank you for your support! I know and I will eventually, it's finding the courage to do it, again x

You really need to do it sooner than eventually. Your piggies need you to do it sooner than eventually. We are here for you. I know how difficult it is to find the courage to make the appointment and the strength it needs to actually go to the appointment. I had to encourage my Mum to go just as I am encouraging you now.

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

You really need to do it sooner than eventually. Your piggies need you to do it sooner than eventually. We are here for you. I know how difficult it is to find the courage to make the appointment and the strength it needs to actually go to the appointment. I had to encourage my Mum to go just as I am encouraging you now.

I know, when the new year lands I'll book myself in. I'll have to or I'm afraid I'm gonna lose my mind completely. Thank you for your encouragement x

 

[Betsy]

I know, when the new year lands I'll book myself in. I'll have to or I'm afraid I'm gonna lose my mind completely. Thank you for your encouragement x

I am here for you. Anytime you need help the Forum is here. We are here to help you through good times as well as bad.

 

[Wiebke]

Please get some hand cream high in vaseline that you use a quarter of an hour beforehand (so it can be fully absorbed) and then again at the very end so it can stay on and help protect your hands. Make sure that your hands are still a little damp when you do that as it will work better.

I am washing my hands often with all the cleaning, food prepping, medicating of my piggies and for my own hygiene even without an obsession, so I have a tendency to get bloody knuckles. I use neutrogena concentrated for chapped hands. It is unscented and therefore safe to use around my piggies - and it does the trick!

 

[LuluThePiggy]

Hi, I am under a huge amount of stress at the moment and have moved back to my mother's house with my piggies following a relationship breakdown.

I also suffer from severe OCD in regards to germs/contamination especially when it concerns my piggies. I am also trying to nurse a sick boar back to health (another thread), I'm having a really rough time at the moment.

Anyways, to get to the point, today I found next doors cat in my room, lurking around my piggies and their food. The cat sneaks in and this is causing me massive anxiety. I left the door open for literally 5 minutes whilst I was preparing Dexters critical care and medcine in the bathroom.

Due to fleeing from my home for peace at my mams, the boxes of hay, bags of pellets and all my piggies treats were in easy reach of next doors cat and now I am frightened to death that the cat has been in at them and spread germs that could make Dexter even more ill and my other piggies ill.

I feel like I'm going to have a nervous breakdown, my OCD is getting more out of control due to sleep deprivation, emotional misery and the fact I am not eating properly due to being so exhausted.

Can anyone tell me whether my piggies are now in danger of catching any illnesses from this cat. I do not drive and won't be able to get anymore food delivered until 3 days time so I really don't know what to do.

The cat is an outdoor cat and is constantly seen catching mice and even rats. I am really really worried about my piggies. I just can't take anymore anxiety.

I am very sorry for your anxiety. And if you are really worried about it, maybe you could bake the piggies food in the oven at a high enough temperatures to kill bacteria which is like about 160 degrees F for like 10 minutess, after that let it cool. anyways that is my suggestion, hope it helps .

 

[Little Ones]

I also have OCD, and hypochondria, so I get where you’re coming from. I would be exactly the same as I’m extremely sensitive when it comes to the piggies because of how fragile they are and how much I don’t want to accidentally hurt them. When things like this happen to me, I also seek reassurance as a means to relieve the anxiety, which is a bad thing really when it comes to managing OCD but I wont be able to rest otherwise. My mum is generally the one to reassure me. The best thing you can do with OCD is to logic your way out of it. If you rinse the water bottles at least once every day, then why would they be dirty enough that they need to be rinsed more than once the next day? That type of thing. Though, I too would be the same with re-cleaning it if it happened to touch the taps. Small steps do help, so just rinsing it once for example and then leaving it alone, youll eventually find the anxiety around this lessens. Whilst I find compulsions or specific intrusive thoughts never leave, they always niggle in your head, not entertaining the thoughts helps to keep them at bay. I would feel exactly the same though, if I don’t feel like my environment itself is clean then I can’t rest because I feel that everything I touch is dirty. So when I'm at home with my mum, I’m fine and I feel like things are clean. But when I'm in my university flat, I can’t rest. This year, my flat was particularly gross when I moved in and so that contamination never left no matter how much it gets cleaned. Every time I touch something, I have a strong compulsion to wash my hands. It could be that the new environment has triggered your contamination fear to be worse than its baseline. Moreover, when I have a sick piggy, the health anxiety I have multiplies tenfold. All this to say, hang in there! You’re not alone! Regarding the cat situation, I have thrown away guinea pig food over much less. Though, I think it would be completely fine. You could just throw away the top layer of food. With my cat, he doesn’t care about the hay, but he will try for a nugget if they’re open around him.

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

I also have OCD, and hypochondria, so I get where you’re coming from. I would be exactly the same as I’m extremely sensitive when it comes to the piggies because of how fragile they are and how much I don’t want to accidentally hurt them. When things like this happen to me, I also seek reassurance as a means to relieve the anxiety, which is a bad thing really when it comes to managing OCD but I wont be able to rest otherwise. My mum is generally the one to reassure me. The best thing you can do with OCD is to logic your way out of it. If you rinse the water bottles at least once every day, then why would they be dirty enough that they need to be rinsed more than once the next day? That type of thing. Though, I too would be the same with re-cleaning it if it happened to touch the taps. Small steps do help, so just rinsing it once for example and then leaving it alone, youll eventually find the anxiety around this lessens. Whilst I find compulsions or specific intrusive thoughts never leave, they always niggle in your head, not entertaining the thoughts helps to keep them at bay. I would feel exactly the same though, if I don’t feel like my environment itself is clean then I can’t rest because I feel that everything I touch is dirty. So when I'm at home with my mum, I’m fine and I feel like things are clean. But when I'm in my university flat, I can’t rest. This year, my flat was particularly gross when I moved in and so that contamination never left no matter how much it gets cleaned. Every time I touch something, I have a strong compulsion to wash my hands. It could be that the new environment has triggered your contamination fear to be worse than its baseline. Moreover, when I have a sick piggy, the health anxiety I have multiplies tenfold. All this to say, hang in there! You’re not alone! Regarding the cat situation, I have thrown away guinea pig food over much less. Though, I think it would be completely fine. You could just throw away the top layer of food. With my cat, he doesn’t care about the hay, but he will try for a nugget if they’re open around him.

Hi, I would have replied earlier but unfortunately lost my little poorly boar Dexter yesterday. I'm heartbroken .

Thankyou for replying to my thread, I can completely relate to you as I also constantly seek reassurance to the point I drive my mother round the bend. Mine I think is due to uncertainty and I need to hear someone else say everthing is ok just to hopefully make me feel better, sometimes it works but most of the time it doesnt, the anxiety takes grip.

God it really is awful isnt it! Yes, I agree, when my piggies, family or things around me are falling apart it exaggerates my OCD. I have got to say, it is the most difficult thing I have ever had to cope with. It started over 15 years ago for me and has progressively got worse but much worse over say the last 2 years. How do you cope with yours? It is so hard x