Cats and tortoises living together

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I'm about to take in a 5-year-old tortoise and I'll be setting up an enclosure for it in the garden. I'm wondering if there might be any issues with my cat. I'm worried she might accidentally hurt the tortoise while trying to play with it... It's about 6 inches across.

Does anyone have any experiences to share or any advice?

Thanks.

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    It really depends on the cat. I think it’s a good thing that the tortoise is already five. I have friends with loads of tortoises that get on perfectly well with the family cat, but they gave a little one-year-old to their son and she was dead within two days – his kitten clawed her eye out... so sad.
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks Chocofraise and fafa50 for your replies, that confirms what I was thinking, but I’ll still keep a close eye on things at first.

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi,

    The fact that he sees her as prey isn't the main thing to worry about; the real issue is that tortoises are haemophiliacs (at least that’s what my neighbour told me, I haven't checked myself), so a single scratch could be fatal for her.

    In terms of my own experience, my neighbours have had a tortoise for maybe 15 years now (mind you, she is an adult), and they have a cat and we have two.

    We’ve never had any issues so far.

    On another, sadder note, a sister-in-law once gave us a tortoise (smaller than the neighbours’ one, but at least a "teenager"). Unfortunately, we weren't cautious enough and our dogs... literally ate it, shell and all...

    We felt so guilty, what a bunch of absolute idiots we were!!!!!

    Anyway,

    Have a good day

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I can't say for certain, but I'd be very surprised if the cat saw the tortoise as prey! I actually think the cat would be a bit scared of the lovely tortoise at first ^^! Mind you, if the cat doesn't "like" it, I reckon it'll just give it a wide berth!

    Then again, as I said, I'm not 100% sure ^^ it's definitely worth checking!

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks Angeline, I hope my cat doesn't mistake the tortoise for a steak...

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, well, it could go really well or it could go completely wrong – it’s all a bit hit and miss and depends on the cat's behaviour compared to how they are with other animals...
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