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A mad idea but I really want a cat...

23 replies

drspouse · 28/06/2017 14:15

We had a cat (lovely tortoiseshell who came to us as a kitten with knock on effects of severe early trauma) when I was growing up, and I had a cat with epilepsy (and one dog, and then 7 dogs...) when I lived overseas and I'd love to have another cat.

I am pretty sure my DCs would be enchanted by the idea (they are 5 and 3). We have just moved to a new larger house which has less carpet and has a ready made cat flap.

We would be more likely to consider an adult cat (I thought about a kitten when I was on leave with DC1 and then again with DC2 but we are both out at work at least 2 days a week so it's not really fair on a kitten I know - I think when we had ours my DM was out at work but things have rather moved on since then I know).

But DH is somewhat allergic. He tends to become wheezy/headachy when we visit cats.

I am not sure there is a solution to this problem! We are part time cat feeders to next door's cat - but we can't really become cat aunties/regular visitors most of the time as they also have vvvvv large dogs and my DC2 is smaller than them (as is frankly my DC1 and possibly me also) and terrified. (Dogs go on dog holiday when NDNs go away).

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Inaquandrydm · 28/06/2017 14:19

I am allergic to cats and dogs. I have 2dcats and 3 ddogs!! Antihistamines in the beginning and fine after a few weeks of adding to the brood!! I still wash my hands after touching 1 of the ddogs but fine with the others. .
Friend's dh got prescription ah tablets when they got their cats and is fine now.
I also have asthma which isn't affected by all the hair!! (have a husky).
Oh and 2 dcats are much much better than 1!!

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NotAPuffin · 28/06/2017 14:21

I have two cats. They sleep in the bed with us (thanks, DH!). As long as I don't let them drool on me, I'm okay. I rub and cuddle them a lot and almost never have a reaction any more.

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drspouse · 28/06/2017 14:21

OK now I want two cats!
I can't really ask DH to take yet more medication as he is on quite a bit already for a long term medical condition...
I wonder if asking him to be the part time cat uncle would be enough to stop him being allergic?

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NotAPuffin · 28/06/2017 14:21

Sorry, meant to say I'm allergic to them Blush

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NotAPuffin · 28/06/2017 14:22

Two cats really are much, much better than one. They interact in all sorts of ways that they wouldn't with humans and they're company for each other.

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drspouse · 28/06/2017 14:26

Yes, you've definitely made me up my ambition to two cats!

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TheCatOfAthenry · 28/06/2017 14:26

I'm not too sure which, but some breeds are easier on allergies.

Just make absolutely sure you go through a non-dodgy breeder.

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Hoppinggreen · 28/06/2017 14:28

My DD is allergic to cats but not our 2
Get 2 at least!!

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StarHeartDiamond · 28/06/2017 14:28

We grew up with cats. One of them I was allergic to but only when I'd handled him a lot and then hadn't washed my hands (this was teenage years).

Now we have two cats, I have met loads others and I'm not allergic in the slightest Smile

It's possible (I think) to be allergic to a particular cat sometimes rather then all cats in general.

Has your dh had an allergic reaction as an adult and his bad was it? In my case, my eyes and face puffed up and eyes were unbearably itchy for a few hours but I touch my face a lot, rub my eyes a lot etc so that was no surprise. If your dh is allergic just coming into general contact with cats and wheezing etc that might be different.

We also have a no cats on bed policy but that's for hygiene and to be fair the older cat who is very clean sometimes breaks that rule the younger cat is not as good at cleaning itself so it's a no-no totally.

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drspouse · 28/06/2017 14:28

I think I would have to have a rescue though... I don't think DH would consider going through a breeder and my DM would be horrified too - both my previous cats were rescue/effectively rescue.

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StarHeartDiamond · 28/06/2017 14:30

Agree the two cats thing too. You could get a rescue cat that's had kittens, then keep the mother and one of the kittens. Then you get a kitten and rehome an adult stray and they should get on!

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Inaquandrydm · 28/06/2017 14:31

How about 2 full time dcats and a part time dh???
Sounds bloody purrfect to me!!

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drspouse · 28/06/2017 14:33

Ina yes he can go and live in the shed... we have an outside loo...

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WannaBe · 28/06/2017 14:39

I am severely allergic to long-haired cats, to the point that when my friend at school had Persians I was unable to even go into her house. But far far less of an issue with short-haired cats. When I adopted my own two kittens (a long time ago) I didn't have any adverse effects to their fur and we had them for sixteen and seventeen years respectively. Similarly we adopted a rescue last year and I didn't have any reaction to her either (she was sadly killed on the road though :()

However, if your DH is severely allergic it would be unfair to take on rescues if you didn't know what the impact might be as you then might have to rehome them if he reacted badly. Could you perhaps apply to foster for a time and see how he reacts first? Then if he's ok with that you could look at longer-term solutions.

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drspouse · 28/06/2017 14:45

Ooh can you foster if you aren't an experienced cat owner (my previous experience was a) when I was at home as a child/teenager and b) in a large household with rather different standards!)?

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Jux · 28/06/2017 15:34

2 cats/kittens keep each other company when you're out.

Please do it! please please please please please .....

(and then put photos up)

They do say that if you find yourself wanting a cat that means there is one waiting for you........

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Bogburglar75 · 28/06/2017 16:51

We got a Siberian in exactly the same circumstances. The breeder let us do an 'allergy sitting' where we cuddled a cat for an hour or two to see if DH had a reaction. As he didn't, BogCat took up residence.

He is absolutely gorgeous and brilliant with the kids, especially DS who has a lot of needs and ASD, and really challenging behaviour with humans.

I understand DH reluctance, and have always had rescue moggies before BogCat, but for anyone in our circumstances I would really, really recommend investigating.

Here is BogCat to tempt you Smile

A mad idea but I really want a cat...
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PosiePootlePerkins · 28/06/2017 17:05

I don't know how effective it is but I have an unopened bottle of petal cleanse which I thought I would need but didn't in the end, I would be happy to post it to you if you PM me your address, it might be worth a try? Supposed to reduce the dander on a cat's fur if you rub it on the cat.

A mad idea but I really want a cat...
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drspouse · 29/06/2017 10:06

Oh bogcat is lovely!

I think I'm going to ease towards getting DH to feed neighbour cat... with enthusiastic DCs in tow...

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Redsiamese · 29/06/2017 10:14

I am allergic to new cats but it always gets better, I recently got an oriental (from rescue) and I have not been allergic at all to him so his fur/dander must be less troublesome? Here is my handsome boy

A mad idea but I really want a cat...
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drspouse · 02/07/2017 21:18

Have spoken to DH and it's not a flat out no... We'll see!

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tabulahrasa · 03/07/2017 12:57

My DP has a mild cat allergy, it flares up for about a fortnight with a new cat and then never bothers him again.

His allergy is just a bit of eye and nose streaming though, with visitors with proper bits swell up and need antihistamine type allergies, I did notice they were usually fine with my Siamese but not with my moggy - DP found no difference though.

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Wolfiefan · 03/07/2017 13:00

Be aware that allergies can make your life miserable. How would you feel if you ended up having to get rid of a cat due to the allergy?
I'm allergic to one of my two cats! They're sisters. It got worse rather than better. I manage it but it's not easy.
Foster and see how it goes?

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