What should I do about cat?

[Soubriquet]

I’ve had Toots for 3 years now and I’ve had since she was 6 weeks old. I love her very much. She’s a difficult cat but she’s family.

Where we lived before, she spent 99% of her time outdoors.

We moved a couple of months ago and since then she doesn’t go out at all. No big deal except my dh’s and dd’s asthma is starting to get triggered.

Instead of an attack once a week they are now having them a couple of times a day.

I don’t want to rehome her. She doesn’t like people, cats or dogs. She would take a long time to come round to a new home and new people..

But I have to consider my family.

What do I do?!

[Soubriquet]

Oh just adding, we are hoovering and cleaning every day.

She isn’t allowed in anyone’s bedroom so less chance of her triggering an attack there.

She rarely comes downstairs. In fact she spends most of her time in my bedroom with me (I sleep in the spare room due to his snoring )

She’s getting a bit fat too which is sad as she used to love being outdoors

[SweetAsSpice]

She may not be confident going outside just yet, if it’s only been a couple of months.

Does she point blank refuse to go outside? What if you’re outside, is she comfortable to venture out then?

Are you saying your family are having full scale asthma attacks, twice a day, each?

If so, that’s life threatening and unfortunately you have to consider that above all else.

[Soubriquet]

Yeah. Dh more than dd but pretty much.

And no she won’t go out even if I’m there.

I think it’s because she doesn’t have the territory like she did.

She’s been out a few times but soon comes back and won’t go out again for weeks.

[MrsFoxPlus4Again]

If your family are having asthma attacks a couple of times a day that’s actually really detrimental to their health. I absolutely love my cats but I just couldn’t risk it if my family were having several breathing difficulties daily.

[Soubriquet]

I was worried you would say that.

[ElluesPichulobu]

Hoovering every day may be part of the problem - I have a friend who has a cat hair allergy and she asks me NOT to hoover for at least 48 hours before she visits, as that means there is less cat hair particles churned up in the air.

[MrsFoxPlus4Again]

I’m sorry. It’s just not healthy, maybe try taking her out on a leash? Building a catio? Brushing her and keeping on top of her grooming. Hoover more than you are.

[Soubriquet]

I can’t brush her. She would actually take my hand off. She’s not that friendly. It’s all on her terms like most cats but she’s especially temperamental.

Has anyone tried petal cleanse? I’ve seen this and I wondered if this was any good?

[MrsFoxPlus4Again]

Does she let you pet her? If so there’s glove shaped brushes.

[Soubriquet]

Oooo actually that’s a good idea

I’ll look into that.

Even if I only manage to do it once every other day it could help

[MrsFoxPlus4Again]

You can wear it on your hand too ☺️. Anything to try, I know I’d be heartbroken to rehome mines

[MrsFoxPlus4Again]

Catnip would also be a nice bribe.

[Soubriquet]

So would I.

She’s been here for so long now (even if it’s only 3 years).

She is not your usual cat. It’s hard to explain how aloof she is but she will tolerate me stroking her, sometimes my dh and occasionally my dc but anyone outside the house wouldn’t have a chance. This is why I think she would struggle so much with rehoming too

[MrsFoxPlus4Again]

I have a cat who is very choosy with who she likes. Recently they had to stay at my mums whiles we were having work done on the house. I was really worried for her. She barely likes anyone she lives with and it’s been 8 years. She absolutely loved my mums house, finding places to hide, slept next to my mums head, though her Alsatian who has also never met a cat was the best thing in the world. Cats are adaptable, they work out who they want to love.

[MrsFoxPlus4Again]

If it wasn’t for the fact my mothers allergic we’d probably have left her there, she hates us all unless it’s about food only likes the dogs here too lol

[Soubriquet]

Here’s a photo of the little diva

[MrsFoxPlus4Again]

Mines is this ratio to white/black too. The kids hate her and call her germlin she steals there toys and hides them under the bed 😂

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

She is gorgeous. I love her little knowing cat smug face.

Fingers crossed for you and Dcat

[IHaveBrilloHair]

You really can't carry on with a couple of asthma attacks a day, I don't have that many and I'm disabled due to brittle asthma.

[Wolfiefan]

Oh she’s lovely!
I’m allergic to one of mine. I keep her out of the bedroom. Wash my hands when I touch her. Try and convince someone else to groom her! Use throws etc on soft furnishing. That means it’s easier to keep things clean. I should also damp dust but CBA!

[Soubriquet]

Allergies is the problem.

We didn’t know dd was allergic to cats until earlier this year.

We knew dh did, but he was ok as previously she lived outdoors (her choice).

Now she’s indoors it’s what creating the problem

[Wolfiefan]

Stupid question alert! Is it DEFINITELY the cat and not something about the new house.
I’m allergic to cats and dogs but don’t actually react to one of the cats or the dog at all!

[Soubriquet]

Yeah it’s the cat though I understand why you asked.

Dd was starting to react to the cat if Toots decided to sleep on dd’s bed. We used to have to shut her out of the children’s bedroom.

We didn’t move until September and dd was reacting before that

[Wolfiefan]

Bugger! Can you keep her out of bedrooms? Cat proof the garden so she feels safe out there?

[Soubriquet]

She already isn’t allowed in the bedrooms

The garden is fine. No cats come into it and she’s free to go where she likes. She just doesn’t want to