FIL lost MIL recently. He's basically housebound and needs a lot of support to go to medical appointments, around the house etc. Physically very immobile (needs wheelchair when out, walking frame indoors) and in a lot of pain. Very suddenly has decided that getting a cat will be the solution to his loneliness. We've raised concerns about how he will manage with the practicalities like food/water for the cat, litter tray, letting cat in and out as there's nowhere suitable for a cat flap, how will he clear up cat sick/fur balls, clearing up if the cat brings in a dead bird etc but he's stubbornly decided this is what he's going to do.
Because it has so suddenly become a definite thing, I'm genuinely left wondering whether I'm the unreasonable one and perhaps this could be the solution to his loneliness.
However, I am genuinely concerned about how he will cope given that bending, lifting, etc is near impossible so how will he even be managing to feed the cat, put water down etc. When his dog was alive, we would be the ones having to go round and fill up the water bowl for example.
We've made it clear that we won't be taking on any duties or responsibilities in relation to the cat (our lives are busy and stressful enough with our own household/children/pets and existing commitments) but I fear that when the time comes it will be hard or impossible to say no as at the end of the day we love FIL and would end up stepping in to help.
You are being unreasonable - Let him get the cat as it will likely all be fine.
You are not being unreasonable - A cat will be a disaster and you will be the one left picking up the responsibility.