Living with pets - do you find it hard?

[Notdoingthis]

I'm having real trouble adapting to habing cats. I got them becausr my husband and son wanted pets, and my girls were terrified of cats and dogs. I am not an animal lover, but did some research and was convinced cats would be the easiest pet. I just wanted to do the right thing by everyone.
I grew up with a dog, lots of siblings and a small house. I really value space, cleanliness and calm now. I felt in control before the cats. Now I am always on edge.
I can't stand the smell. Of their food and hair. I hate hoovering every day. I don't like out clothes, sofas and beds being covered in cat hair. I hate the litter tray.
We got them (a boy and girl) at 3 months, now they are 7 months. The rest of the family adore them.
They are no trouble really. I just find their prescence annoying and extra work. I get no joy from them. I know I am stuck with them now, but has anyone else felt the same, and did you get used to your pet?
Thanks for any comments, I have tried to include any relevant info.

We have a cat. He is well looked after, adored by the DC and can come and go as he pleases. He sleeps in the kitchen at night and there’s usually someone at home to let him in/out. I prefer it when he’s not here though - eg when we return from holiday and he’s still in the cattery for a few days. Its just one less chore for me, and it annoys me when he wants in when we are having meals. I think the pros outweigh the cons though - the joy for the DC of having a pet, and never having to worry about mice.

I find dogs a PITA though. I wouldn’t wish one harm, but I don’t enjoy being around them, and hate visiting houses where there’s a dog trying to jump up at me, especially the small fuzzy and yappy ones.

@Mybalconyiscracking I was going to say the same thing.
Rats are very social animals, and need to be at least in pairs, but 3+ is better.
There is always the old boy/girl conundrum though.

Thanks. These comments are helpful. We are in the process of losing the litter trays, they are outside at the moment. I do look forward to the cats being a bit more independent. At the moment they just love us all.

I really love my dogs but still feel weary of the things you mention sometimes,

@LadyofMisrule

Our cats quite happily go out even in torrential rain. I still have a litter tray for them in case of illness, or in case we need to keep them inside, but they haven't used it in months. They may not want to go outside if it starts snowing...

Mine don't use it very often and even more rare for poos. But now the weather is turning my oldest and youngest prefer the indoors. My big furry ginger Tom just roams in all weather's

@twocatsandtwokids

If they go outside they don’t need a litter tray!

Put it outside the cat flap for a few days, then further away in the garden then get rid. It’s your choice and not up to the cat!

I love cats but would not have them if it meant having a litter tray in the house permanently 🤢

Some do. What happens when yours get old and don't want to go out all the time? It happens. My eldest cat used to love being out. Now he hates it unless the sun is out and the door is open so he can come and go

If you get rid of litter trays one day you’ll be cleaning up either a puddle or a pile of poo. I don’t see how that’s more sanitary than my indoor cats tray that I clean daily. It’s cold here, I wouldn’t want to wee outside either. People had outdoor loos for ages, I can’t see them making a comeback for us either.

I vacuum every day anyway because I’ve got a robo hoover.

Our cats love us and we love them, they're part of the family. They don't smell at all, very different to dogs in that respect.
Litter trays smell when they need cleaning, you do need to keep on top of scooping. But some brands of litter are much better than others, we use Oko plus which does a brilliant job of trapping smells. Also if the smell is very offensive it can be down to the food they eat.

If the rest of the family love having the cats around but you resent the extra work can't they step up and take on the cat-related chores so you're not involved in their care?

I've had lots of cats over the years, but I must admit I still get frustrated with wet/muddy paws everywhere, and carpets/sofas getting clawed when there are scratching posts all over the house!

Regarding litter trays, I bought a large dog kennel for my 3 cats and put the litter tray in there. It was outside the back door so not far from their cat flap. They all used it and it stopped my garden being constantly dug over.

Tried it with current cat but no, he wouldn't go near it so I now have partially dug holes in my borders because he digs so many before he finds one he likes!!

We have four cats and don’t experience much of this. We have a robot vacuum to help with the floors. Can’t help with the cat litter though.

Don't get rid of your litter trays if you value your relationship with your neighbours at all. Seriously, it's not ok to just let your animals crap in other people's gardens.
If you don't want your house to smell it really does only take a couple of minutes to change the litter each day. We always used pine litter and just tipped it all away and replaced each evening. No messing about with scooping clumps etc. Solid waste would be removed straight away though.

Cat food does stink. I agree. Could you try one of the covered feeders that will open when your cat goes near it. Or a timed feeder?

The shedding fur is also awful. I'll admit I hoovered twice a day sometimes. Make sure the kids brush the cats each day and this should help a little.

Our cat sadly died aged 22 a couple of weeks ago and we are heartbroken. They really can give you a lot of love if you let them.It's ok if it's just not for you though. It might be worth trying to get the rest of the family to step up and do the "dirty work" as it were though so it's not all left to you. I can easily see why it's just become another chore.

Yes get rid of the litter tray. Then your neighbours can deal with the smell and clearing it up from their gardens for you instead

We never have litter trays unless one is ill.
They always go outside, even in the rain.
Get them outside more.

Young cats are very demanding, as they get older they calm down a bit and are a bit more independant.

When people get an animal, they need to consider that the cat/dog/whatever will live to be a certain age. Cats live for 12 - 20 years (one of mine was 18). You are either stuck with them, as you say, or you need to find long-term homes for them (if you do, please don't get any more animals)

@Fluffycloudland77

If you get rid of litter trays one day you’ll be cleaning up either a puddle or a pile of poo. I don’t see how that’s more sanitary than my indoor cats tray that I clean daily. It’s cold here, I wouldn’t want to wee outside either. People had outdoor loos for ages, I can’t see them making a comeback for us either.

I vacuum every day anyway because I’ve got a robo hoover.

??

umm, 54 years of cats and we've only ever had one that did this, and she was VERY old.

with the food, is there somewhere that you can put it which is not the kitchen?

Ours is in the utility room, and the door is shut, with a cat hole in it.
So the food does not smell out the kitchen etc

@steppemum

We never have litter trays unless one is ill. They always go outside, even in the rain. Get them outside more.

Young cats are very demanding, as they get older they calm down a bit and are a bit more independant.

I can't believe cat owners actually force their cats outside instead of having a litter tray.

No!

Cats no.Cat litter trays are not for me im afraid.
I love having a dog though and couldn't imagine not having one throughout my life.

@Xfox

Yes get rid of the litter tray. Then your neighbours can deal with the smell and clearing it up from their gardens for you instead

Even if you have litter trays, your cat may choose to go outside.🤷‍♀️

Not all cat food smells. Feed them at meal times, don't leave the food standing around and it shouldn't smell any more than human food does when you've just cooked dinner.

And as for litter trays, you should always have them available, not least because it's far safer to keep cats in between dusk and dawn as most road traffic accidents happen when it's dark.

It's sad for both you and the cats that you don't really want them. I used to volunteer at a cat rescue and they always checked quite thoroughly that the whole family was on board with getting cats. It's a 20 year commitment no one should take on if they can't cope with everything that comes with pet ownership.

I don't 'force my cats to go outside'

How melodramatic.

I also have a dog.
On a rainy morning, he also has to dash out and wee and dash in again.
No-one has yet suggested litter trays for dogs???

There is no need for a litter tray. Cats are not made of sugar, and are fine in the rain as long as they can get in and dry off.
We even have a neighbourhood cat that sits, fast asleep, in the rain, on our shed roof.
Most cats prefer to go outside rather than in a litter tray anyway.

Erm since when is feeding only dry food mean or bad? We did it on vet advice (better for their teeth) for cats and our dog and they lived very long and healthy lives.

I would get rid of litter trays too.

I got a dog mostly for my DH years ago and I did resent all the mess especially when the children were under 5 but he adored me and I was so sad when he died. He was a huge part of the family and he made everyone a bit happier - nothing is chore free.

Maybe you need to look at your life overall, breaks and chore sharing etc. The times my dog bothered me most I was already overwhelmed with other stresses.

@MintyGreenDream

Cats no.Cat litter trays are not for me im afraid. I love having a dog though and couldn't imagine not having one throughout my life.

Now I couldn't think of anything worse than picking up dog shit when I'm out for a walk! I'd love a dog but that puts me off!

On the subject of litter trays, my cat generally goes in the garden but there's no way I'm getting rid of the litter tray in case he doesn't want to go out. On the rare occasions he uses it it's emptied immediately and it doesn't smell.