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Original poster

Living with pets - do you find it hard?

116 replies

Notdoingthis · 02/11/2021 11:16

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.

OP posts:
SnowWhitesSM · 02/11/2021 14:40

Get rid of the litter tray.

Cats don't smell but litter trays do.

SoupDragon · 02/11/2021 14:44

Cats without a litter tray will go and shit in a neighbour's garden.

casinoroyale4ever · 02/11/2021 14:47

They might, mine didn't they went in our garden. Water spray any unwanted neighbour cat in your garden?

Interested in this thread?

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Cats
Trinacham · 02/11/2021 14:50

At times I feel like this - but then again, I have housecats, so every 'smell' they make, is in the house. One of them does also have a habit of not always using his litter tray (wees), which can be frustrating. The hair is also a bit annoying - hoovering wouldn't have to be done as much without them, obviously.
Having said all that though, I have never felt like you, in that you don't get any joy out of them. The companionship, the affection and their funny antics make all the negatives well worth it. I've never regretted them or thought we'd be better of without them. I'd certainly never think about giving them up. They are part of our family and will always be. I think it is sort of a normal feeling to feel 'what have I done' at first, be it with an animal, or even a new baby! I reckon in time you won't feel this way.

earsup · 02/11/2021 14:54

we always had a house rabbit.. or two...not lonely as some one at home all day...lovely company...sometimes a little naughty...but my friend in spain has 2 cats...cant be let out as neighbours threatened to shoot them...its awful visiting her...hairs all over the place...cats on kitchen table...hairs on plates, in food....its so disgusting...they shouldnt be locked in house all day either...i keep telling her to rehome them.

Lovemusic33 · 02/11/2021 14:57

I love my cat, he’s very affectionate, he’s a outdoor cat so he’s easy to look after (no dirt box), I wouldn’t be lost without him……but…my dd2 hates him, she hates being in the same room as him and is scared of walking past him (he has scratched her a couple times because she runs past him).

I would love a dog but I know dd wouldn’t like one 🤣, we do have pet snakes which sleep 95% of the time and don’t need much attention.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 02/11/2021 15:02

@SnowWhitesSM

Get rid of the litter tray.

Cats don't smell but litter trays do.

If you don't clean them they will.
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 02/11/2021 15:03

@steppemum

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.

Course you are. They have no option other than to go outside.

My old cat as I have said would hate to have to go outside

MedusasBadHairDay · 02/11/2021 15:16

It is really cruel to keep rats by themselves, like a human living forever in solitary confinement.

She was one of 6, the last of her sisters died a couple of weeks ago. She is an elderly rat, who probably doesn't have long left and who would likely get picked on if we introduced a younger/stronger rat at this stage. She's had a good long life (for a rat) and been well looked after.

Oftenithinkaboutit · 02/11/2021 15:32

@MedusasBadHairDay

It is really cruel to keep rats by themselves, like a human living forever in solitary confinement.

She was one of 6, the last of her sisters died a couple of weeks ago. She is an elderly rat, who probably doesn't have long left and who would likely get picked on if we introduced a younger/stronger rat at this stage. She's had a good long life (for a rat) and been well looked after.

Too late now But when down to last two and aged, you should have re homed them together with someone (preferably a very well respected breeder)

That’s what we have lined up

user1471538283 · 02/11/2021 15:42

I love our two DCats but Boycat can be hard work. It wasnt until we got Girlcat we noticed how dependent and demanding he is. And the worry if they are out too long or sick.

Your cats are still young. I'm sure they will go out more. Your DC could feed them.

Firesidefox · 02/11/2021 15:49

I agree that cats - or more specifically their litter trays - STINK, and I could not bear that in my house. Ever.

OnyxOryx · 02/11/2021 16:11

Yes and no. I love animals but all mine have passed away now and I'm enjoying not having the responsibility of them.

I'd keep bedroom doors shut. You'll get the occasional cat sneak in there unnoticed however careful you are, but there's no need to give them free run of the whole house and have your bedding covered in hair.

Is there a reason why it's you hoovering every day? I agree it needs to be done but the others wanted the pets why aren't they doing it? Cleaning up after your pet is part of it. Ditto the litter tray. Do you have a utility room where you can put the litter tray so you're not walking past it all the time? If not, you could see if the cats will accept a covered litter tray, it looks sort of like a dome.

There's not much to be done about cat hair on clothes except buy clothes the same colour as your cats so it notices less.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 02/11/2021 16:12

@Firesidefox

I agree that cats - or more specifically their litter trays - STINK, and I could not bear that in my house. Ever.
They are if you're a manky person that doesn't clean them.
LuciesLawyer · 02/11/2021 16:27

Bearded dragons are by far the easiest pets, though they aren't cuddly.

Small birds, like budgies etc, can also be very easy.

Furry mammals stink.

FOJN · 02/11/2021 16:42

I love pets and currently have a dog, I don't mind the extra time and effort required to look after him. I find pets very rewarding.

You don't feel the same way I do and there is nothing wrong with that. If the members of the household who wanted the cats aren't willing to step up and do the work required to look after them then I think you would be within your rights to re-home them.

It's all well and good loving the cuddles and cuteness but they are animals and need to be properly looked after. There is no reason this responsibility should fall to you, particularly as you were not enthusiastic about getting them anyway.

If you do keep them then I agree with PP, get rid of the litter tray, my cat hated it when I had one and would go out to the toilet in all weathers. Keep wet food for an occasional treat and keep their bowl topped up with dried food, my understanding is that cats prefer to graze rather than have 2 meals a day. I've never been told dried food is bad for cats, I fed it on vets advice, make sure they have plenty of fresh water and change it twice a day.

Champagneforeveryone · 02/11/2021 16:52

We have two dogs and a cat, and also Dog the robot hoover. Dog gets let out several times a day and does a sterling job of the hair. A quick brush daily with a slicker keeps the sheer volume of hair down.

DDogs are raw fed so their poo is extremely inoffensive, ChampagneCat refuses to countenance raw meat so eats County Hunter meat and Canagan biscuits at extreme expense This results in poo as agreeable as cat poo can be. The litter tray lives very close to the toilet so poo is flushed away as soon as we spot it. We also use expensive cat litter (the name escapes me) as it does a much better job of reducing the smell.

Basically I suppose what I'm trying to say is that we chuck money at the problem, but also keep on top of things so they don't get out of hand. It is second nature to us now, but I cannot deny there's the tiniest part of me that wonders on occasion what it would be like to be pet free.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 02/11/2021 17:17

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

I can't believe people are happy to have a shit box in their home tbh.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 02/11/2021 17:19

@ZeroFuchsGiven

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

I can't believe people are happy to have a shit box in their home tbh.

That is what having a cat includes. My little old cat doesn't like the dark, the rain or the cold. What should I do with him? Genuinely interested in your response
Fluffycloudland77 · 02/11/2021 17:20

I've never forced mine out, they have trays and I empty them quickly.

LemonSwan · 02/11/2021 17:20

MN is mad sometimes.

No one I know in RL who has an outdoor cat keeps a litter tray.

Obviously theres one in the shed or the attic to be bought out for times of emergency (ie. keeping inside for vet visit or night before cattery).

But apart from that - rain, shine or snow they go outside. And none of them have poos and wees all over the house.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 02/11/2021 17:21

@Fluffycloudland77

I've never forced mine out, they have trays and I empty them quickly.
Same here. They aren't actually used that often. Mostly this time of year. Poos get cleaned up immediately if I am in.
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 02/11/2021 17:23

@LemonSwan

MN is mad sometimes.

No one I know in RL who has an outdoor cat keeps a litter tray.

Obviously theres one in the shed or the attic to be bought out for times of emergency (ie. keeping inside for vet visit or night before cattery).

But apart from that - rain, shine or snow they go outside. And none of them have poos and wees all over the house.

Really? Wow. I know a tonne of people with cats. Work colleagues, friends and family. All have cats who roam and all have litter trays. It's only MN where apparently they aren't required.
LemonSwan · 02/11/2021 17:26

AllThingsServeTheBeam

Yes really. Its like a parallell universe lol.

A lot of them also have big houses, not all. But I am assuming its the people with a separate utility thats not a laundry that can tolerate having a permanent litter?

Where do you put it?

And besides my cat loves going outdoors. All year round. So it would be pointless to keep one. I assume others are the same. Perhaps its more location based?

KirstenBlest · 02/11/2021 17:27

Get your DH and DC to do the catcare and the additional housekeeping because of the cats.

If you are doing all the cat feeding and litter tray stuff and vacuum and they are the ones enjoying the pets then that doesn't seem fair