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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:
hugocat · 02/11/2021 19:02

@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.

Can I see a picture?
SnowWhitesSM · 02/11/2021 19:04

@Shmithecat2 no my cat loves hunting at night. He sleeps in the house all day and explores with his other cat friends all night. We joke about the cats girlfriend waiting for him (he has been done). The only downside is the mice he brings in at 3am Angry

silentpool · 02/11/2021 19:08

Cats are hard work but they are good company. I do hate the litter box though and as soon as I can move to a place with a garden, that is going outside.

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MrsPsmalls · 02/11/2021 19:52

Litter tray is still needed even if never used. Ours is only used about once a year, when cat is significantly unwell.

steppemum · 03/11/2021 08:34

@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.

exactly.

Sometimes I do wonder if mn is an alternative universe.

And a cat who has always gone outside, continues to whatever age, until they are ill/sick /too frail, and then at that point yes, maybe to a litter tray.

As I said before. No-one thinks dogs should have litter trays. My poor dog, has to go outside in the RAIN to do a wee, I even FORCE him to go on a walk in the rain. Oh call the RSPCA.
If it is fine for a dog, why not for a cat?

steppemum · 03/11/2021 08:36

@Shmithecat2

Those who don't have litter boxes, do you not keep your cats in at night?
no. We don't live on a busy road. Cat flap, and cat can come and go as he pleases. In summer he is out a lot. Sleeps in the mint patch, watches the sunrise from the garden wall etc. In the winter, he sleeps on my bed and just goes out for a wee.
SanFranBear · 03/11/2021 08:59

Covered litter trays, decent litter and high quality food is the way forward - I would never force my cats outside if they didn't want to go. Also, brush every day can help reduce hair - and some cats adore it!

My litter tray is by our back door and, perhaps because it's a really shitty wooden door so not particularly draught-proof, never smells (even when I had the lid off to get our kitten used to it). And I only feed at set times so food isn't left to smell...

That said, it's never occurred to me the 'double standards' with dogs as yes, I totally would boot them out to use the loo and wouldn't keep a tray for them.. mind you, some dogs are huge so I guess an appropriate litter tray would fill most of my kitchen Grin Perhaps it's because cats are so independent that it feels like a small thing to do for them, to make their lives easier?

However, I am firmly a cat person so it's not really 'work' or 'inconvenience' to me - I can see if you're not overly invested though, even the most low maintenance cat (which yours don't sound like), will be a bit of a pain!

Justcannotbearsed · 03/11/2021 09:03

Our cat has no litter tray. He's got a cat flap. In the summer he often sleeps outside most of the night. In the winter he curls up on the sofa most of the day.

We dry him if he comes in wet, and his favourite thing in the world is to be brushed.

Rubyupbeat · 03/11/2021 09:26

I have dogs, love them immensely and I have gained so much from having them, BUT, yes, having a pet and being a good owner is hard work, mine are long haired and moult all year round, they love our company, so even having a wee in private is a luxury , picking up poo , in garden and out, blah blah blah, different to cat ownership, but just as tying and hard work.
No one should enter into owning any animal with their eyes shut. We are animal lovers so its worth it to us, but if you are not, keep away from owning any type.

Ticksallboxes · 03/11/2021 15:35

I'm sorry you're not 'feeling it' OP but thankfully I've had the complete opposite experience.

Ours is a 16 weeks male tabby and doesn't shed and I'm in love!

I resisted for years though as I'm not really a cat lover, but it's been a revelation. He is so intelligent and easy to have around and his poos are so inoffensive.

definitelynotlistening · 01/08/2022 21:45

My two cats are around a year old. They love hunting and are really good at it. In the past two days they have killed three birds. I am finding it really hard to like them. I don't like them at all and would rehome them but dh won't agree.

GOATtheAcronym · 01/08/2022 22:26

If you don't like them just give them up.

LemonSwan · 01/08/2022 23:21

I remember 7 months is quite intense. I bloody loved my cat but he was a boisterous singleton and there was points when I thought omg what have I done!

Not because I didn’t love him but because he kept trying to murder me in bed and tearing up the house. He’s quite a handful 🤣

Now he’s 7 I am lucky if I see him for more than 10 mins a day. 🥲 Makes me a bit sad but glad he’s happy enjoying his life to the fullest.

KatharineofAragon · 02/08/2022 04:45

My cat hasn’t had a litter tray since she was a kitten. Ditch the litter tray. She wouldn’t use it once she started going outside

taybert · 02/08/2022 07:28

Can I just point out to everyone advocating not having a litter tray that that usually means someone else has to clean up your cat’s poo from their garden instead of you doing it yourself.

TiniestClanger · 02/08/2022 07:31

MrsPsmalls · 02/11/2021 19:52

Litter tray is still needed even if never used. Ours is only used about once a year, when cat is significantly unwell.

Ours hates the litter tray but uses it occasionally if another cat is lurking near the house.

I’ve found I cope best with only one pet. I don’t love the hoovering! But then he purrs while gazing into my eyes and it’s all worth it.

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