Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Cat home and guests with dogs

58 replies

1winterblues · 09/01/2022 12:13

So we have two kittens about 1 yr old.

They go out very little, maybe once a day for 10 mins. We prefer this as live in a busy area and main road. They play together a lot and have the run of the whole house.

Now more and more friends have dogs, and we get asked regularly whether it's ok to come over with their dogs. We used to say yes pre cats but now we have cats I am not keen on stressing my cats out so they can come with their dog ? Three of my closest friends now have dogs

What do other cat owners do ?

OP posts:
thelegohooverer · 09/01/2022 12:19

I have to say no, mostly because one of my cats stress wees and once she starts that it can takes weeks to break the habit.

I’m happy to go out for a walk or two instead of sitting indoors chatting to accommodate the doggies but having them in our cats’ home isn’t possible.

Motnight · 09/01/2022 12:22

I say no. My 14 year old cat would absolutely hate it, he goes ape shit crazy on the rare occasions that a friend brings a dog to the front door. 0

downtonupton · 09/01/2022 12:24

We have two cats and a dog who get along really well - but I have a friend who has a dog that is her 'baby' and is out of control - no recall etc and can do no wrong in my friend's eyes... the kind of dog who tears over to dogs on leads and she shouts 'it's OK she's friendly' Xmas Angry - she terrifies my cats.

In your position, I would say 'sorry your dog scares the cats would you mind leaving them at home'

I am still trying to figure out how to say 'your badly behaved dog is a pain in the arse and I dont' want them in my house'

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Cats Dogs
Phos · 09/01/2022 12:25

It depends. If they’re only coming for a short visit I don’t see why they can’t leave the dog home and id say no citing the cats (we have two)

The only exception I make is for my mum if she is coming over for the day or something. Her dog copes badly with separation so in those rare cases I just keep the cats in one part of the house (with outdoor access via a window) and the dog in another. She generally only brings him when she really needs to though and would always check.

shakinsti · 09/01/2022 12:27

We have two indoor cats and would have to say no. One would likely just hide upstairs, the other would get stressed and piss on the floor in protest! No thanks!

Itonlytakesonetree · 09/01/2022 12:28

No-one has asked before, but it would be a no. This is my cats' home and they should not have to be shut away or hide. If people don't want to visit without their dog, they don't visit.

happystory · 09/01/2022 12:29

Another one saying no. My cat also gets stress induced cystitis and it's very distressing for her.

BlackAndPinkNose · 09/01/2022 12:33

It would be a flat no from me

GrandmasCat · 09/01/2022 12:34

Say no. I don’t have a cat but as a dog owner I know that there is no way to predict how your lovely dog will behave around any animal they are not familiar with.

You don’t want to create a precedent either

moochies · 09/01/2022 12:36

I always say no to any dogs in my house.

It's my cats home.

sol7 · 09/01/2022 12:39

We had close friends visiting that we hadn't seen since pre-Covid. They stayed for the afternoon and had their dog with them as they were on their way home for a trip. As it was a one-off and the only opportunity we had to see them I shut the cat upstairs and let them have the dog in the garden (it was summer).

Usually I would say no though. It's the cat's home and it would be stressful for them.

Georgeskitchen · 09/01/2022 12:41

Agreed. It's the cats home and they are entitled to feel.safe there

SilverontheTree · 09/01/2022 12:41

No dogs, we have cats.
We have close friends with a cute small dog and if they come to stay the cats can go to cattery. They live 200 miles away so it doesn’t happen often.

Boood · 09/01/2022 12:42

No. It’s my cat’s home, she needs to feel safe here and she doesn’t like dogs.

CheshireCats · 09/01/2022 12:43

A flat no from me.

GoGoGretaDoll · 09/01/2022 12:46

Sometimes I think the Pope was on to something when he went off on one around pet owners. As a dog owner, I would never be so arrogant to assume that I can bring my dog to a cat's home. I can't even think of an equivalent - bringing wine to an alcoholic? It's just rude and Your friends are bonkers.

Original poster
1winterblues · 09/01/2022 12:47

@Phos

It depends. If they’re only coming for a short visit I don’t see why they can’t leave the dog home and id say no citing the cats (we have two)

The only exception I make is for my mum if she is coming over for the day or something. Her dog copes badly with separation so in those rare cases I just keep the cats in one part of the house (with outdoor access via a window) and the dog in another. She generally only brings him when she really needs to though and would always check.

Two of close friends live far away, one is 2 hr drive snd the other is 3hrs
OP posts:
Original poster
1winterblues · 09/01/2022 12:48

@GoGoGretaDoll

Sometimes I think the Pope was on to something when he went off on one around pet owners. As a dog owner, I would never be so arrogant to assume that I can bring my dog to a cat's home. I can't even think of an equivalent - bringing wine to an alcoholic? It's just rude and Your friends are bonkers.
I don't think anyone assumes, that's why they are asking
OP posts:
GoGoGretaDoll · 09/01/2022 12:53

But they're expecting you to say yes, that's why they're asking. I'd never ask because what's the point of asking a question when you know the answer should be 'no'? It's putting it on you when they should be sensible enough themselves to know not to do it.

HappyGreen · 09/01/2022 12:56

No way. It only takes 1 stressful event for a cat to develop stress cystitis and start peeing everywhere. Cats are very territorial and unless they've lived with a dog won't appreciate a canine visitor!

Bittercloudylemonade · 09/01/2022 13:05

It is my cats home, he comes first.

charliespip · 09/01/2022 13:21

I didn’t let dogs in before I had my cats. Definitely would be a no now.

RJnomore1 · 09/01/2022 13:25

I don’t have cats but I do have allergic asthmatics in my home. When did taking your dog to visit people become a thing? I don’t ever remember it happening when I was young. We certainly never took our dog visiting. Anyway it’s fine to say no for the cats sake.

RampantIvy · 09/01/2022 13:27

What do other cat owners do ?

We always used to say no. It isn't difficult. Unless your guests are staying overnight or visiting you for several hours why can't they just leave their dogs at home for a couple of hours?

All dog owners that I know personally would never assume that a dog would be welcome in our house. We do have a couple of friends who visit and who live a long way, and now that we no longer have cats they can bring them, but they are responsible dog owners and make sure that their dogs behave. They also allow us to have the dog sit in the conservatory while we are eating.

Enough4me · 09/01/2022 13:28

No, the stress could make your cats really sick. Your visitors meanwhile would leave and their pets would be fine, so it doesn't bother them.

Unless you were thinking about introducing a dog into your home, there is no reason to put your cats through stress. If you were getting a dog you'd find out how the dog behaves with cats, it would be a slow introduction. The dog would have limited space. Plus you wouldn't be bringing strangers in too (your friends will already be a stress to your cats).