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Original poster

Rehoming cat

62 replies

BigDahliaFan · 04/12/2023 10:25

He's 14 years old and a tiny bit difficult. But he's our cat and part of the family.

DH has over the years become more and more allergic to him. He has a cat allergy and didn't really want a cat because of that, but we got one anyway (soz), the cat loves him and he's fond of the cat. But his allergies are getting worse.

they've always been better while we've been away on holiday...but we've just come back from an extended and even I can see how instantly DH is worse as we got into the house.

I don't think DH wants to be the one that makes the decision in case I blame him. But honestly, DH is a nicer person when he's not suffering from his allergies (he's a bit of a hypochondriac and over dramatic in my opinion, but it is a genuine problem).

We don't have anyone obvious who could take him...

Aargh...I just don't want to think of him in a cat rehoming centre lonely and missing us....

OP posts:
DRS1970 · 04/12/2023 10:32

I just can't believe you would get a cat when you know someone in the home is allergic. You wouldn't put a few peanuts in the meal of someone who has a nut allergy, so why would you think getting a cat was fair?

heathspeedwell · 04/12/2023 10:35

I genuinely think people should have to pass a detailed test before they are allowed to be given a pet.

(soz)

BlondeFool · 04/12/2023 10:36

At 14 and 'difficult' the cat is unlikely to be rehomed.

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Cats
Original poster
BigDahliaFan · 04/12/2023 10:39

Because in the beginning the allergic reaction wasn't that bad...it's only recently it's got worse.

He's not that difficult, the cat not the husband...but he is 14.

I think DH just needs to cope for longer as we won't be able to reasonably rehome, unless we can find someone we know. But he's pointed out that cat is in stonkingly good health and they can live to 20 or older.

OP posts:
HaPPy8 · 04/12/2023 10:40

Have you had the cat it’s whole life?

Gudrunnn · 04/12/2023 10:42

There is a product called PetalCleanse which may help with the allergy - you put it on the cat and it apparently stops the allergens becoming airborne.

I haven't tried it myself, but it was recommended to me by a lady from Cats Protection when I was concerned whether someone in my family might be allergic to cats (luckily they weren't).

It looks like there are related products for home cleaning too (for the allergens already shed by the cat).

https://www.allergyuk.org/our-services/allergyuk-products/petalcleanse-fabricleanse-homecleanse-aircleanse/

PetalCleanse, FabriCleanse, HomeCleanse, AirCleanse

A pet cleanser that removes from the coats of pets the allergens that cause rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, eczema & hives in humans

https://www.allergyuk.org/our-services/allergyuk-products/petalcleanse-fabricleanse-homecleanse-aircleanse

Nousernamesleftatall · 04/12/2023 10:42

No one is going to rehome a 14 year old cat. This is so cruel. Does your husband take antihistamines?

Newuser75 · 04/12/2023 10:43

Probably stating the obvious but has your husband been to the doctors? Or to an allergy specialist? They may be able to help.

Have you tried wiping the cat down regularly with a damp cloth (I appreciate this may be easier said than done). And obviously hoovering and damp dusting daily.

Original poster
BigDahliaFan · 04/12/2023 10:43

Yes from a kitten. He's family. He's moved with us recently and loves the new house as it has access to a great bit of public park he prowls around as well as a larger garden than before and he's established his place in the pecking order of local cats (fairly high up).

OP posts:
Original poster
BigDahliaFan · 04/12/2023 10:45

We've tried petal cleanse before but I might try again...we are all hard wood floors and he doesn't often come upstairs.

DH also allergic to dust and new house is older then previous house and more prone to dust....

He's on every antihistamine, eye drops etc that he can be...

OP posts:
justalittlesnoel · 04/12/2023 10:46

Sadly I think at 14, unless you re home him to a family you know, then it's likely he'll spend the rest of his life in a rescue centre. Older cats really struggle!

It's a horrible situation. Has your husband seen anyone for the allergy? How allergic are we talking?

It would break my heart to do that to a cat, especially one who knows you as the only family he's ever had - to consign him to a rescue centre and a future of not being with you 😭

Toomuchcawfee · 04/12/2023 10:47

I couldn’t do this to an older cat I’d had from a kitten. He’ll never get rehomed at that age, and if he’s an outdoor cat then languishing in a cage will be awful for him. He’s part of the family.

Can your DH take stronger antihistamines until the cat passes away of old age? Can the cat be banned from the bedrooms to keep certain areas allergen free as much as possible?

YABU to get a cat when someone is allergic but that ship sailed a long time ago. Don’t get another one!!

Toomuchcawfee · 04/12/2023 10:48

Ah just saw the update. Can the Gp prescribe something stronger if the house dust is contributing?

Iwantcakeeveryday · 04/12/2023 10:49

Although I understand it has got worse, it really is irresponsible to get a cat when someone is even slightly allergic, unless you're absolutely committed to never rehoming it. I would suggest you go to an allergy specialist first. I also recommend nasal rinsing regularly in general for allergies, it helps more than you think it would. Its not impossible for an older cat to be rehomed, but it is very hard on them and I think not something you should consider until all other avenues have been explored.

therealcookiemonster · 04/12/2023 10:52

BigDahliaFan · 04/12/2023 10:43

Yes from a kitten. He's family. He's moved with us recently and loves the new house as it has access to a great bit of public park he prowls around as well as a larger garden than before and he's established his place in the pecking order of local cats (fairly high up).

Nice humble brag about your cat's alpha status in your area 😂

Shellingbynight · 04/12/2023 11:00

I used to work in cat rescue and there is close to zero chance of a 14 year old cat being rehomed. You need to approach this differently. Your husband is also allergic to dust - he needs effective treatment for his allergies.

I'm allergic to cats and house dust, I have asthma plus allergic rhinitis. I have five cats, it works because I take effective medication (not anti-histamines, I find them little use).

I have a preventer inhaler for my asthma and an effective nasal spray. If you husband is wheezing/breathless etc then he needs to get an inhaler from the GP.

If he only has 'hay fever' type symptoms, he can buy a very effective nasal spray at the pharmacy - Pirinase (it is an ex-prescription product which used to be called Flixonase). You need to use it regularly, every single day, it should start working within 3 or 4 days. It will probably help with eye irritation too.

We also do the other obvious things which help - no carpets, hard flooring and rugs, so you don't end up with cat fur embedded everywhere. And we keep the cats out of the bedroom, and wash the sofa throws regularly, and open windows regularly to air the house.

Seas164 · 04/12/2023 11:01

It's not reasonable to get a cat knowing one of your family is allergic to cats, and it's even more unreasonable to put the cat into a shelter after 14 years due to that very reason.

But you know that.

LunaandLily · 04/12/2023 11:03

BigDahliaFan · 04/12/2023 10:43

Yes from a kitten. He's family. He's moved with us recently and loves the new house as it has access to a great bit of public park he prowls around as well as a larger garden than before and he's established his place in the pecking order of local cats (fairly high up).

The last bit. Hands down, most bizarre thing anyone has ever posted on Mumsnet.

Missingmyusername · 04/12/2023 11:10

Sounds like you could rehome cat and your DH will still have the problem. What then?

caringcarer · 04/12/2023 11:12

It sounds like the dust is just as much the cause. Your DH needs to see his GP and get an asthma inhaler. He can be tested for asthma. Dust triggers my asthma. Damp dust daily. If you put your cat into a rehoming centre, even if they'd accept it, it won't be re-home d, it will be put into a cage and after a certain time put to sleep. Your DH needs to get medical help. If you had your healthy cat since it was a kitten you'd be heartless to abandon it after all the love it has given you both over the years. You should be ashamed of even thinking of abandoning it especially as you knew about your DH allergy BEFORE you got it. Now you just suck it up and let your cat live out it's life with you.

Original poster
BigDahliaFan · 04/12/2023 11:17

I don't want to put cat up for rehoming, DH doesn't either, but DH's allergies have got worse over the years.

Yes I suspect there'll still be allergies even after we rehome cat, but are likely to be reduced.

And no, I'm not feeling good about even thinking about this. I want to keep the cat at home with us. Unless we can find a family friend who could take him. At some point in the next few years that may happen.

OP posts:
Tdcp · 04/12/2023 11:35

I really feel for you all in this situation but please don't rehome the cat to a shelter, he'll never be rehomed and will spend the rest of his life there. If you rehome privately please charge a substantial amount (£90 or more) as he could be used for dog fighting, a lady with kids collected a cat from a family and the cat was later found in a horrendous state after being used as bait.

If I was DH I'd suck it up but I do understand allergies are difficult to live with.

Jasmin1971 · 04/12/2023 11:49

I can't believe you would even consider this. Please don't. Your cat would likely never be re homed. Can you DH use antihistamines?

mbosnz · 04/12/2023 11:57

Around here, all the shelters are bursting at the seams. He won't be rehomed. A woman rang into my work, to ask if I knew of any other shelters to take her cat, because there was a six week wait for the one that had space for another soonest.

CwmYoy · 04/12/2023 12:00

Your DH's allergies will continue to get worse. He could go into anaphylactic shock.

Get rid of the cat.

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