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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get a cat

61 replies

girlwhowearsglasses · 18/03/2013 14:04

namechanging.

I do love cats. I pestered my parents at the age of four until we got a cat. My mum bred pedigree cats when I was a teenager.

I have never had a cat as an adult - I have a parrot instead, and three children (DS1, 6, DS2 and DS3 - 4 years old)

A few of my friends who got cats when they left college are feeling sad because their cats have died recently - so I see how hard that bit is (and ill old cats are a big responsibility too).

I have resisted getting a kitten partly because I am only now leading a poo-free life now my boys are out of nappies and at school. This is something I am relishing somewhat (twins - poo is ever present)!

I have always thought I would like a cat 'sometime' in the hazy future. I also wouldn't get one lightly. Like having children, this is one of those things you can find yourself thinking a bit too much about. The catalyst here is that we have mice - running across the living room, squeaking, the lot. We also have a very old house with no hope of sealing off mouse tunnels and nests in the walls, under the floors (really we would have to pull the house apart). My DP has been muttering about getting a 'mouser' and I have been resisting since Christmas.

My question is - is this just going to be yet another housekeeping responsibility to add to the long list involved with three children, or is it going to be great for me and the children, and enrich our lives? I really loved my cat when I was little (and I was heartbroken when he was run over - really heartbroken)

OP posts:
issey6cats · 18/03/2013 14:12

one idea would be how about fostering for a cat charity then that way you would find out if a cat would fit into your life as fosters are temporary and believe me with a cat in the house the mice should move out pretty sharpish

Original poster
girlwhowearsglasses · 18/03/2013 14:14

interesting. Know any in London?

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 18/03/2013 14:21

Hmmm. I've just got another one after two years cat-free. I can vaguely remember feeling free - no more washing up smelly food bowls, no frantic searches for cat sitters if we wanted to go away, no more hair on the sofa, no more litter tray- and yet I missed her so badly that when I was recently offered a cat I jumped at the chance. DS (3) is besotted with her.

So, both, I think. :) And we've got mice in the garage.

BaronessBomburst · 18/03/2013 14:22

Cat Protection League? We once got a cat from them and she was with a foster-carer.

MrsTerryPratchett · 18/03/2013 14:23

Cat's Protection League do fostering in London. Someone in my family does it. You will have a great social life as well with 'interesting' people. Grin

DrHolmes · 18/03/2013 14:56

YANBU! Get a cat but PLEASE get one from cats protection or such like.
Will it be an outdoor cat?

Floralnomad · 18/03/2013 14:58

Battersea do cats and fostering .

Snog · 18/03/2013 15:07

we finally gave in to dd's 13 year quest for a cat 4 months ago. it's been expensive and definitely more responsibility and a tie if you want to go on holiday, but has still been one of the best decisions we ever made. we all love that cat. she's a rescue kitty and I would recommend rescuing - ours is 6 so came fully toilet trained.

HotBurrito1 · 18/03/2013 15:08

Yesterday we were having a lovely Sunday morning lie in when my cat jumped up and sat on my duvet with an almond-sized tag nut hanging from his arse. After he'd chalked my duvet cover I then had to get up from my lovely lie in and run after him in order to remove the massive turd swinging behind him as he ran away.

Just sayin'...

Snog · 18/03/2013 15:09

oh and ask for a mouser if that's what you want. our cat would be beyond hopeless in this capacity.

MrsExcited · 18/03/2013 15:14

We got a rescue kitten, he was12 weeks old. We have had one accident when he was poorly. Other than that a covered litter tray untill he was neutered, then a cat flap operated by his chip (so we don't get strangers) and the litter box went outside for 2 weeks then we put it away.

hiddenhome · 18/03/2013 15:17

We have two rescue cats. One is a very bad tempered female and the other is a huge make who brings home all kinds of creatures which we have to wrestle from him Confused

Cats make a house a home Smile

qazxc · 18/03/2013 15:18

Most rescue organisations will let you foster, especially as you are considering adopting.
I'd recommend maybe considering an adult cat instead of a kitten. They will be able to hunt and you will know what kind of temperament they have. they are also less destructive and attention needing than kittens. Many rescues have trouble finding homes for the adult cats so you are bound many to choose from.

BertieBotts · 18/03/2013 15:21

It is an added burden - feeding, litter tray cleaning (if necessary) washing bowls and of course vet's bills and appointments. But if you can cope with this (remembering cats aren't half the work of a dog!) then yes I would go for it. Cats make a house a home IMO Grin

IneedAsockamnesty · 18/03/2013 15:24

I want a cat as well but I want a indoor one.

gilly86 · 18/03/2013 15:27

Check out Celia Hammond Animal Trust. Based in Lewisham but I believe they have offices across London.
We got a kitten from there 18 months ago and he is wonderful. We now have 2 cats and we are in love with them both (even DH loves them which I never thought would happen!)

I think they need fosterers as well as people to take cats permanently...

We are TTC and slightly worried about having a new baby and 2 cats but will cross that bridge when we come to it!

Lueji · 18/03/2013 15:32

Kittens know how to use a litter box from a young age.
However, charities don't give kittens to homes with young children. (although in our case, it was ex who was the danger, but I digress)
In my experience, kittens also work to get rid of mice. I think they just run from the smell. Grin Our mice just magically disappeared.

You'll have to consider if your house is safe for the cat and how it will work out with the parrot.

A cat charity will probably do that assessment for you.

eltsihT · 18/03/2013 16:35

When we adopted our cats ( age 2 and 3) from cats protection league, we ad an assessment which lasted about 30 minutes at our house, they asked lots of questions obviously to make sure we were suitable. We have now had the cats 8 years, they are part of the family and great with my ds (2) and hopefully will be with our new baby.

I don't find feeding them 2 times a day a chore infact my 2yo does it. The cats box is a pain, but its only once a week. And we had to invest in a fancy automatic cat feeder for when we go away as one is on a medicated diet. But it means someone just needs to check their water once a day.

Don't forget other delights of cats, do you have space for a scratching post? We have just moved house and the cats have ruined the carpet on out bottom stair, and at several doors which apparently they objected to us shutting.

Good luck and do get one, just know what you are getting into.

Original poster
girlwhowearsglasses · 18/03/2013 16:37

thanks all, was thinking about kittens as would be nice for the kids to have from little and see it grow.

Fostering seems to be only if you can take a cat and her kittens - and have a spare room fro refuge for them.

OP posts:
Hopasholic · 18/03/2013 16:50

I wouldn't be without our two cats. We got them when the DC's were around 6&7. I thought I'd got passed the stage of being followed everywhere but now once again I cant go to the loo without being followed. One of them needs lots of love and attention at all times and is currently sabotaging my ability to type! Love em! It's lovely to watch the kids with them too. Only intended to have the one but the lady we got them from felt one would be lonely on its own. They cuddle each other all day. One currently has other one in a headlock and is washing its ears. Yuk!

Toasttoppers · 18/03/2013 16:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PipkinsPal · 18/03/2013 16:58

Hotburrito1 Grin

ithaka · 18/03/2013 17:04

We got a kitten from a cat home as wedding present from my DH to me - so she is 20 now.

She has moved up and down the country with us, coped with the addition of children and later the addition of an (admittedly very small and wet) dog.

Oh we adore our cat - the only negative is the massive level of heartache she will leave behind when the inevitable happens.

She is a bit of a whinging old bag now and can disturb as at night in the winter (she bogs off on the tiles in the summer). But she is the venerable old lady of our family and commands (demands) respect from all.

All hail the family cat - it isn't a home without one.

HarrietSchulenberg · 18/03/2013 17:07

Exactly the circumstances in which Mr Squirt came to live with us. I'd always wanted a cat. H said "No". We got mice. H quickly changed his mind so I got in touch with Cats Protection. Had a home visit from them to check that we weren't mad cat-eaters and that we were clued up on what cats need in life, then we went to the cattery to meet our potential new owner. Squirt muscled in straight away, insisted we had him, then came home with us 2 days later after I'd spent a week's wages buying him food bowls, collars, bed, scratching post and other cat-related tat (disdainfully ignored in favour of children's toys) and a carrying basket.

Go for it - ask for a mouser and ye shall find!

Corygal · 18/03/2013 17:13

Cat! Cat! Cat! YANBU. You won't look back - they are adorable and the children will love them.

Mice will be a thing of the past in 24 hours, too.

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