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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think it is totally reasonable for cat owners not to pick up poo

746 replies

PMDD · 02/12/2013 18:17

I mean how can they?

I have 2 cats and now 1 puppy. I watch my puppy when she is out and know where she is, I can see if she is pooing. If she disappears under a bush I check (with my sense of smell) and pick up if necessary. I carry poo bags everywhere.

However, my cats come and go as they please. When they were kittens I had a litter tray that they used, but as they started to go outside with a cat flap, they stopped using the litter tray.

My (ex) neighbour asked me to come and pick up after my cats, but as there are lots and lots of cats in the area, there was no knowing that it was my cats.

I am not a bad pet owner. But I think it is unreasonable to expect cat owners to have the same poo pick up responsibility as dog owners.

OP posts:
vtechjazz · 03/12/2013 09:47

People buy cats as a conscious choice to own a pet they dont have to clean up after. I ask 'cat people' friends why they didn't choose a dog and 99% say they hate the idea of picking up shit. I have a dog because I dont like the idea of having a shitty cat anus pressed all over my worktops.

D0oinMeCleanin · 03/12/2013 09:59

I have to say I have never met any cat owner whose reason for buying a cat was so that it could shit in their neighbours garden and they'd not have to clean up after it.

My mum accidentally owns cats, she rescues ex feral and strays, rehabilitates and keeps them rehomes where possible. It all started with her saving just one kitten and spiraled. My Gran has a cat for company as my grandad used to work away. Her neighbour has a cat I gave to her that has, quite literally, saved her life. If anyone deliberately hurt that cat it would kill her. People might want to consider that elderly, widowed and depressed people often own cats/dogs and they're quite often a lifeline to them. It might be just a cat you are killing/stealing to you, to it's owner, it's their reason for living.

Justforlaughs · 03/12/2013 10:20

Can we just bring in cat and dog licenses? If people had to pay for them they might think twice about having the pet to start with. The money generated could be used to clean up after animals whose owners can't be bothered. Owners should also need to have a special license to breed animals. There are far too many cats and dogs because they have no natural predators anymore.

Sparklingbrook · 03/12/2013 10:25

vtech that is bizarre. I do voluntary work for a pet charity and nobody has ever given me your reason for wanting a cat. Confused

And with a dog you presumably get 'shitty dog anus' everywhere? Confused

Binkyridesagain · 03/12/2013 10:28

vtech never heard of that reason before, and it certainly doesn't apply in this household. Cats, dogs, birds and a DH that works in the water industry, means our life revolves around shit.

vtechjazz · 03/12/2013 10:30

Probably, sparkle, but not where I prepare food and eat it and no more than the average shoe must bring in.
People use the shit as a reason for getting cats over dogs, not as a reason to get a pet in general.

Sparklingbrook · 03/12/2013 10:30

My DB owns cats and dogs, so that theory doesn't work for him. Ooh and a horse. Grin

Sparklingbrook · 03/12/2013 10:32

I think the assumption that all cats jump on kitchen worktops is made by non cat owners. I have had 3 cats and none of them have ever done that.

Fleta · 03/12/2013 10:33

Spray bottle of water with a touch of baby oil in it. Doesn't harm the cats but makes the fur a touch oily - so it inconveniences the owner a little too.......

notso · 03/12/2013 10:33

No-one gets a cat to deliberately annoy anyone I hope but if you get a pet it is your responsibility to look after it and it's mess.

The only reason people let their cats roam around pooing everywhere and yelling all night is because it is easy for them to do it and the cat's will mostly come back. If cat's didn't come back people wouldn't let their pets roam around.

I can understand why people get pets especially for company. It doesn't make them any less responsible though.
I don't want a pet, they make me sneeze and I don't want to clear up poo.

Sparklingbrook · 03/12/2013 10:36

Cats should always be kept in at night.

Not sure about the baby oil thing Fleta, re the cat licking it.

vtechjazz · 03/12/2013 10:38

People who swear their cats never go on worktops are deluded. I just prefer dogs, and shit free food.

Sparklingbrook · 03/12/2013 10:39

I am not deluded-Sparkling Cat does not go on the worktops. She doesn't go in the kitchen, she has no need to vtech.

Sparklingbrook · 03/12/2013 10:41

I am offended by dogs sticking their nose in poo then licking faces TBH.

notso · 03/12/2013 10:43

I wish you would tell my neighbours that Sparkling The local cats sound uncannily like DS3 crying at 3AM, I've had many a wasted journey down from my bedroom Hmm

D0oinMeCleanin · 03/12/2013 10:43

My cat goes on the worktop occasionally, although technically he is not allowed in the kitchen, we struggle to explain the rules to him Grin

They make this wonderful product now called 'disinfectant spray' you spray it on your worktop, wipe it with a clean, damp cloth, rinse the cloth in hot water and then wipe off the excess spray. T'is easy peasy, even for a slattern like me. You can buy it in most shops.

Sparklingbrook · 03/12/2013 10:44

I agree notso they make a real racket. I can't understand people who let their cats out at night-that's when they are likely to come to harm.

AutumnStarOfWonder · 03/12/2013 10:45

I like cats and dogs. One of my cats jumps on the worktop. So I clean it.

Nobody is saying you have to have a cat or a dog. Or any pet. Just that some of the vitriol against small furry creatures is a little bit weird.

AutumnStarOfWonder · 03/12/2013 10:46

Agree with Sparks. I don't let my cats out at night because I'm worried about something happening to them.

QuintessentialShadows · 03/12/2013 10:48

How often do you see a cat plonk herself in the middle of a pavement to make a mahoosive poo?

Cats tend to find a secluded spot under bushes, where really, they are just fertilizing.

babybarrister · 03/12/2013 10:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

notso · 03/12/2013 11:01

JustForLaughs I agree with pet licences. One of DH's employees has had a new pet for his kids every year since we have known them.
In 9 years they have had four puppies, three kittens, an iguana, a snake, and a tarantula.
The tarantula, iguana and snake died, two cats were given away, one got lost and all the dogs were given away again as they were 'wild'.
They are getting some kind of mini hedghogs for Christmas, I dread to think what will happen to the poor things.
It is the family that is wild and can't be bothered to look after and train their pets.
If they had to register as pet owners and apply for a licence it could be picked up that they obviously can't take care of animals.

babybarrister · 03/12/2013 11:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Crowler · 03/12/2013 11:06

Lots of people do not like fluffy animals for good, bad or no reason. It does not mean they wish them harm. It does meant bay they do not want the pet animals on their property ie their gardens.

I agree.

notso · 03/12/2013 11:06

QuintessentialShadows I am a rubbish gardener and only have a small yard. Most of my greenery is grasses growing in pots. I have 7 of them and each one gets a cat shit right in the centre of it. It is annoying and disgusting.