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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get a cat even though I don't actually like them...

108 replies

daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 13:59

I want a pet! I've always had animals apart from the last 2 years.

I'm a dog person but in all honesty I don't think I have the time to dedicate to a dog. It wouldn't be fair as I will be upping my days at work shortly and although I probably could pay a dog walker it's an expense I'd rather not have (upwards of £15 an hour in my area)

I'm a single parent so don't have anyone else I could rely on to help out either, my parents are close by but work full time themselves and I wouldn't ever expect them to be responsible for a pet I choose to have.

So it brings me to this, I could get a cat. I'm not overly keen on cats but I put that down to having been scratched and bitten by a vicious little ginger thing that lived across from my parents growing up.

I'm sure I would like my cat, I didn't particularly like children until I had my daughter. I'm still not keen on some children however I adore my DD and my friends kids.

Help!! Has anyone changed their mind from not liking and animal to liking their own. Am I insane for even considering getting a cat?

OP posts:

SlackRopeWalker · 10/03/2014 14:02

I'm not particularly a cat person, but I have a cat. I'm fond of her and it's nice having an animal in the house. The children adore her. Tbh she's a bit rubbish as a pet compared with a dog, but compared with not having a pet, she's great!

BrownSauceSandwich · 10/03/2014 14:04

Don't bother... You will be forever disappointed that it isn't a dog. I'm sure you'd be kind to it, but you will be constantlypissed off with it dribbling on you, sticking its bum hole in your face, and getting on the kitchen worktops. Volunteer for dog walking at your local rescue centre instead, or see if you have any elderly neighbours who'd be grateful for a bit of help with theirs. I know it's not the same as having your own, but really, nor is a cat.

mum2bubble · 10/03/2014 14:05

Don't get a cat if you're ambivalent about it. Does your DC want one?

msrisotto · 10/03/2014 14:06

I have a dog like cat! What a compromise
Different cats and breeds of cat have different personalities so if you want a talkative, slightly clingy cat or a more aloof, independent soul then if you look carefully, find out the temperament of the mum, then you should find a match for you :)

Original poster

daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 14:06

Slack that's how I feel, the selfish part of my just wants to say screw it and get a dog but I'm reining it in. It's not fair is my mantra just now

I just want a furry little companion and I know my daughter would love a pet so a cat seems like the next best thing.

OP posts:

AgaPanthers · 10/03/2014 14:06

Dogs are better.

AgentZigzag · 10/03/2014 14:07

Just going on your title I would say no way, who would get a pet they're not keen on?

But I've been bitten by lots of dogs, once with a dog which had its jaws clamped right onto my face, so didn't really like them. I had two cats when we met and DH has always been a dog person so we got one.

It's now 9 years on and she's really rather lovely (photo on profile as proof)

AgaPanthers · 10/03/2014 14:07

How about a rabbit?

msrisotto · 10/03/2014 14:07

My cat doesn't dribble or jump on kitchen work surfaces btw. She does like to shove her bum in my view occasionally though.

Manchesterhistorygirl · 10/03/2014 14:08

We also have a dog cat, he even tries to get in the car with me when I go out! No all seriousness have you given thought to who would look after it if you were away, Etc.

Original poster

daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 14:08

My DD isn't 3 yet and she told me the other night she wanted a shark so I'm not going to take on board her opinion too much

Although she did say if we get a cat it's to be called Lucy and that she would rather have a cat than a dog

OP posts:

Petal02 · 10/03/2014 14:08

It would be unfair on the cat, if he/she ended up in a home where the owner was indifferent. I know you would be a responsible owner, but if you were a cat, wouldn't you rather be in a home where you were adored, instead of home where you were tolerated?

HarpyFishwifeTwat · 10/03/2014 14:10

I wasn't a cat person but we got a cat because we wanted a pet and our landlady wouldn't allow a dog. I don't think I could live without a cat now. I adored our lovely boy and was so heart broken when we lost him I went to RSPCA the next day for another cat. I have become the crazy cat lady.

Go to a shelter, find a gentle, quiet cat that has been overlooked rather than a feisty one which may be more bitey/scratchy.

It was the best thing I ever did.

really1234 · 10/03/2014 14:12

I never really wanted cats, DH had always wanted them and I relented and we got two from the local cat rescue.

That was 12yrs ago and I am sitting with one of them stretched out on my lap asleep. If I could post a photo i would, he is absolutely gorgeous.

I love them now as I am comfortably with them, it took a little while though. Our dc aged 13 and 10 adore them too, although I am the favourite human in the house .

Jess03 · 10/03/2014 14:12

You may want to think about adopting an older cat, kittens personalities can go either way, sometimes you end up with a not particularly friendly cat. I don't think it's a bad idea, but I'd take the dc to meet older cats and find one you all liked so there's much less risk you change your minds/cat turns out differently.

saysap · 10/03/2014 14:12

You can borrow one of my cats for a week, he will put you off cats for life !!

Original poster

daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 14:12

Yes I've got one or two people I could ask and there is a couple of good catteries in the area if they weren't available.

See I have adored one cat when I was very little. I don't hate cat's I'm probably more scared of them than indifferent haha. I honestly think I would love my own cat and couldn't imagine being indifferent to my own pet... Maybe I am insane

OP posts:

really1234 · 10/03/2014 14:13

I never really wanted cats, DH had always wanted them and I relented and we got two from the local cat rescue.

That was 12yrs ago and I am sitting with one of them stretched out on my lap asleep. If I could post a photo i would, he is absolutely gorgeous.

I love them now as I am comfortably with them, it took a little while though. Our dc aged 13 and 10 adore them too, although I am the favourite human in the house .

really1234 · 10/03/2014 14:13

Oops, sorry about the double post.

Original poster

daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 14:14

Haha thanks saysap

My Mum's colleague volunteers for the local Cat's Protection Society so I would definitely go there in favour of getting a kitten.

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 10/03/2014 14:14

DP wanted a cat, I'm a dog person - so we got a Siamese.

Affectionate like dogs, without being aloof like some cats are (downright needy in fact compared to other cats).

But, I wouldn't get a cat if you actually don't like them...I don't dislike cats, they're just not what I like in a pet.

The Siamese was a good compromise - plays fetch, cuddles up on my lap, is always pleased to see you and comes when you call her. We have another cat too and she's nice, but she's more interested in going off and doing cat things rather than following me about like the Siamese does.

Vickiyumyum · 10/03/2014 14:15

get some guinea pigs! they are easy to keep, love cuddles and make cute squeaky noises.

We have 2 dogs and 2 guinea pigs. The guinea pigs are so much easier. THey live in the hallway at the moment and squeak when you walk past them, they love eating a bit of cucumber or carrot from your hand and are easy to clean out. the poo doesn't smell as bad as the dogs either, oh and they don't fart and then lie there like nothings happened.

thecatneuterer · 10/03/2014 14:16

I wasn't a cat person either. I always said I preferred dogs, or rabbits, or rats ...

Anyway then I started to take care of a neighbour's cat that was being neglected and I felt sorry for her. Then I decided to get her a companion. Now I'm a crazy cat lady, have a house full of them and volunteer for a cat rescue.

So as long as you know you will take your pet owning responsibilities seriously then I would go for it, and I'd bet you'll soon find you're a cat person too.

thecatneuterer · 10/03/2014 14:17

Get a rescue though. Not only will you be doing a 'good thing', but if you get an adult then the rescue will have a good idea of it's personality and will be able to find a good fit for you.

mkmjimmy · 10/03/2014 14:22

Husband wasn't a cat person, and we both really want a dog but can't as we are out all day, but he inherited my cat when I moved in - and now you can't separate him and the cat. He really didn't get cats at first and now he loves it. The cat is definitely his not mine anymore. So yes, people can change.

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