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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Megrim · 10/03/2014 17:10

I would also recommend having a Siamese - they are more like half dog / half cat. I always wanted a dog, DH wasn't keen so we agreed on a Siamese kitten. She's fab - talkative, affectionate, will go for a walk and will play fetch with balls.

Jess03 · 10/03/2014 17:30

Both my cats will chase paper balls too and they both really miss us when we go away, the night we are back we are smothered with affection. My older cat is brilliant with dc and puts up with being hauled around and read to on a daily basis.

soaccidentprone · 10/03/2014 17:35

Cats are easier to look after than rabbits or piggies (and we have all if the above).

Cats all have different personalities. We have 3 and they are very different to each other.

mrsjay · 10/03/2014 17:38

get your dd a shark they have little ones in fish shops we have 1 it is like a microshark it is awesome Grin

Failing that get a hamster or guinea pigs they are really loving and not to much hard work

Pippilangstrompe · 10/03/2014 17:39

I didn't really see the appeal of cats, but I didn't hate them. I ended up as a cat owner when a neighbouring farm had a left over kitten and it really taught me to appreciate cats. I still prefer dogs, but I like cats now too. I realise that I didn't get cat personalities before, not having had any experience of them, but having lived with one I now understand them better, and am happy to chat to cats I meet out and about.

Original poster
daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 17:40

mrsjay we were looking at pictures like [https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQnPcMoYgqz-RwgMxdssVXM6hxlEi1ej-48SBM1d0fCqrZxZMlJ this] when she said it. I'm not sure a little shark will do the trick. I'm also scared what she'll ask for next Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 17:40

oops this

OP posts:
mrsjay · 10/03/2014 17:42

EEEKKK urm no tell her you wont get a tank big enough

Original poster
daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 17:43

Haha, I just said hmmm maybe one day. I'll be saying that for the rest of her life.

OP posts:
Icimoi · 10/03/2014 17:45

I never used to be keen on cats or dogs till a cat adopted us. He was absolutely lovely and, contrary to popular opinion, very affectionate. He seemed to sense when I would get home even though the times varied and would always be waiting on our front wall, and would greet me with delight when I turned up. We never quite knew his breed but he was at least part Burmese. Contrary to what someone here says, he certainly never dribbled! After he died we haven't been able to get another cat as we currently live near a very busy road and it would be too dangerous, but I definitely plan to have one again in the future.

Cats are much, much more practical if you work just because they are so much more self-sufficient that dogs if you have a cat door.

Don't go for hamsters, they only live around 3 years at most and you will be coping with regular little tragedies when they die.

mrsjay · 10/03/2014 17:47

i was going to say tell her shark babies eat each other when they are in mummy shark will traumatise her for life! anyway cats are nice I know you like dogs but they are great for children to grow up with and not as much responsibility

ScrambledeggLDCcakeBOAK · 10/03/2014 17:48

no

My friend was in nearly exactly the same position (apart from kids)

I have spent a year hearing her moan about cat problems, hair/litter/claws/hissing ect most of the stuff she talks about are just normal cat stuff but as a non cat person she is hating it!

I have a cat and the same issues she mentions for me are a tiny annoyance because I'm a cat person but for her they are massive day ruinings!

She loves her cat to bits and won't rehouse it but feels that she has got herself into a bad situation now.

akachan · 10/03/2014 18:09

I didn't like cats until I got one - she was in real need of a home and DH was keen. Now I love her to pieces! She's so sweet and affectionate and comes running to greet me when I get in from work. She doesn't jump on work tops or dribble. We brush her a lot (which she loves) so that keeps the hair under control. I'll admit to seeing more of her bumhole than I would strictly like. Why are they so keen to make you look at it?

mrsjay · 10/03/2014 18:21

I'll admit to seeing more of her bumhole than I would strictly like. Why are they so keen to make you look at it?

Grin means she loves ya

QueenStromba · 10/03/2014 18:37

Our girl is a 16 year old moggie that we got from Battersea last year. She's a very doggy cat - really affectionate and likes to be in the same room as her people (although she normally waits the requisite five minutes before following you when you move rooms).

akachan · 10/03/2014 18:38

Aww that's nice I suppose! She's pretty insistent, I think we're soul mates!

StatisticallyChallenged · 10/03/2014 18:55

Can wholeheartedly recommend a Maine Coon - they're big cats, extremely child friendly, big and docile. They're quite dog like in a lot of ways - cuddly, trainable, will play fetch if trained, follow you round the house.

My friend refers to them as the dats!

sunshinemmum · 10/03/2014 19:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LisaMed · 10/03/2014 19:05

I got given a cat as a wedding present. No consultation, no 'would you like?' and no litter tray/bowls/beds. I had said I didn't want a cat.

That was twenty four years ago, and the cat outlasted all our other wedding presents.

I suggest you get a tom as they are often more sociable, but with cats who knows? My cats were known as malevolent cat (the wedding present), psycho cat and evil cat.

Miss them like crazy.

AnneElliott · 10/03/2014 19:10

I agree you should get one. Mine are only moggies but they are do funny, great company and DS absolutely adores them!

Original poster
daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 19:25

Holy hell, just looked at the maine coon breed. They are bloody massive! Maybe not the best kind of cat for someone who is a little bit scared of normal sized ones haha.

On a separate note, who the hell gives a cat as a wedding present Grin

OP posts:
Methe · 10/03/2014 19:30

I hated cats for my first 32 years and then one of my neighbours cats made it his mission to turn me. Now I've got my own!

Cats are fab and much easier and less labour intensive than dogs.

StatisticallyChallenged · 10/03/2014 19:43

Funnily enough, they've cured two cat phobias so far! They're so damn placid. One of the little lads DH looks after was terrified of cats and now will happily sit and stroke them

But yes, they are big! Gentle giants

soaccidentprone · 10/03/2014 19:50

One of our cats quite often follows me down the road when I go to work. She also sits on the drive when I get home. How the hell she knows when I'll get home IDK as it can be anytime between 3.30 and 6 (unless she sits there for 2 1/2 hrs!)

I am currently sat on the small sofa. Elderly cat is sat at the side of me. Baby cat is sprawled across the back of the sofa, and big fluffy (who is currently on a diet as he was 5.1k.g) is pinning my legs down on the sofa (ie sat on me, purring very loudly).

Oh, he's now jumped off to go and sit on dh Hmm. Dh seems to have an almost magnetic attraction for all animalsSmile

Hugglepuff · 10/03/2014 19:53

We have a dog cat !
She always sits waiting for the car when I get back from work and pads along with the kids when they go to the local park. She waits on the hill for them when they are on the swings and then walks back with them to the house !