Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

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:

Puzzledandpissedoff · 10/03/2014 19:57

It's really very simple: go along to your local Cats protection shelter, chat to the lovely staff, pick a couple you fancy and have a cuddle with them. Trust me, you'll KNOW at that point if it's going to work - and so will the cat

They're fantastic and very addictive pets, loving but independent, elegant, clean, quiet and very relaxing to have around. Of course you'll very quickly become "the staff" but that's just called "being a cat"!!!!

WWOOWW · 10/03/2014 20:01

Yes get a cat !! I HATE cats (for the same reasons as you - getting bitten as a child) -... 5 years ago we got 2 cats ...i LOVE my cats - and I dont even care when they try and bite me or shove their arses in my face. I still HATE other peoples cats!!

Misspilly88 · 10/03/2014 20:06

I hate cats, but a stray chose us to be it's family when I was about 13 and I loved her to bits. You'd love your own :)

hiddenhome · 10/03/2014 20:08

Cats are evil and spend their time plotting to kill you.

Only someone who really loves cats can learn to cope with this way of life, otherwise you will just end up really stressed

Hassled · 10/03/2014 20:13

DH hated cats with a passion when we met. Unluckily for him, not only did I come with kids, I also came with a cat. Many years later and he is as soft as shite with our current cats - ridiculously so. They quite literally walk all over him.

AgentZigzag · 10/03/2014 20:17

Spot on hiddenhome

The fuckers don't even try to hide it.

Original poster

daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 20:27

Ahahaha so many of these posts have made me

OP posts:

JonSnowKnowsNothing · 10/03/2014 20:32

My ginger boy has just returned home with a HUGE mouse (not a rat, not a rat, not a rat) and practically had my hand off when I tried to remove it.
Instead of drinking a nice cool beer in peace, I've found myself 1001-ing the carpet, gagging quietly.
This is the reality of cat keeping!

Original poster

daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 20:56

It was a rat wasn't it?

OP posts:

JonSnowKnowsNothing · 10/03/2014 21:07

Yes [sob]
I live right next to a farm so it was bound to happen eventually.

Wh0dathunkit · 10/03/2014 21:38

We adopted a little old lady cat. She lived in a field for a long time, the vet can't age her, but they think she's somewhere between 12 & 15. She doesn't get scratching posts, so we have to keep an eye on her claws.

She is awesome - she's affectionate in her own (special) way, and she sleeps a lot. She purrs like a diesel engine, and until the weather changed on the weekend was very placid. Her mad 5 minutes have extended to half an hour now it's a bit lighter. She's still pretty placid, but to be honest, the change in weather has taken me a little by surprise. Not to say I wouldn't have taken her in, I just hope my neighbours are understanding when she "sings the song of her people" which occasionally happens at midnight and 6am. I previously had a 13 year old tortie (I have a thing for old cats - I like my curtains the way they are!) who was reasonably similar in that respect.

I would recommend you think about night times. We have ended up giving in to our cat just so we don't bother the neighbours too much. This has ended up with me propelling myself and madame out of the bedroom at 3 in the morning when I've been woken up to her at the point of hacking up a hairball! needless to say, DP doesn't hear any of the warning signs!

In terms of practicalities, cats win over dogs in that you don't have to pick up their poos boak, and they don't need walking twice a day, and in my case, I don't have to spend my entire day letting them out to wazz. However, in terms of snuggles, my old ladies have always been less cuddly than the dogs I've known and the cats that my family have had since kittenhood.

Right. She has just come to demand attention - I'd better give her some snuggles - good luck with whatever decision you make

Original poster

daisy0chain · 10/03/2014 21:56

Oh Jon I know it's terrible but I did laugh at your last post.

Thanks Wh0dathinkit that is something I hadn't actually thought about either. This is why I'm posting. I could tell you about dogs over and over but have very little knowledge about cats.

OP posts:

LisaMed · 10/03/2014 22:35

Don't bath them. I don't care what it might say in a deluded cat book, don't bath them. I still have scars from 1994.

Cats sort themselves out a lot of the time. They need plenty of fresh water available (which they won't drink), they need food and they need a bit more warmth than a dog. They are also three dimensional so get up on shelves, the tops of doors, under wardrobes, between floorboards (which is why we tried to bath them as they were disgusting). You will not be able to keep them off furniture.

Cats do not give a flying fuck, but they do it in a lovely way. Ime toms are more affectionate but can spray. Psycho cat was stopped in the nick of time from spraying a policeman.

And all these anecdotes - they could be topped by you one day if you get a cat.

A good view of cat ownership is 'The Unadulterated Cat' by Terry Pratchett. The details might differ, but I think he has the personality of cats nailed.

RandomMess · 10/03/2014 22:42

I'm a dog person, dh a cat person, we currently have 2 cats and the girl luffs me. I'd strongly recommend a somali or abysinian - don't come up for rehoming often but very people orientated and loving, and as dog like as you can for a cat. MIL has maine coones and they're not as cuddly or chilled as our somalis current and past.

AlansLeftMoob · 10/03/2014 22:43

I never wanted a cat until mine turned up and he's grand, he does his own thing. I wouldn't contemplate getting any kind of pet if you can't devote some time to it, and I definitely wouldn't consciously get one if you don't even like their species.

Have you considered a fish?

RandomMess · 10/03/2014 22:48

I really wasn't keen on cats at all until I got my own! I too was hurt by them as a child and love the way you can train dogs.

Cailleach · 11/03/2014 02:39

If you are anywhere near Yorkshire, I have a little black kitten (5 months old) who is up for adoption.

Her name is Fudge, and she's awesome.

Past history is here in Mumsnet Classics: Kittens!

MrRected · 11/03/2014 02:44

Get a Norwegian Forest Cat. The closest thing you will get to a dog that isn't actually a dog.

My two NFC's are awesome. Even my pet detesting husband - whom I have posted about on MN loves these cats. They are gorgeous to look at, very, very tame and extremely dog-like. Mine follow us around the house/garden just like dogs.

Plateofcrumbs · 11/03/2014 04:15

Sounds like you'd make a great cat owner to me!

Even if you weren't a little nervous of cats, with a DC you'd want one with a good temperament that isn't prone to bite or scratch. Our last cat was a bit difficult and didn't get on with kids (although we adored her). Our current cat is dopey as anything, will cope with extreme provocation without lashing out (just sits there whilst our friends' kids stick fingers in her ears/eyes etc) and is very low maintenance. We have first DC on way and have no concerns about the cat/child combo with this one.

Cat rescue centres can help match you to the right cat for you - I would definitely go for an adult cat whose personality is already formed so you know what you are getting.

spidey66 · 11/03/2014 07:45

While I prefer dogs to cats, I do like cats and we have one for similar reasons to you. I love him to bits and my husband is soft as shit on him, despite having his own reservations.

GrendelsMum · 11/03/2014 07:53

I agree with people who have said to get an older cat from a rescue centre. I like older cats, but to be honest I find kittens a bit much - just so busy and noisy and wanting attention all the time. Whereas our older cat just gets on with life and only wants to play once a day or so.

kentishgirl · 11/03/2014 10:20

I was always a dog person and a little nervous of cats. But I wanted a pet and I didn't have the right environment or lifestyle for a dog.

Got two kittens and loved them to bits. Very playful and affectionate their whole lives.

SelectAUserName · 11/03/2014 11:00

I grew up with dogs, never had a cat, never had strong feelings about cats. When I moved out into my own place I couldn't have a dog so got two cats as I wanted some animal company. Fell in love with them and have had cats ever since. Haven't not had a cat for 20 years now. Just meant that when we were finally in a position to get a dog, it had to be one that was good with cats!

Tulip26 · 11/03/2014 11:06

Ragdolls are very friendly and dog-like. Mine want constant attention. Take a bit of brushing but not as bad as Persians. Ragdoll Rescue offer theirs for around £100. You'd pay £80 for any old moggie in most rescue centres so they're not expensive really. (I have a lovely moggie too, nothing wrong with them)

m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=216340005059662

hellsbells99 · 11/03/2014 11:53

I luffs my cats :)
When I met DH he didn't like cats but he wouldn't be without one now.
Don't get a rabbit as others have suggested - far too much work for no reward.
Cats are very easy

Flip

1 2 3 4 5