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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get a kitten, even though I won't have anything to do with it?

174 replies

OkMaybeNot · 11/07/2018 14:37

The kids are absolutely desperate for a kitten and some have just come up for sale in my area. They've had a really shit time of it lately... My mum died, their uncle died and DH has just come out the other side of a horrible depression/anxiety fog that put so much strain on all of us. I think a kitten will really lift their spirits a bit. We don't have any other pets.

Thing is I won't be able to touch it because I'm really allergic. So no kitten cuddles Sad

I'll be fine with an antihistamine and avoiding too much contact so I don't feel I'm really an issue, but the cat will be spending most of its time with me in the house once DD's off to school in September, so will me not being able to give it loads of love and snuggles going to affect it? Will it be sad?

OP posts:
Original poster
OkMaybeNot · 11/07/2018 14:56

Are you sure your kids aren't allergic too?

I'm pretty sure, they've stroked and spent time around my dad's cat with no ill-effects.

OP posts:
sleepymum50 · 11/07/2018 14:56

I don’t know if this is a good idea but you could wait for the school holidays then perhaps see if cats protection need any short term fostering . That way u can see how it affects you. But you would have to be upfront with the cat charity and it’s no good if u already have hols booked.
Or offer to house sit/ feed a neighbours cat to see how allergic you are generally

thelastredwinegum · 11/07/2018 14:56

My DH is allergic to cats and can't even go into a room they've been in for more than 5minutes without it affecting him, if he's had an antihistamine he can maybe be in the room for half an hour.

FeistyOldBat · 11/07/2018 14:56

Yes it will be sad. It will be a very unhappy cat. Cats are said to be solitary but they aren't, they're often very social creatures and thrive on physical contact with their housemates, human or otherwise. Please don't do this.

AlbaChick · 11/07/2018 15:00

Guinea pigs are lovely little pets and they enjoy being handled. I found they don’t seem to bite either, not like the hamsters we had!

Original poster
OkMaybeNot · 11/07/2018 15:00

I don't want it to be sad.

Do you really think 6 hours a day is too long for a cat to be without cuddles? Sad

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 11/07/2018 15:00

I really wouldn't, OP. Maybe think about something else like guinea pigs or a rabbit? The reality is that you will be the main carer and it needs to be something you don't have to think twice about touching and cuddling.

MikeUniformMike · 11/07/2018 15:06

You can't have a cat OP. They leave hairs everywhere.

TheGoddessFrigg · 11/07/2018 15:06

Do you really think 6 hours a day is too long for a cat to be without cuddles?

far too long. It's just a baby- like a human baby. It needs the constant contact.

get a guinea pig. They're hilarious characters and make great noises.

Summersnake · 11/07/2018 15:07

Really really daft idea..any animal,the parent always does the lions share of care

Fluffycloudland77 · 11/07/2018 15:07

If a litters being sold it's probably a kitten farm. They'll tell you it's her first litter & she'll be spayed soon.

I would look for an adult rescue instead.

Smushrooms · 11/07/2018 15:08

Please don't get a cat. It isn't fair on the cat or on you. There might be times when you absolutely need to touch the cat e.g if injured and needs to go to the vet and how will you make that work? Cats' temperaments vary but many are very affectionate and want to be around people for much of the day.

Also, please don't encourage backyard breeders/owners who don't or won't have their cat spayed by buying from them. I don't know anything about the 'breeder' you mention, but there's a very good chance that they are just that.

ShotsFired · 11/07/2018 15:08

I think getting any animal in these circumstances, almost as a "quick fix" is not the right thing to do at all.

And a kitten is even less good of an idea.

I think you need a whole new plan that isn't contingent on other life tbh.
This is not a fix, its a sticking plaster.

Shortstuff08 · 11/07/2018 15:09

ExDh had a cat allergy. It only got worse as he got older and was around cats more.

We stayed with oil while we were having work done and he had really bad effects. We ended up having to go to a hotel.

He lived with cats all through his teens and twenties before he started noticing a reaction.

It can't even be in a house with cats in it now.

And yes, 6 hours is far to long for a kitten to not be touched and played with

SilverySurfer · 11/07/2018 15:14

Please do not buy a pet for children. They always promise they will look after it but never do and it is ultimately your responsibility so what will you do when you need to care for the cat but are unable to do so because you are allergic?

How would it be possible for a child to take the cat to the vet? What would you do if it had an accident and needed attention outside of vet hours?

Please don't do it.

halfwitpicker · 11/07/2018 15:15

Sounds like a bad idea.

MikeUniformMike · 11/07/2018 15:17

Cats can easily go hours without cuddles. CharlieAlphaTango has cuddles only when he wants them and he sleeps for about 14 hours of the day.

beachysandy81 · 11/07/2018 15:18

Get a Siberian kitten? They are meant to be hypoallergenic, you can go round to do an allergy testing session with a breeder.

No way you can have a kitten without giving it attention though.

Coyoacan · 11/07/2018 15:21

If you got allergic as an adult, I think that is more serious than childhood allergies, OP, be careful

Beaverhausen · 11/07/2018 15:24

Please please please do not get an animal if you have no intention of giving it the proper love, attention and care!!!!!! There are enough abandoned and unwanted animals in this world who lose their lives due to some selfish dimwitted individual.

RafikiIsTheBest · 11/07/2018 15:25

An adult would be fine going without cuddles during the day, a kitten not so much. It will need a lot of interaction, play, toilet training, house/manners training etc. It's not a simple thing.

Nanny0gg · 11/07/2018 15:27

It's not the hair, it's the dander.

And it will plague you if you're the only human in the room.

Not fair.

Get a fish.

clairethewitch70 · 11/07/2018 15:27

I have a severe cat allergy, and a cat who sleeps on my bed, whom I snuggle with a lot.

I am on 40mg (4 x normal dose) of ceterizine prescribed as I have multiple allergies and have no reaction at all

Nanny0gg · 11/07/2018 15:28

Get a Siberian kitten? They are meant to be hypoallergenic, you can go round to do an allergy testing session with a breeder.

No!!

They aren't!

Tomatoesrock · 11/07/2018 15:30

Please do not do it. Total disaster and further heartbreak for the DC when you have to rehome their kitten.