Sister told me to buy a Christmas present for her cat?! Wwyd?

[Bear18]

Two years ago my sister bought a cat. Her husband works shifts and she said it would be lovely to get a cat to keep her company, I thought nice idea.... the first year she had the cat I said sis what would you like for Christmas, got any ideas?! Sister says oh don’t worry about me just buy for my cat, I thought she was joking, but no she was serious. I asked again for any ideas as I do find her hard to buy for, it’s better to ask. Anyway she gave me some ideas then later on she said ‘your buying for my cat right?’ i say eh? You want me to buy for your cat and she said well yeah she’s my baby blah blah.

So I thought, bite the bullet just get her cat something, it will make her happy, so I did.

Now this year I have been asked to buy for her cat again.....

Every time I catch up there’s always a story about the cat. When my dd plays with the cat she always get told off by my sister, dd don’t do that, don’t sing too loud, don’t move too quick it will startle the cat. I have caught my sister shouting at my dd over the cat!!!! - tbh it’s doing my head in. My dd is good with pets and is very gentle with the cat, she doesn’t need to be constantly told off.

I can tell she is a bit obsessed with the cat. I don’t have pets so I don’t get it. But would you ask someone to buy for your pet??

I have a list of what the cat likes and doesn’t like.... I have spent half hr on amazon .... then logged out and thought I have too much sh&t to do...... plus I feel petty because of the way she snaps at dd.

Do I give in and buy the cat something??? Wwyd ???

Thank you Elfina- pretty chuffed with the fish catnip toy 🤣

@iamtheoneandonly2018

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I must get me one of those wine/chocolate-loving cats. Are they a particular breed?

Is it innaproprite to say my dd wants a bottle of Baileys for christmas next time someone asks? (She's 3).

I've never bought a present for a pet but the first year we had our dog, he got more presents from friends than DH and me put together!

Reminds me of my uncle. I sent a Christmas card and added a photo of my DC (he lives abroad so doesn't see them often). He sent me a card back with FOUR photos of his 2 dogs...

It’s unrequited love. He is a beautiful noble black labrador, she is a dachshund/basset hound who expresses her adoration by biting his chops, which he tolerates because he is so noble. Sadly they do not deliver cards, but they are personalised with a paw print.

Your sister doesn't have kids, she has a cat. She loves said cat. If you love your sister, you'll have to deal with it. Little children and pets make me cringe too. No matter how 'gentle' their parents think their kids are, they're usually really not.

My cat is in love with a £1 stuffed rat from Ikea!

If she buys for your child you should buy for her cat.

Don’t be so mean. If she hasn’t got any kids then the cat is her child.

Just buy something for the cat. My cats go wild for this cat toy www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000LPOUNW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ref=plSrch&keywords=go+cat+cat+teaser&dpPl=1&dpID=313UiVGlz7L&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1545414389&sr=8-3. They’ve got one for each of their stockings this year 😂

If you were going to buy your sister a gift and requested that her intended gift instead be spent on her cat food then what difference does it make. In fact you will get off cheaper in the long and short run. Don't Link the cat's gift to your sisters treatment of her niece. She is protective of the cat and could be a little jealous of the cat showing affection or interest in other people. Instead you should inquire why your sis is so lonely that she has anthropomorphized this cat to such a degree. PS, don't listen to the people telling you not to get the gift, they probably aren't animal lovers (or sister lovers either).

I love animals, I have a dog and I ADORE him - he is a part of my family. But he is a dog, not a child. It agitates me when people treat their pets like children.

Does she buy for your child - Christmas and birthday? If so, I think buying her cat, which she clearly loves, a little something is a very reasonable thing to do.

People who have children expect their siblings/parents/friends will but their children presents. If you don't have children, no one ever thinks how unfair the present buying is. Before I had DS, I bought my best friend's two children Christmas and birthday presents for 12 years, as well as buying for my best friend. I only ever got one present from the family in return although I was buying 3 every birthday, Christmas and Easter. If I'd had neices and nephews it would have been even more unfair.

I think I would laugh! Just give it a squeaky mouse to drive everyone mad!

If she buys for your child you should buy for her cat

OMG, I've heard some ridiculous things but that's batshit!

OP has already said she HAS now bought the cat a gift.!
I'd rather buy a child I don't know and whose family is in poverty a gift than some pampered pet.

I remember one time my kunscrekayives cane around. Their three children wanted to look at our cats. My mum let the cars sit by them . Then the young boy kicked the cat in the stomach. My mum told the parents who said it didn’t matter. If I’d known about it I’d have shouted at the boy. You just don’t k ow what kids are doing to animals when your back is turned or that the animal may not like even being touched. Buy the cat a present. She is your sisters family . I think it’s sweet

She’s your sister though so it’s different to someone else asking you. . I also thought it maybe a lack of child-related issue. Just buy for the cat!! Maybe she feels coz she buys for your child it’s not fair otherwise?! Who knows?!

Before having children, I preferred cats to any child. If I saw a child around a puppy or a cat, I would be super stressed at the thought of the animal being harmed (not necessarily on purpose). However, once I got pregnant my worries shifted. In hindsight, I was treating cats like babies, in some unconscious way that diverted the desire to have babies into an obsession with kittens. Back then, I would have worried about the kitten and told a child off. Nowadays, I would worry about the child being scratched! I think there's some psychological transfer of emotions there, which means your sister does indeed look at her cat as her own baby, and protects it as such. I would buy for the cat, but it's a tough one.

A Christmas stocking of Dreamies and a cardboard box. Seriously. The cat will love it

Spend a few quiz on a cat toy then get a spa day booked for the two of you. Maybe your sis would benefit from some QT with a human?

That's you. Since you have the poor children covered, some people want to buy for pets. It's wonderful living in a free country. Merry Christmas!

Cats love Tuna and little balls that make a noise when they roll around. They cost about a pound. It will cost a couple of pounds and it will make your sister happy. I would tell your ds your dd had bout her the ball. Perhaps that will make her less snappy with her.

My pets have always had presents, as have my parents'. My animals were also given small presents from my parents and aunt, as well as treats from the leftovers.

Now there's just me and my animals and of course they are getting presents. A couple of dog toys and treats for the dogs while the cats prefer real mice to toys so they are getting a big bag of treats. In return, they are very generous to me so I at least have a couple of presents every year.

Glad you bought the cat a toy.
My Dad asked me what I wanted for my birthday this year and as two new cats were about to move in I asked for a cat bed and a toy for them. Why not? I don't need anything for me and it was a great gift - cats love the bed.
I am not getting anything from Dad at Christmas either - he has bought the cats things instead!

I buy for my frriends & families dogs every year.