WIBU to get a cat even though DH doesn't like them?

[christmastreewithhairyfairy]

DH and I have been married 15 years. Growingup, I always had cats and other animals in the house, DH never did - his family just don't see the point of them.

When we met I accepted that I'd have to give up the idea of ever having pets but recently and increasingly I've realised how much I feel like I'm missing out. I'm quite low at the moment, on my own in the house a lot, and having a cat around would really help. We have 2 school age DDs who adore animals and would really love to have a pet (every year, a cat is top of the Christmas list), so DH is the only dissenter.

His arguments are the expense, the smell (I don't think cats smell personally - but do accept that could be because I grew up with them so am immune to it) and the general hassle of feeding, vets, catteries.

I feel like it doesn't have to impact his life too much - I will do the feeding, litter tray, vets trips etc. Though I get there will be an occasional time I am out and he will have to let it in, or deal with a bird or mouse in the house.

Of course if he puts his foot down and says no full stop, I am not exactly going to just turn up with one. But he is on the verge of being persuaded by the rest of us. AIBU even considering it, if he says yes but clearly is still not too keen?

I really wanted a cat. My husband didn't. In a moment of weakness he suggested we go and look at a cat at the local RSPCA centre. We now have a cat.

He is fond out the cat, but the cat is now elderly and he is very clear he doesn't want another. I won't inflict one on him but I will be really sad not to have a cat. It would be really unfair on my husband though to have another.

Cats stink big time. Yabu.

If your cat stinks I would suggest you take it to the vets for health check!

Cats are exceptionally clean animals.

MzPumpkinPie - you so need to come to The Litter Tray with a lot more kitty pics.

My parent has had 2 cats over periods of 30 years, and they’ve both done ghastly, screaming noises to get out, then want in, and butted the windows, walk about the house making penetrating yowling noises (fuck all wrong with them), puke regularly and yes, sleep, but sure, I guess those two unrelated cats are complete anomalies.

Ours don't need a litter tray thankfully

Are you sure? If not, where are they shitting?

they’ve both done ghastly, screaming noises to get out

You mean, like, MIAW? :)

then want in, and butted the windows

It's called being cute.

walk about the house making penetrating yowling noises (fuck all wrong with them)

Are you sure that wasn't a 3YO?

Only 45% think you're unreasonable?
I thought it was scientifically proven that 52% of people are ignorant cunts.

My husband didn't want a dog, didn't like dogs.
I got a dog.
Husband loved the dog even more than I did.
When dog died he was the one who wanted another dog, I was reluctant.
Husband got a dog.
I really, really love the dog.

Please don't get a cat unless everyone in the family is onboard. It's not fair on the person that does not want a pet and not fair on the cat either. My parents had that issue and in the end my mum rehomed the cat as she felt it was just not fair on the cat to not be loved by all her owners. Could you compromise on a pet. Like maybe a hamster that will stay in the kids room and is not your husbands responsibility?

I don't think it would be fair to have any cat, other than a truly feral cat, because s/he will be at risk of being hurt/frightened by your DH's behaviour if, at heart, he does truly dislike cats. Loving cats as you say you do, perhaps volunteering at a cat rescue could be a way of having cats in your life?

Friend's child talked anti-pet dad into allowing a cat across the threshold. Behold. The King of Cats, cossetted and beloved by all, especially dad who's never had a pet before, love affair of the century. But this is unusual. If he's so against it I wouldn't do it.

I've always disliked cats until my dp brought back 2 tiny 6 week old farm kitten's. I had no experience in keeping them and did not know anything about them. When I got them they were litter trained and no bug at all on them. So I've had them just overy a year and I can honestly say that they are the best animals to have. Your dh sound like how I was buy a little tiny kitten for him he may change his opinion I did.

yetanother nah, a horrible yowling noise. Body slamming windows isn’t cute though? Would you think it’s cute at 3am?
And nope, thankfully no children in our lives.

The fact that you spent time dissecting my reply to someone who was being snarky, putting in bolded quotes and all, is cute though 😄

People who say that cats stink don't dogs smell worse. My cats smell like baby wipes as you have to wipe there paws when they come in as they get paw prints everywhere. I also have a dog he is more stinky then both of my mows dogs reek and I mean I have not ever had a dog that smells as nice as my cats that's a fact.

I think you should get one. I have two. Fair to say dh not particularly on board, but give and take and all that. I had a cold childhood, which had taken a long time to come to terms with. Seeing on of the cats sleeping on a cushion gives me a warm safe homely feeling.
Dh is also not keen on dogs either!
We have a beloved Labrador. I also think that children learn so much from growing up with animals.

All this stuff about cats stink?

You try living with a smelly farty dog!!

Fgs.

You can clean out a litter tray. Not so easy with dog farts.

All these people saying cats don't stink. They have a particular smell. I find it unpleasant, I'd describe it as stinky. You might not.

"Incredibly clean animals" manky little fuckers you mean who have weird black dribble round their mouths and gunky eyes and a tendency to stick their arsehole in people's faces. They are vile.

Cats creep me out, I could not live with one.

@Redshoesandtheblues no, dogs also stink. It's not dogs vs cats here.

I'm sure OPs husband doesn't want to "try living with a dog" either.

@flopsytheflatcat totally agree with you! People who don't like cats can't be trusted OP

The two dogs we've had my dad said they wouldn't be a good idea, too much of a tie etc and he's the one who ended up loving them the most

When he's close to caving it's not a no
My Dh doesn't like cats but he brought in a kitten 10 years ago when I was ill to cheer me up. My "scarf cat" died aged 8 and I soon got another kitten (he muttered a bit but actually picked her) and she's very well behaved, Then dd2 found a sick kitten who wouldn't eat. I hand reared him then he got ill and several hundred £££ later made it through. Hes fat, lazy, has ibs so is extremely stinky and frequently has the cold so snotty (immunocompromised) Dh hates him so much he mutters all sorts of threats but when he thinks I'm not looking gives him cuddles and kisses

I really don’t like catastrophe understand your husband’s POV.

didn't realise this would be so polarising! And so close to 50/50. DH and I are both amused, and both feel vindicated. Like with Brexit, I feel just over 50% are in the wrong but hey ho
Not getting a cat any time soon, so don't worry cat haters, DH is safe for the time being, though the matter is far from closed forever...