To get a cat when I don’t like cats?

[Livvielo]

AIBU to consider getting a cat when I don’t really like cats?
I don’t HATE them - note: I’m a vegetarian. However, I don’t see myself a ‘cat person.’
DD’s 8 and 11 have wanted a cat for a while now. DH is keen. He had cats growing up, and his mum has 3 cats- we’ve catsat them on a few occasions. I’m just thinking if it would maybe sense I don’t really like cats and if that would really be fair. Or if it would be perfectly fine being loved and cared for by the rest of the family?

I know several people who weren't cat people and then (under household pressure) got one. They are all converted.

My not a cat person boyfriend carries ours around like babies and compliments them more than he compliments me.

Cats very much grow on people anyway. I adore our two cats. However, if you feel the cat won’t be cared for as it should, then please don’t get one, it’s unfair on the cat.

If you do decide to get one, rescue first, ensure it’s neutered/spayed, microchipped vaccinated etc, generally rescue cats have had all of this done anyway. Insurance is important because of the potential cost of big vet bills. A good quality diet, weekly grooming, monthly flea treatment (we don’t do this every month though!) 3 monthly worming. They are relatively easy to look after and very independent.

Good luck and enjoy your new addition, if you decide to get one

I wasn't a cat person. Then I got a cat
Now I can't imagine being without one. He's a noisy furry lovebug

I'm not a cat person and still don't really like other people's cat. I love my 3 cats though 😍

Get the cat! They are so easy to look after too.

Cats are horrendous for the local wildlife so I'd never get one - worth baring in mind if you're a vegetarian.

Im Not a dog person but I'd rather have a dog than an empty house. Once the animals personality comes through they are easier to love. Get a really outgoing cheeky one rather than a quiet shy one.

I wasn’t a cat person. Now I have 3!

The charming little buggers wormed their way into my heart and I love them a ridiculous amount.

If you like your home and your sanity DO NOT get a kitten. My two kittens are 8 months old and are still destroying everything and waking me up at 4am. I have no wine glasses left because I stupidly left them on the side in the kitchen. They all got pushed onto the floor as soon as I went to bed. Still love the stupid furry twats though!

@Tal45

Cats are horrendous for the local wildlife so I'd never get one - worth baring in mind if you're a vegetarian.

Not all cats. I've had 5 and only 1 has ever killed anything.

@Tal45

Cats are horrendous for the local wildlife so I'd never get one - worth baring in mind if you're a vegetarian.

Not necessarily. Mine doesn't hunt or kill anything, and lots of people have a cat proofed garden or indoor cat Mine goes out but the only damage he does is flattening the grass walking the same path every day!

DH isn’t a cat person, he gave in and we got a cat because I wanted one. It’s fine, they just sort of coexist in the same house without having anything to do with each other! Obviously he feeds her and takes her to the vet and all that, they just aren’t exactly friends

My husband was not keen on a cat for our daughter but when we went to pick up my daughter's cat he felt sorry for a scared little kitten and we bought that too. This scared little kitten has turned into a giant 6 kilo plus beast who is still a little scared and loves sitting on my hubsand's belly getting stroked. My husband wanted a dog but he loves his cat!

Can I recommend a ragdoll cat though - they are very placid (hence the name ragdoll) and apparently more dog like than other cats they are very bright and you can train them to fetch balls etc.

@Tal45

Cats are horrendous for the local wildlife so I'd never get one - worth baring in mind if you're a vegetarian.

Humans are horrendous for this earth, I’d never get one

@ittakes2

Can I recommend a ragdoll cat though - they are very placid (hence the name ragdoll) and apparently more dog like than other cats they are very bright and you can train them to fetch balls etc.

What ittaks2 said,

We have a Ragdoll (we lost our other girl Ragdoll a couple of years ago) and she is so easy to live with. She's a house cat so even though she loves the garden she never roams.

Such a softy and a real pleasure to have around.

Although, when we got our first rag doll we assumed they were called Ragdolls, was because if you picked her up on her back she'd 'flop' like she was full of rags.

My friend was not a cat person. Until I got mine. Then he was amenable to being persuaded. He's not a fully paid up crazy cat man, besotted with his two.

My Dh didn't want a cat - said he hates them. He carries ours in a baby sling whilst doing the dishes because she constantly cries for him to cuddle her, because he doesn't put her down. He also sleeps downstairs with her if she's had her wormer or a jab because he's worried she might be sad 😂

Actually I get the vegetarian comment.

I think you need to consider how you'll feel about a cat when it kills a bird or a mouse (alive or dead) and brings it in as a present

Cats, especially cats that are allowed outdoors, are such easy pets imo.
I bet if you got a lovely ginger tomcat youd be just fine, and its really nice for kids to grow up with a pet

My DH was, according to him, 100% not a cat person. We moved house, and guess what? Feral cat living in the garden decides DH is "his" person ... and this is the result. Now DH loves the fact he was picked by this cat, and spends loads of time with him both indoors and outdoors. I did however insist he got the cat vaccinated, treated for worms and fleas and that he doesn't sleep on the bed.

Honestly if my DH can be converted I think you will be surprised at how much love and joy a cat can bring you ... go for it OP

Yes, I must admit, I thought you mentioned being a vegetarian because perhaps you are a very strict veg and that would make a cat a difficult pet for you - they MUST be fed meat. They are obligate carnivores, and they even get a lot of their fluid from meat. People who try to feed them “vegan diets” make them very sick and sometimes kill them; it’s horrific abuse, and such animals (if found in time) are taken off them by the RSPCA, as they should be, and rescues try to rehabilitate their stomachs. So, if you have ANY issues about feeding the cat meat, if you think you’re going to google about, “oh, well, these people made a vegan diet work…” Shite did they, they’re only showing you the beginning of the diet, or they’re lying, or just absolutely not. The only person to talk about a cat’s diet is a fully qualified veterinarian.

I thought it was relevant to show I don’t hate animals.

Vegetarianism is not a pre-requisite for loving a pet.

Lots of vegetarians don’t like animals.

I would say it depends. My husband and DD2 want to get a dog and I have said no as I know it will be me looking after the poor thing.
Cats are different because they are a bit more independent than dogs but will it be your family clearing up after the cat? Feeding it? Taking it to the vet? Playing with and cuddling the cat?
Or will it be you? Which is very unfair if you aren't a cat person.

How are you going to react to normal cat behaviour tho? Like throwing up on the new rug, performance vomiting off the top of the wardrobe, bringing half dead 'prezzies' in that you have to put out of their misery , 5am breakfast call ( timer cat bowls are a thing now)??? All these don't bother me & I'm besotted. Oh & repeatedly tapping your arm at 3am because she fancies a play session: because outside got boring..😁