Page 5 | To get a cat when I don’t like cats?

Livvielo · 2021-09-09T02:40:25+00:00

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?

godmum56 · 09/09/2021 11:32

@SarahBellam

Well at least we know you’re not going to eat the cat.

FangsForTheMemory · 09/09/2021 11:36

Go along to Cats Protection or a rescue centre and let a cat choose you.

godmum56 · 09/09/2021 11:38

If the expectation is that you will look after it and you don't want one then say no. I would never get any animal because the children want one if the adult who will care for it doesn't want it.....and I speak as an animal lover.
To the people who say "oh you will love it" well maybe the OP will, but what if they don't? Will the rest of the family say "Ok you gave it a shot, you don't like it, we will rehome the cat"

godmum56 · 09/09/2021 11:39

@CSIblonde

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..😁

yeah see I wouldn't tolerate any of that.

gamerchick · 09/09/2021 11:39

I don't like cats. We have a cat (accidental). I do all the right things and I'm willing to see her life out. The husband adores her, but I'll never ever get another one when she goes.

Ironically it's me she comes to when she's not feeling quite right and needs the vet. The rest of the time she goes to husband and son for fusses.

MossyBottom · 09/09/2021 11:40

I did it.
I'm not a huge animal lover and I knew I was allergic to cats and dogs. When DS was 12 he was going through a particularly unhappy phase and mounted a full on "I need a kitten" campaign.
I caved in and we got a kitten. It was worth it because DS adored it and it genuinely made him happy. Cats are very easy to look after. Cat flap, feed twice a day, vet once a year, cattery for holidays. It does make me sneeze and affects my asthma so I was right to be reluctant. In fact given the choice again I would probably get a dog because at least they give something back whereas the cat doesn't.

However. DS is 23 and long since left home and I'm left with The Cat.

Sparklfairy · 09/09/2021 11:58

I've dated loads of men who "didn't like cats", even said they were allergic (lie!) and DM's cat was ALL over them when we popped in for something. Ignored me though I thought she was just just a flirt but reading these replies it seems they're evil geniuses who convert non cat people

TreeSmuggler · 09/09/2021 12:20

I suppose it really depends on whether you trust your DH will do everything for it (forget your dcs, assume they won't do a thing). If he will, cats are pretty easy pets. I have a cat from before I met DH, the deal is DH tolerates the cat and I do 100% of the care for it, we are both fine with this arrangement.

But if you think it's going to fall on you soon enough I'd say no.

EvenRosesHaveThorns · 09/09/2021 12:23

Depends how you will manage with said cat bringing you presents in the form of dead and dying wildlife, as an animal lover

cleckheatonwanderer · 09/09/2021 12:29

We wanted a family pet but didn't want the responsibility of a dog.

I wouldn't say I was a cat or a dog person before but now I definitely wouldn't be without our cat.

She makes short work of any creepie crawlies that have the nerve to show themselves to her - house spiders are not a problem anymore.

cleckheatonwanderer · 09/09/2021 12:32

Also, for those saying they are woken early by their cat, ours has been shut in the kitchen at night since she was a kitten so this hasn't been our experience.

Iwantcauliflowercheese · 09/09/2021 12:47

My XH was brought up with cats. A friend gave us two kittens. I was used to dogs, but not cats. I had no affection for them at all. I am phobic about birds and dead birds being brought into the house freaked me out. I couldn't stand the litter tray. They clawed my furniture. They climbed up my curtains. My MIL moved into the next street and bought them treats and they moved in with her. They lived to 17. Some of us just can't love cats. Don't force a cat on someone who doesn't like them. I love dogs and I know many people feel the same way about dogs as I do cats.

Mynameisthecatwhogotthecream · 09/09/2021 12:51

Dh wasn't a cat person then dd1 found a starving 8week old feral kitten in a ditch, 3 yrs later we still have a cat.

takehomepay · 09/09/2021 12:55

@CSIblonde

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..😁

My cat didn’t do any of that, but he did go for early morning walks and then on rainy days would get his muddy paws on my pristine white bedding as he got into bed with us.

Also, I would have to sit still for ages just so he could continue to sleep peacefully on my lap.

Dillydollydingdong · 09/09/2021 12:55

You're outvoted OP. Everyone else wants one so why should your opinions win the day? It's not as though the family want a dog, peeing and pooing everywhere, needing to be walked, being a general nuisance (and yes I love my dog).

ClumpingBambooIsALie · 09/09/2021 13:00

@Dillydollydingdong

You're outvoted OP. Everyone else wants one so why should your opinions win the day? It's not as though the family want a dog, peeing and pooing everywhere, needing to be walked, being a general nuisance (and yes I love my dog).

It's not a democracy. Everyone should have a veto when it comes to an animal sharing their home. It's not like a pair of mice or a tank of fish — it's an animal all over your living space, for possibly the next two decades.

takehomepay · 09/09/2021 13:01

And it seems women often get the short end of the stick when it comes to feeding pets etc

Seeingadistance · 09/09/2021 13:03

@SarahBellam

Well at least we know you’re not going to eat the cat.

PoppyWoods · 09/09/2021 13:05

@Aquamarine1029

I know many people who weren't cat people until they got a cat.

This. Our cat has totally converted me. The words "loves that cat I do" is heard regularly in our place.

Not sure the feeling is mutual though 😒

LAgeDeRaisin · 09/09/2021 13:10

My husband can't stand cats, but we got a rescue cat to help with the mouse problem (we live in the country)

He is now best friends with our cat. They spend every evening together. Sometimes I get attention too, but it's mainly just a big bromance between DH and the cat.

LST · 09/09/2021 13:32

@LAgeDeRaisin

My husband can't stand cats, but we got a rescue cat to help with the mouse problem (we live in the country)

He is now best friends with our cat. They spend every evening together. Sometimes I get attention too, but it's mainly just a big bromance between DH and the cat.

Did they help with the mouse problem?

Mercurial123 · 09/09/2021 13:33

My ex bought the cat into the house. She was a street cat and I fed her outside.

She hated him, and would often sit on my knee and look at him with contempt.

13 years later the cat is still here and the ex is a distant memory.