Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to say her cat can’t come for Christmas?

184 replies

OneRuleForThem · 14/12/2021 21:39

Someone who is invited for Christmas Day at mine has said they are being their kitten. This is not normal behaviour, right, asking to any pet owners? I don’t know much about pets but kittens can be left alone for much, much longer than puppies can, I think and would be ok for one single day by themselves if pre planned. I don’t understand why she want to bring it with her just because it’ll be Christmas Day. AIBU to say it can’t come I don’t want it ruining things? Haven’t replied yet.

OP posts:
GettingItOutThere · 14/12/2021 22:01

thats so stressful for the kitten!

cant she just go home and spend some time with it halfway through the day?

and say no!

SunscreenCentral · 14/12/2021 22:02

It depends on so many factors :

If the kitten was being brought along in a hutch/carrier with little bed inside
The kit is ok in another room and just being checked in on/fed regularly etc by owner
Kitten not passed around or touched by the studio audience esp including small children
Other pets?
Can't be arsed with the distraction?

Any or all of the above : StarAllergiesStar

So variable tbh

SammyScrounge · 14/12/2021 22:04

@Boood

YANBU to say she can’t bring the kitten, but if it’s still really tiny I wouldn’t leave it alone for a whole day either.
I agree.zIg itvids very young it will probably snooze for long periods.
SammyScrounge · 14/12/2021 22:07

If it's very young...sorry

MrsAmaretto · 14/12/2021 22:09

She can’t come all day with a kitten that young.

Original poster
OneRuleForThem · 14/12/2021 22:11

@WeatherwaxLives
I wouldn't want to leave a small kitten (they must only have had it for a week or two if it's only 3 months?)

No, I meant she has had it for 3 months

OP posts:
eddiemairswife · 14/12/2021 22:12

She would probably need to bring the litter tray as well.

gogohm · 14/12/2021 22:12

We are taking our cat, but host is willing and garden is secure

godmum56 · 14/12/2021 22:13

I wouldn't leave it alone all day and wouldn't be party to a guest leaving a kitten alone all day either. If she can't get a sitter or find a cattery then i's say see you next year.

SpookyScarySkeletons · 14/12/2021 22:15

Kittens are fine to be left for the day. In fact they would find a strange house, strange people and strange smells way more stressful than just curling up on a catnip cushion with plenty of food down!!

xprincessxjanetx · 14/12/2021 22:17

YANBU, personally I wouldn't be comfortable allowing anybody to bring their pet round to my home, especially at christmas time unless in exceptional circumstances. In this circumstance there is no reason why she can't ask someone to pet sit for her or spend less time than originally planned with you.

belimoo · 14/12/2021 22:17

If it's not overnight then I wouldn't expect the kitten to come. I would expect the guest to have considered the fact this would be an issue at Christmas and to have a plan to visit for a few hours and then be home in time for the kitten.

I say this as someone who took a cat to someone's home for Christmas last year but it was still a bit stressful and wasn't a kitten. It didn't cause any damage (I kept a very watchful eye) but I think it could have done if it were younger and I wouldn't want someone else's kitten in my home.

MrsSkylerWhite · 14/12/2021 22:18

4 cats now, had them as long as I can remember.
No need to bring them, it would only distress them.

Annotherchange · 14/12/2021 22:21

Wouldn’t bother me at all. I can’t see why it would ‘spoil’ anything? Christmas is about give and take IMO.

BungleandGeorge · 14/12/2021 22:28

It’s just not true that kittens can’t travel anywhere. If they’re used to it from a young age many cats can be very happy travelling, and there are lots on SM who go all around the world! Presuming it’s 5/6 months you’re not meant to leave them all day. It is really rude to take your pet of any type to someone else’s house uninvited though so she’ll just have to get a sitter or only stay for a part day

MrsSkylerWhite · 14/12/2021 22:28

Annotherchange

Wouldn’t bother me at all. I can’t see why it would ‘spoil’ anything? Christmas is about give and take IMO“

For the humans, I agree. Kitten really wouldn’t be happy though. Only just used to their new home.
Dogs fine, cats no.

JellyfishandShells · 14/12/2021 22:31

My DD is bringing her 6mo kitten over for the day - but it has been here several times already ( during building work at their home ) so is relaxed here, there are no other pets or children and we are very fond of him. The tree is going to be shut in another room but the cards on the shelves are going to have to take their chances !

Not a usual guest and I think it would be rather tricky if the cat wasn’t used to being in an alternative, familiar space.

Stompythedinosaur · 14/12/2021 22:31

You can't leave a young kitten all day, but the answer is to come to you for a couple of hours, not to bring the kitten to yours.

FlamingoQueen · 14/12/2021 22:31

But how will the kitten open its presents if it’s at home on its own? Confused

Viviennemary · 14/12/2021 22:33

No she can't bring it. It should be fine left for a few hours if it's trained to use a litter tray.

Annotherchange · 14/12/2021 22:33

@Stompythedinosaur

You can't leave a young kitten all day, but the answer is to come to you for a couple of hours, not to bring the kitten to yours.
Absolutely, you can’t leave a young kitten all day. Mine was more needy than my rescue dog.
Original poster
OneRuleForThem · 14/12/2021 22:39

I text her and said no and have just recieved a reply saying I have ruined her entire Christmas, aibu to text back and say “and”? 😂 I’m just worried

OP posts:
Annotherchange · 14/12/2021 22:39

@OneRuleForThem

I text her and said no and have just recieved a reply saying I have ruined her entire Christmas, aibu to text back and say “and”? 😂 I’m just worried
Hmm, really op?
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 14/12/2021 22:40

If it’s got food, water, a litter tray and somewhere warm to sleep, surely better for it to stay at home?

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 14/12/2021 22:42

Kittens can't be left for long periods and they need to eat more and be supervised. I've got a kitten arriving in January (I usually get adult cats) and I've cleared my calendar for the next 6 months - I won't be going anywhere that involves an overnight trip.
I wouldn't be going to see anyone at Christmas.

Swipe left for the next trending thread