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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU - Cats on Table

125 replies

cuppaandabiscuit · 06/01/2022 14:03

I have 2 cats. They like to sleep on the dining table out of reach of the dog.
DP hates this and keeps complaining that it's unhygienic.
I feel that, as long as the table is cleaned properly before each use there's no problem.

WIBU?

(NB I've bought the cats hanging beds, cat trees etc and they still sleep on the table. Plus DP doesn't like them sleeping on sofa, beds or anywhere else really but the dog is encouraged onto sofa, beds etc. TBH DP doesn't really like the cats full stop. They've been mine for 10 years, DP been around for 8)

OP posts:
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5
HikingforScenery · 06/01/2022 14:55

Definitely disgusting.
I don’t think dogs should be in beds either.

Retrievemysanity · 06/01/2022 14:56

Part and parcel of having pets surely?! Our cat sits on the table to watch the birds. She also will try and jump up on it if we’re eating. She sleeps on our bed and sofa. I love the way she just what she wants when she wants!

ThinWomansBrain · 06/01/2022 14:58

LTB

PinkWaferBiscuit · 06/01/2022 14:59

For those saying it's disgusting do you have pets?

Mamamamasaurus · 06/01/2022 14:59

YABU and I am a cat person. None of my cats have ever been allowed on worktops or tables. Grim.

Poppins2016 · 06/01/2022 15:00

@PinkWaferBiscuit

Love that people think their cats won't be traipsing all over the table the minute they are out the door or in bed. Just because you've never seen them do it doesn't mean they don't do it. GrinGrin

I'm glad your cats have you standing up for them OP his argument makes absolutely no sense regarding the dog and he can suck it up because they were there first. If he keeps bringing it up maybe suggest he should swap sleeping places with the poor mogs. Grin

I think it's hilarious when I catch mine in the act (they know they're not allowed on the kitchen work surfaces but I know they push the boundaries when I'm not there)... the wide eyed "shit, she saw me" look before scrabbling down at lightning speed and pretending nothing happened... 🤣
ThinWomansBrain · 06/01/2022 15:00

H should not be allowed to eat at the cats bed.

Mrstamborineman · 06/01/2022 15:02

And this is why I don’t eat at people’s house if they have animals. Manky.

AnnaMagnani · 06/01/2022 15:02

I always thought cats could be trained not to go on tables and worktops having successfully managed it with 4 cats.

Then I met my boy and he does not do rules or training.

mistermagpie · 06/01/2022 15:03

I have two cats who walk all over all my furniture to be honest, they definitely lie around on the dining table as well.

I just wipe it down before we eat and obviously we eat off plates, so I'm not sure what the problem is really. I'm not pretending it's the most hygienic thing ever, but we've all survived so far.

If he's put up with it for this long it's obviously not that important so...

tillytoodles1 · 06/01/2022 15:03

My bed is still not made as the cat is curled up fast asleep right in the middle. She jumps onto the worktops, dining table and anywhere else she sees fit. How do I stop her? She's 19 and I don't think she give a shit about what I think.

dworky · 06/01/2022 15:03

@LowlyTheWorm

Nope. I’m with your husband on this. Unnecessary and unhygienic.
As are men but many of us keep them around!

It makes the cats feel safe & it's the easiest thing to wipe the table.

PinkWaferBiscuit · 06/01/2022 15:04

@Mrstamborineman

And this is why I don’t eat at people’s house if they have animals. Manky.
Why is it manky?

You do get that people with pets actually clean their houses right?

Adododadahdahdah · 06/01/2022 15:04

@JustHereWithMyPopcorn

I love my cat but he's never allowed on counters or tablee.
Same here!
WalkersAreNotTheOnlyCrisps · 06/01/2022 15:06

My dog wouldn't dream of jumping up on the table if someone is at home. Every time I go out and come back I can see him through the window lying on the dining table like it's his bed 🤷🏼‍♀️ He's allowed to sleep on the sofa when he wants, his favourite spot is on the windowsill though.

FangsForTheMemory · 06/01/2022 15:09

I have a list of rules for my cat. He ignores them all, including the 'get OFF the table!' rule. So no it's not ideal having cats on the table, but if you clean it before you eat off it, that's fine. You could suggest to your partner that you get rid of the dog, so the cats don't need to be on the table out of the way?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 06/01/2022 15:11

@Mrstamborineman

And this is why I don’t eat at people’s house if they have animals. Manky.
Why, do you lick their dining table?
gogohm · 06/01/2022 15:11

The cat is banned from the table, the work tops and many other places. When she moved in (she's dsd's cat) I put my foot down. She doesn't like my dog so I let her sit on the top of the fridge

GrolliffetheDragon · 06/01/2022 15:13

@Mamamamasaurus

YABU and I am a cat person. None of my cats have ever been allowed on worktops or tables. Grim.
All my previous cats didn't - in my presence at least.

Current cat is a rescue cat, and seems not to have been trained in this. He has a few bad habits which hopefully will get sorted over time as some of his other issues have been resolved - he is now used to being handled and has stopped stealing food or trying to get food from our plates.

FangsForTheMemory · 06/01/2022 15:13

@Peas252

Cats can be trained not to do things. Those saying that cats do as they please are just lazy owners.
I haven't managed to train my cat not to scratch the rug, lie on the table or sneak into the kitchen and it's not for lack of trying. He HAS learned that if he wants my attention IMMEDIATELY, he only needs to scratch the rug, lie on the table or sneak into the kitchen.

The bugger.

yellowsmileyface · 06/01/2022 15:15

@SheWoreYellow

So long as you have plates, I can’t see the problem.
Exactly! To everyone saying it's unhygienic and gross... are y'all eating directly off your dining tables?? That attitude seems excessively germophobic to me, but then I'm a massive animal lover and I don't give two sods if there are cat hairs about.

OP, YANBU.

Tal45 · 06/01/2022 15:19

I'm not a cat fan but I read people should not wash their hands between stroking their pet and eating to help build their immune system, so rather than unhygienic you're probably improving your immune system (and no need to bother wiping down).
Also they've done this for 10 years without you getting ill from it so what does that tell you/him?

Beamur · 06/01/2022 15:21

I have cats and a dog. Cats are much cleaner. I wouldn't have the dog on my bed.
I've had cats before who pretended they didn't get on worktops or tables. Current cats don't do that. Highly resistant to training too! I clean worktops before use and put a cloth on the table. No one has died yet.
I'd ditch a DP before giving up my cats though. No question.

IcicleIcicle · 06/01/2022 15:23

Wouldn't bother me (I have cats and dogs, they go where they like in their my house) but would one of those disposable tablecloths shut him up? Take it off and fold it when table is in use and replace to protect the table the rest of the time? He couldn't moan there was a hygiene issue if the cats never actually come into contact with the tabletop itself. Then ask him how he's going to protect the bed/sofa from the 'hygiene issues' caused by the dog Smile

MapleMay11 · 06/01/2022 15:26

Definitely not. Cats on worktops are just as bad.