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Original poster

Will my kids hate me if I rehome our kitten?

44 replies

Kittythekitty · 25/09/2020 11:21

I mentioned before that I have a bad allergy to our new kitten (she’s 4 months old).

My kids are 3 and 5 and are so smitten with her.

I go from deciding she’s being rehomed to feeling an extreme sense of guilt and changing my mind. Will my kids forever hate me if we have to rehome her due to my allergy?

I’m very gentle with them on the topic and have discussed in length that mummy is unwell with her.

Help me decide :(

OP posts:
Alexandernevermind · 25/09/2020 11:30

It's a shame you didn't know you had an allergy before you got her. I'm allergic to cats too, so whilst we have farm ferals I would never have one in the house. It's up to you, you either take a daily antihistamine or rehome now whilst she is still a kitten and easy to home.

RainbowRaine · 25/09/2020 11:33

My DC is only allergic to kittens, not cats.
How badly do you suffer?

Original poster
Kittythekitty · 25/09/2020 12:50

Quite badly. Im sneezing all day long, only get relief when I’m outside she I also get very itchy throat. I wish I knew but sadly had no idea. Realistically should I even be on antihistamines forever?

I just wish I could know if my kids would be ok and not leave any lasting damage from the whole rehoming :( I’m trying to be really open about it, get them involved in the decision making and conversation so that truly understand why we have to do it. It’s just sad because they are absolutely in love with her and get teary just talking about it all.

OP posts:
SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 25/09/2020 12:52

Only one thing for it, you're going to have to move out 😀

Strawberrypancakes · 25/09/2020 12:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Kittythekitty · 25/09/2020 12:55

@SissySpacekAteMyHamster my 3 year old did propose I stay in my bedroom and not come downstairs so I don’t feel unwell. If only.

OP posts:
WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo · 25/09/2020 12:56

It could be the kitten fur and may settle down......I'm allergic to some dogs. I'm fine around long furred dogs. But anything with short fur such as.my friends boxer leaves me a snotty mess and covered in a rash.

Problem is waiting and seeing means it may make kittens harder to re-home. Have you been around older cats OP ?

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 25/09/2020 12:58

I'd look into long term antihistamine use, and see if it was viable before rehoming.

Soubriquet · 25/09/2020 13:00

If you really wanted to keep the kitten there are various things you could do

Antihistamines every day
Petal cleanse to wipe over the coat
Hoovering every day
Making sure all bedroom doors are closed so that the bedrooms are cat free

AFireInJuly · 25/09/2020 13:00

I feel for you if you didn’t know that you were allergic before. But, yes, if they are fond of the kitten they will be very upset if you rehome her. Do you have a friend or family member who could take her so that they could still see her?

Original poster
Kittythekitty · 25/09/2020 13:01

Just out of interest why do you say easier to rehome a kitten versus a cat?

OP posts:
Suzi888 · 25/09/2020 13:01

Anti allergy tablet?

Sohardtochooseausername · 25/09/2020 13:01

I saw cat food in Pets at Home which is designed to reduce whatever it is that makes cats allergic. Is that worth a try?

If it’s making you ill then it would make sense to rehome. Your kids are still so young they would move on. Perhaps you could get a different pet instead. It’s better to make a decision than have it hanging over their heads.

Janaih · 25/09/2020 13:02

I think your kids will be more forgiving than people on here tbh!
I would do it as soon as possible, along with a sizable donation to the cat shelter charity. And dont rush into any more pets for a while.

Janaih · 25/09/2020 13:04

Most people want a kitten as they see them as being cute and easier to train. So sadly older cats take longer to rehome.

Soubriquet · 25/09/2020 13:07

@Kittythekitty

Just out of interest why do you say easier to rehome a kitten versus a cat?
People always kittens

Adult cats not so much

Kira7 · 25/09/2020 13:14

Your kids won't hate you forever. They'll be upset but they'll get used to it and it won't leave damage forever.

Unless you tested whether you're allergic to cats, which really you should have done before making the decision to get a cat. Pets are for life and you can't decide to get one without being absolutely sure you can take care of it. It's really unfair on the poor kitten who now has to be stressed over moving. Do it asap as the older cats are, the more stressful moving is. And like pp have said, it can be difficult to re-home adult cats. People want kittens as you get to see them grow - why did you get a kitten instead of an adult cat?

If someone you know can home her, all the better so your dc could still see her and hear about how she's doing.

FantasticButtocks · 25/09/2020 13:24

If you need to rehome the kitten, then do. Cats can live for 20 years, which is a long time to suffer from itchy eyes and sneezing! Your dcs will soon cheer up if you can get them another pet instead, how would you feel about maybe a guinea pig or rabbit... maybe subtly start looking at alternative pets with them... so they are really keen... better to get rid now than a year or two down the line when they will be even more attached.

imnotimportant · 25/09/2020 13:25

I was allergic to black rabbits but strangely not other coloured rabbits , I think the fur was finer ? But I had to give my black rabbit away as I gradually got worse
As some have said adult cat fur may be easier , but that's 18 months or so of suffering and with winter coming the doors and windows will be closed more so possibly the condition will be worse
I think I would rehome sooner rather than later but take time to chose someone ( or go through a charity who vets , probably a better route )

Swiftnicola · 25/09/2020 13:27

The food a person mention is Purina LiveClear.

Whatsnewpussyhat · 25/09/2020 13:28

Re home it. As someone who has to take antihistamines daily, it is not a longterm solution to something completely avoidable!

Swiftnicola · 25/09/2020 13:29

www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/13649-purina-presents-breakthrough-diet-to-reduce-cat-allergies-among-humans

Not saying you shouldn’t rehome, just letting you know it’s available.

KonTikki · 25/09/2020 13:33

I would not take any medication on a daily basis for a pet of any kind.
We had to return a 6 month old dog once for entirely different reasons, and the kids got over it remarkably quickly.
Try a pair of Guinea pigs, kept in a hutch out of doors instead.

chubbyhotchoc · 25/09/2020 13:35

My mum rehomed our rabbit after a couple of years. I understood it completely. They'll be fine

Beamur · 25/09/2020 13:40

Your kids are quite little, they will be upset but will get over it.
I have 3 cats and have to take antihistamines for seasonal allergies (I'm not allergic to my cats) and I wouldn't wish anyone to have to take antihistamines daily indefinitely.
I also have guinea pigs but am massively allergic to them! My DH has to clean them out..
If I were you I would avoid all furry pets until you can pinpoint what triggers your allergies. With cats it's usually dander or their saliva rather than their fur, but if you are easily irritated you might find other things will bother you too.
A woolly coated pet might be better or something to look at rather than handle, like a fish tank.