Indoor cats and baby - help!!

[DisneyMillie]

I'll start by saying please don't judge me or tell me I'm a terrible cat owner - I'm aware I probably am and never wanted to be one but now I am I need help trying to find a solution:

My now DH moved in with myself and dd7 two years ago with his 2 cats.

They are indoor cats and he won't permit them outside (and since they're 10 it probably wouldn't be safe for them now anyway)

We now have a baby and I have no idea what to do as it's a huge hygiene worry. They were living in the downstairs of the house (big house - but very open plan). I constantly have litter all over the floor despite vacuuming regularly and a box with a lid. They're long haired cats so I assume it catches on them. Also they're regularly sick on the floor (hair balls and eating too quickly) and the Persian has never attempted to groom herself and is generally disgustingly dirty.

I can't have a baby crawling around like this.

We've moved them to an upstairs room with bathroom but they're miserable and wake us scratching at their door all through the night.

Considering an outside cattery unit for the garden but are there any other suggestions?

DH is frankly useless at looking after them (I do vet trips for claws etc) and doesn't groom Persian which doesn't help - I'm not really willing to do it as I'm scared of her (she bites). He won't re-home them.

I'm miserable and I fear so are they

We have an indoor cat and we pick out solids from the litter tray daily then fully change it and scrub it our with boiling water twice a week. Pets at Home do a safe disinfectant so we also give it a spray with that.
Groom daily to reduce fur balls. We vacuum at least once, sometimes twice a day.
When DD started crawling she went near the litter tray twice and was firmly told no and had her hands washed which she hated at the time! She hasn't been near it since. If the cat is sick she comes to tell us.
However we are expecting twins soon and I am a bit worried about them with cat litter. I might put a stair gate on the living room door so they can't escape!

I also don't advocate shutting your cats in a small room all the time but mine aren't allowed in the living room overnight or the bedrooms ever really. That way I know they are not tracking litter into those rooms and I can keep on top of the cleaning. I do think you need to relax your expectations wround hygeine and pets though as there isn't really a way to have animals and a sterile house.

Possibly that's the problem - I'm not a fan of animals in the house full stop - I'm trying to get used to it

I do think that you need to reassess how you are viewing the cats -- they were a package deal with your DH. I also think that you are overreacting about the hygiene issue, you know that children who have pets have better immune systems and are less likely to develop allergies? It's actually more healthy for a baby to have pets, a bit of cat hair won't harm them.

It is cruel to keep them in one room when they are used to being free. They need social interaction. Perhaps you should rehome them, they are being punished for existing! At least let them go to someone who actually loves them Cats usually not grooming themselves is a sign they are unhappy. Perhaps they are picking up on your attitude towards them!

I'm fine with a bit of fur - it's the litter and ungroomed Persian having poo on her legs / bum and walking it round the house where my baby crawls I have an issue with.

I'd also appreciate them being a package deal more if DH made any effort with them - it's me trying to find a solution. (have got quotes for outdoor run, booked in groomer, looking at different litter options)

Totally agree keeping them in a room is cruel / not working (although it's only the ragdoll that cares - the Persian doesn't like company)

We have a few ideas now and hopefully we'll find a good answer which works for everyone.

Also it's not my fault the Persian isn't grooming -she apparently never has (took away from parents too young by bad breeder)

We had a Persian who'd had 12 weeks with mum and he wasn't interested in grooming either.

He'd lick one paw, look at you with a pleased expression on his face & zonk out for a nap.

Twice I had to bath him because he looked so grubby we worried someone would take him in as a stray.

Your Dh is letting you down though, he should be doing all this.

Okay I see how it must be frustrating for you. Pps have made some good suggestions about trimming the hair around their privates and trying a different litter. I'm sorry if I came across harshly in my post.

I'm sorry that she has never groomed, she should probably be given a shower/bath in sink with cat shampoo every so often if that's the case. It sounds like the ragdoll doesn't need it if she is grooming herself. Cats are very clean and have less germs in their mouths than humans!

Your DH sounds rather selfish and irresponsible. I would sit him down for a serious talk about it to divide up their care between you. Maybe you can have a chalkboard of cat related tasks for him to do each day or week which he can erase when completed. Make an agreement that he will do the tasks by the end of the day. He really needs to pull his weight.