Son and DH wants cat but...

[Weightsandmeasures]

Hi all

My son and DH would like to get a pet cat. They love cats. I don't. My main concern is germs. I know cats are clean and clean themselves regularly but they do roam about outside, walking in all sorts - people's spit, dog poo, etc.

We agreed to buy a cat around spring time and I am dreading it. I have OCD regarding germs but I don't want my condition to deprive them of a pet. I grew up with pets. The rest of my family love them but people spitting in public and mess all over the place was not typical where I come from. Here in the suburbs in London, people are not averse to spitting all over the sidewalk, snort, dog poo, and the rest.

My question: are there any products on the market that cleans the cat paws as it re-enters the house through the cat flap?

Any tips or advice that would reduce my worry would be greatly appreciated.

I own a cat, she's lovely and I wouldn't be without her. She is very clean and takes care of herself.

I do not have OCD but would not have a dog, ever. I don't like wet dog smell, dog hair and slobber.
I don't like putting my hand into a bag and picking warm poo from the ground and carrying it about in the pouring rain because the dog needs exercise.
Can't put up with barking either, or wee puddles on the carpet when they get excited.

I am not and will not allow you to impose yourself and your thoughts on me.
We are concerned because you are imposing your irrational thoughts on your DS.
You can be as anxious as you like on your own, but if it impacts anyone else - especially a child - that's what worries us.

If they both have the time to care for it and you don't have to have anything to do with it, then let them have one.
I never agreed to pets as I'm really not into them and know I'd have been the daft bugger doing all the work.

Dogs, like cats, groom themselves. The only reason you would clean a dog’s paws would be if the dog was too unwell or injured to do it itself.

I can’t believe you asked such an ignorant question and I’m beginning to think this thread is a wind-up.

Do not get a dog!!, They vomit, they get diarrhoea, they shed fur, they might get fleas or ticks, you really are not in a position to offer a home to any animal whatsoever, it would be totally unfair on any animal.

Dogs well at least my dogs also like to roll in fox and badger shit, the greener wetter and stinkier the better and they like to dunk their fluffy spaniels ears in it too, and my boot cat likes to stand in his own poop and walk it about the house, owning pets is a joy I tell thee.

I say ignore the haters OP, it sounds like you are coping the best you can and have made peace with your ocd, sometimes it's easier to accept and work with it rather than constantly battling it.

My OCD and I are friends and we will remain that way.

That would be fine if you weren’t also compelling your child to join you in that unhealthy friendship.

Thanks GreyHare.

I have no idea why my post was deleted by MN but hey ho. I stand by what I said.

Honestly, id say no to a cat, had the same problem with DD and DH wanting another cat after ours passed away, i have no allergies or any form of OCD and i gave in on the condition that they are responsible for looking after and clearing any mess, guess who is left to clean litter tray out, who has to feed it, who has to groom it, who has to clean up wee, vomit, poop, who is the one that gets moaned at for cat hair on or in everything, yep thats right me the one who did not want another cat.

Please don’t get a pet OP. You have issues that you will be imposing onto an animal. I wouldn’t be surprised if you got one and then rehomed it. You can’t wash animals like you do a kitchen side. You can’t disinfect them. They come with germs (that aren’t harmful btw!) and they are never going to be as clean as you. They can’t take their fur off at the door. I think you need to deal with your issues before getting any kind of pet. I hate the idea that pets are disposable and you can just rehome them when you get bored or fed up with their fur. A pet is not for you.

Thanks for the faux sympathy but my OCD is not triggered by stress, it hasn’t been ‘triggered’ for 30 years as I made very clear in my post. You want to ignore that because you don’t want to seek help, fair enough, but you’re fooling no-one except yourself.