What do you allow your cat to do?

[Champagneforeveryone]

Growing up (in the 80's) we had a cat who never went upstairs or on the furniture. He was fed from specific bowls which were washed up separately using a separate cloth, because of the "germs".

I suppose times were different, flea and worm treatment wasn't so prevalent or effective.

We have recently rescued ChampagneCat from the RSPCA. It has to be said that DH is the biggest culprit and is utterly besotted with her. However as a family we allow her upstairs as well as down (we have dogs and initially this was her safe space), have no issues with her sleeping in our beds, have never prevented her from walking across the dining table or the windowsills, and (to my mother's utmost horror) feed her on the kitchen worktop so she's out the dogs way.

DH works in a lot of houses and seems to think this is totally normal. I have no huge issues (though I hope she's smart enough not to walk across the hob) As previously mentioned DM is silently scandalised.

So who is right?!

Mine have their own bowls and these are washed in the utility sink. Never allowed on tables or worktops. If so, they are washed immediately. Never in my room, although adult DD lets him in hers, and he sometimes sleeps there.

I don't mind my cat on the sofa but I do try to remember that, however cute he is, he digs in the garden so food prep surfaces aren't on here.

That said, he has a luxurious sofa throw all of his own and inevitably never uses it.