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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Have you always 'had cats?'

39 replies

PollyCreo · 03/10/2022 21:26

We had family cats when I was a child/teenager - when I left home my parents didn't replace them after they died as they relished their carefree life 😅 I lived for years as a young adult cat-less in a city but then moved abroad and BAM that was it. The last 17 years of my life have been preoccupied (amongst other things) with being a cat slave.

I can't honestly imagine my life without cats in it, my house would not be a home without them.

OP posts:
Ticksallboxes · 03/10/2022 23:55

Last year I would have just scrolled past this thread, but last September we got a Tabby kitten after huge resistance from me.

Within a month we were all besotted with him and a week ago we got another little kitten to keep him company. It's gone so well and he's so patient and kind with him.

Earlier I said goodnight to our DD who had our oldest asleep in her drawer and shortly afterwards our DS carried our kitten to bed wrapped in a blanket.

I literally couldn't imagine life without them now. Who knew!

Ticksallboxes · 04/10/2022 00:08

marblemad · 03/10/2022 23:22

Had many pets as a child (goldfish, rabbits etc) But we had a dog first for around 2 years, unfortunately I was not only severely allergic but after multiple attempts to train (the springer spaniel) she became progressively worse behaved and aggressive so we had to rehome her with a behavioral specialist (who ironically also rehomed her after she bit her child twice!) We got our first family cat when I was 15 around 9 years ago and he is still around and adored now, I went on to get two more cats one 4 years old and one 6 months old, all black male cats as they seem to be the most ignored on the adoption sites! They are loving, kind and fantastic members of the family, I honestly wouldn't bother with the hassle of getting a dog again and would purely adopt cats.

I always loved the idea of getting a dog, particularly a cocker spaniel...but the dogs eating poo thread on here a couple of months ago was a bit of a game-changer for us Hmm

Couchpotato3 · 04/10/2022 00:12

Always had cats around when I was a child at home and grandparents' house. Got my first one of my own when I was mid thirties and then rapidly acquired five more (big mistake, but hey, we live and learn). Now down to one and got my first dog in my early fifties. Love them both and couldn't imagine life without them!

mountainsunsets · 04/10/2022 08:05

No. I never had pets growing up at all - not even a goldfish or a hamster.

As soon as I moved into my own place I got cats though and I've never been without them since Grin

HairyMothballs · 04/10/2022 08:07

I've had cats since I got married - 42 years now. I can't imagine not having at least one. My cat is now 19.

Lonecatwithkitten · 04/10/2022 08:13

Got my first cat age 10 and had them ever since. Most at one time is 3 and we have three currently. All cats acquired over the last 20 years have come through work either strays or RSPCA cruelty cases.
My young two were dumped on the practice doorstep in a carrier.

louderthan · 04/10/2022 08:18

Yes. Never intentionally mind, they move themselves in and I have no say in the matter really!

AnnaMagnani · 04/10/2022 08:22

Yes. Grew up with a lovely cat who followed me about when I was a toddler. Succession of cats until I left for university - when the oldest died I was in my early 20s and in bits.

Then as soon as I had my own house my DM turned up with 2 kittens. Made sure I always have at least 2 ever since.

marblemad · 07/10/2022 02:52

Ticksallboxes · 04/10/2022 00:08

I always loved the idea of getting a dog, particularly a cocker spaniel...but the dogs eating poo thread on here a couple of months ago was a bit of a game-changer for us Hmm

Show quote history

Ironically, I knew a couple who had 2 dogs, it was a nightmare honestly, the elder dog was a lovely kind German Shepard but the younger only a year old and a springer spaniel. He tore wallpaper from the walls, ripped up flooring, pooed on beds, went missing on multiple walks and damaged everyone's shoes as well as biting strangers. Granted the couple didn't take him out near enough but we all rotated walks and training opportunities, I was so upset that we couldn't help the poor dog, but he caused utter chaos. Around a year after moving to uni the couple posted about rehoming the dog and when seeing them again, they told me that the dog and his siblings were all rehomed by their owners due to the difficulties.

Shallysally · 12/10/2022 18:25

Yes, always had cats since I was about 5. Our childhood cats lived until grand old ages of about 24 and 22. I have no idea how the oldest one survived so long, he was truly an adventure cat!

Now I am part time human to mine and my partners cats, we don’t live together, cats live at his house.

My DD has a cat who lives here full time, she’s a beautiful torti, is very naughty but I love the little minx!

AnApparitionQuipped · 12/10/2022 18:31

My parents wouldn't allow us to have cats as children, no matter how desperately my sister and I begged and pleaded and believe me, I begged and pleaded for England!

When I first left home, I was in rented accommodation, but as soon as I bought a house, in came my first cat! I've 'had cats' ever since (for 25 years), two at a time, overlapping pairs if that makes sense so there's always been cat continuity.

Ironically, a month after my sister left home (and got her first cat), my mum got a pair of kittens because she was lonely! My parents have also 'had cats' ever since and so has my sister.

CMOTDibbler · 12/10/2022 18:34

Almost always. My parents got their first family cat when I was 7 (mum had a cat before she married and it died when I was 2), then they always had cats. I got my own cat 2 weeks after I moved into my first non shared house and we've had them ever since

LubaLuca · 12/10/2022 18:36

I wasn't allowed pets when I was a child, but I always loved the neighbours' cats. I got my first cat a month after I bought my first house, and haven't been without since. My children have always had cats, the lucky things.

iloveeverykindofcat · 13/10/2022 07:01

No we had dogs growing up. My brother is so allergic to cats he can't even be in a house where a cat has been. Once our parents had to take him to A and E for a reaction when he accidentally encountered one. Oh well sad life for him I guess 😆

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