This won’t work will it?

[Catwontwork]

My daughter is 15 and has been having quite a few mental health issues. She has been begging for a cat for years saying it will really help her.
I’ve completely refused so far for the reasons below but now am finding myself starting to consider anything to try to help her.
But…

1. I’m allergic to cats. It’s likely her younger sibling would also be allergic to cats (although antihistamines are an option)
2. we have a dog. It is a gentle dog but still chases cats and small animals it sees on walks. I can’t imagine it would do anything if it caught one but I don’t want to find out. dd says the cat can stay in her room/upstairs until they get used to each other.
3. I’m sorry but I don’t like cats. I don’t want to take any responsibility for the care of one, smell it’s food or its litter tray. Dd says she will sort all that but I know there would be times where it fell to me.

Although I don’t like them I wouldn’t wish them any harm and I do feel that any compromises we made in relation to the above would be to the detriment of the cat. I just wanted to check that I’m not being unreasonable to keep saying no.

No, I'm afraid it won't work. The allergy issue alone is reason not to adopt. And it wouldn't be fair on the cat, if the dog hates it.

No.

Even if you weren't allergic and didn't have a dog, you're the adult and you don't want a cat, so that should be that. When DD is older and has her own place, she can have as many cats as she wants.

No cat (and I say this as a cat person).
Can she offer to cat sit any neighbours/friends cats at holiday times? Or (even better) volunteer at a cat shelter?
I used to make friends with all the neighbourhood cats as a child/teen (even though we had our own 2)

The cat won't offer her anymore than the dog does. I'd encourage her to build more of a bond with the dog, perhaps some dog training / agility type activities for them to do together.

As well as all the other points, a cat can be an 18-year commitment so what happens when your DD moves out?

Also, there’s no guarantee that a cat would bond with her.

In your current circumstances, with the allergy, your reluctance and the chasing dog, any sensible rescue would probably say no tbh. Two of the first questions on my rescue’s form are ‘Does everyone in your household want to adopt a cat?’ and about allergies & how you’d deal with them.

Having said that, Gumtree etc are full of cats for sale with no questions asked but that would be very unfair on the cat, & also mean you’d have even less chance of it being the right cat for your daughter.

Thanks. You’ve confirmed my thoughts.
I’m trying to encourage her to volunteer at a cat sanctuary which would also encourage her to leave the house as that’s a big issue.

Gosh imagine if we got one and it didn’t bond with her. Nightmare!

My sister used to volunteer for the RSPCA when she was a teenager. She loved it.

Something else to be aware of is that a lot of rescues are full to bursting at the moment & can’t take any more cats. So if you did get one & it didn’t work out, you couldn’t just hand it over for rehoming.

Although you sound as if you’ve got far too much sense to get your DD a cat in the circumstances. https://www.catchat.org/index.php/cat-rescue-centres-uk-ireland might be useful for finding local rescues looking for volunteers.

I’ve got a cat. Well he’s sort of my daughters (because she’s the only one who can just about touch him) we got him when my daughter was 8, she’s 20 now and will be moving out soon (and taking the bloody thing with her) You can’t leave anything out to defrost because it’s half missing next time you look, even though he wouldn’t dare go on work tops if we’re there. Every carpet near every door and the sofa are ruined, because the house is just a giant scratching post. Whatever we do he always has some fleas, my ankle has been itching all day today, my 9 year old has scars from flea bites (mortifying) he’s also allergic to him, which just started happening recently so he has permanent slight eczema around his eyes. It’s food is constantly all over the floor, the thought of trying to keep it contained in a bedroom with the tray as well 🤢 They’re cute and playful when they’re kittens, but grow into miserable things just sitting glaring at you waiting to be fed, I honestly can’t see the point of them. If the thing ever manages to get into my bedroom it pisses all over my window sill. You don’t wish them any harm but it’s hard not to sometimes 😬 and I will never get a cat again as long as I live.

I don't think you should get a cat , first and foremost because of the allergies.
You can't take antihistamines for the next 15 years !
It wouldn't be fair on your dog.
As @JoBrandsCleaner says they can be antisocial little buggers , I have had my cat for 4 years , I am allowed to stroke him about twice a week . ( I live alone so he isn't getting affection from anyone else)

He is also very aggressive towards other cats so has to be a house cat.

And finally he has cost me about £3,000 at the vets.

I absolutely would never get rid of him , but would I have another , lord no !