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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

Having cats made me not want children

65 replies

Thecandywomancan · 16/08/2024 08:19

Thought I wanted children, got two cats, don’t want kids anymore. This is a lighthearted post but it’s also true. They’ve made me realise I don’t think I’d cope. I wouldn’t be able to cope with anything more than I have now, I’m run ragged!

Before cats I really thought they were just chilled and easy.. I never imagined they would rule my life 😂

OP posts:
SunflowersMidwinter · 16/08/2024 08:32

Lol I can totally understand.

Cornholioooo · 16/08/2024 08:42

Cats are vastly superior.

TurkishDartboard · 16/08/2024 08:48

I have a child, but absolutely couldn’t cope with the commitment of a cat or dog.

lazysummerdayz · 16/08/2024 08:50

My children are less hard work than my cats 😂

Startingagainandagain · 16/08/2024 08:53

I have a young cat who constantly gets herself in trouble and needs a lot of attention.

Plus the neighbour's cat spends most of his time in my house and garden.

I am always cleaning up after them or worrying about where they are and what they are doing...

I also have resident foxes that trash things in the gardens all the time and I am always fixing broken things, removing poo and trying to save messed up flowers.

It is exhausting.

Basically having to deal with the mess created by several animals made me realise I could not have coped with running around after toddlers...so good thing I did not have kids.

Butwhybecause · 16/08/2024 08:54

I've got children and had dogs but couldn't cope with cats!!

Saschka · 16/08/2024 08:57

Yeah I’d never swap my son for a cat. He is 7 and is basically self-caring at this point, just needs prompts. when are cats old enough to empty their own litter tray? Never, that’s when 😂

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 16/08/2024 08:58

why didn’t I think of this? Is there somewhere where you can swap?

Pixiedust1234 · 16/08/2024 08:59

I hear you. Even the stray is more hard work than a toddler. Although she's a lot less work than next doors springer who seems a nightmare. Apparently her name is NO 😂

LunaandLily · 16/08/2024 09:06

Thecandywomancan · 16/08/2024 08:19

Thought I wanted children, got two cats, don’t want kids anymore. This is a lighthearted post but it’s also true. They’ve made me realise I don’t think I’d cope. I wouldn’t be able to cope with anything more than I have now, I’m run ragged!

Before cats I really thought they were just chilled and easy.. I never imagined they would rule my life 😂

Oh so you’ve seen that TikTok where the American woman was like “if you think you want kids, get two cats” and you’ve thought “I’ll post that on mumsnet” I saw it yesterday too.

MigGril · 16/08/2024 09:19

Having had both, I actually think children although more expensive long term are easier. As they grow up. You aren't stuck changing nappies for 18 plus years (in most cases) they become self sufficient if grumpy teenagers.

My cat was like having a toddler for 18 years who needed constant care and attention. Including litter tray cleaning and feeing. Kids even get to the point where they can cook for you if you train them correctly.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 16/08/2024 09:19

Having had both cats and kids I can confirm that they both are equally as entertaining and as infuriating as each other. 🤣

ElderMillenials · 16/08/2024 09:24

Had 2 cats before kids, they were a handful! Only 1 left now, 12 years later and she only really appears at food time. Loves the kids though and older dd can help out with pet care now.

Just about to add a dog to the mix, so we'll have a puppy, the cat, 9yo and 4 yo 😵 still think pets are way easier than kids

Original poster
Thecandywomancan · 16/08/2024 09:32

LunaandLily · 16/08/2024 09:06

Oh so you’ve seen that TikTok where the American woman was like “if you think you want kids, get two cats” and you’ve thought “I’ll post that on mumsnet” I saw it yesterday too.

Show quote history

YES! I saw this and that’s what prompted me. Because I always say it.. I’ve had to disappoint my mum by saying I’ve changed my mind and when I saw that TikTok I sent it to her because it is so true

OP posts:
Original poster
Thecandywomancan · 16/08/2024 09:35

I wasn’t sure how many people would agree with me on here. when I go to other peoples houses, their cats seem so low maintenance. It really gave me a false impression of cats. I love them all the world though and think I will always have cats but maybe just one at a time because having two is really just a bit too much for me, it’s constant.

OP posts:
Peonies12 · 16/08/2024 09:36

my cat is nothing in comparison to my child. The cat sleeps about 23 hours a day!

Original poster
Thecandywomancan · 16/08/2024 09:37

Peonies12 · 16/08/2024 09:36

my cat is nothing in comparison to my child. The cat sleeps about 23 hours a day!

Edited

Mine hardly ever sleep. But yes I can imagine that having a child would be 10x harder and that’s how I’ve realised I wouldn’t be able to do it

OP posts:
KimKardashiansLostEarring · 16/08/2024 09:37

TurkishDartboard · 16/08/2024 08:48

I have a child, but absolutely couldn’t cope with the commitment of a cat or dog.

Same! At least kids grow up, come on holiday with you, can hold a conversation etc. I absolutely love cats but can’t have the extra neediness at the mo and absolutely would never have a dog!

lololulu · 16/08/2024 09:38

I have 2 cats and 2 kids. All 4 drive me crazy.

Original poster
Thecandywomancan · 16/08/2024 09:40

Also I’ve had a dog since the age of 17 and lived with her and took care of her until I moved out at 26 and she was so much easier than my cats. I always thought cats would be less work since you don’t have to walk them and they aren’t as needy etc but I was so wrong. I love my cats though, I’m not complaining. It’s just a realisation that I’ve had over the past year that if I find cats tough, then I’d be doomed with a baby.

OP posts:
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 16/08/2024 09:42

Being serious - our cats really are low maintainance - we feed them, clean the litter, let them in and out, provide laps for them on demand, play with them and give them an annual MOT.

Their hobbies are sleeping and slaughtering the local wildlife.
All very straightforward

Reugny · 16/08/2024 09:43

It depends on the cat like it depends on the child. They also go through stages like children.

RockahulaRocks · 16/08/2024 09:49

We’ve had 2 cats and a child, now 4. Child is vastly lower maintenance than the cats, I’ve worried more about their health, panicked about holiday cover, cleaned up fur and god knows what else, been kicked off various parts of my bed and the sofa, and spent £££ on vets appointments, meds and all the other paraphernalia that comes with cat ownership, not to mention the bags upon bags of different brands of cat litter which were instantly rejected for not being ‘the same’ as the one which had been discontinued.

AmberPanda · 16/08/2024 10:11

We’re about to get our first cat and also have 3 kids…what makes them such hard work?! (The cat, I know why kids are hard work!)
we always had cats growing up and I remember them being very self sufficient and independent (but maybe my mum was run ragged and I didn’t realise?!)
we opted for cat instead of dog for that reason but now panicking!!

LameBorzoi · 16/08/2024 10:16

I actually think a baby is easier than a puppy. The chewing!