cat only in the garden?

jsabina

Ok, I am asking a weird question and please don't be rude.. I just want to understand.
I have a puppy dog 5 months old.. and I love cats but I am allergic.
I was considering to get a cat, I have many friends that have cat and dog and they are friends.
The problem is that the cat should be in the garden and maximum in the kitchen or I would die.

Do you think is a crazy idea?
Maybe to rescue a cat used to be outside, or is unfair for him/her?

Thanks!

Morag

if you really want a cat and you are allergic get one of the hypoallergenic ones.
http://www.catster.com/cat-breeds/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds

Zaph

Moved from Dublin 15

Gaspode

I'm allergic to cats but we have two at home! (the joys of being outnumbered by women in my house! )

To me cats are outside animals (dogs too imo) and should spend most of their time out there. If they are in, keep them well away from your bedroom - never ever let them in there. Also be absolutely 100% firm about keeping them off the kitchen tables and worktops. If they're going to be in the living area, try to ensure they sleep in only one of your chairs so you have somewhere hair-free to sit at night. Get a vacuum cleaner with a good filter and use it all the time, cat hairs get everywhere!
The above probably applies to your dog as well, a lot of people who are allergic to cat dander are allergic to dog dander too, so no point taking chances.

boomerang

I'm also really allergic to cats, but I foster them all the time! I even went to a cat show on Sunday, lol! The key is to keep a constant low exposure to them, and your allergy symptoms will lessen dramatically. But if she's only ever outside, you'll never have enough contact with her for your allergic reaction to lessen. I'd be all for allowing her in, but not allowing her in bedrooms or carpeted rooms. Then you just have to hoover regularly with a really good vacuum cleaner.

Until you get more used to her, if you are rubbing her, always wash your hands before you touch your face/eyes. You might need to take an anti-histamine tablet and a puff of your inhaler every day at first, but it gets better.

The other thing is, if it's a rescue cat that's used to being indoors, it would be very lonely. Cats enjoy and need a lot more contact with their owners than you might think. You also couldn't possibly keep a kitten (under 12 months of age) as a solely outdoor pet.

If you are going to get a cat to be outdoors, you need to confine her for the first few weeks so have a think where she could stay. Utility room, perhaps? But then she'd be used to being indoors with you by then, so it wouldn't be fair to put her out.

Cats that don't get a lot of contact with their owners as they're outside pets are the ones most likely to stray away.

Also bear in mind that by having an outdoor cat, your puppy is unlikely to spend enough time with her to form a bond and also learn not to chase her!

Finally, cats and puppies need careful introductions, so go into it having done your homework on how to strategise for best success. Depending on the cat's personality, she may not want to be friends with the pup at all, and merely tolerate his presence.

Plenty of things to think about!

Chuck Stone

I'm allergic to strange cats! What I mean is that if I'm around a cat for any length of time the sniffles and irritation disappear (I'm guessing I build up a resistance naturally).

Maybe exposure to the cats will allow you to develop resistance too.

jsabina

thanks a lot for all the answers.. I will think about that..