Pet issue with FFIL -- Please comment!

Unfortunately, even though I love cats, my fiance is deathly allergic so we'll never have one, but there is NO WAY you should have to give up your precious baby for someone who will be coming to visit every now and then.

When we go to visit friends who have cats, we go in rooms where the cat usually doesn't hang out and he sits next to an open window. He's a trooper and will stick it out for a while but when he can't take anymore, then we just leave.

I have to agree with everyone else- I think it was very rude of him to assume you're getting rid of your cat for him. Good luck with this one!!!

This is tough, I have awful cat allergies and FMIL has a cat. While I would loovveee for them to get rid of it, I understand they cant. They put it in the laundry room while I am over and its a little better.

But believe me, nose sprays, pills, etc dont solve the itchy horrible feelings of a cat allergy.

Tell them you'll host get togethers when they can be outside and they can host when its inside?

i'm allergic to all things with fur. We used to have two dogs, but my parents gave them away so that i wouldn't have to suffer; I wish they hadn't.
Now when I go to peoples houses that have pets (cats or dogs) I take allegra that my md perscribed for me. No more allergies.

Maybe that's something that you FFIL can look into.

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Posted by STBMrsDaniRella

NO there is no reason why you should have to get rid of an animal-- where would the poor thing go? that's your pet and you wouldn't be a responsible pet owner to just abandon the cat over something like an allergy that millions of people have...

there has to be ways around it. now i know for sure that people are not allergic to cat's FUR, they are allergic to the protein that is in the cats saliva, so the more fur the cat has the more it licks itself so the more the person has a reaction.

you could try something my mother does with her cats: she takes them to a groomer that basically bathes them and shaves them down, they leave the hair around their head and paws-- believe it or not, the cats LOVE it, no more constant licking and grooming, no more hairballs, and they are SO much more comfortable in the summer. They are so happy when they get their cuts-- they go about once every three months... the guy that owns the place is great, it's called 'clean as a whisker' and it's in ronkonkoma.

now, other than that: you can speak to your vet about options for your FFIL (pills, shots and meds that help ease the allergy)... combine that with the cat getting a short haircut and he should be fine. i mean, he's not living with you-- just visiting. try that out and see what happens. the haircut is a good idea either way--no more shedding, no more cleaning the furniture

but stand your ground-- you should never have to give up your pet!!

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I like this idea, it might actually work! I'm severly allergic to cats. I get pink eye, hives, sore throat, and then flue like symptoms that last a week. This is true even when I take oral allergy medication and a nasal spray and even if I'm only at the persons house for 1/2 an hour. My last attack was so bad that the doctor told me never to go near a cat again. That being said, my best friend used to have a cat. She would bath her cat and vaccum, mop and dust her house everday (she's a clean freak). This actually worked for me! I was able to visit her and my allergies were not so bad. I even pet the cat a few times. My eyes still got itchy (but no pink eye) and I got a rash (not hives) but it was bearable. So bathing and sahving the cat might work! If you did this I would visit you so FFIL should be able to do the same.

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Posted by Hannah38

I am so not sure what to do. I've had my cat for three years, ....she's such a dog-like cat. She's totally a lap cat, wants attention not like the ordinary independent cat. Anyway, my FFIL is severely allergic to cats and asked me last night if I was getting rid of her when we move to our new apt later this year. WHAT??? I understand that he wants to come visit and the cat issue is the only thing stopping him. And I would like him to come visit, but can't foresee getting rid of my baby.

What should I do?

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Also he probably doesn't expect you to get rid of the cat for him. He might have asked because some apartments don't allow pets. Before my friend gave her cat away every time she moved I would ask her if she's taking the cat but I never expected her to get rid of it for me.

i also have severe cat allergies...last time i touched or held a cat i went to the ER and had to get shots because my eyes closed up and i was unable to breathe...so i know how it is to be fearful of being around cats...and the pills and shots DO NOT help me so for me that really isnt an option..

that being said, i would never ask anyone to get rid of their animal...some things that help for me are: no carpets they hold in the dander more (my best friend has carpet and 2 cats so unfortunately i cant go in her house at all, we just meet elsewhere), i dont touch a cat, usually anyone will put them in another room for me, i dont sit on the couches if the cat sits there, keep the windows open, and get an air purifier maybe...i would suggest some of these things or simply go visit at FFIL house, i understand how bad cat allergies are for me but i choose not to go to peoples houses for long times who have cats because i cant, so tell FFIL how your cat is a part of your family and suggest other ooptions of visiting!

Seriously...that's just wrong of him to even ask something like that. My DH is severely allergic to cats and dogs and NEVER in a million years would ask someone to get rid of their pet so he could come and visit. He takes a Benedryl or just deals.

You can't get rid of your cat!! Mine is like family, and I'm slightly allergic to her- I'd still never get rid of her!

I think FFIL should be able to take some kind of prescription allergy meds when he comes over. It's not like he'll be there every day. I have a few friends who are really allergic, and they usually take something before they come over, I make sure I've dusted and vacuumed before they come over, and I make sure the cat stays upstairs in a room away from them, and that usually works.

Good luck!

I am allergic to certain cats (very hairy shedding ones). my aunt has one that my eyes swell up if its in the room.

when i com eover, the cat goes into the basement, and i dont go down there.

i would NEVER ask them to get rid of it, uneless they were moving into my house.

Do not get rid of your cats!!!!!!!!!

I have three myself, and if anyone who is allergic comes over I just put them away and try to clean up all the hair that is around. I would never get rid of them they are my children

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Posted by chrissyandvin

tell him to take a Benadryl before he comes to your house! That's your baby!!!!!!

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DITTO!!!!!!