SIL bringing cats

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is she even bringing them? Cats generally find travel stressful.

Yes, your SIL is weird. Cats prefer to stay home. What on earth?

[Anonymous]

I had someone bring a cat to my house, and the plan was for the cat to stay in the bedroom. It clawed the underside lining out of the boxspring so it could stay up under the boxspring. When someone opened the door, it had a hissy fit, went straight up the nearest curtain and tore them out of the wall.

While shitting everywhere.

Cats are awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait. I had thought teaching cats to use a toilet was an urban myth, or some kind of late night infomercial fraud.

How did she teach her cats to use the toilet? What kind of cats are they? Siamese? Or just regular cat-cats? Were they kittens when she trained them, and HOW did she train them to use the toilet?

No, it can be done. Our cats did it for a while (had to go back to litter box for a medical concern). We taught them using Litter Quitter. It was so awesome while it lasted. And it was hilarious when they did it when we had guest over. I mean, cats don't close the door for privacy. It really cracked people up.

My cat is 5, though. Is this too old to get the Litter Quitter and teach her? (because I'm ordering one today if it works on older cats)

I grew up with a Siamese cat who taught herself to use the toilet when she was probably about 10 or 12 or so. We got a new dog, the Siamese was pissed and started staying upstairs a great deal of time. One morning before school I walked by the bathroom and saw her perched on the toilet, ran downstairs to tell the entire family who did not believe me. A few days later others caught her in the act. She used the toilet for almost the rest of her life (and she lived to over 22 years!).

The one downside was the first time we went on vacation we told the cat sitter (neighbor boy) he didn't need to worry about the litter box since cat used toilet. Came home to a house reeking of urine and a full toilet bowl of cat pee and poop - we never specifically told the neighbor boy to flush the toilet and so he didn't think to do it.

[Anonymous]

No. I love cats, but there's no way I'm letting someone bring their 2 cats to my house without a good reason. They shed, usually travel poorly, and can be huge assholes when stressed or even just because they feel like it. No. No. No. Leave the cats at home where they'll be happier.

Side discussion, what is wrong with your SIL? There has to be a story here, normal people with cats would not do this.

[Anonymous]

They will be fine in a hotel. No reason for her to take them to your home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Asking others because I honestly don't know. My ILs are coming to town for my DH's grandfather's funeral. The next day we are hosting a cookout--about 25 people. Some relatives are staying with us and others in a nearby hotel. My SIL is bringing 2 cats and staying at a pet-friendly hotel. She wants the cats to stay at our house during the funeral and reception (so they aren't cooped up in the hotel) and come to the cookout the next day. My first instinct is to say no, but I'm not sure I have a good reason--the cats go to the bathroom in the toilet (which I think is gross, but whatever), they generally don't jump on countertops, my toddler is ok with cats, and nobody (as far as I know) is allergic. Is it ok to say no (to me, I just don't want the risk of cats breaking things while we're gone as well as the nuisance of making sure my toddler doesn't pull the cats' tails while I'm trying to host) or am I overreacting?

HELLLLL NOOOO!
Signed, a cat owner

[Anonymous]

It's cruel to make the cats travel. Tell her to hire a cat sitter to come in and feed them and check the litter box. This can be just a local teen. If she can't do that, then have her board at the local vet.

[Anonymous]

Blanket rule: Unless specifically invited, ALWAYS leave your pets at home!

[Anonymous]

Agree with everyone else! I LOVE cats, huge cat lady, have two, etc. but would never dream of bringing them anywhere with me, ever. Traveling cats are miserable. Mine act like they're being murdered if I dare drive them to the vet. What is SIL thinking?

[Anonymous]

Just say no. I wouldn't even give a reason because they might try to argue you out of it. Just say, "I'm sorry that won't be possible for us. They'll have to stay at the hotel."
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

[Anonymous]

I adore cats.

But no way would I want someone else's cats in my house for their convenience. Leave the cats in the hotel and put a sign on the door to keep the maids out.

[Anonymous]

No. But it isn't cruel to have the cats travel necessarily -- some are good travelers. She needs to leave them at the pet-friendly hotel, not your house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with everyone else! I LOVE cats, huge cat lady, have two, etc. but would never dream of bringing them anywhere with me, ever. Traveling cats are miserable. Mine act like they're being murdered if I dare drive them to the vet. What is SIL thinking?

yes exactly. And one of my cats is very "dog-like" super social, friendly with dogs and other cats, doesn't spook easily, and he would be very stressed about that situation. Stressed cats pee and poop everywhere.