https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:24:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562395 Mon, 06 Jun 2016 08:53:53 +0000 MrsGeePerez 2562395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know it sounds cruel but I would make it a priority to rehome those cats ASAP, however way you can. It's just not worth the frustration. Euthanasia sounds like a terrible option for the cat with severe allergies, but I do understand where you are coming from.</p> <p>I had a cat that I was allergic to for almost NINE years because I chose to adopt him and felt like I had to live with my choice. He was a bruiser and a very challenging animal and as soon as we brought our baby home 7 months ago we found a new home for him. I can't even imagine dealing with his antics plus a baby in our little house.</p> <p>Do what you need to do to make your life work. It's hard enough, already! :heart:</p> <p>And I just wanted to add that it's REALLY hard to get a shelter to take a cat... we tried that route! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562286 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 20:34:30 +0000 jaguar 2562286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it's fair to put euthanasia as an option in this particular instance - there are lots of folks out there who might be better equipped to deal with a cat that's a little more high needs.</p> <p>I'd advise local shelters first (no kill as first preference, obviously) or RSPCA. Alternatively, perhaps local vets might be able to assist? </p> <p>They're part of your family - so I'd try and find them a new home with as much care as you can. Breaks my heart to imagine having to do this. My cats were my first bebes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562280 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 20:19:16 +0000 Eko 2562280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I Fully accept that family's needs change and sometimes animals may be better off in another home. However, to suggest that you would be willing to euthanize the cat is cruel. I think that if you are at your wits end to that point then I think it would be best overall to put your energy into finding the cat a new home. There are lots of shelters that take in cats with needs. I would look there then listing on Craigslist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562233 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 16:46:30 +0000 TrailRunner 2562233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried feliway? My cat is on a prescription diet because he gets stressed and gets urinary blockages, and feliway has helped tremendously. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562228 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 16:33:14 +0000 mrbee 2562228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Keybee: We had the exact same problem with peeing outside of the box, and solved it with a stainless steel litterbox! What a relief it was to not have to deal with constant pee smells and cleanup!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2015/05/27/how-to-stop-your-cat-from-peeing-outside-the-litterbox/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2015/05/27/how-to-stop-your-cat-from-peeing-outside-the-litterbox/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562224 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 16:26:38 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2562224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Keybee: have you looked at like 1800 per meds? Your vet will send them the prescription. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562223 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 16:23:46 +0000 SweetiePie 2562223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>While I get the sentiment above that you made a commitment to the animals, I don't think it needs to be at the cost of your sanity, cleanliness of home, etc. You tried, it didn't work out, you didn't anticipate the health issues of one...it does sound like it would be best to put them into a new home where maybe there aren't kids or other stressors. </p> <p>I would take them to a no-kill shelter. There are huge-hearted people who like to take on the less-than-ideal pets and care for them (I have a few friends who do this, knowing it will be a financial and logistical burden). It's hard to imagine how life will change after having a baby, that includes the lives of our pets. For some it's seamless, for others it's a major upheaval. Caring for a newborn is hard enough! Don't beat yourself up over it if it doesn't work. </p> <p>Do what's best for you and your family (in terms of keeping them or not). And do what's best for the cats if you don't keep them (a no-kill shelter). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562220 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 16:14:33 +0000 MrsSCB 2562220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with PPs about making a commitment when adopting a pet, though I don't think that means you need to keep your cats when things are clearly not working. I do think it means finding them a safe place to go (i.e. not Craigslist or euthanizing). I also know my vet would absolutely not consider euthanizing an otherwise healthy young cat, but that may not be true across the board. I do know two cats who were prescribed prozac because of peeing outside the box, so definitely good to look into! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562215 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 15:47:09 +0000 Mrs. Deer 2562215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No judgement here! I had a parrot for 17 years and last fall we rehomed him with a sweet older "bird lady" who loves him. We're happier knowing he's not sitting in the corner of the room bored and he's happier having some birdie friends and someone who gives him 24/7 attention. </p> <p>Pets are definitely a responsibility and we owe it to them to take care of them the best we can, but that doesn't mean there's never a valid reason to rehome them. Given the cats special needs, I would just put extra work into making sure that whoever takes them can provide for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562203 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 15:03:03 +0000 lilyofthewest 2562203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a cat with allergies who was on pricey Rx hydrolyzed protein food for a while. We were able (with some trial and error) to switch to a novel protein food that is cheaper than the Rx stuff. We tried venison, pheasant, and rabbit-based foods. </p> <p>I don't think you're obligated to keep an animal if both the pet and your family are miserable *despite* best efforts to resolve things...but I do think you need to do the work before giving up on an animal who is dependent on your care. </p> <p>Make sure your cat is checked for underlying urinary health issues, make sure you have enough boxes and that they're kept very clean, cleanup any accidents/marking with an enzymatic cleaner (if your cat can smell urine they will use that spot again). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562193 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 14:35:50 +0000 Reese 2562193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Keybee: no judgement here! We had some peeing outside of the box issues with our cat. It seems she doesn't like change, like when we changed our living room and bought a brand new sofa set $$ - so she peed on it. I was pissed. Then she peed on the nursery rug (before LO was born) and maybe a couple of other spots. We bought the Feliway plug ins. Although pricey, they worked! We weaned her off like an addict and haven't had any issues since. It seems like the peeing is more of the issue than the allergy flare ups. $120 every 5ish months doesn't seem too crazy but if our cat had continued to piss all over our stuff I don't know what I would have done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562182 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 14:05:39 +0000 avivoca 2562182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Keybee: I wonder if you could take the label to a pet store and compare other brands to it? I know the pain of prescription food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562174 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 13:31:12 +0000 Keybee 2562174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for the suggestions, I will talk to the vet about Prozac. </p> <p>The food is a prescription food so we can't get it online, it has to come from a vet. I don't know what she's allergic to because I don't want to pay for allergy testing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562169 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 13:24:04 +0000 MenagerieMama 2562169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have 2 cats and one of them went through a 6+ mo phase of peeing on the carpet (in our rental!!) and I was so mad at him that we had to send him to live at my inlaws for a couple months so DH and I didn't get divorced over it and/or I became a cat murderer. Giving him up was nonnegotiable to my DHA. So I can empathize! I think PP have good ideas above. Make sure you have the cat checked for a UTI at the vet. We had our cat on Prozac for a while which helped, see if that's an option. There are cat pheromone sprays that help calm them down. Make sure you have optimal litter box situation (1 per cat minimum, boxes on each floor, cleaned daily). And have spaces that are safe for the cats. We have a big cat tree and lots of vertical baby/dog free areas. </p> <p>Good luck! And I agree with either finding family/friends or a reputable shelter/rescue to take the cats if needed. We have 4 pets so I know it gets tough. It also gets better though! The above mentioned (demon) cat has ironically been LO's BFF and will let her haul him around, pull his tail, grab his scruff and has never even swatted her. She's learned how to be gentle with animals because of his tolerance and letting her learn and has totally redeemed his (satanic) behavior (though still owes us a lot of $$$ for carpet replacement and my mental health!!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562156 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 12:17:58 +0000 Happygal 2562156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: hello! Long time, no see. Hope you're doing well!</p> <p>I do believe that as a pet owner, you're committed to your pet. But if the pets aren't happy, perhaps they'd be better off in a different home anyway. </p> <p>No, I wouldn't euthanize your cat for what is a controllable, albeit pricey, situation. No, I wouldn't Craigslist your pet either. I'd go for word of mouth or SPCA. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562151 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 11:43:34 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2562151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't judge any decision on this type of case.<br /> As another suggestion, have you looked at ordering food online or in bulk to see if it reduces the cost? My friends dogs are on special food and she said surprisingly it's cheapest on Amazon. Are there other brands that have the same ingredients but cheaper? Also have you looked into pet insurance to see if it would cover the cost of the flair ups? May be worth it even if it isn't cheaper to just even the cost out rather than in a large lump sum. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562143 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 11:16:00 +0000 pinkcupcake 2562143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Please look into a rescue for your cat with allergies. I'm sure there is some rescue out there that would accept her. Please don't put an otherwise young, healthy cat to sleep - that's just sad. </p> <p>It sounds like a frustrating situation and I know I've hit my limit with my Golden Retriever more times than I care to think about, but I think as pet owners, we owe it to these guys - who are helpless and innocent - to (1) take care of them and follow through with our commitment to them, and (2) if you truly cannot, to find them a safe, loving home where they can receive the care they need. Craigslist and euthanasia are not the answer. </p> <p>Good luck to you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562135 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 10:20:32 +0000 yoursilverlining 2562135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whatever you do PLEASE do not list them on Craigslist. That's primo hunting ground for bait animals, lab animals and people who want to flip animals or worse. CL is great for a lot of things but a real cesspool for anything pet-related. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562127 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 10:09:34 +0000 tofuwad 2562127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are some organizations that will help pet owners in tough financial situations. <a href="http://downtowndogrescue.org/resources/" rel="nofollow">http://downtowndogrescue.org/resources/</a></p> <p>These might have some that are specific to the Los Angeles area, but they might know of some for your area. </p> <p>I don't know much about it but I'm also on a very tight budget so I really sympathize with your situation. I believe in doing what's right for your family and sometimes the plans you had for your pets doesn't work. My ILs have two dogs and four kids and they are actively looking for a new home for one dog because the one dog just doesn't handle the kids very well. She hides all day long and has been on anti-anxiety meds for awhile. It's hard for all of them because before the kids she was a different dog. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562116 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 09:20:25 +0000 youboots 2562116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah. Now that we have DD I roll my eyes at my past self who thought having two domesticated wild animals as life companions would be fun. Man I love my dogs but it feels like a damn zoo over here sometimes. And I just paid a $500 vet bill. No more pets for this house. No answer for you but I sympathize. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562101 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 08:22:11 +0000 mrs. bird 2562101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried any interventions to address the urination? </p> <p>Feliway plug ins are great for mellowing out anxious cats. They aren't an immediate fix, but many have great success with them. I have two that I keep running &amp; have a subscribe &amp; save order for the refills (S&amp;S or the 6pk of refills are the cheapest, otherwise they get $$$). </p> <p>There's been a lot of research done on pharmaceutical use to treat inappropriate urination with significant success. If I remember correctly, Prozac is successful for 90% of cats. Pills are super cheap. It can also be given in liquid form or as a transdermal. I have it compounded into a fish flavored liquid &amp; cat laps it from a spoon at bedtime. I wish I had tried meds with him earlier on, he doesn't spray, but he would cry for hours at a time every night. Now we sleep through the night &amp; life is good. </p> <p>As far as the allergy issue, do you know what kitty is allergic to? What food are you having success with? I recently switched from Royal Canin PR (allergic to poultry) to Natural Balance LID salmon &amp; pea. The switch is saving me $50 every 3-4 weeks. You may be able to find a less $$ over the counter limited ingredient food that is safe for kitty. </p> <p>I understand being at your wits ends with your pets. They are pets, not people, so their needs do come second to the human members of the house. But it would seem to me that before you consider extreme measures, you owe it to yourself &amp; your pets to give some other interventions a chance. If you are only up for a short trial period, I would go right to drugs. Good luck &amp; I hope you find a solution that helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562099 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 07:49:02 +0000 Keybee 2562099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for the responses!</p> <p>@winter_wonder My husband is ready to drop them off at the humane society ASAP. </p> <p>We do have a good humane society, they would charge us a fee per cat, I just don't know if they would cater to the allergy thing. I' afraid that if I dropped her off and she ate the food they give all the cats that her lips would flare up and they would just put her down. </p> <p>We did try the pine litter, I loved it, the cats did not. They peed around the house extra often for the few days we had that out.</p> <p>I do agree that I've made a commitment and I've been doing my best to stick to it. I really do want to keep them because I think when baby gets older they will get along better. </p> <p>Thank you @runnerd and @Turd Ferguson for validating the option to get rid of them. I really am trying to keep them, but some days it feels like it just isn't worth it. </p> <p>We didn't know about the cat's allergies until she was a year old, I hadn't factored in special food or that many vet bills when we got them.</p> <p>We will keep thinking on it, especially because we just opened a new bag of food yesterday and I'm not going to do anything until we've used it up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562095 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 07:41:40 +0000 littlebug 2562095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also agree with @runnerd: and @Turd Ferguson: Sometimes it's better to find them a home where they will be loved and appreciated rather than just barely tolerated out of guilt. Not saying that to be snarky...I'm reaching the end of my rope with our cat, so I'm right there with ya. I feel like someone out there can give her the attention she needs that we just do not have the time for anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562093 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 07:30:40 +0000 Turd Ferguson 2562093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runnerd: Agree. </p> <p>Unpopular opinion...ideally you wouldn't have to worry about it, but at the end of the day I personally don't think it's worth sacrificing you/your family's happiness for an animals. If you'd all be better off without them, find a rescue/friend/etc who might take them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562092 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 07:26:03 +0000 avivoca 2562092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others, you made a commitment when you adopted the cats. Check on their litter box situation. Do they get cleaned every day? If not, clean them daily. Do you have enough? The ideal number of boxes is one more box than you have cats. So, ideally, you would have 3. What type of litter are you using? We switched to pine litter or wheat litter and it is so much better than clay litter. We can go longer between scooping a because it doesn't stink AND because my cats tolerate it. I'm sorry about the special food and the vet bills, but these were known expenses and would be factored into your budget. If they are peeing in the nursery, keep the door shut. They make enzyme killing carpet sprays that should get rid of the smell. </p> <p>If you do decide to rehome the cats, PLEASE do not list them on Craigslist. Turn them over to a shelter or a humane society. Yes, you might have to pay a little, but the cats have a better chance of surviving and finding loving homes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562091 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 07:20:29 +0000 runnerd 2562091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are about to rehome one of our two dachshunds bc he has still not adjusted to our 2 year old and we are about to have second baby this month. I am not going to go into the multitude of ways I am at my wit's end, but just wanted to offer support if you go that route. You will see lots of comments about the commitment you made, etc. but at the end of the day as your life changes, sometimes your pet will have a better life with someone who isn't fed up with them. I have a relative that works with pet rescue so we are going to list through pet finder. Maybe contact a local rescue and ask about assistance? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562089 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 07:10:58 +0000 Littlebit7 2562089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>While I agree with the posts above regarding finding a solution to the problem rather than getting rid of her cats, if you do decide to rehome them, I'd find another option other than craigslist. Perhaps a no-kill shelter. I've lived in areas where "free" animals on Craigslist are claimed and used as bait for a variety of animals, including dogfighting. </p> <p>As far as a solution, we had to give our older family cat Valium when he started to have territory issues that involved peeing. It was compounded in a cream form we rubbed in his ears. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562085 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 06:45:34 +0000 erinbaderin 2562085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here's the thing - you made a commitment to these cats. I know it's frustrating and terrible that they're peeing on things - one of our cats started peeing when we turned the office into a nursery - but you have to try to find a solution. Here's some things I would try:</p> <p>How often do you clean the litter? How many boxes do you have? Are they all in the same place? Add a litterbox and clean them often. </p> <p>Is there something that seems to trigger them? We had a cat who kept peeing in the crib (!!!!!) but we realized it was always on the sleep sack. We stopped leaving it lying on the crib mattress and the peeing stopped. </p> <p>Feliway - there's a spray and a plugin. They dispense pheromones that are supposed to relax the cats and stop the bad behaviour. </p> <p>I really do get it - we paid for cat chemotherapy for a cat, and had another one who had to be isolated to eat her expensive prescription food and pilled twice a day, and one has gone through various peeing phases - in addition to on the sleep sack at various times she's peed on anything leather left at the front door or anything belonging to our kids left on the floor of the nursery - but like a marriage, you get a pet for better or for worse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562061 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 03:21:32 +0000 winter_wonder 2562061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You mention "we" in the post, what does your partner think? You could see if you could rehome them but be honest about allergies. Or, release them to the humane society if you feel like you can't care for them due to the financial strain. </p> <p>I personally would keep them if at all possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-cat-edition#post-2562055 Sun, 05 Jun 2016 01:33:00 +0000 Keybee 2562055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have two cats we got as kittens 4 years ago. One of the cats has allergies and gets what is called "rodent ulcers." When she has a flare up her lips get swollen and split open and we have to take her to the vet for a shot and pills, it costs $120 per visit including the shots and pills. To keep the ulcers away we keep her inside and feed her a prescription food which costs $65.00 a bag, which lasts 4-6 weeks. If we keep her in doors and make sure she only eats the prescription food, she can go 3-5 months with out a flare up. </p> <p>Now, we had our first baby 6 months ago and the cats are not handling it well. They've been peeing around the house to show their displeasure. Tonight someone peed in the nursery and I am at wits end! I want to give them away on Craig's List but I don't think anyone will want my allergy cat.<br /> What would you do? List the cats anyway with full disclosure and see if someone takes them? Euthanize the allergy cat and get rid of the other one? Keep both cats out of the kindness in your heart even though they have peed on two comforters in the past 6 months and you can't get the smell out and are very angry? </p> <p>I quit my job to stay home with the baby and money is tight, it's getting harder and harder to justify these cats. </p>