How large of a room can two cats cocmfortably live?

[Geekbabe]

Originally posted by: zixxer
I'm in a bit of a predicament. Basically, I'm highly allergic to cats... and only cats. Pollen doesn't bother me, nor does really anything else. I'm allergic enough to where if I'm around cats (i.e. live with them) after a week or so I'm coughing up bloody mucus every morning - my skin breaks out, etc. claritin/benedryl helps, but doesn't completely eliminate it. I can stand cats in short doses (friends house, etc) but not living with them.. And they aren't allowed in the bedroom, we vacuum once a week, and so on.

That being said, after she met me (but before we were serious) my g/f bought two long haired kittens. Long story short, they ended up at my house with the both of us (since she only went to her apt to feed/care for them). After ~5-6 months I basically told her I couldn't take it - my Dr was hesitant to do allergy shots since I'm ONLY allergic to cats and I was/am absolutely miserable. She tried some stuff to help the allergies (allerpet, shaving them, etc) but ultimately it isn't really working. Also, i simply don't want pets. They're messy, hairy, litter is all over the house 1 day after vacuuming, their ****** stinks, and they 'sometimes' piss on things. (couch)

So now that I've said that the cats and I can't live together - they've gotta go she's very very upset - basically she's getting her own apartment and moving out. Her words are 'it's a package deal - me and the kitties'. I'm not backing down - I feel like she shouldn't consciously be making me miserable - like she should put me before the cats, especially since she hasn't had them for all *that* long.. I've probably played with them more than she has.


I'm wondering if clearing out a spare bedroom (15ft x 15ft) - putting in a tv and spare couch + toys, etc etc is large enough for two cats to be comfy?

Well,she's announced she's moving out and taking the cats with her so the relationship is over.

 

[realEZE]

Originally posted by: zixxerI'm wondering if clearing out a spare bedroom (15ft x 15ft) - putting in a tv and spare couch + toys, etc etc is large enough for two cats to be comfy?

Similar situation:

Was living in a small one-bedroom + den condo with g/f and had two kittens... which forced them to be indoor cats.

They had free roam of the condo, which was only about 800 sq ft.
At the time, I thought they were happy, as they chased each other around and such.

Moved into a house with big rooms. One of the cats is completely different now, much more friendly and approachable. And they play together even more now.

If you are a cat person, then you wouldn't box them up into a small room. If you're not, then you will probably do whatever your g/f lets you get away with doing.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: azzlikr

Originally posted by: zixxerI'm wondering if clearing out a spare bedroom (15ft x 15ft) - putting in a tv and spare couch + toys, etc etc is large enough for two cats to be comfy?

Similar situation:

Was living in a small one-bedroom + den condo with g/f and had two kittens... which forced them to be indoor cats.

They had free roam of the condo, which was only about 800 sq ft.
At the time, I thought they were happy, as they chased each other around and such.

Moved into a house with big rooms. One of the cats is completely different now, much more friendly and approachable. And they play together even more now.

If you are a cat person, then you wouldn't box them up into a small room. If you're not, then you will probably do whatever your g/f lets you get away with doing.

I most certainly am a cat lover. I love both of her cats.


It's not an issue of my feelings towards cats, or her.

 

[torpid]

The only risk I know of with allergy shots is anaphylaxis(sp?) which is pretty rare.

Not sure what all the hooplah is about not being allergic to multiple things. Seems like that would make the shots particularly effective.

Keeping cats in one room at all times is not substantially different than keeping them in a cage, unless you spend a majority of your time in that room - which would seem to defeat the purpose. Also, it may not be very effective. Air is still going to circulate.

Shaving a cat is likely to make the symptoms worse since it could cause additional dander and the hair would not be trapping other allergens that you might be responding to emitted from the skin.

 

[Steve]

I like cats and all, but I think it's time for you to tell her it's you or the cats. Nobody should have to go through this crap.


Get her to pay for a 2nd opinion if she's that stubborn.

 

[alkemyst]

cats and habitat is usually decided on if they are healthy and not fighting.

Chances are you are in a relationship where you aren't bringing more than pets do to the table though...i'd just move on.

 

[Kelemvor]

Don't make the cats suffer by trying to contain them to a single room for the rest of their life (or the rest of the time you two are together). It's just mean and won't work anyway. Cat dander will get on anything that is in the room and will come out with it. Plus you have airflow throughout a house so it won't just stay in that room anyway.

I agree that if she cares more about 2 cats than you and your health, then it's time to find someone new and send her on her way.

 

[Praxis1452]

if she cares that much then dump her.

 

[Goosemaster]

Are we talking wine glasses or champagne glasses, because it depends on the breed and whether that sort of thing is legal where you live...

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Praxis1452
if she cares that much then dump her.

 

[imported_Baloo]

She is doing the right thing. never ever ask someone to give up something they love as a gesture of their love for you - that is just plain selfish.

 

[compuwiz1]

If I had a 10,000 sf house, there would be no two cats living comfortably, or at all. We don't do cats.

 

[doze]

Do you think you will marry this girl one day? Hope not b/c cats live a long time.

Ditch the girl now and save yourself a future fight

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Baloo
She is doing the right thing. never ever ask someone to give up something they love as a gesture of their love for you - that is just plain selfish.

she?!


the key to a successful relationship is not the degree of selfishness but the degree of selflessness that is mixed in with mutually-agreed-upon-actions to form the gooey nugget of the Cadburry bunny "huevo," if I may

They are...truly, delicious.


Point is, and now this is a stretch based on the info provided, but he was suffering and she apparently had the nerve to contemplate his continued suffering for the sake of her cats...notably a third party in every sense.