When you have an animal, you feel very protective over them and want to make their life as easy as possible. Whether you're a cat or dog person, you'd do anything for your furry friend. But what would you do if a beloved family member had an animal that clashed with yours, but they had to bring them along?
One woman took to Mumsnet with her conundrum, explaining that her mum was disabled and therefore needed an assistance dog, but her mum's assistance dog was incredibly badly behaved and antagonised her kitten. The poor animal was so distressed that it even urinated on her daughter's bed.
She said: "Complicated situation. My mum has an assistance dog because she’s disabled. I have a five-month-old cat and I let my mum stay over last night because she’s been having a bad time lately and needed the company.
"Her dog has been barking at and chasing my kitten, he’s so terrified he’s peed on my daughter's bed and pooped all over my bedroom, he’s genuinely terrified.
"My mums in a hotel near me tonight for the next week and wants to come over every day for dinner and company, but I can’t have the dog terrifying the kitten so I’m going to have to tell her she can’t come over.
"My mum gets deeply offended over things like this and I’m worried about explaining it to her tomorrow (I’m a people pleaser). She’s going to be really annoyed so now I’m having bad anxiety over it."
People were quick to defend the woman, saying they would also not want this dog in their house.
One wrote: "You are absolutely not being unreasonable. I'd do the same (and already have). If it's that much of an issue then meet elsewhere."
Another suggested maybe putting the kitten in another room when her mum and her dog are there, commenting: "Is there a quiet room where you can put your kitten to reduce aggro while your mum is round? It sounds so stressful but it does like your mum is in need of company and has come especially to be near you, and this might be a reasonable adjustment for her!"
Someone agreed, writing: "Can someone look after the cat for a few days or can it be shut in one room? Spending time with your mum is more important if she's having a tough time."
"Why should the cat have to be removed from its safe space?", somebody disagreed.
"You can't have your cat being chased in its safe space", one fumed.
People were confused as to why the dog was so badly behaved, with one writing: "Its behaviour is totally unacceptable for an assistance dog. You're not being unreasonable. These dogs are meant to be trained to be minimally intrusive and under their owner’s control and hers is not!"
What would you do in this situation? Let us know in the comments.
