Dilemma – I am a pet lover but my husband isn’t. I’d love to get a pet but he doesn’t want one?
Anyone else been in this situation? I’d love to get a cat but I’d like one that doesn’t shed too much. How could I persuade him to give this a try, or should I just give up?
He’s not anti-pets, just that we both work full time and we also have a 5 year old child.
And he doesn’t mind cats nor is he allergic, so it may be that I just need to make a more convincing argument?
Geez, I’m NOT going to give up on my husband nor am I just going to get a pet. It’s the same as if we wanted to adopt a child – both parents have to agree. Maybe I should have posted this in Family instead of pets!
Sure and I have been in a similar situation,where my roomie was confused about his feelings about pets. He was so happy when at last I took the step and decided my happiness could be shared,and got the pet.
I think your choice of a cat is very good. Since you both work and have a child, a cat is low maintenance and can be delightful when you are home. Abyssinians shed very little, are clean and dog like in their friendship. Your husband loves you and is bound to love a good cat. He just needs you to show him how. Men actually do like ladies that know their minds. Don’t give up! Your child will sooo benefit from a kitty,too. <HUGS HUGS> Good luck sweetie, ask in family too?
get rid of the husband and get a pet.
References :
You should give up. He, like me has the mindset and will not change.
You can ask him why?
After a bad experience and costs, I will never get a pet other than a fish.
References :
Get him to go willingly to the local animal shelter with you and spend some time petting the cats or dogs. It’s a whole lot harder to say no when you are face to face with a potential furry friend. If not, maybe you have to decide whether you would rather have a pet or a husband. I hope in your case it’s not a clear cut decision. Just kidding.
References :
Well, I guess it depends on how much he doesn’t want a pet. You don’t want the pet to suffer because someone in the house can’t stand it. Really, having a pet is kind of like having a baby–you should both probably really want one. As side comment, in my experience, if there is someone in the room who really doesn’t like cats, that is usually the lap the cat wants to crawl into. Could he handle that?
References :
when i met my boyfriend (who’s the same way as your husband) i didn’t have any animals. now, 6 years later, i have a cat, a dog, had a hamster, and currently have 6 fish, in three tanks, and am planning on getting more. the dog was the big problem, he didn’t want to have anything to do with her for about a week, now, he’s just as much in love with her as i am. she’s his baby girl.
it depends on the person. if he really doesn’t like them at all, or if he’s allergic, or has some sort of phobia, then it might be best to not get one. but if he doesn’t want one because he is being stubborn, then i’d get a kitten, and have her grow up and your husband will fall in love with her. I’d get a persian, the long haired tend not to shed as much,,, but i’ve never met a cat that doesn’t shed.
(Btw, the bf still doesn’t like the cat,,, and he probably never will…. she hates him.
smart kitty, huh?? lol)
good luck, hope that helps!!
References :
I was once the anti-pet spouse. Ultimately, we got a puppy because I couldn’t help but notice the joy it brought to my husband. We’ve had a puppy for about 4 months now and he’s such a joy! We’re both so much more relaxed – it brings down the tension level in the home a lot. Plus he makes my husband laugh everyday. So – maybe you could expose him to pets in a neutral environment? Don’t just bring a pet home – it will be a miserable situation for all.
References :
If he is dead set against a pet, you may eventually wear him down to where he agrees to the pet, but he will never accept the pet. The pet will always be yours. If you are ready for that, then all you can do is nag, nag, nag until he gets tired of listening to you and gives in.
References :
Well if you really want it promise that you’ll take care of it completely and that the won’t have to deal with it. Also, if he’s a money person, add up the costs for a year and tell him how much it will be per month and prove it can fit in your budget.
References :
Don’t give up, just get a starter pet like fish and show him how much joy you get from taking care of something. Do you have children? If not, just mention that you would like children, he will be glad to get you a pet instead. No joke.
References :
Marriage is about compromise. Just make sure that you BOTH are making compromises. I’m sure there will be an opportunity in the near future in which your husband will make a compromise for you.
Oh, and these compromises should be made with love, not in a disgruntled manner.
It’s all part of the journey. Good luck.
References :
Why should you have to have permission to get a pet, how old are you?????? Get real get rid of the husband and get a cat.
References :
If you truly value your husband and your marriage- then don’t get a pet. You need to ask yourself whether or not getting a pet is worth strife in your family’s life. I also wouldn’t take too much advice from anti-family/husband people, they obviously have failed in that arena and are biased.
References :
I agree with Rachel C. Get rid of the husband and get a pet. I would never marry a man who didn’t love animals. Love me, love my animals is my motto. I would rather remain single with my pets than to get rid of them and get married. Pets are wonderful to have and keep you company. Granted, they do get old and die eventually but the joy of raising them and having them around for as long as you can is well worth it. I had one cat who lived to be 20. In my opinion, a person who doesn’t love animals is a person I would not want to be around.
References :
Avid animal and nature lover.
Growing up my parents had a similar problem. Only it was the other way around. My father was a huge animal person, but my mom was totaly grossed out by any and all animals. So after much begging on my behalf we were able to get a dog. The compromise was that he lived outside all the time. This way the family had a dog, and my mom didn’t have to deal with it in her house (she’s pretty much OCD about a clean house). It worked out well. We had a beagle for 12 years, they just had to put him down last Christmas due to old age. So if you have a yard, I would recomend this situation, just make sure the dog is suitable for outside living. The cat is also an option if you’re in an apartment, and can’t have an outside dog. Just keep trying to convince him. He’ll realized eventually that it’s just easier to say yes than listen to you beg! HAHA! Best of luck!
References :
Sure and I have been in a similar situation,where my roomie was confused about his feelings about pets. He was so happy when at last I took the step and decided my happiness could be shared,and got the pet.
I think your choice of a cat is very good. Since you both work and have a child, a cat is low maintenance and can be delightful when you are home. Abyssinians shed very little, are clean and dog like in their friendship. Your husband loves you and is bound to love a good cat. He just needs you to show him how. Men actually do like ladies that know their minds. Don’t give up! Your child will sooo benefit from a kitty,too. <HUGS HUGS> Good luck sweetie, ask in family too?
References :
cat breeder referral site link: aren’t they delightful??
http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/abyssinian.html
I’ve been in this situation – my bf doesn’t like dogs however I desperately wanted one. Unfortunately, the way I convinced him won’t work for you (as he works nights, I told him that it would be good to have a dog in the house as a safety thing, as well as company) However, my bf also caved in because of the fact that I wanted a dog so much, he was willing to forgo his own opinions on the matter.
I think you should just speak to your husband and outline the potential cats you want and the positives on the breed of the cat you’ve selected. Speak to him about the potential costs, the things that could be given to a cat to keep it occupied while you guys are at work etc. Just lay it all out for him and hopefully he will agree. If he is anything like my bf, he will love the new addition into the family!
Good luck!
References :
well i have had two rats and i loved them!!! they are small and just love to be played with and love to run in an excersize ball!!! they are great for the whole family!! even your husband! good luck
References :
Tell him he can pick it out and name it.
References :
My boyfirend hates pets and I still get them…I just use something he like to bribe
References :
Thanks for the post, I’ll keep checking back for more articles soon, bookmarked your website!