Brother And SIL Come To Visit But Are Upset The Homeowner’s Cat Is Free To Walk Around The House As They Get Startled By It
It’s hard to believe, but it turns out there are people who do not like or are afraid of perhaps the most beautiful beings that exist on this planet in general, and on the internet in particular – wonderful cats. No, of course, there are people who are allergic to them or don’t get along with cats, but this is not about that.
Seriously, the story we are going to tell you today revolves around cats. Or rather, around the guests, who for some reason were afraid of cats – and demanded that the owners of the house lock their pets up for the duration of their stay in the house. Actually, about this story first told by the user u/fluffythecat38.
The author of the post once hosted their brother and SIL in their house
Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual image)
The author says they have two cats, one of which, a fluffy one, is extremely curious
Image credits: u/fluffythecat38
Image credits: Helena Jacoba (not the actual image)
Image credits: u/fluffythecat38
After encountering a cat late in the evening in the guest bedroom, the SIL demanded the author shove the cat away somewhere
Image credits: Ketut Subiyanto (not the actual image)
Image credits: u/fluffythecat38
The author, however, flatly refused to lock up the cats, and was dubbed ‘selfish’ for saying so
So, the Original Poster (OP) has two cats at home: one shorthair and one fluffy. We will mainly talk about the second one, which once had some trauma and is distrustful of people whom she does not know well, but at the same time remains incredibly curious. Even when guests come to the house where she lives…
One day, their brother and wife were visiting the OP’s house, and in the evening, when the couple were heading to the guest bedroom, it turned out that someone was already there. Yes, it was a dark-haired fluffy cat that had crept into the room in the afternoon and fallen asleep on the bed. Many centuries ago, Confucius aptly noted that it is difficult to find a black cat in a dark room, but even the great sage did not say anything about what to do when this black cat, also frightened, throws itself at your feet and flies out of the room like a bullet.
Needless to say, the original poster’s SIL was frightened, and when she opened the bathroom door in the morning and the same curious fluffy cat was sitting on the threshold, she flinched again in fear. At dinner, the guest demanded that the cat owner close all the pets out of harm’s way in another room while she and her husband were staying there. However, the OP saw no problem here and reasonably asked why the SIL didn’t just close the guest bedroom door more tightly to avoid similar unexpected and, to be honest, comical moments in the future?
The guest, however, did not see anything funny and dubbed the OP ‘selfish’ for unwillingness to follow this request, which she herself considered completely trifling. On the other hand, any of us who have kept cats in the house at least once know perfectly well that this request is actually not at all as trifling as it may seem…
Image credits: Sam Lion(not the actual image)
It would be perfectly reasonable if the author’s SIL was allergic to cats – at least, according to the research made by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute, 23 percent of cat owners report that either they or a member of their household lives with cat allergen sensitivities. But the original poster says nothing about allergies, so it was just the fear of the cat, which, however, was no less afraid – and quite possibly way more.
Another reason for this behavior of the OP’s sister-in-law could be ailurophobia. According to Cleveland Clinic, “someone with ailurophobia may have extreme anxiety or fear when seeing or thinking about cats. They may avoid visiting friends who have cats or stay away from co-workers who talk about their cats. Many people with cat phobia have had negative experiences with cats.” However, we can completely dismiss the suggestion of ailurophobia, because initially the woman was quite normal about the OP’s cats, both fluffy and short-haired.
In philosophy, there is such a thing as ‘Occam’s razor’, which goes back to the name of the Medieval English scholastic philosopher William of Ockham. According to him, of two competing theories, the simpler explanation is to be preferred. And what is the simplest explanation we have? That’s right, the usual entitledness. Most of the people in the comments just agree with this.
The commenters were massively supportive of the original poster, claiming that this is the home of their family and cats, and the SIL is just a guest and nothing more. Thus, if anyone needs to adapt to the rules of living in this house, then it’s definitely the SIL. “The cats live there. She doesn’t. Closing a door is not an unreasonable request. If she doesn’t like it she can stay in a hotel,” folks in the comments insisted. And what is your opinion on this story? Please feel free to express it in the comments.
Most of the people in the comments claimed that it’s the cats’ house as well, so the SIL should definitely adapt anyway
Oh no! How dare a cat walk around in its own home! No, you, my fluffy little brethren must STRUT around that home, and leave a "gift" in Karens shoes whilst you're at it.
A. The cats live there, the visiting in-laws don't. Of course a cat is going to investigate places that are normally closed off. Can SIL close the door against intruders when she goes to the bathroom? Yes? Good. Treat the bedroom door the same if that's her concern. B. If the first doesn't work, offer to give the cats a stern talking-to and explain what parts of the house are off limits. I'm sure they will listen carefully and understand SILs point of view.
Of course the cats will listen. Then promptly ignore you and do as they please as usual.
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Oh, God, I had a roommate once who argued that that phrase was horribly ignorant, hateful, and controlling. She also never cleaned her cat's litter box and expected me to do it.
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My house my rules. Bye bye SIL. (translation: My house, my cat's rules, but you get the point).
I had the exact same thing at my uncles, and I'm deathly allergic to cats. I closed the door and avoided the cats. Simple.
i had a good friend who was actually afraid of cats- she found them creepy and scary. she would come over to my house all the time and never expected the cats to be locked up anywhere. she even touched one once! didn't cure her fear at all LOL.
Definitely NTA. If you come over to my house and have an issue with cats and dogs, then tough luck. You are a guest in my and THEIR home. Yes, their home, not yours. I agree with everything everyone above said. SIL can shut the door; ain't that hard. When there is somewhere I don't want the dog to go, I simply keep her out of that area. I don't confine her to another.
I tell ppl before visiting "I have a lot of indoor cats & it's their home first. So if you don't like cats, don't come to my house" I have 2 who were taken off the street, they're tortie cats so they're naturally weird af... but they don't like strangers. At all. So you don't even notice they're there. But the other 4 indoor cats ARE OBNOXIOUSLY AFFECTIONATE! Lol. I will literally be sitting on my big a*s couch & all four of them are piled on top of me or surrounding me & as close to me as possible when there's 4 cat trees, 2 beds, another couch, another chair & ALL THEIR SHELVES & FURNITURE.. so I tell ppl that they need to be cool with being smothered by cat love. If they aren't they aren't welcome. It's their home & I will not pick anyone over them. But on the other hand my cats have turned "anti cat" ppl into cat lovers. So that's one positive to having clingy a*s cats who have no concept of personal space. Lol.
Three of my cats were born right in front of me and are so affectionate that they insist on sleeping on my pillow.
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I had similar experiences in most properties I stayed in Croatia. For some reason a lot of people demanded my cat to be locked in his carrier bag at all times and not to let it roam around. Or asked to tie my cat outside like a dog in scorching heat. Of course I wouldn't but that resulted in aggression and threats.
"Keep the cat away"....LMFAO. Has this person ever met cats? Cats will do what they want when they want. I thought this was common knowledge. NTA SIL and brother can stay elsewhere sans cats.
Screw that SIL and hubby. It's my house and my cats and YOU are the guest. If you don't like it, there are hotels and motels available everywhere or better yet, just stay home! This is why I prefer the company of animals much more than the company of humans.
NTA. It's the cat's home, not the brother's and his wife, so if they have a problem, they can leave.
I read 'demands and my cat'. That's enough, not reading anything else, it will just depress me. No you can't make demands about my cats. No I won't listen. You take my cats and me as we are. It's one package, with nails.
The entitled B**** wouldn't step 1 foot into house! My cats come before ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!
That is exactly how I feel. Truth be told, I prefer cats company to that over humans.
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The visiting sister should be given options. Close your bedroom door - when you leave it. Or close the front door - behind you.
Can you confine your cats to one room? Apparently this woman has never owned cats.
I don't know about anyone else, but if I were visiting with someone who had cats, I would feel a bit slighted if at least one of them didn't come to me and introduce themself. For all the cat-haters out there: how would YOU feel if guests came to YOUR home, didn't care for YOUR presence, and expected YOU to vacate the premises? Think about it.
NTA Does the SIL even know what a cat is? Kick her sorry butt out if she continues this ridiculousness.
The cats live there. The guests need to deal with that, or stay somewhere else!
Keep the cats in a separate part of the house? Is the house a mansion with a west and east wing or what.I don't think it is too much to ask to keep the door closed, if they don't like it they can leave, they knew OP had cats, I assume. SIL is making a mountain out of a molehill.
How can you be that scared of a cat that just ran out at you? I understand if the SIL was afraid of cats, but I'm sure they wouldn't stay over if she was. I get startled easily. Like very easily. Like if somebody asks how I'm doing when I think I'm alone I might scream a bit. Even if the cat just gave her a fright like that, I don't see staying mad at the cat? Whenever I startle at something I laugh it off easily.
Tell them to get out of your house NOW! How dare she tell you what is allowed to go on in YOUR house. You were being kind enough to allow them to stay. Pets are family and like children. If you would not put a child in a room while people were staying then don't do it to your cat. What an ungrateful entitled Karen. If it was me, I would tell them they have a half hour to pack and get the eff out of my house.
The only AH is your SIL. I'd tell her that I'd be happy to look up some local hotels that they can move to for the remainder of their stay. You don't make demands on a host regarding their pets. If you have an issue with the pets, then go stay in a hotel.
Your house, your pets, your rules. Brother and SIL don't like it, there is a pet-free place nearby - a motel
Locking the cats in a single room, is perhaps all right to do while paint is applied and dries og something else that could treathen their healt, but otherwise it is simply abuse. Do you really want to have people who would even suggest that to stay in your and your cats home?
Good riddance SIL. The cats kive here, yiu dont. I've had people try the same thing with me. They now only visit during the day or stay somewhere else. Not my concern
What kind of stupid idiot is frighten by a sweet little shy pussycat? Honestly. My cats own my house so if you want to stay here (which I personally never want visitors again after dealing with difficult in-laws for years - I am so done!), you have to put up with my pets. Got an exuberantly friendly shih tzu too.
You should not give her a choice, just tell them both to pack their bags and leave, she may become abusive toward the cats at night when nobody is around to see.
CAT in any room he will howl and scratch at the door until he's let out.
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My cats are both on the lease at my place, my guests are not. They either need to nut up and deal with my balls of fur having free reign as residents of our place or they can kick rocks and find a hotel to stay at.
Oh no! How dare a cat walk around in its own home! No, you, my fluffy little brethren must STRUT around that home, and leave a "gift" in Karens shoes whilst you're at it.
A. The cats live there, the visiting in-laws don't. Of course a cat is going to investigate places that are normally closed off. Can SIL close the door against intruders when she goes to the bathroom? Yes? Good. Treat the bedroom door the same if that's her concern. B. If the first doesn't work, offer to give the cats a stern talking-to and explain what parts of the house are off limits. I'm sure they will listen carefully and understand SILs point of view.
Of course the cats will listen. Then promptly ignore you and do as they please as usual.
Load More Replies... Oh, God, I had a roommate once who argued that that phrase was horribly ignorant, hateful, and controlling. She also never cleaned her cat's litter box and expected me to do it.
Load More Replies... My house my rules. Bye bye SIL. (translation: My house, my cat's rules, but you get the point).
I had the exact same thing at my uncles, and I'm deathly allergic to cats. I closed the door and avoided the cats. Simple.
i had a good friend who was actually afraid of cats- she found them creepy and scary. she would come over to my house all the time and never expected the cats to be locked up anywhere. she even touched one once! didn't cure her fear at all LOL.
Definitely NTA. If you come over to my house and have an issue with cats and dogs, then tough luck. You are a guest in my and THEIR home. Yes, their home, not yours. I agree with everything everyone above said. SIL can shut the door; ain't that hard. When there is somewhere I don't want the dog to go, I simply keep her out of that area. I don't confine her to another.
I tell ppl before visiting "I have a lot of indoor cats & it's their home first. So if you don't like cats, don't come to my house" I have 2 who were taken off the street, they're tortie cats so they're naturally weird af... but they don't like strangers. At all. So you don't even notice they're there. But the other 4 indoor cats ARE OBNOXIOUSLY AFFECTIONATE! Lol. I will literally be sitting on my big a*s couch & all four of them are piled on top of me or surrounding me & as close to me as possible when there's 4 cat trees, 2 beds, another couch, another chair & ALL THEIR SHELVES & FURNITURE.. so I tell ppl that they need to be cool with being smothered by cat love. If they aren't they aren't welcome. It's their home & I will not pick anyone over them. But on the other hand my cats have turned "anti cat" ppl into cat lovers. So that's one positive to having clingy a*s cats who have no concept of personal space. Lol.
Three of my cats were born right in front of me and are so affectionate that they insist on sleeping on my pillow.
Load More Replies... I had similar experiences in most properties I stayed in Croatia. For some reason a lot of people demanded my cat to be locked in his carrier bag at all times and not to let it roam around. Or asked to tie my cat outside like a dog in scorching heat. Of course I wouldn't but that resulted in aggression and threats.
"Keep the cat away"....LMFAO. Has this person ever met cats? Cats will do what they want when they want. I thought this was common knowledge. NTA SIL and brother can stay elsewhere sans cats.
Screw that SIL and hubby. It's my house and my cats and YOU are the guest. If you don't like it, there are hotels and motels available everywhere or better yet, just stay home! This is why I prefer the company of animals much more than the company of humans.
NTA. It's the cat's home, not the brother's and his wife, so if they have a problem, they can leave.
I read 'demands and my cat'. That's enough, not reading anything else, it will just depress me. No you can't make demands about my cats. No I won't listen. You take my cats and me as we are. It's one package, with nails.
The entitled B**** wouldn't step 1 foot into house! My cats come before ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!
That is exactly how I feel. Truth be told, I prefer cats company to that over humans.
Load More Replies... The visiting sister should be given options. Close your bedroom door - when you leave it. Or close the front door - behind you.
Can you confine your cats to one room? Apparently this woman has never owned cats.
I don't know about anyone else, but if I were visiting with someone who had cats, I would feel a bit slighted if at least one of them didn't come to me and introduce themself. For all the cat-haters out there: how would YOU feel if guests came to YOUR home, didn't care for YOUR presence, and expected YOU to vacate the premises? Think about it.
NTA Does the SIL even know what a cat is? Kick her sorry butt out if she continues this ridiculousness.
The cats live there. The guests need to deal with that, or stay somewhere else!
Keep the cats in a separate part of the house? Is the house a mansion with a west and east wing or what.I don't think it is too much to ask to keep the door closed, if they don't like it they can leave, they knew OP had cats, I assume. SIL is making a mountain out of a molehill.
How can you be that scared of a cat that just ran out at you? I understand if the SIL was afraid of cats, but I'm sure they wouldn't stay over if she was. I get startled easily. Like very easily. Like if somebody asks how I'm doing when I think I'm alone I might scream a bit. Even if the cat just gave her a fright like that, I don't see staying mad at the cat? Whenever I startle at something I laugh it off easily.
Tell them to get out of your house NOW! How dare she tell you what is allowed to go on in YOUR house. You were being kind enough to allow them to stay. Pets are family and like children. If you would not put a child in a room while people were staying then don't do it to your cat. What an ungrateful entitled Karen. If it was me, I would tell them they have a half hour to pack and get the eff out of my house.
The only AH is your SIL. I'd tell her that I'd be happy to look up some local hotels that they can move to for the remainder of their stay. You don't make demands on a host regarding their pets. If you have an issue with the pets, then go stay in a hotel.
Your house, your pets, your rules. Brother and SIL don't like it, there is a pet-free place nearby - a motel
Locking the cats in a single room, is perhaps all right to do while paint is applied and dries og something else that could treathen their healt, but otherwise it is simply abuse. Do you really want to have people who would even suggest that to stay in your and your cats home?
Good riddance SIL. The cats kive here, yiu dont. I've had people try the same thing with me. They now only visit during the day or stay somewhere else. Not my concern
What kind of stupid idiot is frighten by a sweet little shy pussycat? Honestly. My cats own my house so if you want to stay here (which I personally never want visitors again after dealing with difficult in-laws for years - I am so done!), you have to put up with my pets. Got an exuberantly friendly shih tzu too.
You should not give her a choice, just tell them both to pack their bags and leave, she may become abusive toward the cats at night when nobody is around to see.
CAT in any room he will howl and scratch at the door until he's let out.
Load More Replies... My cats are both on the lease at my place, my guests are not. They either need to nut up and deal with my balls of fur having free reign as residents of our place or they can kick rocks and find a hotel to stay at.
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