u 
It's unfortunate your girlfriend is allergic to cats, but who was in your life first? Her or the cats?
I'm having trouble with this one. I developed cat allergies late in my cat's life, but I didn't give him up for adoption. He simply became more of an indoor-outdoor cat. If your cats still have their claws, try this option.
And have your girlfriend start taking allergy medicine.
Who knows how long you'll have her as a girlfriend? You chose those cats as life companions, not simply as place holders until you got a girlfriend.
It's cruel of you to dump them for someone you don't know is going to be around in a year or two or three.
I speak from experience. I was developing a friendship with a nice guy who had four cats in his apartment. I'd visited him several times, then one time my eyes started watering and I began sneezing. I had to leave his place. As soon as I set foot outdoors, I stopped sneezing and my eyes dried out. It was the cats!
I apologized for my allergic reaction, but I couldn't ask this guy to give up his cats because of me. I know I wasn't a girlfriend, but he had FOUR cats he'd had a while. And they were NICE cats. I'd never presume to even ASK that of a person.
On the OTHER hand, I know this other nice guy who says he SLEEPS WITH HIS DOG. I like this guy. We might hit it off once he's fully vaccinated and we can manage to hang out some. But I'm never sleeping with a dog. So, I guess I won't sleep over at his house ever. And I suppose we'd have to have this discussion. Tommy, I don't mind your puppy sitting with you on the sofa while we watch movies, but the bedroom is off limits.
LIMITS are one thing. Ruling a pet out completely, something else entirely and it's pretty selfish unless you really didn't care about the animals in the first place.
Aww, that must be hard for you. But it's nice to see you put your woman first! My hubby was allergic to animal dander, so we never had pets. And I didn't have pets when we first got together so it's not a choice I had to make, but if I did, I would of made the same choice as you.
u difficult, difficult... difficult.
My cat is younger, three years since she showed up just a kitten and we do have a very special bond, she was extremely wary of other people but she grew up to trust me and to even like me, and because of our bond she also became trusting around other people, even other pets.
I know she's street smart enough, so she could live on her own and get by if she were to end on the suburban streets, but... I just don't know how well could she adjust to other people, a new home, owners, etcétera. I don't think she would be willing to do that, so I could never bring myself to force her to do that.
In your case, the way you explained, I would not get rid of my cat, for me they would be as important as a new relationship of mine, so there would have to be a compromise in which I don't leave my cat... but this is not about me really. So I think I would suggest you to maybe try a temporary solution? maybe if you find a temporary home for the cats for a week or maybe two? and see how they react to it? how well they adjust to a new home and new owners? If they were to adjust well and it seemed like they're not going to be depressed or something like that, then I think you would be in a better position to make further decisions and considerations, at least more at ease. But if the cats don't deal that well with it, I guess it could make it harder to give them away, but that's something I would want to be aware of, before I take drastic measures.
I'd have to be in your position to know what I would do. But I think of my cats as my children. They spent their entire lives with me and we have a bond. I love them and they have given me their complete trust. I don't break trust or bargains.
When I take on an animal, they are my charge for life.
At the same time, I can sympathize with your predicament. It's not as simple as cutting things off with your girlfriend and finding someone new. She is precious, too.
I suppose there are circumstances that would force someone to give up their cat (s). One could get disabled and be unable to care for them, for example. But my furry family members and I are such comforts to each other. I would be absolutely heart sick. I don't know if I would ever get over the guilt and loneliness.
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Never!!! I'm very happy you found a lady you care about, but suppose you choose her over your cats, but things don't work out between you two.
Now you've lost your relationship and cats.
I would NEVER give away a pet because they're allergic. Nowadays there's plenty of medication to help with allergies, if she's willing to try them.
Has she attempted to try medication? I personally am also allergic to cats and have not found any medication that helps. Some of the comments suggest it's as easy as popping a benedryl but it doesn't work that way.
It's a tough decision either way. Good luck in your decision.
You could always make them mainly outside cats if you lived somewhere thats not too dangerous for them to run around outside
I would choose the cats over the girlfriend.
I'm highly allergic to cats. Simply removing the cats won't eliminate the problem. People are allergic to a protein in cat saliva, and it gets on EVERYTHING. It's in the carpet, upholstered furniture, drapes, rugs, bedding, etc. You will have to clean the carpet, any rugs, drapes, bedding. Depending on the severity of her allergy, you may have to replace any upholstered furniture, and possibly the mattress. Maybe it would be easier if you just went to her place? If it works out then you can move in together into a brand new place.
It's not exactly the cat or their hair.. it's more than likely the dander and if they do go outside they often bring in pollen and other things that can cause allergies to flare up. If her allergies are severe, she should already be taking a daily antihistamine.
I have cat allergies, like bad allergic reactions, and I actually owned a cat. I took a daily allergy pill, washed my hands and just vacuumed/swept daily. Also we bathed the cat once or twice a week to get rid of dander. I would try some things and just see how her allergies are. Pets are family but I wouldn't want to be miserable having allergies either. But after a few weeks I didn't have an allergic reaction to my cat at all and it even slept with me.. think the regular bathing made a huge difference.
Oh and she might not just be allergic to cats.. so find out what else she's allergic to and see if it's anything that can be found inside your place.
u It’s a difficult situation, for sure. Thankfully, it’s not a situation I have ever been in. To be honest, I would not give up my dogs for anyone. I have allergies myself, mostly seasonal but the dogs do get to me on occasion. I have not even given up the dogs for my own sake 😂. I’ve been taking daily antihistamines for years.
I guess in this case, there are so many factors to consider. For me, my dogs and I are a package deal and any guy who wants to stay around long term needs to accept that. Fortunately, I am married and my husband is as crazy about dogs as I am!
1. Has she checked to see if a simple over the counter allergy med relieves her allergies? 2. If there’s no getting around it and she’s truly allergic, it’s not like she’s doing it on purpose. I would totally get rid of the cats, though I would wait if you’re not engaged or living together.
I legit read this as "Would you get rid of your penis if?"
And no; I wouldn't get rid of my pets for some chick, even if I had any. What if she breaks up with you a week later? Only if she's serious about marriage and I had a close friend or family member willing to look after them would I even consider getting rid of them.
there is give and take with any relationship, nothing will ever be 100 percent perfect with any two people, i would not get rid of them there has to be a compromise somehow, does she take anything for her allergies?
here is a link to things to try if she doesn't already take anything
Unbiased Best Medication For Cat Allergies In 2021 (allaboutcats. com)
Awwww. Poor kitties. My whole family is allergic to 4 legged creatures so we just don’t have any. My husband went through allergy desensitization shots simply because it’s hard for us to visit my parents and my friends with cats. Would she consider that? It’s covered by insurance. Just see an allergist once a week.
I don’t know if I could get rid of any cats. I love cats!! I understand what you’re saying though. Have you tried washing them with a special shampoo to cut down on the cat dander. If cats are stressed they don’t clean themselves as often producing even more dander. Try changing their food and make sure they’re really healthy. That might help her allergies. You could ask her to take allergy meds. They are beautiful kittys.
That is literally so cruel.
Cats are everything
Those cats are gonna think you abandoned them and will hate you. We don't deserve pets
Nah, pets are more important. I'm also allergic and rescued a kitten from a sewer. My eyes are red, I sneeze, but just because of my problem I can't leave that kitten to die.
No never , sadly lost my weaselly girls , I would NEVER have got rid of my beloved ferret / 1/2 polecat pair , Miss Woolworth & Polefat. Looking at some more gorgeous fluffy Angora ferret kits. Keep your kitties , as there is never any guarantee of anything lasting anyway.
u The boyfriend would have to go. My pets were in my life before he was. I know my pets will still be with me until they die. I’ll never be sure about him.
If I were her, I'd take Benadryl or Allegra or try anything else so you won't ever have to give up your cats who don't deserve to get & feel abandoned.
well, if she really likes you. she should not react so bad towards your pet. any pet would be sad when you give them to somebody else especially when they big already. cats/dogs are like your child. they won't want to be with somebody else.. if you insist, they would run away from new owner and try to find you
My boyfriend and I are both allergic to my dog but I would never give her up. We just deal with it or take medication, which is super easy and simple. Please don't give up your furbabies for a lady 😔 if she's worth it, she'll be willing to at least try taking medication and not want you to just ditch then for her. And if she leaves you, you lose her and yout furbabies. Furbabies were there for you before her and will be if that lady leaves. Compromise!
The cats stay.
The bitch goes.
Real world, any woman who was not a fellow cat lover would not progress past the first date, or the initian conversation.
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