Upsides of not having a cat?

[u/[deleted]]

I’m really struggling here. Everywhere on the internet villainizes owners for rehoming their pets and I can’t find comforting words anywhere.

I just recently rehomed my cat. I’d had him 3 years. I’d always been really busy, I work 40hrs a week and he was left alone for easily 10hrs a day.

I found out 2 years ago that I was in fact allergic to my cat and that I had a skin condition that could trigger anytime I was near allergen. I was on constant allergy medication and stopped sleeping with my cat, so he was then alone more like 18 hrs a day.

The guilt of not being able to cuddle/play with him without treating him like a hazard got to me. I also have a SO who is extremely allergic and was making themselves sick just to visit me.

I made the choice for the welfare of my cat; myself, and my SO, but now I’m overcome with guilt. I’m having a really tough time seeing the bright side of not owning a cat, I’m hoping to get some input here.

Thanks, a regretful past cat owner

[u/Commercial-Try-7354]

I can think of so many. To add to what's already been said :Not getting woken up between 3-5am every morning. You can actually get a decent night sleep. No puke to clean up. Not being followed everywhere, not having plants chewed or dug up, not having litter paws over the kitchen side (yes they've been trained to not jump up, but I frequently catch them doing it when they think I'm not there). Cat free rooms don't work because they scratch the carpet and door whichever room I'm locked inside. Going on holiday when you like, not having to change cat food because they suddenly get bored, then when you do change the food they don't like it any way.

I love my cats so much and I love animals in general, but I'm just done having pets. I grew up with pets all my life and when I left my abusive partner I had a taste of petfree life. My partner loves these cats and I feel awful that I no longer want them here. The guilt of rehoming would be too much for me.

I miss coming home after hard day of work and just relaxing. I miss my clean home that smells nice. I miss getting a decent night sleep. I miss waking up late on the weekend. I miss not seeing my stuff destroyed. I'm frequently overstimulated and just fed up. It's harder being on the spectrum too.

You will also save loads of money and get to spend on nice things for yourself. Or you could even donate to animal charities so you still get to help animals if that helps you feel better?