'Their discomfort really doesn’t seem worth his company': Tensions rise as pawrent draws the line over best friend's demand to cage cats for picky, problematic boyfriend's allergies

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Jul 6, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

Here's a classic catastrophe brewing: this person's best friend's boyfriend is a chronic complainer who's already snarked about everything, including the location of a cookout at the cat owner's place. To make things trickier, he's allergic to cats, and the pawrent has two furry divas who hide when guests arrive. Despite the boyfriend visiting twice with no complaints, the best friend insists the cats be locked away all day to spare his sneezes.

This pawrent isn't having it, suggesting the boyfriend take allergy meds instead of putting the cats through the stress of isolation. It's a real cat-and-mouse game between making guests comfortable and protecting the well-being of beloved pets. Sure, the boyfriend's grumpy attitude might be rubbing fur the wrong way, but prioritizing the cats' comfort over a difficult guest seems totally pawsible.

At the end of the day, it's about respecting boundaries, especially when cats are involved. Sometimes standing firm is the best way to keep the peace and avoid turning the home into a feline fiasco.

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  • 01
    'I'm not locking my cats in a room for the day'
    via Zbynek Pospisil / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    Look, she's my best friend but I can't stand her boyfriend. No one can. All he does is make r de, snarky comments and complains about everything everywhere he goes. Nothing is ever good enough. Or nothing is ever as good as his stuff.
    via Cautious_Leadership
  • 03
    I decided to have a small cookout at my house. He has made comments about its location and quality many times before. Nonetheless, we're planning to have good food, drinks, and a whole lot of other stuff to spend some time with our friends and relax a little, and they're both invited. My bestie is worried about
    via Cautious_Leadership
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10525571072
    via kali9 / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 05
    her boyfriend's cat allergies. I have two cats. Both hide when people are over. She asked me to lock them in the room for the day to not upset his allergies. He has been to my house twice now and has never complained about my cats.
    via Cautious_Leadership
  • 06
    I simply told her no. After she persisted, I reminded her he's been around them, and their fur, which lingers around at all times in the past. I asked what he did then to manage it. She said take Benadryl. I recommend he take it again before/after his visit. She persisted. So I said I'm not locking my cats in a room for the day. And so far that's been that.
    via Cautious_Leadership
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10525571584
    via Africa images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    AITA? I'm not sure if my dislike of her boyfriend is clouding my judgement. But I also think of how panicked and uncomfortable my cats will be, and it seems. unreasonable to request that from me. Also, their discomfort really doesn't seem worth his company. I don't know... AITA??
    via Cautious_Leadership
  • 09
    Throwawaylife1984 NTA. If he's been there and been fine, then he can put up with it. If he makes a comment, smile happily and say "if you don't like it you can leave. Everyone else is happy". Don't be
    via Throwawaylife1984
  • 10
    confrontational. Just knock every complaint down with a laugh. If he complains about your cooking, tell him where the nearest restaurant is and walk off laughing. Don't give him attention. This is what he wants. He's a troll.
    via Throwawaylife1984
  • 11
    Tiny NiceWolf The real issue is not the cats, but why you're letting the r de guy come to your party. Tell your friend "He's been ride every single time he comes over, so he's no longer allowed over. I hope you can still come, but I understand if you can't." Getting told her boyfriend is so awful he's getting banned might be the wakeup call your friend needs.
    via TinyNiceWolf

  • Sounds like the problem goes beyond allergies. If he’s rude and negative no matter what, you’d probably be better off not having him around at all. Some guests aren’t worth the hassle!

  • 12
    ShipCompetitive1... NTA-"my cats live here and this is their home, it is not your bf's home"
    via ShipCompetitive100
  • 13
    Chemical-Armadillo... NTA. You'd have to deep clean the carpets, upholstery, etc, in addition to locking them up, to make it truly allergy friendly-ish but they live there so it's not even reasonable. He doesn't have to come over if he doesn't like the space.
    via Chemical-Armadillo64
  • 14
    I would keep an eye on your cats though. Idk why but I wouldn't be surprised if he let them outside on purpose or shut them in the room anyway. Preferably the latter but you should make sure they're safe when he's there. He sounds like he'd do something just to be spiteful.
    via Chemical-Armadillo64
  • 15
    Patrie255 Cat rules. Boyfriend drools.
    via Patrie255
  • 16
    mu5tbetheone NTA. Unless I've misunderstood, a BBQ / cookout is typically outside, so why do your cats need to be locked away inside when he won't be inside your house most of the time? Not to mention, he's been fine with the other two visits.
    via mu5tbetheone
  • 17
    Legolaslegs NTA. My ex is allergic to cats and he popped allergy pills. with each visit. It's not hard. Locking cats up in a room like that is terrible. It's their home. They'll go hide and find somewhere comfortable to be. He can be a big boy and take care of his own problems or not show up.
    via Legolaslegs
  • 18
    Black_Rosettes NTA. You're having a cookout, tell him to stay outside
    via Black_Rosettes

  • If he’s mostly staying outside or keeping his distance, his allergies probably won’t be a big deal. The cats can roam free inside without all that stress. Everyone wins!

  • 19
    ariesrising03 NTA. I wouldn't lock my cats up for someone I like, let alone someone I can't stand. Tell him to take a Claritin. He'll survive
    via ariesrising03
  • 20
    ArmTrue4439 NTA the fur will linger unless you were hypothetically deep cleaning the house anyway so locking them up wouldn't even help
    via ArmTrue4439
  • 21
    Apprehensive-An... Nuh-uh. I have allergies, my friends and my sister have cats. I take my meds when I visit. That's it. Unless his allergies where life threatening, but it doesn't seem to be the case. NTA.
    via Apprehensive-Ant-204

  • If he’s been over before without any issues, taking allergy meds should be enough. There’s no need to lock the cats away. They shouldn’t have to suffer just because of his allergies.

  • 22
    Necessary-Penalty... My cats hid when people come over too but regardless, I would NEVER lock them into a room that's their home and I would never force them to stay in one room unless they wanted too
    via Necessary-Penalty300

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Tags

boyfriend cooking best friends allergies advice feline argument pawrents Cats
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