Owning a cat can be hugely rewarding, but it comes with a lot of responsibility. What if, despite best intentions, the relationship isn’t working? Is rehoming your cat the best option?

Deciding to rehome your cat is not easy. Before you make this significant decision, it’s important to consider all your options first, with your cat’s health and happiness uppermost in mind. 

In this article, I’ll cover the most common reasons owners may wish to give up their cat. I’ll offer ideas for how you might address these problems, which may resolve the issue. In the end however, it may be that it is best for them to find a new home that is better suited to their needs. I will provide some information about how you can go about rehoming your cat towards the end of the article.

Table of contents

1) I can’t afford to keep my cat.

The rising cost of pet food and vet bills means keeping an animal is becoming a luxury many of us can no longer afford. 

There are some ways to lighten the cost however. When it comes to food, your cat doesn’t need to eat an expensive diet to stay healthy. As long as the food is age-appropriate and is a complete cat food, they will manage just fine. If you are struggling with the cost of cat food, it’s worth asking whether your local food bank can help you. Charities such as The Trussell Trust run food banks across the country, and Cats Protection have been helping to keep them stocked with cat food donations wherever possible. 

If you are worried that your cat is unwell and you cannot afford medical care, the first step is to call your local veterinary clinic. Be honest about your financial circumstances and ask your vet about low-cost treatment options. Some veterinary practices can offer payment plans to help spread the cost of treatment. There are a few charities that can help with vet bills too. The PDSA, RSPCA and Blue Cross all have schemes to help eligible owners with the cost of veterinary care, and it’s worth checking with your local animal charities to see if they could offer you any assistance too. 

For further help and advice on keeping the cost of cat ownership down, see the Cats Protection advice article here. 

2) I’m having trouble with my cat’s behaviour.

If your cat’s behaviour has changed over time, it may be down to an illness, injury, or stress. The first step in tackling any behavioural issue is to get your cat seen by your vet. They could resolve the problem by treating an underlying medical cause, or they will be able to refer you to a qualified cat behaviourist. You’ll find a lot of pet behaviourists online, but I’d recommend searching for one via the APBC or ASAB to be sure their qualifications are legit. 

There are also some excellent behaviour resources available online to help in managing your cat’s behaviour. You can download a free Behaviour Guide from Cats Protection, and they also have plenty of advice on their Help and Advice website pages. International Cat Care have plenty of great free advice too, as do the RSPCA. If taking a course in cat behaviour appeals, I’d recommend this one for cat owners in particular.   

3) I’m allergic to my cat.

Being allergic to cats is quite common, with sufferers experiencing a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itchy skin, or asthma symptoms when they have been exposed to cat hair. Technically though, it isn’t the cat hair that is causing the problem. It’s the cat’s saliva on the cat hair, transferred by grooming, that triggers the allergic reaction. The saliva contains a protein called Fel d 1. Not all cats are heavy shedders of Fel d 1, but all cats produce it, so unfortunately there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat, even the hairless ones. 

There is currently no evidence to support the idea that cat allergy sufferers build up a tolerance to cats over time. But there are some ways you can reduce your symptoms:

  • Talk to your GP about antihistamine tablets and nasal sprays to help alleviate your symptoms.
  • Wash your hands after stroking your cat and avoid letting them lick your skin or clothes. 
  • Regularly wash their bedding, toys, and litter tray. 
  • Ventilate your home – open windows and consider using an air purifier.
  • Groom your cat outside and wipe them with a damp cloth to help remove allergens.
  • Vacuum regularly and consider using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. 
  • Avoid letting your cat into your bedroom. 

A new diet has been developed by Purina that is designed to neutralise cat allergens and reduce the levels of Fel d 1 on their fur. It’s called Pro Plan LiveClear, and you can read more about it here.

4) I’m having a baby. Can I keep my cat?

The main concern around cats and pregnancy is the risk of catching toxoplasmosis from cat poo. There are also some other considerations, such as how your cat will cope with the introduction of a new and potentially frightening family member, and whether they might smother the baby by sleeping on their face in the cot. 

Firstly, the risk of catching toxoplasmosis from your cat during pregnancy is extremely low. There are precautions that can be taken to virtually eliminate the risk entirely, such as wearing gloves to change the litter tray (or delegating this task), changing the litter tray daily, not feeding your cat raw meat, washing your hands regularly and wearing gloves while gardening. If you are unsure, this useful video will help explain the precautions in more detail.

Cats and babies can live together in harmony, with a little planning and preparation. It’s best to keep the baby’s nursery off limits for your cat, and to supervise any interactions. You can read more about how to help your cat adjust to your baby here.

5) I’m moving house and my new landlord doesn’t accept pets.

Landlords have a legal right to stipulate a ‘no pet’ policy in their tenancy agreement, but several animal charities are working hard to change the law to allow more flexibility for renters and their pets. A landlord may ask for a higher deposit on the property in order to consider allowing a pet to reside there, but there is a legal cap on the amount of deposit a landlord can charge you. 

Speak to the landlord about how flexible they are willing to be. Reassurances that you are a responsible pet owner can go a long way, and Cats Protection have advice on how to put together a ‘pet CV’ for your cat. Tenants with pets tend to stay put for longer, so it can be in the landlord’s interest to take your request seriously. 

6) I’m emigrating or moving across the country.

For many healthy cats, emigrating shouldn’t be an issue so long as they have the relevant documents and vaccinations. If you are not sure about whether your cat would be up to the journey, talk to your vet. If the journey would be too stressful (for an elderly or unwell cat for example), it may be best to find them a new home. 

You can find more advice about travelling abroad or moving house with your cat here.

7) The cat’s owner is in hospital, going into a care home or has died. 

If friends and family are unable to help care for a cat when the owner is ill or otherwise absent, there are other options available, depending on whether a temporary or long-term solution is needed. 

Pet sitters like TrustedHousesitters can provide temporary care. Some care homes will allow pets to be brought in along with their owner and you can find a list of these here. 

Some charities run schemes where you can register your cat in advance to be looked after if you die. Make sure you share your plans for the care of your cat with other people, as well as writing them down and including them in your Will.  

Rehoming your cat

Understandably, there are circumstances where rehoming your cat is the best option for all parties. I’d strongly recommend avoiding classified ads and never give your cat away for free. You could rehome your cat to a friend, family member or colleague but it’s important to give them all the information you have about your cat and let them think over the full extent of the commitment first. If your cat is a pedigree, contact the breeder. They may be able to take your cat or may put you in contact with a breed-specific rescue organisation. 

The safest option is to contact a cat rehoming charity. There are over 1,000 cat rescue groups in the UK, many run by volunteers fostering cats in their own home. Most organisations, be they large or small, currently have long waiting lists and many cats to care for so please be patient as they may not be able to help straight away.  

There are several charities to contact who can help your cat to find a new home, including:

You could also check this directory to find which cat rescue organisation is situated nearest to you. 

Further reading: