Concerns About Cats??

[BrandeX]

Despite the test for toxoplasmosis being negative, my wife still insists that I get rid of the cats. As far as I know, toxoplasmosis is the only legitimate physiological or pathological concern with cats. Whenever I try to inquire as to what the specific concern is she only says that I "don't understand" and that "Chinese people are physically different than white people" and that "no one in China ever lives with cats".

Primitive superstitions. I've heard it before too, but we don't happen to have a cat here, so it only came up in the mentioning. I hear that "different body type" cra... stuff all the time too. Usually it comes up when my wife is implying she should just sit around or something (especially during pregnancy, but fwiw she actually works full time now and does things in a "normal way" it's usually something she just mentions but not does in practice regarding Chinawomen being weak, etc.) instead of doing a certain activity, or perhaps eating something, or... being around animals.

Most people here don't have pets yet I think. Homes are small, and they seem to be a status symbol to show off you have money and can afford to buy extra food for an animal as well as your family typically people with pets in my area have dogs.

[outcast]

"Chinese people are physically different than white people"

How can you marry someone who is this ignorant?

[BrandeX]

I've heard this mentioned multiple times from different Chinese people.

[crazy-meiguoren]

My turn. I'm offering this as someone who's been married for 21 years to a strong-willed woman who will not budge or compromise.

The ONLY correct answer should be, "Yes, Dear. Whatever you say, Dear. How could I have been so wrong? You're right, Dear."

下课！

[jbradfor]

When my wife was pregnant , it was recommend that she did not scoop the cat litter. This was from the Mayo Clinic, which I hope doesn't rely too much on superstition. So her concern is not totally out of line. But that was the only suggestion, they said no issues with cats in general.

Also, this belief does not seem to be limited to China. My grandparents, who are from Europe, was also not happy that we kept our cats.

[outcast]

I've heard this mentioned multiple times from different Chinese people.

Maybe we could exploit this by saying "if you dont do what I say, I'll turn my secret mental powers on you". If people are stupid enough to think you're not human, you might as well take full advantage of it.

[jbradfor]

My turn. I'm offering this as someone who's been married for 21 years to a strong-willed woman who will not budge or compromise.

The ONLY correct answer should be, "Yes, Dear. Whatever you say, Dear. How could I have been so wrong? You're right, Dear."

In general, I would agree with you. However, we are talking about living creatures here, not picking the drape color.

[crazy-meiguoren]

In general, I would agree with you. However, we are talking about living creatures here, not picking the drape color.

While presented lightheartedly, it's sometimes best to step aside to keep peace in the family. Whether it's drapes, pets, or any other issue, conflict is still conflict. Even the appeasement policy can only go so far. The 21st anniversary took place a few years ago. There was no 22nd anniversary.

If there are any superstitions or "old wives tales" behind the OP's wife's demands, it is NOT unique to China. My own mom refused to allow cats in the same home with babies because she believed that the cats would try to suck the breath out of the baby to get the milk that they smell.

[chiropteraphile]

I've taken and assisted with a parasitology course during my university years.

If she's seriously concerned about Toxoplasmosis, she should stop eating beef.

Most cases of Toxoplasmosis induced birth defects are due to beef consumption in women from cat-free households.

Birth defects caused by Toxoplasmosis are due to the primary immune response during the first trimester. Primary immune response = first exposure. So if a woman is already infected prior to pregnancy, it is highly unlikely to cause any birth defects, it's the immunological reaction causes the birth defects, not the parasite itself.

Cats are take the blame unnecessarily.

Cook your meat!

[didar]

I have a healthy baby with 4 cats around.

[dumdumdum]

there are some chinese superstitions with cats but being the center of governance, beijing had been rid of old traditions and beliefs for a long long time, so such an incident sounds pretty awkward. unless the OP's wife's family was initially from some other places outside beijing.

anyway from what i knew in the southern provinces, cats are sometimes regarded as bad omen during funeral. it was said that cats had the ability to raise the dead (or disturbt the soul, wadever) so the family of the deceased are pretty careful not to let cats wander near the coffin. it is related to the dead so maybe, just maybe, the OP's wife is not feeling good about it. maybe she's really a beijinger not a southerner, but she had read some online ghost story or watched some horror movies and clinged on to the idea.

or maybe she just dislike cats. having owned cats (maximum 5 at the same time) in the past i knew its not easy to take care of their food and droppings and the occasional destruction of your living room furniture. and yes, their droppings stinks if one is not used to it. not all people can handle such things if they've not been with pets since young. it is very common in beijing, people threw away cats and dogs cos they didnt realise the effort they have to put in when they decided to keep a pet.

besides, she probably wanted OP to pay more attention to kids than cats, it could be a good intention but maybe she didnt knew how to express it in a peaceful manner.