Is it rude for a house guest to ask you to put your pets away?

Question

My friend asked me if my husband and I wanted to get together soon, and we set a time and date.  Later, my friend asked if we can host it at my house and if we can put our dog and cat upstairs because her husband is allergic to pets.  She said he'll also take allergy medicine before they come.

This rubs me the wrong way because I assumed they would be hosting because of his allergies.  I'm happy to host, but I've never locked my pets away before when we are home, and I would feel terrible the whole time.  I don't like when people allow their dogs all over me either, but my dog does not jump on people or bark.  Whenever he approaches a guest who doesn't like dogs, I call him off immediately and he obeys.  The cat ignores everyone.  Do you think it's reasonable to ask someone to lock their pets away in their own home?  With allergies, does it really make that much of a difference if you can see the animal or not?

Ocimom · Answer

No its not.  I don't know WHY people have a problem with confining their pets for a few hours if a guest is allergic.  Its just plain curtesy on the part of the host.

When we have people over, if they are allergic, we will confine the cats to their room or our bedroom for a few hours.  Its not that big of a deal.

Elaine M · Answer

Is it rude? NO! The person has allergies, this means they have trouble with their airways closing up when around pets and medicine doesn't stop all of that. It's a major health issue for the person. It's entirely reasonable for them to ask that they not be directly around animals while at your place.

How is that rude?

ZotsRule · Answer

If the husband is allergic to dogs putting the dog upstairs won't help.  The dogs dander is surely all over your home.

Tell them that you don't want to host - simple as that.  Your friend sounds like a twit.

Anonymous · Answer

Tell them to forget the whole thing.

Dobiegal · Answer

yeah she needs to have you over in her clean and sanitary home. the dog's dander is microscopic and he will react unless you have one of those specialty sanitizing companies come out. She knows you have the dog. tell her let's just meet at your house and the dog won't be an issue

Nameless · Answer

I don't think so. I have had one person ask me to put dogs away because she is afraid of them and I didn't find that offensive at all. I think in any situation if someone asked nicely I wouldn't mind. Cats and dogs can be locked up for short periods of time. They will be fine. 
You could always let them know you would rather see how things go first and only lock them up if they stick around her husband. If the animals stay away they wont be any more of an issue allergy wise than if they were locked up.

Anna E · Answer

Since they asked to host it at your home, it is rude of them to ask you to put your pets away.  It would be different if you asked to host it at your home and you know her husband is allergic to pets.  And you are right that it is not the pet, but the dander that causes the allergic reaction, so just being around the pet dander on furniture or carpet will be an issue, which your friend knows because her husband is going to take allergy medication.

Katarzyna · Answer

these aint your friends homie

Eva · Answer

Pet matters aside, it's pretty nervy for someoneto issue an invitation and then ask you to host. If she issued the invitation she should host.  If her husband is that allergic, even being in your home will be a trigger. He doesn't need to touch the pet to have a problem.

Beverly S · Answer

Yes for the allergies, it's bad for some people.  However inviting you out but then asking you to host is really rude.

Trending News

Is it rude for a house guest to ask you to put your pets away?

16 Answers