AITA for Safely Locking My Anxious Cat During a Party?

AITA for locking my anxious cat in the bathroom during a party to ensure safety, sparking debate among Reddit users about prioritizing pet comfort vs. guest well-being?

Davy

Published in Interesting
2025-08-20 07:03

AITA for Safely Locking My Anxious Cat During a Party?

Are you a cat owner who has ever had to navigate the tricky balance between your furry friend's comfort and the needs of your guests during a social gathering? A recent Reddit post sparked a heated debate after a cat owner shared their dilemma of locking their anxious cat in the bathroom during a party.

The cat, Luna, typically becomes anxious around strangers and tends to hide when unfamiliar faces are around. Despite the owner's efforts to create a safe space for Luna, she managed to escape and became visibly distressed, hissing and scratching at guests out of fear.

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In a split-second decision aimed at ensuring both Luna's safety and the guests' well-being, the owner made the tough call to confine Luna to the bathroom for the remainder of the party. However, this decision faced criticism from a friend who believed it was cruel and traumatizing to the cat.

The post ignited a range of opinions, with some supporting the owner's actions as necessary in a stressful situation, while others emphasized the importance of prioritizing the cat's comfort and well-being above all else. The comments section reflected a divided consensus, with some labeling the owner as not the antagonist (NTA) for prioritizing safety and others asserting that the cat's needs should have been better accommodated (YTA).

The discussion delved into the complexities of balancing pet care and social obligations, highlighting the challenges that pet owners often face in ensuring the happiness and security of their animal companions in various situations.

Original Post

So I'm (28F) and I recently hosted a small gathering at my apartment. My cat, Luna, is very shy and gets extremely anxious around new people.

She tends to hide under the bed or in closets when strangers are over. I tried to make sure she had a safe space in my bedroom with her litter box, food, and toys.

However, during the party, Luna escaped and ran into the living room. Some guests were trying to approach her, and she was hissing and scratching out of fear.

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I got really worried about her safety and the guests being scratched. So, I made a quick decision to lock her in the bathroom for the remainder of the party to avoid any accidents.

She had water, food, and her litter box. Once the last guest left, I let her out, and she seemed fine.

However, my friend who is a cat lover was furious with me. She said I traumatized Luna and that it was cruel to confine her like that, especially during a party.

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She even suggested I shouldn't host events if I can't ensure Luna's comfort. I understand her point, but I felt like I had no other choice at the time.

I was torn between keeping Luna safe and ensuring my guests' safety. I didn't mean to upset her, but I was in a tough spot.

So AITA? I honestly don't know if I'm wrong here.

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