To let my cat have kittens

[Mittens1969]

This is a more lighthearted thread than my two previous ones, but I'm fully expecting to be flamed by some posters on here, especially those who work in cat rescue centres.

I've had cats all through my life, I have 4 furry friends atm. I've finally given into temptation to let one of my cats, a 1 year old black and white female, to have one litter of kittens before having her spayed.

We used to let our cats have a couple of litters of kittens when I was growing up, and we never had any problems finding homes for them. I've never done this with cats since I've grown up, I've had a number of cats and I've always had them spayed/neutered.

But this time I couldn't resist. And I already know it won't be hard to find homes for the kittens and I intend to look after them for as long as necessary. I'll have 2 DDs who want to keep them of course.

So that's my AIBU basically. I would also be interested in suggestions from people who have done this.

[dementedpixie]

I just don't see why you would want to when there are already so many stray cats/ kittens out there. My boys were neutered at 4 months as advised

[BackieJerkhart]

Well the world really does need more cats. The rescues are crying out for them. You'd be doing it for the greater good.

[Wolfiefan]

You would be unreasonable.
There are enough unwanted cats.
Cats can live for 20 years. You may find people to take on a cute kitten but people who will be responsible and excellent owners for the next 20 years. Fewer of them around.
"Let" her have kittens. So force her to be mated and put her through the pain and risk of birth? Why?

[AuntLydia]

Yabu. You are risking the health of your cat, and you don't even want to keep the kittens. What for? Why 'couldnt you resist'?. Rescue centres are overrun with cats and kittens needing homes, and you are going to take potential adopters away from them.

[Nomoresunshine]

Back in the 70's as a dc both of our dcats had a litter a week apart. Kept one from each and they all lived to a ripe old age.
Then society became more responsible and that's not the done thing anymore.
Too many kittens and puppies and not enough good homes.
I doubt you will get much support for your plan however well intended it may be.

[GeillisTheWitch]

Why bother though? It's a cat, it's not like it has any concept of "missing out" on motherhood, it's not that uncommon for cats to reject their kittens anyway. Plus it could end up costing you a lot of money in vet bills if anything goes wrong.

[BeepBeepMOVE]

YABU!

If you find homes for 5 kittens that is 5 stray kittens who could've had a home but are in a shelter. Why would you do that?

If you are that good at rehoming then why not foster a pregnant cat?

[opheliacat]

Do me a favour first.

Spend a day at your local cat rescue centre.

If you do that and you like cats, and you don't come home in tears, go right ahead.

[BeepBeepMOVE]

Also cat sex is not romantic at all and doesn't sound pleasant, I wouldn't out my cat through that!

[Peachyking000]

YABU - the potential homes for the kittens could be used instead for rescue cats. It sounds like your cat is already pregnant though? Many vets will do a spay/abort if it's early enough.

TBH I'd hide the thread if I were you because you'll likely receive some very frank responses.

[minipie]

YABU. I don't understand why you'd do this, except so that you get to have cute kittens for a few weeks, which is not a good reason.

[BarbaraofSevillle]

Why?

Your cat won't care. I have a 1 YO spayed female and she seems to have a good enough time killing things and farting on me when I'm in bed. I don't think she sits around wishing that she had been raped by a spiny cocked Tom to get pregnant and have to nurse a load of kittens.

If you want to play with Ickle fluffy kittens go help a rescue. Kitten season is calming down now but in the summer they are all desperate for fosterers.

If your friends and family want kittens they can take their pick of those already born. No need at all to make any more.

[ProfessorCat]

You're going to "let" your cat have kittens knowingly, for your own selfish reasons? Whilst being aware of the problems in cat rescue?

Yes. YABVU.

[opheliacat]

And see, the problem is that people who just adopt a cute kitten on a whim arent the most responsible owners. I'll put it that way.

So if your cat has four kittens and two are female, within twelve months those two females have four kittens each and within twenty four months that's sixteen kittens, and so on and so forth.

Do the right thing for your cat and other cats. Please get her spayed.

[AlexaAmbidextra]

Totally irresponsible. If you want to ooh and aah over tiny kittens try working at a rescue centre and helping those brought in off the streets.

[HungerOfThePine]

As long as you are taking the responsibility that comes with it then can't see the problem other than I think 1yr old is quite young for a cat to have a litter even if they can physically do it iyswim. You can get advice from your vet if you are going to go down this rd.

I got my dearcat spayed asap as she was trying to escape when she hadn't even stepped outside yet and so far only been an indoor cat, I didn't want her getting lost or hurt in her horny frenzy and I wasn't prepared to take on kittens so had it done for all our sakes.

I understand there is a huge amount of cats out there but even I do think it's a shame my cat didn't get the chance to have a litter as she's the most attentive and affectionate cat I have ever met and would have in my rose tinted view had lovely kittens.

[Bearwithverylittlebrain]

I love cats, and yes, kittens are very cute. BUT, please be irrisponsible just to satisfy your own wants.

[nodogsinthebedroom]

Yabu

[echt]

Self-indulgent and irresponsible. Have the cat spayed.

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

I'll probably be roasted alive and shared for all of the mumsnet community to eat for this, but.
I actually think its cruel to not let them have at least one litter.
After all ask yourselves. How would you feel if someone sterilized you and stopped you from having babies.
However I will freely admit. I tend to talk and think with my heart rather than my head.

[MissMogwai]

YABVU and selfish. As others have said there are shelters full of kittens waiting for homes.

[opheliacat]

If you want an attentive and affectionate cat, go and choose an adult from your local rescue centre.

Our totally gorgeous cat came to us a month ago. We could gauge his personality because he's all grown up. Oh, and he's black. Some people don't like that. My 3yo uses him as a pillow. Someone moved house and decided they couldn't be arsed taking him. Nice.

He's lucky. He's got a second chance. So many cats don't get this.

[NicolasFlamel]

So you're a cat lover but you clearly don't care about animals or what happens to them. There is absolutely no need to allow your cat to have kittens. Rescue homes are absolutely full of cats that were taken in on a whim because they were cute kittens at one time. If you genuinely love your cat stop being ridiculous and get her spayed. Otherwise you're just selfish and have no regard for animals.

[opheliacat]

And how would you feel if someone took your babies away when they were 3 years old aww?

They've aren't humans. Its foolish to attribute human emotions to them.

[AuntLydia]

Babyspider - you are attributing human thoughts and feelings to a cat. Apart from being bonkers, that doesn't have the cat's best interests at heart. They don't exactly yearn to be Mummys