Help me convince DH we should get a kitten

[elportodelgato]

I really want to get a kitten, the DC would love to get one too (they are 6 & 3.5), but DH is not convinced. I was diagnosed with cancer this year which has made me reassess lots of bits of my life, and one thing I really want is a pet in the home.

It has been many years since I had a pet cat so I'm hoping someone here might be able to give me an idea about things which DH is worried about:

• expense, eg: insurance, vets bills and so on, is it a lot?
• going on holiday, he claims we'll never be able to go away again but my mum lives 10 mins away, would pop in to feed etc, and IMO it would be a lot less bother than a dog
• mess / ruining the furniture etc, is this something which all cats do?

Is there anything else I should be worrying about too or any ideas of how I can convince him?

[chockbic]

It will be good for the kids to learn about animal welfare?

Cats are cheap as chips really. Something to consider is insurance as vet trips can be expensive. Animal Friends is meant to be good.

Sorry to hear of your illness

[Sparklingbrook]

I think getting a kitten would be lovely, but I am very biased mad cat lady.
If you are getting a kitten from say our local Cats' Protection the cost is around £60. The kitten will be health checked, fleaed (sp) and wormed, and the microchip transferred. You will get vouchers for the vaccinations and neutering when the time comes.

Insurance ranges (read the small print) but for my 7 year old cat is £7 a month.

then you have food and cat litter costs.

Vets bills for the annual boosters are about £40. Flea and worm treatments will need to be bought more often, and again range depending on what your vet recommends.

Not all cats will scratch carpets/furniture but it is impossible to tell really which sort you will get.

My only reservation would be that it's not really 'kitten season' at the moment. but you could check out the local rescues' websites and see what's available. If you went for a young cat you would be able to get some info re it's personality IYKWIM.

[Sparklingbrook]

The best convincing would be to take your DH to a cat rescue 'just for a look'

[awaywego1]

We got our kitten 8 weeks ago..dp really wasn't bothered..had no interest and cited all the arguments your DP has..it's not a given but my DP is now totally besotted and constantly tells me how much he loves the kitten despite it having scratched his arms to pieces and chewed through some very expensive headphone cables..so there's hope

[Sparklingbrook]

DH didn't care one way or the other really, but knew it would make me happy. Now Sparklingcat loves DH to bits and I think he is quite taken but won't admit it.

[Nervo]

We adopted 2 kittens from Cats Protection for £50 each. This includes vaccinations, micro chipping and neutering.

They are utterly adorable and every time I sit down, one or both of them wants to sit on me.

My Mum or any one of a number of my neighbours look after them when we go on holiday or away for the weekend.

Having kittens/cats has really enriched our lives.

My kids are 9 and 4 and adore them.

[hiddenhome]

My dh went from disliking cats quite a bit before he met me, to being a total cat fan now

They're just so relaxing to have around. They're cosy and warm and funny. They're just lovely, furry friends and they don't make demands on you the way a dog does.

[elportodelgato]

Thank you cat lovers! Well perhaps I will convince him to join me on a recce to a rescue place 'just for a look' and see if we can win him over. I know he would absolutely love it really, he is just resistant to change at the moment as we've been through a lot this year.

Thanks for the advice and for making me even more determined!

[Sparklingbrook]

Have you had a look at any of the websites elporto?

It might be worth getting the rescue to do a Home Visit anyway so that if the perfect cat comes up you will be ready to go.

[valrhona]

My mother is a dog person so we never had cats as I grew up. Then I had some bad cat experiences, bitten/boyfriend cat took agin me etc but a dog just doesn't work for our family. A switch went off in my head 6 months ago (dh loves cats, I was the naysayer) and we got two at once! It's been pretty great. Whilst I certainly wish I'd known a few things then that I know now, I honestly don't regret it for a moment, I love them both completely and even have a hankering for a third ain't gonna happen mind you Very Best of Luck with your kitty campaign :)

[Jessbun16]

Have you thought about a breed specific rescue? We have a ragdoll and she is lovely, v chilled out. Just after we got her as a kitten we got a new couch and she's never scratched it or any other furniture! She is also the sweetest natured cat I've ever met, very true to the breed as they thrive on human affection I would think most of them would be a safe bet with dcs, plus they're gorgeous!

[Wolfiefan]

We adopted two lovely cats from Katz Castle in Chobham Surrey. One was 2 and her son was 18 months. They were old enough to be house trained, left whilst we worked and not to claw everything in sight but still kittenish.
You need two slightly older cats. You do. Really!!!!
Wishing you happiness and good health. xx

[nipersvest]

as far as pets go, cats are not that expensive. as sparklingbrook said, just go and have a 'look' .

our old cat was put to sleep last week, we have been lost without him, missing him terribly and feeling like cat owners without a cat.

went to the rescue centre today just to 'have a look'. 12 week old black kitten called meg is coming to live with us on tuesday