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AIBU?

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Pet related dilemma

26 replies

GreenCaterpillarOnALeaf · 01/02/2026 12:02

My DD is 6 and she has a cat. I didn't intentionally get her the cat, Miss Kitty Kat was my cat originally but she really bonded with DD and over the years DD had taken over feeding her, brushing her, picking out toys for her and pretty much everything bar cleaning the litter tray. DS is 4, soon to be 5 and he is now saying he wants his own cat. The problem is he’s not really responsible enough for a cat. Also I don’t think Miss Kitty would like a new sibling. DS has been saying it’s unfair ect and I see his point, but a pet isn’t about what’s fair, it’s a living creature.

DH say we should just rebrand Miss Kitty Kat as a family cat but I don’t really think that’s fair on DD, her and the cat have a bond and she sleeps in her room ect. So even if we could make her a family cat, it would be in name only.

My idea is to get DS a smaller pet, he loves bugs so I was thinking a pray mantis or something like that. I would need to do more research and find something appropriate for him, and he would definitely need support taking care of any animals, but that’s fine. The issue with this is whatever small pet he has would need to be in his room preferably or somewhere Miss Kitty couldn’t get at it - because she would eat it.

Honestly I didn’t really see this coming but I feel like I probably should have - one child having a pet of course the other one will be jealous! I’m just glad DD2 is too little to get in on this.

YBU - rebrand Miss Kitty Kat as a family cat
YNBU - consider getting DS a smaller pet of his own (if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them).

Any alternative ideas welcome as well I’m in a pickle with this

OP posts:
NewYearNewMee · 01/02/2026 12:11

Do you have room for a tank for a pet for him at all? Geckos are quite popular (but I think can live as long as cats!) and probably would work alongside a cat if kept securely. Or maybe beta fish if a fish would work? Praying mantis would be very cute! Stick insects might also be a good option?

Youll have to tell DS that people don’t pick cats, cats pick people 😂 your DH is silly to think you can rebrand a cat that seems to have bonded to your DD as a “family cat” 😂 I think Miss Kitty Kat would put the boys in their places if they fussed her!

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