To get a cat for my daughter

[Sigrid1789]

My DD (6 years old) is begging us for a cat. We live in a flat and travel frequently. Is this wise? If yes, what kind of a cat? How about the pop smell? What do we do with a cat when we go away? My DD is an only child, so I figure this is easier to give than a sibling!

@Springheels
@KPops22

That's my point though; I wouldn't want to find a work around, i juts like to have my windows open

We had an outdoor cat in a flat. We were on the top floor of a 3 storey house with access to a large front and back garden. Cat was fine. We would need to go up and down the stairs to let him out. Coming in he was often let in by one of the other residents anyway, and would come to our flat door and cry to be let in. He loved the attention from lots of people, and would sit at the end of the long drive inviting complete strangers to admire him.

We just had to be really aware of his comings and goings so that he wasn't left out more than he wanted to be.

But we didn't often go away and when we did someone came to look after him.

Having pets is very tying.....if you go away a lot you'll have to pay for either a cat sitter or a cattery. Not cheap as are vets bills and insurance. Frankly, I wouldn't until you have a change in home or lifestyle.

PS you have to do litter trays every day at a bare minimum so there's no smell

I'm wondering why people think that the daughter will loose interest in the cat? We got my son a puppy when he was 5. (Obviously we all wanted the dog too) and he is now 10 and loves him just as much then as he did when we first got him. I'm totally baffled by a lot of these responses. If you want a cat get a cat!

We moved into a flat when we had 2 cats, they were fine. We did use to take them downstairs and let them go outside, and like a pp, other people would let them in etc, which they adapted to really quickly. We just made sure they were inside when we went out. When we go away we put them in a cattery, no problems so far doing that! If you poo skim ASAP then litter trays don't really smell, we still have a litter tray despite now having a garden! Some breeds are better suited to the indoor life, I think Ragdolls might be ok indoor only. Out of all the different animals I have had, cats are the easiest by far! If you can afford/have space get 2. I've had a mix of boy and girl cats and do find boys to be more loving.

I think it would be ok to get a rescue cat that is already indoor only. To force a kitten or cat indoors otherwise is just cruel, unless they have certain illnesses. Cats aren't meant to be indoor animals.

I'm talking about attention to their health. There are many conditions that can creep up on them and an owner needs to be aware of their health. Both mine have such conditions - one has IBD, the other megacolon.

Sure, they don't need walking and training like dogs do, but they're not "set and forget" as many people seem to think - and they deserve better.

I would not get a cat in your position. I think you might come to regret it. They can live a very long time and it's pot luck what personality you get, which is not so good for a house-cat in a flat where you will all be in close quarters.

Plus they can live a very long time. Can you picture in 18 or 20 years still being tied to a cat you got to keep your DD company when she was 6?

My cats pre-dated my kids by several years. I have three mad cat lovers. They love all animals which makes me happy!