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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider getting DD a cat for Christmas?

82 replies

HeathcliffMoorland · 21/12/2010 20:02

Out neighbour's cat has some beautiful tabby kittens. We have been talking about getting a cat for a while.

DD1 loves them, and has proven herself to be quite responsible at looking after her goldfish. Grin

I think it'd be a lovely Christmas gift. I mentioned this to one of my sisters, and she thought I was mad and I should never get a child a pet for Christmas.

I explained that we wanted the cat anyway, and even if DD didn't feed it, it wouldn't go hungry. She still looked a bit sceptical. Tbh, I'm not sure why.

So, am I being R, or U? And if IBU, please explain why. Smile

OP posts:
DeckTheHallWithBowlsOfPomBears · 21/12/2010 20:04

How old is DD1?
I think probably YANBU, but it does depend.

Original poster
HeathcliffMoorland · 21/12/2010 20:06

She's 5.

But it's not like she'll have sole responsibility for the poor cat's well being.

It's more of a 'we wanted one anyway, but merry Christmas' kind of thing.

OP posts:
Joolyjoolyjoo · 21/12/2010 20:08

I must admit, I don't think Christmas is a good time to get a pet. Mainly because coming into a new home is an unsettling enough business for a young animal, but at Christmas there is generally so much going on that it can become even more stressful, and it's not the usual environment. You also can't be as attentive to the animal as you will be distracted by other things. I usually advise people to wait, tbh, so that the cat can be settled in when things are less frantic!

AnnOnimous · 21/12/2010 20:08

We got our dog just before Christmas - we had been searching for a while, were looking to get one in the early spring, but a breeder had a five month old needing rehomed, so she approved of us and we approved of her and we got him the week before Christmas.

Never perfect timing, but animals DO need rehomed all the time, if you are sure that an animal is what you want.

Sassybeast · 21/12/2010 20:09

Have you had cats before ? Are you able to afford food, litter trays, litter, regular flea and worming treatments ? Do you know how potentially destructive a small cute kitty can be (looks around mournfully at shredded sofa and dog eared curtains) Have you priced up pet insurance and taken into account all the vaccinations that a cat needs. How much does it cost to have a cat neutered and micro chipped. Can you guarantee how healthy the kittens are ? Are they pure bred or the result os some random cross breeding?

I do think that the mayhem of christmas day is not an ideal time to throw a small kitten into the mix. if you are happy that you've considered all of the factors (am sure I've forgotten some) then maybe postpone it until the New Year.

Muser · 21/12/2010 20:10

I would get the cat, if YOU want one. But don't give it as a present. Just get the cat. I don't like the idea of animals being seen to be a present.

Do keep in mind that cats can live well into their 20s. Do you still want one in 20 years time?

MamaDeer · 21/12/2010 20:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
HeathcliffMoorland · 21/12/2010 20:10

We're far away from most family (except 2 sisters) and pretty much snowed in.

I think kitty will be having a quiet Christmas.

OP posts:
SantasNutellaFairy · 21/12/2010 20:12

Are the kittens ready to be rehomed? If they are still pretty young(under 6 weeks), I would hold off for a couple of weeks. They shouldn't leave their mothers very early anyway, and you wouldn't be hurling the new kitten into an unsettled and brand new environment. You really need to have the house kittenproofed, and ideally a bit calmer for the first couple of days which can be very unsettling.

YANBU to want to get a cat, but make it a family pet with everyone having responsibilities towards their health and wellbeing.

DanceInTheDark · 21/12/2010 20:13

We are rescuing a kitten but the RSPCA don't rehome in the 2 weeks before or the 2 weeks after xmas. Ask your neighbour to hold one for you until after new year and then it's not given as a gift.

Original poster
HeathcliffMoorland · 21/12/2010 20:13

And yes, I do want a cat.

Yes, I grew up in a house with several.

If we do get it, it will be a present because I think it's nice and I think DD will be glad.

I'm mainly wondering what my sister meant - I did ask but she's a tad strange!

Thanks for the replies everyone.

OP posts:
LaWeaselMys · 21/12/2010 20:14

I think getting it in the new year would be a much better idea.

There's just going to be lots of change in terms of decorations going up/down possibly noisy presents around and it would be confusing for the little thing.

I also would not want to get into arguments with a small child about why if it's 'there' cat they can't dress it up or try and take it to bed with them.

magicmummy1 · 21/12/2010 20:15

As long as you're happy to look after it if dd doesn't, then YANBU. It sounds lovely!

Original poster
HeathcliffMoorland · 21/12/2010 20:15

Cat is definitely old enough, btw.

OP posts:
Original poster
HeathcliffMoorland · 21/12/2010 20:16

LaWeasel, thankfully DD is quite rational and great with animals!

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 21/12/2010 20:16

I gave my then 2 year old guinea pigs for Christmas - because I wanted some, I knew she'd like them, but they were for me really

I don't see what's wrong with it, it's not like you're expecting them to actually look after the pet, it's just nice timing is all

Muser · 21/12/2010 20:16

Actually, I've just realised my cat and my sister's cat were both birthday presents - although mine didn't arrive on my birthday. So maybe the present thing isn't an issue. Especially as you have had cats before.

If the kittens are old enough to go, get a kitten.

ChippingIn · 21/12/2010 20:17

I think it will be a lovely present for your DD. It's not like you are buying it for her because she's yammered on about it and you are giving in, even though you don't want one - you want one and it's a lovely way to make Christmas that little bit more special.

pranma · 21/12/2010 20:17

YANBU at all in these circumstances and it will be a present treasured when the plastic tat has been long forgotten.

Original poster
HeathcliffMoorland · 21/12/2010 20:17

Oh, and cat is already in a house with 5 children (I only have 3!).

OP posts:
MamaDeer · 21/12/2010 20:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
HeathcliffMoorland · 21/12/2010 20:19

I think I will. Smile

OP posts:
MadamDeathstare · 21/12/2010 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
HeathcliffMoorland · 21/12/2010 20:19

Oh, I'm all excited now!!!

OP posts:
ChippingIn · 21/12/2010 20:19

Hmm if you have 3 kids - why is it DD's present? Wont the others want one too? Wont it be a hassle it being hers rather than the families?