Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

AIBU?

to let my cat have a litter of kittens?

166 replies

StartRight · 12/02/2013 13:43

I am hoping for lots of YABU.

We have a 6 month old cat we bought from the local rescue centre. My children (and dh bizarrely) all want to let her have one litter of kittens before we get her neutered.
Even my mum when I ran it past her said it would be a 'wonderful experience' for the children.
We would give the kittens away to friends or the local pet shop.

I don't think it is a good idea. Aside from the obvious problem of too many unwanted cats in the world, I don't want the house overrun with cats and cat litter etc.

I feel like I am being mean, so am wavering hence this thread.

OP posts:

Report

Birdsgottafly · 12/02/2013 14:05

"How do they manage to maintain the population if most are neutered"

Because most cats aren't neutered and as long as they are well fed, Queens come constatly into season and have litter after litter.

It is painfull and distressing for Queens to be on heat, there is nothing cute about it, or about the lads catching young cats to train their dogs to kill.

Not to mention that there is a dislike of cats and they are targeted for torture for "fun".

I know of a group that used to buy/catch black and white kittens because they thought it was easier for the dogs to see them.

It might be sentamental but i couldn't feel responsible and loving towards my cats but not care what happened to their kittens.

If children want amazing experiences then take them on a days volunteering at an animal shelter.

Pootles2010 · 12/02/2013 14:06

Agree with theicing - they could have a 'wonderful experience' helping out at the shelter - if they're old enough, obv. Definitely neuter. Slightly suprised shelter didn't do it - all our cats from shelters have been 'done', didn't realise it wasn't standard.

GetOrf · 12/02/2013 14:06

What everyone else said.

You need to get the kitten neutered as soon as you can.

I am also a bit surprised that the rescue didn't make sure the cat was neutered before you had it.

TalkativeJim · 12/02/2013 14:07

Ridiculously unreasonable and irresponsible of your DH and a terrible example of animal welfare to show to your children

StuntGirl · 12/02/2013 14:07

If children want amazing experiences then take them on a days volunteering at an animal shelter.

This.

I'm actually more annoyed at your husband and mum. Your children are too young to understand the full implications of this, but your husband and mum are most certainly not.

StartRight · 12/02/2013 14:09

Again thanks for the unanimous replies. This is just what I needed.

I have just rang the vet and have got Tiptoes booked in to be spayed this Friday. I am not going to tell the children until it is done. Phew, I feel relieved.

OP posts:

StartRight · 12/02/2013 14:12

Tiptoes is 6 months old now but only 12 weeks when we got her which, I assume, is why she hadn't already been spayed.

OP posts:

VeryDullNameChange · 12/02/2013 14:15

YABU, take them to the shelter and let the staff there explain why it's not a good idea. If you have space maybe you could foster a mum and kittens some time.

JenaiMorris · 12/02/2013 14:16

Midori - we kind of bought our cat from the rescue centre, in that we had to hand over £80 or something (possibly a bit more). Officially I suppose it's a donation, but they (at least this one) never give pets away.

JenaiMorris · 12/02/2013 14:17

Oh and you are of course 100% correct OP. Your dm and dh are being nuts.

FireFoot · 12/02/2013 14:20

I agree with taking the kids to the local shelter if they are old enough. Get them some part time work. There is a big demand for this at horse stables. Typically they'll give your children lessons in exchange for working at the stables. This is a great experience builder for children in my opinion. It teaches them responsiblity and teaches them about doing work to earn something. Depends on how old they are of course.

NotADragonOfSoup · 12/02/2013 14:23

My local Cats Protection League was happy for children to do Kitten Cuddling" - I guess to help get the kittens used to children before rehoming. Maybe as the rescue about this instead!

Branleuse · 12/02/2013 14:23

yabu, they change after a litter and are never as kittenlike again.

plus there are so many unwanted kittens

RandallPinkFloyd · 12/02/2013 14:26

Glad you've made the right decision, it I disagree with not telling your children. I think sitting them down and explaining it properly would be better.

SilverOldie · 12/02/2013 14:28

Please don't, there are thousands of animals in shelters who need good homes. As for selling to a pet shop that's a horrible idea and I think it's time for pet shops to be banned from selling any animals.

Empress77 · 12/02/2013 14:31

So glad you've decided to get her spayed! just wanted to ditto everyone else above as far too many unwanted cats with no homes in the UK its ridiculous (such a joke were considered a nation of animal lovers when its something like 5000 unwanted pets get euthanised a year from lack of space). Also wanted to point out the chances of the cat pregnancy not going to plan and the children seeing the kittens still born or an emergency csection etc and risk to cats life (& huge huge vet bills!). Your definitely doing the right thing getting her spayed nowxx

StuntGirl · 12/02/2013 14:32

I'm glad you've made the right decision (which you knew anyway!) Tiptoes will thank you

mmmuffins · 12/02/2013 14:41

I wrote a list of reasons as to why this is a horrendous idea but then noticed you'd posted again!

Well done OP on doing the right thing. Enjoy your pet.

saycheeeeeese · 12/02/2013 14:42

I remember once a lady I got my kittens from (she rescued and hand reared the) told me that its actually dangerous for a cat to have kittens (due to mutations abd inbreeding etc) it increases their risk of uterine cancer in later life and can cause a multitude of problems.

Also, I couldn't bear to see my two precious girls go through childbirth they're my baaaaaaabies!!!

saycheeeeeese · 12/02/2013 14:42

Glad to see you decided against it op!

Latara · 12/02/2013 14:43

This may be TMI sorry, but intercourse is VERY painful for female cats & can injure them if they are young.

Never allow an unneutered female young cat / kitten near a tom cat for this reason; one of my friends had a female kitten that got badly torn inside by an attack from an unneutered tom cat.

Glad you are getting the cat spayed.

StartRight · 12/02/2013 14:47

Stuntgirl

Latara gruesome story. How would getting a cat neutered stop unwanted Tom cat attention though? Can they sense these things?

OP posts:

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Narked · 12/02/2013 14:50

Please get her spayed. And tell your DH and mother they should know better.

TheElephantIsADaintyBird · 12/02/2013 14:51

Yanbu, how refreshing to see!

Show the kids a video of a woman giving birth, that'll be a wonderful experience for them

catsrus · 12/02/2013 14:52

if you want to know what female cats have to put up with - have a look at

and no - please do not have a litter of kittens and it probably is against the documents you signed when you rescued yours. IIRC the RSPCA gave us a voucher to use at our vets which covered the cost and the vet sent back to them to prove we'd done it.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.