AIBU to think it's a bad idea to get kittens?

[0nTheEdge]

A friend of mine needs to home kittens and they are so cute and have stolen our hearts a little. We've always wanted pets and are finally able to as we now own and the house even has a cat flap! We're going through a bit of a miserable time as well and I think the idea of kittens is lifting our spirits slightly.
However - we have three kids and the youngest is 10 months. Everything goes in his mouth. Also we are surviving on one salary as I had to give up my job when my second child was ill and then our third baby was a bit of a surprise. I am hoping to go back to work part time and am learning to drive to help enable this, but I would have to do evening shifts and the baby is still breastfed and doesn't sleep well. So that's a way off yet. Basically more money is going out than in and we're relying on savings to bridge the gap and they won't last long.
DH has his heart set on it though, but I look after the finances and do most of the housework as I'm at home.
Sorry for the long post, but I need some perspective on this and your views would be helpful. AIBU to say no to kittens?

As gorgeous as they are. I don't think kittens would suit at the moment.
They take time energy and lots of money.

If you are spending more than you earn, adding an additional expense seems a really stupid idea

Kittens are really hard work and expensive. You'd need to feed, vaccinate and insure them and if you can't afford your outgoings already you'd be mad to take on more.

'horrible little things'??

I wouldn't. If it was a rescue cat (an older one) then I would as they are far less trouble than kittens and they really do lift your spirits. Our adopted cat still makes me happy if I come home after a shit day - and the house really does feel like more of a home with her in it.
But what would you do if you were stuck with a huge vets bill for instance? You can get insurance but many come with an excess.

Kittens are lovely but if you can't afford them it's a no go. Spaying/neutering x 2 will be expensive as well as everything else they will need.

Kittens cost money! Please don't take on any pets when you're spending your savings in order to live.

Vaccinations, spaying/neutering, worm/flea treatment, food, toys, vet bills etc. It's not cheap. I have two cats and they cost me about £100/month just for food and insurance, not to mention things like scratching posts, toys, treats, collars, cat beds etc etc.

Why not agree that you'll get kittens once you're working and have got a certain amount saved up again? That way it's something to look forward to while not draining more money that you can't afford.

I think the "horrible little things" comment was tongue in cheek.

It'd be inhumane to not find kittens adorable even if you hated cats

It adds up, insurance, food, worming ect. Maybe put on the backburner for now. Also kittens scratch alot so maybe not a great idea with a lo, older cat won't be fussed and there's loads in rescues ready neutered ect

Doooon't doooooooo it... putting aside all the money stuff, practically, you are the one at home and so you are going to be the one responsible for their daily needs.

If YOU are not ABSOLUTELY SURE, don't do it. Much easier to say no now rather than try to give the cats away when everyone loves them . I say this as a vegetarian and (hitherto) cat lover.

Not with the amount of responsibilities you've got no.

Good on you for asking though, the amount of threads on this board from clueless eejits who get a puppy/kitten on top of loads of other stuff then scratch their heads when something really bad happens or are asking AIBU to want to give the pet up is too frequent IMO.

The kittens will find other homes where you know they'll be covered in love x

Oh ffs talonofthewhateveryouchoosenext, DFO. Every time. You don't like cats, we get that. How about you just avoid car threads?

OP, I wouldn't right now. Decent kitten food, litter tray supplies, neutering, microchipping, vaccinations, insurance etc (all of which are the responsible thing to do and the last 4 should be a legal requirement imo) is a huge financial commitment. I've got 5 cats all around 4yo and a 22mo ds. The child aspect doesn't worry me at all. But if money is tight, please don't. Not yet.

Kittens are awesome, but there are costs involved in vaccinating and spaying them and they can be hard work! It doesn't sound like it's the right time at the moment.

Kittens are lovely and adorable 😍

If you don't think you can commit the money and energy right now though, don't do it.

I got my kitten in a last flush of broodiness when I knew I wouldn't be having any more babies and mine had grown up.

If you know what you're getting into and have the means to look after them properly, they will steal your heart.

Oh it wasn't tongue in cheek.
Not finding kittens adorably cute.
That's just totally alien to me. I just can't understand that at all.

So why post on a thread like this then?

Me ??????

We have just got a kitten and he is lovely. However, my children are both at school and I work from home so he is really easy to look after. He is really good company and sleeps at my feet while I work and is always with whoever is in the house. If we were out all day I would have got 2 but he loves our company and someone is always around.

I would probably look at it as something to look forward to in the future when you have more money and your kids are older. Kittens do tend to get mauled by younger kids unless you are constantly watching! Plus keeping them indoors at first is hard especially when it is hot and you want to open back door!

Costs so far for the kitten are:

£200 for kitten

£30 for first injections

£20 for 4 months worth of flea/worm treatment from vet

£30 for neutering (not yet done or paid but will come up soon)

£8 for microchip

Equipment including bed, litter tray, bowls, scratch pole, carrier, toys etc came in at around £100.

Kitten food + biscuits is relatively cheap at the moment but will increase as he gets older and eats more. Tesco kitten pouches are only £2 for 12 (he has 2 a day now) and Purina cat biscuits are £6 for 2 big packs.

Litter packs are £2 a go and last 5 days I find. Also you need to scoop the poo each time otherwise your house will pong. I wouldn't want that on top of baby nappies!

Insurance is around £8.50 a month lifetime and covers up to £2000 per condition per year but would still cost £99 upfront per condition.

I will have to have a cat flap installed soon which may cost a bit but am not sure! Also if you go away you need someone to look after them or a cattery costs about £10 a day per cat.

Sorry aww, got you mixed up with the original kittens are horrible poster. Obviously I need more coffee.

I wouldn't in your shoes right now. Wait till you can afford them and your dc are older.

No worries.

Thank you everyone for taking time to reply. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I plan everything meticulously and had all the costings about the same as you guys have mentioned.
I think I'm finding it hard to say no as I know how happy it would make DH and the kids. I did say to DH earlier we should put the idea on hold until money is better, so not a no but rather a no for now.

I still feel like the Grinch though :-(