To not get dd2 her 'own' cat?

[LydiaCat]

6 months ago we got a cat. I've had cats in the past (pre children) but my two dds, aged 11 and 8, have not. We'd always lived right on a main road so I was too scared to get one - we got the cat after we moved into a quiet cul de sac.

Both dds were hugely excited about the cat, as until now, a few fish and a hamster excepted, they'd lived a rather pet-less existence.

Unfortunately, the cat hugely prefers dd1 to dd2. It actively avoids dd2 if she tries to stroke it, while it adores dd1 and constantly meows outside her door wanting to go and sleep on her lap or in her room. Dd2 hasn't done anything to annoy the cat, to my knowledge - it's just the cat's personal preference.

Dd2 is distraught about this, and keeps asking me and dh to get another cat that will be 'hers'.

I'm reluctant to do this. The cat we have was a rescue that came from a rather chaotic house with ten cats, and so far seems to be absolutely loving life as a single cat. I'm worried it would get very distressed if another cat was introduced into its home.

AIBU? Does anyone have any tips for helping a cat bond with a child it's taken an instant dislike to?

May I remind people that it is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to "own" an animal? If you get another cat, it's yours, not your child's.

I rescued an under two week old kitten that was from a colony on a farm (the mother was killed on the road). I fed her by hand all through the days and nights. I did the bottom rubbing to encourage peeing and pooping. I kept her warm, I treated her for a chest infection. I doted on her.

DH didn't like cats. He's allergic.

Three years on and she couldn't give a hoot about me. She's 100% daddy's girl and always has been. Somehow DH isn't affected much by her (allergy/asthma wise) like he is with other cats and they're snuggled together constantly!

You can't make a cat like someone no matter how much you do for them.

We had 4 cats growing up (one for each child) and there's no guarantee that getting another cat will work. Two of our cats had no interest at all in anyone, they spent their lives visiting other people. My sisters cat loved my brother and I was fortunate that my cat took a shine to me.

Cats do what they want but I would get your DD to feed the cat, give it treats and play with new toys with the cat with your other DD out of the room.

It may turn out that the cat just prefers DD1 but maybe try some bonding time with DD2 and the cat.

Getting another cat won't solve the issue at all, especially with a rescue cat and there is a chance the new cat won't adore DD2 either.