To get a cat?

[cadburyegg]

DH and I have discussed this on/off for a few months and now a colleague of mine has some kittens up for rehoming. I grew up with cats, so we’re not complete novices. However we have 2 young DC aged 4 and 1 so I’m wondering if it’s a wise idea? Are we mad to consider it, is it too stressful an environment for a cat? I don’t want to get a kitten on impulse and then it be permanently stressed out in our home. Equally I realise a kitten is more work!

I am also concerned about the cost aspect, so any thoughts on that would be appreciated.

I think you ought to wait. I say this as a cat owner and lover. I waited until my youngest was 7...pre that age she wasn't trustworthy enough.

I can't stand seeing toddlers bear-hugging cats. And they all do it...they don't have the knowledge to do otherwise.

Re cost...insurance is needed. Then, consider food....mine has a raw diet. Google why dry and tinned food is bad for cats.

We already had 2 cats when DS was born. They had always been afraid of children, going to hide under the bed if we were ever visited by friends with kids. They showed a great deal of interest in baby DS and adapted to him as he grew older - I think they finally realised that these annoying small people were actually humans, too.

They also lost their fear of children completely - I still have a fond memory of our senior cat aged 17, being surrounded by excited 5 year olds at DS' birthday party and loving being stroked and played with whereas before she'd have run a mile! So I guess I'm saying that the kitten will adapt to your DCs

Cost-wide, insurance is reasonable for a kitten, though does rise as the cat gets older.

We got a cat when ours were 3 and 1. We rehomed a adult Ragdoll and she absolutely adores our DC.

If you do decide to go for it, I would definitely suggest you adopt and adult rather than a kitten. Kittens can be scratchy and may not have the sense to get out of the way of your toddler. That being said, our girl follows our kids about and will even jump in their dolly pray willingly pretend to be 'baby'! Daft thing!

Sorry, obligatory picture is now attached!

I have young kids and we got a kitten earlier this year and it’s been amazing! As she’s never known life without being surrounded by kids (she came form a home with young kids) she’s not scared of them at all. The kitten plays with the kids and follows them round be garden constantly.

Kids don’t always bear hug cats, it depends what their parents allow them to do. My two know they are never, ever to pick the cat up and stick to it.

Do it! Kittens are brilliant.

I think it’s lovely for children to grow up with animals, it teaches kindness and compassion. My senior cat was upset when I had Dd, she moved into the shed for 2 nights but now she is fine. My Dd worships her and follows her around saying ‘aww’. I don’t let Dd cuddle her though as it’s a bit risky.

Gorgeous Ikea

If you can supervise the kids properly and ensure the cat has places to escape from them then it’ll be fine.

We have 5 cats, all of them before having our 2 kids. We never leave the cats and kids unsupervised together and won’t until kids are much older and able to be trusted.

Cats all have places they can go to sleep which the kids can’t get to, so they can relax.

I'm with @IkeaIsForWinners - and beautiful cat btw - we have a ragdoll too!.
Maybe check out local rescue centres. They usually (unless a stray) have a background on them; if they're indoor or outdoor cats, okay with dogs/other cats and children etc. Alot are there cos their owner sadly passed away or other legitimate reasons. I think a kitten would be hard work with little ones but obviously up to you.

We got a cat when my DD was nearly 4 - we rescued from a local shelter and they adore each other. I am not a cat person (prefer dogs) but he is the most docile cat ever and likes to squeeze in next to DD when she is sleeping.

I've got 5 soon to be 6 Persians of various kinds, they're all indoor cats. They adore the kids, they sleep on their beds, snuggled up to them. (not in with the baby though). They follow them around the house and one of our girl cats actively guarded our son when he was a baby, as soon as he was crawling she would try to herd him away from stairs and cupboards

I wouldn't be without them. My kids are 9, 7, 3 and 14weeks.

We haven't had any issues. We are quick to clean up the occasional puddle of furball vom, normal to all but hairless cats. Aside from that they've all been wonderful together.

I'd think of the birds. My DB loves them and had huge numbers in his garden. Then NDN came in with 6 cats and the birds have gone.

We have several cats and always have had since before the DC. The DC have always been lovely with them, known how to respect and care for them, and understand how to let them be.

Cost wise we pay monthly at the vets so they're covered for flea and worming treatment as well as vaccinations. It means that it's cheaper than it would be buying everything separately.

I love them and can't imagine our home without them. The oldest DC loves 'his' cat best and drapes it about his shoulders like a fur stole. It's ridiculous and hilarious all at once because the cat hates the rest of us with a passion and will merrily savage us if we get too close.

Two kittens are better than one.

Make sure they have safe spaces where they can escape from all children (the chances are that they'll choose to go and see what the kids are doing anyway) and it will be fine.

As long as they are kittens, not young cats (people can be a bit woolly on the subject at times, and if the 'kittens' haven't been socialised to people at all, never mind little humans, they're a lot harder work).

I’ve always had cats even with small children. The thing about cats is that they can take themselves off if it’s too noisy and then they usually sleep all day and then come out when the DC are in bed. I have a house cat that only goes in the garden she’s so clean and really good in the house, I had her since a kitten. She is very close to DD2 but not really DD1

It is hard to find a shelter that will rehome a cat with anyone with small DC but it is worth a try!

I'm just here for the pictures

Hello lovely I'd wait because sounds like little one is too little. Kittens are like a new baby. Need so much attention at first! Litter tray and training. Kittens wee and poo stinks for the first few months too! 😔 I have a cat and I remember it all too well. The pet insurance is £20 a month and then adding on the food litter toys treats etc... xxxx

Mine being a meerkat cat 🐱

Ah it didn’t post

"I'd think of the birds. My DB loves them and had huge numbers in his garden"

We've always had cats in the 17 years we've been here. The trees in the garden and the hedges around are full of birds.

Just make sure you have room for letter trays, food bowls etc away from a crawling baby/toddler 🤢.

Cost wise cats can be expensive enough if you look after them properly. £5 per month insurance, £10 per month vet fees (worming etc), good quality food £20 plus per month. Then there’s all the stuff - litter trays, beds, blankets, toys, cat flap, pet carrier.p, and on and on.

There will be vets fees not covered by insurance. My little princess cost me £150 cattery fees and £90 vet fees in the last month alone😸

But she is worth it, even though she has destroyed my very expensive sofa and rug😼

We had a cat until recently with our 2 year old. He loved her. She sensibly was cautious about how often she let him stroke her, but always chose his bed to sleep on and would seek our whatever room he was in and just slump on the floor a few feet away lol.

That said, you must train the child in how to be sensitive to the cats needs. Let the cat have some space of its own it can choose to escape to, where the child is not allowed. Do not let the child pick up the cat, teach the child to wait for the cat to approach them and allow the cat to sniff etc before attempting to gently stroke etc.

Dont be put off, as long as you can afford the costs (& then some) to care for it properly and can give a kitten enough attention with two young children around too.

You can teach kids how to look after the cat. One of mine lived tnrough the birth of 2 kids, the other one. They were fine. I lost my oldest cat to old age last year, but Ive attached a picture of my boy. If you can look after a cat, go for it.

My cats and kids have grown up together. I allow them to go outdoors which means they always have the option of going out for some peace and quiet. My kids care so much about the cats and are gentle with them and think about their happiness and wellbeing, skills they may not have developed so well if we didn't have the cats. One cat is very cuddly and affectionate, the other one likes her own space a bit more. Both cats are gentle with the kids.
We love having them around.