To get my DD a kitten for her birthday?

[ACatCalled]

To be clear from the start, it would of course be a family pet and I accept that I will be the one responsible for the cleaning etc etc.

I'm really just after experiences, tips, and anything I might not have thought of! DD will be 9 in the autumn and is desperate for a pet, ideally a cat. I/we lost our old cat earlier this year and we were all devastated- I rescued him as a kitten long before DD was born and he was by my side through all sorts of shit so it's taken me a good few months to even consider another pet. Whilst DD misses our old cat, she talks about the house feeling "empty" and it would be nice for her to experience having a pet from the beginning, choosing a name and forming a proper bond. I do feel the emptiness of the house too 😞

I've got a bit more anxious as I've got older and can't help worry about the cat going missing/having an accident or something. It's also been a long time since I've had a kitten! I'd need to cat-proof the house and factor in keeping it in for the first few months before neutering. Not easy as we're open plan but doable.

We live in a very cat-friendly area, I have willing cat-sitters for any holidays and it would be nice to have a little buddy again. I would rescue again too, the centres near me are overrun with kittens. I'm just nervous!

Get two would be my advice.

Animals aren’t presents get her something else for her birthday and a cat a month later

Yeah get two. If you get one they can be kinda naughty and mad because they have noone to play with.

Then what often happens is one will become more your daughter's and the other become more yours. That's what happened when I got a sibling pair. A boy and girl. Once they grew up they didn't hang out together at all! My other two non related ones spend a lot of time together though.

Same here. Get siblings.

We waited a year after our last one passed, then got 2 kittens from the local rescue centre. 2 girls who are complete opposites but both lovely.
6 years later still very very adored

Edit: we got sister's.

Strange comment.

The OP clearly has experience with cats and will ensure that it is loved and well cared for. Why should the timing matter?

Do you want to fund and care for a cat for the next 15+ years? DD is likely to leave home before the cat shuffles off.

Given that she owned her previous cat from before the DD was born I don't suppose this is an issue.

Get two! Get trackers.

Sounds like a lovely idea to me. I remember with such pleaser bringing in the cat carrier to my daughter on her birthday. She burst into happy tears at one, then couldn’t quite believe it when we pointed out the second one. We were zooming it to other family members during covid times. She has learning difficulties and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!
I went to Cats Protection just to get one and came home with two ! They were absolutely hilarious as kittens, currently both are asleep together on my bed.
Another time I took a different daughter to the pet shop “ to look at the animals “. We gave her a kitten to hold and then said actually she’s yours.! Tears again! But lovely memories.

Sounds lovely, and you’re obviously experienced cat owners so I don’t see any issues but I agree with getting 2 litter mates if you can so they have company.

Yes do it, kittens are loads of fun and a 9 year old is sensible enough

Ahh I've wondered about two, keep going back and forth. On the plus side, we'd have one each for snuggles but it's double the everything isn't it, cost/work/cleaning/trouble! I like the idea of them entertaining each other but theres a few other cats about, once he/she can play outside. My old cat was never lonely/destructive/anything other than the perfect cat to be honest, I was spoilt with him. Getting a little lump in my throat thinking about him.
@MostlyChickpeas yes- as I said in my first line, I fully accept the cat will be my responsibility for however long we have with him or her. And @Changedasouting I see your point, but if I'm going to get one anyway then giving them as a gift just highlights to DD that he/she is hers. It's not like I'm going to hand them back when the novelty has worn off!
@Sahara123 damn is someone cutting an onion here?! I can just imagine my DD reacting in the same way!

But it’s the only question that matters. She’s essentially buying herself a cat, and if she wants one and can care for it, crack on.

This.

Definitely get two! If you’re worried about them getting into trouble out and about why don’t you look into cat proofing your garden so they can’t get out? That way they can safely explore outside but not stray too far.

Normally I would be a hard no on pets as presents for children. But in reality this sounds like you want a cat just as much for yourself as your dd so it would be a family pet that you are responsible for and just happened to arrive on your DD's birthday. So on that basis I say go for it.

There is nothing wrong with getting much wanted pets for a birthday. The issue is when those pets are no really wanted and discarded days/weeks later. Thats not the case here as DD and OP have clearly had cats before and are understand the full responsibilities and practicalities of having cats. These don’t sound like people who are going to ditch the cats a few months in to me.

Haven't had cats for a long time, but I'd definitely say get 2, they are a comfort to each other, company and automatic playmates. I don't know why you would get 2 of different sexes, tho. Is it like dogs where getting 2 females is not recommended because bitches are more likely to fight?

This pretty much sums it up! I also LOVE your username 🤣

Yes. She will be delighted. She sounds like a responsible young girl.

Why not, if done responsibly.

The OP clearly isn’t just any old muppet when it comes to pet-owning.

OP, go for it!

Because it’s for a 9 year old who shouldn’t be taught pets are presents they are part of the family

The present police are out in force

@notwhingingjuststatingfacts I think I'm probably worrying/overthinking unnecessarily. I've only known one of the neighbours cats get knocked down years ago, and it had wandered miles, it felt really unfair. Cat-proofing the garden would be impossible unfortunately, and it's such a lovely area for cats to mooch about. Possibly controversial but I don't want a house cat- I appreciate it's a risk we take. Tracker might be peace of mind. My old cat had such good recall, i took it for granted that I could call him and he'd tear home from wherever he was exploring!

Will give some serious thought on getting 2 and discuss with DP 🫣