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!

In general terms you have a point. But in this specific case it sounds like this is already understood. They have previously owned and cared for a cat and it's clear it won't be neglected. The OP says in her opening paragraph that it would actually be a family pet and she will assume responsibility for ensuring it is looked after.

I did the same for my child at the same age and they grew up together.
He made a lovely companion and pet.
It was a good age to get the kitten for both of them
When she grew up and left home she would love to visit and see the cat.
We went together when the cat was put to rest and buried in her garden 18yrs later no regrets at all..sorry but its not always a burden as some make out.
Cardboard boxes with windows he loved.

I don’t suppose OP expects her DD to fund its food, jabs etc, which she’s acknowledged! So “caring” for it is not really the case for a 9 year old.

Get two or get a young adult from a rescue. Kittens need socialising.

If you're getting a kitten you really do need to get 2 (and a lot of rescues won't rehome single kittens).

Double the fun, double the sniggles, plus with 2, they can always act innocent and blame the other one for all the mayhem...

My Christmas present when I was 6 was a Sheltie puppy. She was the best present ever, we grew up together and I learnt how to care for her. I was an only child and that puppy became the best friend ever.

I will be 70 this year and have just lost my 5th Sheltie, all have taught me what it is to give unconditional love and made me a much better person.

Buy her a kitten....... or two😁

Get two and they will play fight with each other rather than trash the curtains and furniture. In theory.

Of course they could just double up and trash the furniture. Kittens are a law unto themselves.

But go for it - it's a family pet more than a present and you are experienced cat owners.

YAB totally U, if you don’t come back the this thread and post photos of the two kittens kitten you get!

I will not be moved on my opinion on this!

I got a dkitten for my 7th birthday. I still remember carrying her in my school coat in the bus home .a tortie queen who slept on my pillow for many years.

Get 2 op and save your soft furnishings!

In my opinion nine is the perfect age for kids to really be involved with having a pet. They are old enough to be gentle and to help with care. I’d love a cat!

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.

Not easy in a heatwave either, to have to keep all your windows and doors closed.

And for your DC to remember to constantly close the door behind them whenever they go in and out of the garden.

Other than that I'd say go for it.

Definitely get two from a rescue. I
work for a rescue. We won’t re home kittens singly. They need a play companion.

Echo other comments - get two!

Whatever you decide to do, please don't buy a kitten from someone. So many rescue places have bonded kittens as many parts of the UK are struggling with a kitten crisis. I would also suggest don't get them as a birthday gift, just in case anything sad does happen, that could then taint future birthday celebrations.

Thanks for the thoughts/encouragement!

I agree that 9 is a good age for it- she is a responsible girl and it would be lovely for her to have a pet "of her own"- she'd take it very seriously and want to do everything right.

She's also an only so part of me thinks it'd be a lovely little companion for her.

@SallyD00lally birthday isn't til the autumn but definitely fair point about keeping the door closed- I wondered about a playpen type thing for when it/they 🫣 are teeny, whilst they get their bearings in the house. The windows all have restrictors or screens fitted so should be okay.

@OttersOnAPlane knowing my luck it would just mean twice the destruction 😅 but there's definitely a consensus of two being better than one. My last cat was the only one left in the litter so never really considered two!

@FiveShelties 🩷 sorry for your loss, they leave such an emptiness.

@MonsterasEverywhere yes I would, firmly agree with "adopt, don't shop". That's exactly my worry, that something bad could happen, but I think it would be heartbreaking regardless? I'm not sure.

@Pinkchickenwine I name changed just in case I needed to post pics at a later date 🤭

I’d get 2 and get them from a rescue, then spay/neuter and vaccines are taken care of. And I’d get slightly older ones up to a year old, still
playful but not as scratchy and wild as a 12 week old.

It's fine, but I wouldn't give them to her on her birthday. Let them arrive on a calmer, more normal day, and let her enjoy the anticipation (and the choosing).

If you're planning on getting a cat/kitten anyway though, making that be your child's birthday present is perhaps a little mean?

Can I put in a show of support for an older cat?
They so often get overlooked and left in shelters for much longer, which is so stressful for them. They can often be much more chill as well.

ETA: I also agree with PP that you shouldn't categorise live animals as "presents". They should be thought-about deliberate family additions, not an item handed over like a box of chocolates to celebrate someone else.

Yeah, I always understood “animals aren’t presents” to be about things like people impulsively buying their child a bunny for Easter because they thought it would be cute. This is an entirely different situation.

Why is it mean?

@ToKittyornottoKitty it sounds like you have had this dilemma too from your nn- what did you do?
@singthing you certainly can and I wouldn't rule out an older cat either, the rescues I've been looking at near me mainly seem to be rehoming kittens or much older cats, often for the older ones they don't like to re-home with children either but I'm open to the options/if there's one or two that would suit.
@hairstreak the cat/s would not be her only gift for her birthday! And like I said up thread it would be more to signify that it's "her pet" 😊

It feels a little mean in the same way as doing anything else for the whole household isn't a "gift" - it's something that you're going to do/acquire anyway. I don't think the "it's yours" label really means much.

YANBU, and definitely get two.
I got my daughter pet rats for Christmas when she was 9, she was absolutely brilliant at caring for them.
We went on to have four cats, I've still got two of them and DD as an adult has two cats and a snake.

Of course it's not mean.

Children need to know that injections, worming and neutering aren't free.

She's old enough to have this explained to her.

What? I wasn't talking about costs 😂