Just got a kitten for my 6 year olds birthday, and its caused huge rows between husband and I.

[lovesmountains]

Thanks for taking the time to read.

We bought a 3 month old house trained kitten from a rescue centre this week for my daughters 6th birthday present.

She is adorable and we all love her but DH has decided she is ABSOLUTELY not allowed in the house at all. We do have a wonderful garden and some shelter for her outside but my daughter and I would still love to be able to give her a cuddle in the house.

I've suggested that she comes in the house just to go on our lap and not wander around, but DH thinks she need to know her boundaries and this will only confuse her.

Never having had a cat before, would love to know others views on this.

Many thanks,

How about:

"Does your baby lick it's own arse?"

I'm a fairly animal-friendly (soppy) person but I do agree that sometimes it goes too far - it's not good for animals to be treated like inferior and incapable humans.

Thanks to all those who replied with useful, helpful replies, DH was highly entertained this morning reading some of the responses.

Kitten now in the lounge asleep.

:o at NetworkGuy having a cat who doesnt like his Bullocks. :o Easily pleased!

Oh good lovesmountains, I am glad he has relented.

Hurray!

"A cat is for ever and ever, not just for life"

I don't like cats. I don't want a kitten. I don't know much about them.
But I would make sure that if i took responsibility for an animal it would be looked after without having it's welfare compromised by someone who put kow-towing to her DH and reluctance to disappomt a child who has been ghiven one as a present without adequate discussion.

I have worked on farms.

Farm cats live semi-feral and in groups. A farm kitten would live in the same barn as it's mother for life, probably, They are territorial, but also live together on groups, in barns. And they are busy - stalking, catching, living a more natural life. Your poor kitten has none of the advantages of living wild and free in a barn, and none of the advantages of being allowed to bond with you and your DD instead.

However, the person I feel most sorry for is your DD. Watching you wring your hands 'in defence' of your DH at the start of every post, watching you capitualte against having her kitten indoors, watching you agree to something which she must instincyively feel is wrong and against the normal experience of her friends who have their cats indoors. It sounds as if you live in a big house - does your dd have lots of friends to play etc? It does seem sad for her to be separated from her kitten.

The whole situation sounds bleak, lonely and sad.

OH - sorry, x-posted!

I am glad your DH has seen sense.

Bit pissed off that you seem to take delight in the fact that he was 'amused' at other posts - what is it that he thinks of MN-ers , and you support him in?

Lots of MN-ers gave you advice and info.

Actually, one way and another, i have seen enough of this thread.

i dont think we are going to find out whats happened. i do hope the op comes back to update but the only think that is going to satisfy the majority on here is that she either lets the cat in or takes it back to the rescue.

if she does neither she wont want to update to say as much.

no news, in this case, is bad news i fear.

So glad to hear that your kitten is inside - your DD will be thrilled. I'm sure when your kitten is older she will love your garden, but will be equally glad to come inside again after a little adventure!

oh terrible cross post there!

yay lovesmountains! really pleased, maybe you DH isnt an arse afterall!

Yay, a happy ending!

A happy ending - but still.......have a look att hat relationship, OP. Thinsk a few things need sorting out.

entertained? that his behaviour had ppl, not all of us cat lovers, worried? are you serious? your OH sounds a complete fucking dildo.

That's wonderful news. hope it all works out for you now.

By being entertained, just trying to point out that we ignored the 'wanker, fucking dildo' etc type comments and looked for helpful, educated ,informative responses, of which there were many(and there were some amusing ones too), in order to come to the right decision for the kitten and the family.

I am so relieved. Thank you for letting us know.

Do bear in mind the kitten will shed hairs, vomit hairballs and is quite likely to claw some furniture.

If that's going to be a deal-breaker for your DH then you need to know now before it's too late to find her another home.

lovesmountains Did you show your old man my post saying I'll take the cat,but you can keep your fella?
I never called him a wanker/dildo/prick..I swears

what do you expect him to be called pet owner of the year? and you for standing by idly whilst your husband was cruel to a 6 yr old girls brand new pet? teaching her that compassion for animals is lost on some? just awful my DD is 6 and would be heartbroken if anyone done this to our evil cat. at 6 they know the general rights and wrongs poor child being told differently.

I don't think he comes out of this terribly well, even so. But at least he's agreed we you are right and the kitten is installed in her rightful place on the sofa.
He has agreed that, hasn't he???

'amused' ? patronising arse hole.

good luck op.

astonishing

Why oh why does someone with such a similar nickname to me have to have such a dreadful thread. I don't want to be associated with this, my husband is lovely!

Quote from that link

On that basis the OP is probably taking appropriate steps to look after the cat so I think some of this reaction is a bit OTT. If the cat has a safe place to sleep at night (enclosed balcony with a shelter would count), is going to be allowed inside during the winter and has access to an appropriate shelter outside I would imagine it will be OK.

I would not do it though, it seems a shame to do that when the cat could be a pet for inside.

Missed the post from the OP saying the cat can come inside. That is a much better solution!

Well, I'm just hugely relieved that the kitten is in. May this be the start of many happy years of the cat ruling your household