dd would like a cat...

[paddingtonbear1]

... but I am not sure. I like cats, and dh wouldn't mind having one, but I'm a bit worried about my leather sofas (our house is quite open plan, so it's not easy to shut the lounge off). Also, there's not currently anywhere to put a cat flap. I don't really want one in the wall or front door, and our back patio doors are sliding! We're out all day during the week. Would this really matter or should I just say to dd that it's not possible? I've put her off for now, but she keeps asking. SIL didn't help by telling dd while she was on hols that if dd did well in her maths at school, she could persuade us to get a cat! (SIL didn't ask us first if this was ok..) Dd did do well, after struggling before, so I feel a bit mean saying no now.

[TamzinGrey]

We placed a big kitty scratching post right beside the sofa that our little madam was attacking. Problem solved.

[MrsOakenshield]

we got our sliding doors replaced when we got our cats (the sliding doors were here when we bought the house) - we got the kitchen done at the same time so it ended up being a £12,000 catflap .

and they, when kittens, scratched our leather chair to bits, but that's because when we played with them we were encouraging them to jump on them, which was a bit stooopid.

You need to embrace these things. Cats can be lovely pets, especially for a 10 year old!

[MrsOakenshield]

hah, our cats have ignored every scratching post we've ever got - why on earth would they scratch that when they have the sofa/stair carpet/us at their disposal.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

We adopted a pair of one year olds from a rescue in October (our DCs were 9 and 7). They scratch the furniture a little, but haven't actually done any serious damage. It has all been pretty straightforward and the DCs adore the cats.

Our friends have the same problem as you WRT catflaps, they have put one on their summerhouse and put food and water in there during the day, also cat baskets, they let the cats out in the morning, cats can use the summerhouse during the day, then get them in to stay in at night, seems to work well, have you got a garage or shed you could do that with?

[qazxc]

Could you look into fostering with a view to adopt. Tell your DD it's only a foster so that she doesn't get to attached. Most local animal charity would be more than delighted for you to do that (mine is always short on space and will provide fosterers with all the cat needs whilst you foster). That way you get to "try before you buy" and make sure you get a cat that suits your family.

[Migsy1]

I've had 4 cats and all have wrecked the sofas! It is one of the downsides of having a cat. I think there is something that you can spray on the sofa to put them off.

[HelloBoys]

what you could do is get 2 cats (don't be daft like I did and get brother and sister who hated each other) get 2 sisters or 2 brothers. from kittens.

that should solve them being lonely.

I have a decorative bit of cloth along top of 1 leather sofa, cat does scratch rest sometimes.

[paddingtonbear1]

Thanks all so much for your replies - I have a bit to think about! Methe your kitten looks gorgeous :) I wouldn't want my sofas to end up like your chair though...
If we decide to go for it I think we'd get a cat not a kitten, from a rescue. I wouldn't mind an older cat either, and I know they can often be overlooked for rehoming.
If we could afford it I'd get the sliding doors replaced, but not yet.. we do have a garage so that could be another option for the cat flap.

[thecatneuterer]

An older cat is a good idea. And you can have a cat flap in sliding patio doors (there is a photo on my profile of mine). It costs quite a bit though as a whole glass panel will need to be replaced.