I want a cat?

WinnieThePooh · 04-29-2016, 06:50 AM

Hello everyone! So, as you know, I love animals. I currently have one hamster of my own, but I want a cat (preferably a kitten). My mom won't let me get one, she thinks it's disgusting how they walk in their litter box, then walk all over the floor. She is also scared she will eat the hamster. Any ways I can convince her to let me get one? My favorite breed is tortoise shell

cypher · 04-29-2016, 07:18 AM

I'm not sure how you can persuade you Mom to get a cat if she's really against it, she is right to be scared a cat would eat the hamster though, if you did get one you would have to be sure it could never get into the room where your hamster is, even if it couldn't get into the cage just the scent of a cat is extremely stressful for a hamster.
Maybe if you can show you've considered things like that & maybe explain that cats are actually really fastidious about keeping clean & would be sure to wash their feet after using a litter tray you might stand a better chance.

WinnieTheHam · 04-29-2016, 07:34 AM

I have 5 cats, and honestly cats are really quite clean, and groom their self a lot. Everyone that comes to my house is always really shocked because you wouldn't think we had 5 cats. It doesn't smell and it's clean and tidy. My house is cleaned a lot though!

I keep my door closed all the time, no one is allowed in there unless my mum is caring for the hams whilst I'm away. Sometimes I will keep my door open when I'm doing work in my room, but if the cats start staring at the hamsters or climbing on their cage I take them out and close the door. Only one of my cats isn't actually bothered about the hamsters!

Can't you train the cat to go in the garden to go to the toilet? My friends cat only ventures out in her garden and never goes over the fence.

LumiZoomi · 04-29-2016, 07:35 AM

Hey there!
I have three cats, two of which were my idea. Cats are EXTREMELY clean animals. We've had one of our cats for thirteen years, one for four, and one for six months, and never have any of our cats tracked their waste from their litter box through our home! Do research about the best types of litter that are absorbent and neutralize odors. I'm sure if you do your research, you'll be able to show how willing you are to commit to a new animal.
Best of luck to you!

GreySyrian · 04-29-2016, 08:09 AM

I have 2 cats and 3 hamsters and don't have a problem. Hamsters are kept in their own room and when the door remains shut, even should someone leave the door open you could always ensure your hamster cage was high up enough so the cat couldn't get to it and no harm will come to the hamster! (but as cypher mentioned the scent can cause stress)

Our cats don't have a litter tray at all, the only time they did was when they were kittens.

You could always look for people in your local area (e.g. Facebook page?) and see if anyone's re-homing cats or look at rescues. Perhaps you could find a young cat that is already toilet trained to go outside?

Fluffagrams · 04-29-2016, 09:53 AM

I've found that some parents are willing to be convinced about a particular animal and others just won't budge regardless of all the convincing you try to do and if that is the case then you'll just have to accept their rules. There'll be landlords that will be the same and quite often there's no budging room with them either.

Are there any animal shelters that you could volunteer at or does someone who lives in your area have a cat that you could volunteer to look after when they go away or something? It could consider to help convince your parents that you're responsible enough for one and that you're learning as much as you can about the care that they require.

AmityvilleHams · 04-29-2016, 10:08 AM

With every negative point and problem,you need to counter it with a good thing or a reason why that point is invalid.

Just make sure that you're completely okay with 20 years(if not longer in some cases)of a very needy creature that needs a specific meat based diet and will make you know when they are displeased and when they are pleased and all the other things cats bring,like their fur that gets absolutely everywhere no matter what you do.Learn some more about cats and different odd things you'd never think about,and make sure they're actually a good pet for you.Not everyone suits every pet,and if you do find that cats suit you and can convince your mom to get one then that's great

pinkneon · 04-29-2016, 01:29 PM

Cats are great! Have you or your mom ever had cats before? Because if not there be a ton if research to do! Some good things about owning cats are :

You don't have to take them for long walks several times a day
You can go out for the day and they are happy to be left, usually just sleeping (as opposed to dogs who you can't leave for too long without them barking the house down!)
They are very clean animals. If living indoors they need to be litter trained, which would mean cleaning out the litter tray. But if they can go outside then they go outside! BUT - you said you want a kitten. Kittens can't go outside until they have had all their shots, so they would need to be litter trained and possibly taught how to go outside too. Also, if they are old or sick they might need a litter tray inside too
They live a long time - usually around 20 years!
They are friendly, and don't usually make much noise. So shouldn't annoy the neighbors!

Some bad things about cats :

Some people have allergies! You may need to shut the cat outside or in another room when you have visitors, which isn't ideal if they are used to having the run of the house!
A lot of cats are either out or asleep most of the day
They hunt - and often bring you back a "present" of whatever animal they have caught, which isn't always nice to look at!
They can be EXPENSIVE! Kittens especially as they need shots, and then as they have to have a litter tray inside, litter costs a lot of money, as does good quality cat food. Vet bills are expensive too - even just for a check up or shots!
Hairballs!!

Are you willing to pay the vet bills? Are you willing to clean the litter tray? Are you financially able to look after a kitten? Your mom may not want to have to pay for anything (if it is YOUR cat and not a family pet) so those are questions you need to consider! Also, what happens if you go away?
However, all that said, if you live with your mom then you do have to respect her rules! There's no harm in asking, once you can show you have done all your research, but if she says no then you may have to accept that ...