i wana buy a kitten ,,,everyone is discouraging me as i have a small flat ,,,n 2 kids ,,?

Question

my friends n relaives r saying dat the kids might get allergic 2 the kitten ,,,and a kitten need open space like a back yard

Answer 1

First of all, are the kids old enough to own a kitten. If they're to young to understand that it cannot have it's tail pulled or be thrown about or anything, then they could have one.
If you feel they are old enough, get them tested for allergies. If they are allergic you could give up on the hope of getting a kitten or you could get a non-allergenic kitten such as a Sphinx or a Devon Rex (I think) and that will solve that problem but they may be a little expensive.
When you are all happy with this, find a reputable breeder who's cat hasn't had it's kittens yet. Explain the situation of your kids and then I would reccomend you ask to visit the mother and the father if possible (not usually possible though!) and see what the temperment of the cat is like; we bought a kitten from a pet store without knowing any of it's background because my mum felt sorry for it and he turned out to be a very caring cat, but such a little rascal and sometimes vicious for no real reason. Also, by getting a pedigree cat you can usually know what their personality would be like (I reccomend the Ragdoll!) but this is expensive.
If you like the mother and the breeder ask if you can bring the kids along once or twice when the kittens are born (but not when they are too small). Don't mention the fact that you might be buying one to the kids so they don't get their hopes up and ask the breeder not to mention it too, just say you're visiting. See if you're children treat the kittens well and then you can make your final decision. Living in a small flat would be okay for a kitten. We live in an adverage sized house but for the first year and a half when we got our two cats they lived in only two rooms and wern't allowed out of them. They only ever went outside in that time when we were accompanying them and we even took them on a leash for a walk! Just make sure you change the litter box everyday and scoop out clumps when you first realise them so they don't start defecating in your house and buy a scrating post too so they can keep their claws trimmed. If all is well then I think having a kitten is an excelent idea!

Answer 2

There is no reason not to have a kitten just because you live in a flat. Moving to a new house can be stressful for a new kitten as long as you give it love and time to get used to its new home and dont let the children keep handling it then it should be ok.
If you supply a bed for the kitten and let this be the place it can retreat to if things become to stressful this will help.
Children should be encoraged to sit on the floor and wait for the kitten to explore them.

Remember that just like children they can be destructive and very demanding. Taking on a kitten means that you are committing yourself to about 14 years of caring for a cat and some live well into their teens and 20s.

Good luck

Jen

Answer 3

A kitten does very well in an apartment....and NO they don't need to go outside. Indoor cats live twice as long as outdoor cats and they are healthier, resulting in lower vet bills. If your kids have not had allergic reactions around other people's cats then you should be pretty safe bringing in a kitten. Just make sure the kids know how to handle a kitten properly.

Answer 4

Many good responses here. If you want to get a cat and are worried about allergies please get your kids checked first. It is much more humane to get them checked and know for sure instead of getting a cat and finding out after the fact, then having to look for a new home for it. It's traumatic for the cat to be moved so hedge your bets with prior testing. As for the small space, there is no problem. I have three cats in my apartment and you won't find healthier, happier cats anywhere. I always fear for pets with small children. They don't meant to of course but they really do torture animals so please be watchful they don't pull tails, poke eyes and squeeze the insides out a pet you may get. The other side of that is it can be a wonderful experience for everyone if you are diligent and take this opportunity to teach your children to respect and care for an animal. Good luck.

Answer 5

getting a cat won't cause an allergy, it's acually the opposite, if you've never been exposed to something then you are much more likely to develop an allergy. I got two kittens when I lived in a flat & never had any trouble, I also know lots of other people who have cats in flats & they don't have problems either, you've just got to make sure you house train it properly & make sure the kids respect it & treat it kindly.
I also knew someone who thought their dwarf rabbit made a great indoor pet.
Have you looked into other small animals as pets. I used to have a rat, he was lovely. Rats are really quite intelligent. or even a feret? apparently they make good pets too.

Answer 6

I think it's wonderful to have your children grow up with a pet (s). How old are your kids? Umm, I say go for it. I grew up with a cat and loved every moment of it. A kitten will get into everything, so be warned. As for space, a cat dosn't take up much room.

Answer 7

I dont honestly see any problem with this, if you find out the children are allergic then you find the cat another home, as for needing a back yard I dont see the sense in that if you have a litter tray. Also the children may dearly love the cat and learn new things in life from it.

Answer 8

No... kittens that are raised indoors will be indoor cats and do not need a backyard. As long as you provide a healthy and interesting place for it to grow up in, he'll be fine. Get plenty of kitty toys (rotate them around), two litter boxes placed in strategic areas (bathroom, laundry, the room where kitty sleeps most of the time), give good nutrition, immunization shots...
It's also a good idea to raise children around pets - teaches them to care for beings smaller and more helpless then themselves - even though YOU will be the primary care-taker. You need to teach the kids how to be gentle to the kitty. BUT if one of your kids is alleric to cats, then it will be a bad idea. How to find out" Visit a freind whose got a cat.

And oh... don't BUY a kitten... adopt one from the humane society or your local animal shelter. Take it to the vet right away for health check up and shots.

Answer 9

I agree with whatever one else said. A kitten would be a perfect pet for you and your kids as long as you teach them not to pull it's tail or swing it around. Cats are eaiser to take care of then Dogs and all you need is a litter box. Your friends and family are wrong about that. I think you should get a kitten.

Answer 10

cats do fine in apts, actually it is much safer to have an indoor pet, and less expensive as you will not have to deal with unwanted pregnancy, fleas, worms, cats fights (abscesses), the cat getting some sort of disease, getting poisoned, hit by a car, eaten by a dog or wild animal,etc. An indoor pet will live longer. As far as you kids....why not get them tested for allergies or expose them to a friends cat and see how they do. Most people do not have allergies to pets, and they should not develop allergies if they do not have them already. Good luck.