i badly want a kitten ... my mom says no afraid that it will cause diseases?

Question

i've wanted a kitten since i was 7, my mom says it ok to have a pet other than a kitten....
i've checked our family record and there was no one who had alergie with cats... but my mom insist that cats causes diseases... and that it may harm my young sister and brother ...i dont agree with that at all .... so ....

who is right between us?
do cats causes diseases?

my sibilings age are 4 and 5

Answer 1

Lord the sh*t people think.

There is a bacteria that cats carry that can be transmitted by a bite or scratch. Cat scratch fever. Other than that as long as the litter bos is properly maintained your fine. Don't let the kids eat out of the litter box and you won't have a problem and make sure pet is altered and up to date on shots and vet care.

http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/catscratch.htm

Answer 2

cats do not cause diseases.

If you get a healthy kitten, keep it up-to-date on it's shots, it is no health hazard to humans. Both my mother and I have lived with cats our whole lives. No problems.

Only pregnant women are suppsed to stay far away from the litterbox.

You are the right one here. Cats do not cause diseases to humans. Keep it wormed, give it flea medication, and there's nothing to worry about.

BUT.. getting a new cat is expensive. Kittens need 3-4 rounds of shots when they're small (after those, they just need once a year or so). The vet visits and shots alltogether (when the kitten's small) can cost around 150$

THEN they MUST be speyed or neutered at 4-6 months of age. This can cost close to 100$, but if you hunt around, you can find less expensive places. People who are not professional breeders and do not spey/neuter do not deserve to have pets.

So, unless you can pony up around 200$, I'm afraid your mom will win this battle, even if she's wrong about the diseases.

Answer 3

i'm not sure what she means by this. What diseases are they supposed to cause?
I think you should get some books on cats and cat care out of the library. This will help educate your mum about cats, but it will also be useful to give you the information you will need to look after a kitten properly. In turn, it might reassure your mum that you really understand all about cats and what is involved in looking after one.
(incidentally, this is a different objection to your mum's, and you don't say how old your siblings are, but it's not usually a good idea to have a kitten where there are young children in the house. They might frighten or tease the kitten.)

Answer 4

No disrespect intended toward your mother, but if she really believes that, she is very ignorant. I think it's more likely that she just doesn't like cats, but it's a shame that she is using such a ridiculous cop out. I challenge her to name a disease cats transmit to humans. Cats that are taken care of don't get rabies, mange, ect. Even homeless street cats usually just need a bath and an attitude adjustment, and they're great pets. I have had cats my entire life, and can't imagine my life without one, (or 3 as I have now). The only thing I've ever gotten from my cats is love. If anything, cats are good for your health. It's prov-en that cat owners have lower blood pressure, and are less likely to suffer depression than non cat owners. It sounds like your Mom isn't going to change her mind, but if I were you, I would insist that she at least be HONEST about the reason why. After all, if we can't count on our parents to tell us the truth, who can we count on?

Answer 5

Caitlin, My mom, like yours was very sick for 10 years before she passed away. I would sit with her too for hours on end. If she is up to it, have her make a video for you. Let her put on the tape what you might expect at certain ages. Have her leave you her thoughts for your sweet 16, a message for you when you fall in love etc. for your wedding day, when you have your first child. You will then always have her comforting voice and pic. By the way its okay to cry in front of your mom. I am sure that she knows you are scared and afraid. She may be too. You may not be getting along with your dad now because he too feels so badly and is stressing. Hopefully you will become closer. Maybe some professional counseling will help the two of you. Make sure you keep in contact with your dad and your mom's close friends too. My mom is gone many years now. I still miss her but have wonderful memories of a loving mom. As for you in school, make sure that your teachers know what you are going through, cause I am sure that it will be hard for you to focus on your school work.

Answer 6

Well er - no. The only possible disease you can get from a cat is toxoplasmosis, and this is only an issue to unborn children, so not relevant in your case. It also only occurs in unwormed cats and you have to like, eat their poo to get it.

Ask your mom if she can actually name any of the diseases she thinks cats cause? If not, suggest to her that perhaps she's just repeating an old myth she's picked up on!

Chalice

Answer 7

If the cat is clean, healthy, and properly vaccinated, there's literally nothing that a cat carries that will affect a human being. You're at a LOT more risk from your little brother and sister than from a cat ;-)

Answer 8

no they dont have any diseases and my cousin have 2 cats and 4 kittens none of them had any diseases

Answer 9

You are right. And I seriously doubt a cat can give a disease to a human and vice versa. Millions and millions of people have cats. They are safe.

Answer 10

As i known, Only dirty thing in cat is their saliva only. but i never heard about cat brings disease to human before. You must tell all these answer to your mom. Cat is a one of most cute pet in this world

Cheers
Parinya Leekulpitak
http://www.allaboutpet.blogspot.com