Argument over whether to keep kittens or not!?

Question

I have two children and my mother-in-law gave them each a kitten last month. I was not too fond of the idea at the time, especially since she did not ask me first, but the kittens grew on me. The kids LOVE them. The problem is that now that they are growing and getting more playful, jumping on things, etc. my husband says "They have got to GO!" He allowed his mother to give these kittens to the kids in the first place and they are sooo attached to them. He gets annoyed that the cats jump on the counter and sometimes want our food, etc, which I am trying to discourage by squirting them with a watergun if they get on the table. He does not have to clean their litterbox as I do that and the kids like to feed and water them by themselves. He is insisting we need to get rid of them but I do not want to take them to SPCA. Any suggestions?

Also, does anyone know at what age I need to take them to the vet? That is another concern of ours: the cost of their shots and eventual neutering.

Answer 1

You should take any new pet to the vet when you get it. Call your MIL and tell her the kids would like to go to the first vet visit with her since she gave them to them. Maybe she will take the hint and pay for that. They usually get spayed/neutered at about 6 months of age. Call the ASPCA, they may offer discount coupons you can use at your vet. Also ask your vet if they have any discount programs. When you are eating, etc., keep the kittens out of that area. Put them in a closed room so that they don't jump on the table or bother your husband. Make them as invisible as possible when he is around. Good luck.

Answer 2

Your husband, by getting rid of the kittens, will be teaching your kids to be irresponsible. Firstly he said yes to the kittens and now he wants to take them away becasue it is "too much work?". That is wrong! He has said yes and now he needs to put up with the kittens behaviours otherwise he won't be teaching the kids that getting a pet is a big responsibility and you should be prepared to take care of them for the rest of their life. The children seem responsible so why punish them for doing a good job? Also it seems like you and your children do all the hard work. He is just annoyed at the kittens for getting in his way. Also as cats age they do quiet down a bit. At the moment they are still young and playful. I have heard that squirting cats with a water gun is a good way to discourage them from doing something as they don't like it and it doesn't hurt them. The kittens should see a vet yearly and if they get sick or hurt. Taking them to an animal pound or shelter is not a good idea as there is a good chance they will be put down. If all the talking in the world can not convince your husband to let the children keep the kittens then you could try making them outdoor cats. Start by feeding them outside. Then after feeding over the next few days let them play outside with you there and increase the time. Eventually let them play outside on their own with you watching and finally feed them outside and let them stay outside all day and then let them sleep in the laundry at night. If you live on a busy road this may not be a good idea. Otherwise since your mother-in-law got the kittens without asking you should get your husband to ask her to keep the kittens at her house so the kids can at least visit the kittens. Doesn't seem like you husband and moth-in-law know about the rrsponsibilities of having a pet. A pet should never be a surprise gift as getting a pet should always be thought through and researched well.

Answer 3

I say, keep the cats. If he isn't helping to take care of them then it isn't his decision to make. Smart of you to use a squirt gun, I'll add. Even if you aren't eating or anything make sure to squirt them when they try to get on counters and tables anyway, and they'll learn its not such a fun place to be.

Typically the vet will tell you that you have to wait for your cats to be six months old to get them neutered/spayed, but you can get it done when they're younger. And the younger you do it, the better, seeing as a female cat can get pregnant at only nine months old (I know; this summer both my females got pregnant and had all together 11 kittens. We didn't even know they were old enough to have babies). I wouldn't worry about getting shots (except rabies, that one is a must) unless you live in an area where the cats will be around other animals that could give them diseases.

One more tip; I got a kitten about a month ago with my Boyfriend. We got her from the pound and they said that she was healthy and had no fleas...unfortunately, they were wrong. We were infested in a short amount of time. Even if you don't see any fleas or you're positive they don't have any, you need to buy medicine to prevent the little pests. I suggest Frontline.

Answer 4

Judy W has a phenomenal understanding of the human psyche.

I just wanted to add, that if cost is a factor, Google "low-cost spay/neuter." Add your zip code and you will get a list of state-funded and privately funded programs. Male cats here in NJ are about $50 INCLUDES SHOTS!!! Female cats $75- INCLUDES SHOTS!!! Four months old is not too young to consider bringing them in.

Thank you for doing the responsible thing and fixing your pets. They will eventually calm down- they are kittens. Use your feminine wiles and let your husband know you would be most unpleased with him if the kittens were to go. I think he'll come around to your way of thinking!

Answer 5

Well, they should go to the vet right away. They need shots and to be spayed or neutered. Your vet can tell you the proper times to do these things.

As for your husband, if he agreed to take these creatures in, he made a commitment. A pet is not something you just return. It's a very big commitment, so if you aren't prepared to deal with that, find homes for them, but don't fool yourself into thinking that you will someday be good pet owners. If you can take an animal in and then decide you don't want it, you have no business taking them in tog begin with. You appear to have married such an individual. I would make him honor his commitment, if it was me.

As for training, the water bottle thing isn't as effective as a loud stern "NO" and a correction (like putting the cat on the floor if it's on the counter or something). Just don't give them human food unless it is in their bowl. Otherwise they think they have a right to your food.

Answer 6

Kittens need to go to the vet from a young age for vaccinations, possible de-worming (depending where they came from) and general check-ups, later on spaying and neutering.
I'm really sorry that your husband is so down on the cats, especially since your kids love them and you and the kids are taking care of them. They do go through a playful stage when they jump on the counters, etc. but they are trainable. I hope he changes his mind and realizes that it is good for his kids to have a pet to care for and love.
If you really must find a home for them, try to place them yourself, take them to a shelter as a last resort.
Keeping my paws crossed that he changes his mind!

Answer 7

Don't get rid of them, your kids are already attached to them and it wouldn't be a nice thing to do to them. You should take them to get the shots as soon as possible and once you get them spayed and neuter, they calm down. They are less playful. Get them fix and your problems will be solved. They become lazy and a lot nicer.

Cats that are fixed just eat and sleep all most of the time and are well behaved. And everyone should be happy.

If you need more information on getting them spayed and neuter at an affordable price, send me an e-mail. Depending on your area, I might be able to help you.

Answer 8

shots and neutering is relatively affordable. most vets have packages you can buy that tell you the right ages and shots they need as well as including neutering/spaying. ask different vets, as some are more expecsive. if you have trouble affording it, call the SPCA and they have travelling discount clinics that give shots and even neuter/spay for about $20, depending on who you ask.

training them just takes time. always discourage them from jumping on counters. the water gun is good, but yelling and even picking them up off the counter works great too. my dad always said he hated cats, but we always have had at least 2 cats in our house.

Answer 9

They need 1st shots now. It will cost about $40 each. They need to be fixed by 6 months. Males cost $40-60 and females cost $65-$100. Your husband isn't acting like a responsible adult. He needs to be teaching your kids that pets are a responsiblity and are not disposable when they get annoying. This will carry on into other aspects of thier lives that you don't just get rid of something when it gets to be a burden. Tell him to grow up and help out (he CAN clean a litter box).

Answer 10

You need to get this sorted out with your husband. Getting rid of kids' pets is a very dodgy thing to do as the kids will remember it forever. You may want to call his mother in on this as it was her idea in the first place.
I really don't envy you in this position.
The kittens will learn where they can and cannot be and you are taking the right approach with the squirt gun.
Good luck.