would this be fair to the kitty?

Question

i really want a kitty! my dad deos not want one bcuz of "allergens" though no1 is allergic. i spend 1/2 time at my dads. would it b cruel 2 get a kitten and train it to a leash, take it 4 walks but confine it to our large basement. we would have a cat tree and plenty of toys and play w/ it 4 atleast an hour a day. would this be enough attention to keep a cat happy or deos it need more?

btw i have a cat at my moms house which is y i have a cat related name

kay- good idea i mite sleep down there often and read and do homework down there,

and cats can be trained to walk on a leash if u start early enough, and i ment like a 2 y/o not a 6 month old. Also i wouldnt like to be left in a basement 24/7 but would u like 2 b fed dry food and have 2 go 2 the bathroom in a pile of sand. would u like 2 b picked up and cuddled by a giant? different perspective, not always same needs

did i say my dad was allergic?????hes not and he wants a cat 2 but he is wourried about allergens and making it so that we r more sensitive to things and giving us more allergies

Answer 1

Why don't you ask yourself if you'd like to be kept in a basement all by yourself and only have visitors for a few hours a day. A cat is a living being.

Answer 2

Cats want to play on their own terms so you really can't schedule play time with a cat. They do sleep quite a bit so if you don't have alot of time a cat would be an option. Kittens though are a whole different story, like any baby need to be supervised and taught right and wrong. If your dad does not want a cat, who will play with it when you are at your mom's? What about food and water? Is it fair to your dad to make him care for a animal he does not want?
As for leash training, that is a great idea, use a harness not a collar though, and be careful of strange dogs coming around.
Hope it works out.

Answer 3

Yes it would be cruel to keep a kitten in the basement except for the 4 hours a day you can be there! And what about the days you can't be there?

You especially can't do this with a young kitten who needs to be fed at least 2-3 times a day. If it tips over the water bowl who will be there to check on the kitten and refill it's water. One of my kittens got tangled up in a toy on a stretchy string and laid there wrapped up unable to move for 10 minutes. What if something like that happens to yours. Who will be there to save her? Is it dark down there.

What about this basement? Is it a finished basement with a couch and carpets? Is there heat down there because kittens need to be kept warm. Is it drafty. Is it safe down there for a kitten? There can't be any holes in the walls or open pipes or things he could get stuck in. You'd have to child-proof the entire basement. Would he have a window to look out of?

I'm assuming you're at your Dad's house for 4 hours each day. If so that means you won't even have 4 hours because you'll have other stuff going on too. And then there's the time cleaning the litter box each day, changing/cleaning the water bowl, feeding him.

But in the end it is up to you and your Dad to decide. Maybe you should think about whether you would want a life like that if your were a kitty.

Answer 4

I don't think it would be wise to get a kitten and leave it in your dads basement. Although, the basement may be large, cats at least need a window to look out of when no one is around to play with them. Also, since your father is allergic, he wouldn't be able to go down and check on the little fella when your elsewhere . Even more so, it wouldn't be fair to your father because he wouldn't be able to go in the basement for whatever reason.

Your intentions are good, but i don't think its wise. Enjoy the cat you already own at your Mom's

Answer 5

Nowadays it's recommended to get 2 cats together so they have company. Otherwise, I think your question sounds like you already know this may not be a good idea. You can't always train a cat to go for walks on a leash, though you can try it and see if the cat likes it.

Answer 6

I have a bunch of cats, and I would say that it would be fine to contain it down stairs, as long as their are many toys, and u keep some sort of light for her, even a night light, but I dont thinkand hour would be enough attention. I would say that you should set a tv, or something down stairs, and a couch, and maybe watch tv down their with her so she can cuddle and have human companionship. But an hour is def not enough. Best recommondation is to set up a tv and couch down there, and hang with it down there a while. Maybe go down their to do work related stuff, or school related, if ur still in school. Just find more time then just an hour. But down stairs would be fine if there was more attention. maybe close ur door and let it sleep with you in your room. That would work. Just close ur door, and let her cuddle with u all night.

Answer 7

I think it would be cruel to keep a cat in the conditions you describe. Cats need attention and companionship. They need human contact- and a lot of love. If you can't do this then don't get a cat.

Answer 8

Huh? Are you saying the cat would be kept full time at your dad's even when you're not there? If so, then no cat. Your dad doesn't want one. Who's going to buy the food, take care of vet expenses and clean the litter box? It's his decision, his house and he doesn't want the responsibility when you're not there.

Answer 9

Cats don't take to leashes well AT ALL.
And they need more attention than just a few hours a day.

Answer 10

You say the basement is large? as long as it is clean and the cat has constant food and water, then the kitten doesnt need to be walked or anything. play with it and love and make sure it ALWAYS has food and water. cats are pretty easy keepers so you should be fine. but they do need companionship, mabe another kitten and if your da has allergies, get a hairless cat... :D