My daughter (she's 9) has been bugging me for a pet. She really wants a kitten. I personally am more of a dog person should I say no or let her get a kitty?
Pets
07/23/2012
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Having both cats (5) and a dog (just one), my vote is for a cat. Cats are more independent, yes, so they're not quite as cuddly or unconditionally loving as a dog. But, they're more self-sufficient. You don't have to worry about walking or letting them out multiple times a day - just set out the litter box and scoop once a day or so (scooping more often means a fresher box and longer-lasting litter, of course; since I have 5 and just one box we scoop 3x per day) and you're good to go.
07/23/2012
personally, i HATE cats. they climb all over ur things and pee everywhere. love doggies. we have 3. youre ganna be the one thats ganna have to care for the pet so if your not ready for another responsibility wait a a little longer so your daughter is old enough to care for it
07/23/2012
I prefer cats because they are easier to care for. You just buy them some toys, a scratching post, and make sure to clean their box so they use it. You don't have to walk them, you can still have vacations as long as you aren't gone more than a couple of days with plenty of extra food, water and litter boxes. You don't have to go out at 3am if they have to pee, don't have to walk them in the middle of the freezing winter or scorching summer, and unless you buy a long-haired cat they are easier to groom.
They are also less expensive to care for since they eat less and general vet costs are going to be much lower.
I do love dogs, but cats are just so much easier, especially as a pet for your child. If it were a pet for you and you wanted or didn't mind the extra work plus dealing with training, a dog may be your thing, but for a child, cats are just easier.
Plus, kittens are super playful! Since your daughter is old enough to know to watch out for kitty claws and those razor sharp teeth kittens have, you won't have to worry, either. Kittens sometimes don't know what is a toy and what is a hand if you play too rough with them or aren't careful, so young children sometimes are unaware, but at 9 that won't be an issue.
They are also less expensive to care for since they eat less and general vet costs are going to be much lower.
I do love dogs, but cats are just so much easier, especially as a pet for your child. If it were a pet for you and you wanted or didn't mind the extra work plus dealing with training, a dog may be your thing, but for a child, cats are just easier.
Plus, kittens are super playful! Since your daughter is old enough to know to watch out for kitty claws and those razor sharp teeth kittens have, you won't have to worry, either. Kittens sometimes don't know what is a toy and what is a hand if you play too rough with them or aren't careful, so young children sometimes are unaware, but at 9 that won't be an issue.
07/23/2012
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Really? I've never had a cat or knew anyone that had a cat that peed everywhere. Yes they climb on things, but dogs can be just as destructive if they can reach the tops of tables and counters.
Originally posted by
mrs.mckrakn
personally, i HATE cats. they climb all over ur things and pee everywhere. love doggies. we have 3. youre ganna be the one thats ganna have to care for the pet so if your not ready for another responsibility wait a a little longer so your daughter is
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personally, i HATE cats. they climb all over ur things and pee everywhere. love doggies. we have 3. youre ganna be the one thats ganna have to care for the pet so if your not ready for another responsibility wait a a little longer so your daughter is old enough to care for it
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07/23/2012
I grew up with dogs because my parents hated cats. It wasn't until I got on my own that I discovered cats are AWESOME. They are far more self-sufficient.
However, I recommend having more than one (and I'd recommend the same for a puppy, too): if they're not going to get much attention--if you're gone a lot and if your daughter stops paying much attention to it--they can get destructive and lonely and bored. That said, two cats are easier than two dogs.
Honestly, if your daughter wants a kitty, a puppy isn't the same thing. It's like saying I want roller skates but someone giving me a bicycle. She's probably going to be more likely to pay attention to the kitty longer since it's what she wants.
However, I recommend having more than one (and I'd recommend the same for a puppy, too): if they're not going to get much attention--if you're gone a lot and if your daughter stops paying much attention to it--they can get destructive and lonely and bored. That said, two cats are easier than two dogs.
Honestly, if your daughter wants a kitty, a puppy isn't the same thing. It's like saying I want roller skates but someone giving me a bicycle. She's probably going to be more likely to pay attention to the kitty longer since it's what she wants.
07/24/2012
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I agree. Plus there are ways to deter cats from climbing where you don't want them to. My first cat peed a lot on the couch, but it was because she wasn't happy and wanted to let me know. She wasn't getting the attention she wanted and was bored when I went to work. When I got her a friend then that behaviour stopped immediately.
Originally posted by
potstickers
Really? I've never had a cat or knew anyone that had a cat that peed everywhere. Yes they climb on things, but dogs can be just as destructive if they can reach the tops of tables and counters.
07/24/2012
My parents wouldn't let me have a cat because they were dog people... I ended up resenting them for a long time. I feel like if your daughter is able to demonstrate enough responsibility it should be an option. If not, you're going to be the one taking care of it, and not her... and you might hate it.
07/24/2012
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Depends on how well you and her would be at taking care of a kitty or a dog. Dogs tend to require way more attention in my opinion than cats. Maybe it's just my cats and dog, but Pookie is needy. He'll flip if I'm not home at a certain time. My cats, they're loyal from a distance. They like to do their own thing. However, if you're thinking KITTEN, totally different story. Do you want to potty train a baby animal? Inside or outside? All these things depend.
Originally posted by
CaliGirl
My daughter (she's 9) has been bugging me for a pet. She really wants a kitten. I personally am more of a dog person should I say no or let her get a kitty?
What kind of dog? Friendly? High maintenance? Would you be prepared to take on the responsibility if your 9 year old has a change of heart about owning a pet? I'd ask her these things before deciding. You may even decide to go with a different, less needy pet. A fish would be good. It depends on the maturity and time your daughter will be able to devote, and pets require it. Just because they cannot yell "I'M HUNGRY" DOESN'T mean it's not important.
I have a hamster, 3 cats and one weiner dog. Plenty, but I devote lots of time to each of them. Hubert the hamster is low maintenance, but it's absolutely necessary to clean his cage. Dangerous not to. PLUS he needs exercise and to be gotten out. Still, I only have to fill his water and food bowl about once or less a week. Pookie and the cats have to be let out and in, fed, groomed, etc. Hubert's happy as is.
I love kitties though. I never meet a cat I don't love. DOgs are different. I like them, but don't always love every dog I see and want him jumping or licking on me. I guess let her have whichever she loves most. Kittens are precious and fun, but dogs make wonderful buddies too.
07/24/2012
dogs are always better and more lovable
07/24/2012
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I too am a dog person (small dogs the most, Chihuahua) yet we have a kitty too. Why don't you take her to a shelter or the pet store and let her pick that way. My daughter (who is 18) wanted a puppy. I took her to the local shelter and a pet store when she was 13 just to see what she would do. She couldn't make up her mind. I got her a guinea pig to see if she could or would take care of a pet. My husband and I ended up taking care of it. Though I did give in a year later and got her a kitty as a surprise. We ended up taking care of him too.
Originally posted by
CaliGirl
My daughter (she's 9) has been bugging me for a pet. She really wants a kitten. I personally am more of a dog person should I say no or let her get a kitty?
07/24/2012
I prefer cats because they're lower maintenance, but whatever you get you've got to be willing to take care of it.
07/24/2012
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I agree. My experience (from ME being young, and my own kids) Most the time at that age, once the newness wears off it's mom/dad taking care of the pet.
Originally posted by
G&L
I prefer cats because they're lower maintenance, but whatever you get you've got to be willing to take care of it.
That being said, I have one of each. I think I prefer the cat as it's lower maintenance. But man I hate it when she gets pissed and pee's all over the place.
07/24/2012
Are there no other options? She's kinda young, (or maybe that's just me), and an animal such as a cat or a dog is a full time thing, and eventually she might get bored of it, then it becomes YOUR responsibility....
Have you looked at other options maybe? Like a rabbit or a guinea pig maybe? (I think they're better options than mice/rats or hamsters since the latter can easily get away and hide in the house somewhere.) Or maybe a bird?
If it MUST be a dog or a cat, it depends on what you and her would want more of. If you want something that's more self sufficient, then get a cat. If you want something you can play with more, get a dog.
Have you looked at other options maybe? Like a rabbit or a guinea pig maybe? (I think they're better options than mice/rats or hamsters since the latter can easily get away and hide in the house somewhere.) Or maybe a bird?
If it MUST be a dog or a cat, it depends on what you and her would want more of. If you want something that's more self sufficient, then get a cat. If you want something you can play with more, get a dog.
07/24/2012
For a nine year old I would suggest a cat over a dog. Dogs have to be walked quite frequently and due to the nature of nine year olds being well... only nine years old, they can't really take them for walks alone. But a cat? Yes you'd still have to be the one to change the litter pan, but a nine year old would be more able to check that they have food and water every day at dinner time with some supervision to make sure that they don't forget. Besides, cats are more independent and most housecats will put up with a good amount of little kid attention if you get them as kittens or young cats.
07/24/2012
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Dog dog dog. Not all breeds have to be walked a lot. Besides, 9 year olds need exercise too! A shih tzu is very low maintenance, other than grooming every 3 mos or so. Dogs are a little more work, especially as puppies, but the pay off is worth it. Cats are moody, some pee everywhere, scratch furniture if you don't de-claw them and then you have to worry about allergies possibly. They are always around you feet when you are trying to cook and do stuff too, which is annoying.
Originally posted by
GenderSexplorations
For a nine year old I would suggest a cat over a dog. Dogs have to be walked quite frequently and due to the nature of nine year olds being well... only nine years old, they can't really take them for walks alone. But a cat? Yes you'd still
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For a nine year old I would suggest a cat over a dog. Dogs have to be walked quite frequently and due to the nature of nine year olds being well... only nine years old, they can't really take them for walks alone. But a cat? Yes you'd still have to be the one to change the litter pan, but a nine year old would be more able to check that they have food and water every day at dinner time with some supervision to make sure that they don't forget. Besides, cats are more independent and most housecats will put up with a good amount of little kid attention if you get them as kittens or young cats.
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Between my GF and I we have 3 dogs and 2 cats. She spends a lot of time with her cats (older cats) scooping poop and cleaning litter boxes (she has like 5 litter boxes between 2 cats and still scoops at least once a day). Both have special dietary needs and have to have separate food with additives (one has bad kidneys and one is constipated). The constipated one leaves butt nuggets all over the place, the other one pees all over the basement and on clean laundry too! I don't love cats. Objectively hers are fairly cute, but they are high maintenance in other ways and they walk all over the counter tops/tables/bed etc.
Don't get any pet unless you and your daughter are willing to put in the time/attention and sacrifices required to care for them. Personally, I never had a dog til I was in my late 30s, but I wish I did when I was younger. I think it can be a good life lessons for children of a certain age.
07/24/2012
I would get the cat because dogs are more work. Some cats can scratch or have fussy personalities like my cat, but I still love him to death! But dogs can jump all over your daughter so its pretty equal there. I say get her the cat!
Also, please do not de-claw the cat if you do decide to get it. It's a lot worse for the cat than what you think it is and most people who I know who get it done regret it. Just have a scratching post by your furniture if you don't want them to scratch it. They'll learn. My cats don't sratch on anything in the house.
Also adopt it at a local animal shelter. Please don't buy it at a pet store.
Also, please do not de-claw the cat if you do decide to get it. It's a lot worse for the cat than what you think it is and most people who I know who get it done regret it. Just have a scratching post by your furniture if you don't want them to scratch it. They'll learn. My cats don't sratch on anything in the house.
Also adopt it at a local animal shelter. Please don't buy it at a pet store.
07/24/2012
In my experience dogs are a lot harder to take care of so maybe a cat would be better. However, even a cat will take some work. Maybe you should start her off with something smaller like a bird or a fish.
07/24/2012
Thanks guys! Looks like we are getting a new kitty sat!
07/24/2012
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She already adopted a parakeet. She was great with him but since we got him as a older bird he only lived 3 years
Originally posted by
Envy
Are there no other options? She's kinda young, (or maybe that's just me), and an animal such as a cat or a dog is a full time thing, and eventually she might get bored of it, then it becomes YOUR responsibility....
Have you looked at ... more
Have you looked at ... more
Are there no other options? She's kinda young, (or maybe that's just me), and an animal such as a cat or a dog is a full time thing, and eventually she might get bored of it, then it becomes YOUR responsibility....
Have you looked at other options maybe? Like a rabbit or a guinea pig maybe? (I think they're better options than mice/rats or hamsters since the latter can easily get away and hide in the house somewhere.) Or maybe a bird?
If it MUST be a dog or a cat, it depends on what you and her would want more of. If you want something that's more self sufficient, then get a cat. If you want something you can play with more, get a dog. less
Have you looked at other options maybe? Like a rabbit or a guinea pig maybe? (I think they're better options than mice/rats or hamsters since the latter can easily get away and hide in the house somewhere.) Or maybe a bird?
If it MUST be a dog or a cat, it depends on what you and her would want more of. If you want something that's more self sufficient, then get a cat. If you want something you can play with more, get a dog. less
07/24/2012
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I was going to suggest getting a shorter-lived animal such as a hamster, but since you say she's already displayed responsibility with her bird, then that's out.
Originally posted by
CaliGirl
She already adopted a parakeet. She was great with him but since we got him as a older bird he only lived 3 years
Good luck with your soon-to-be new kitty!
07/24/2012
Oh, one more thing. I would suggest going and looking at the cats, but always reminding your daughter that she doesn't have to choose one of them the first time. When I got my kitty, I went back several times until I found the perfect one for me.
07/24/2012
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i have dogs, cats i am allergic to but if she is ready for all the responsibility of a kitty then let her try it
Originally posted by
CaliGirl
My daughter (she's 9) has been bugging me for a pet. She really wants a kitten. I personally am more of a dog person should I say no or let her get a kitty?
07/29/2012
cats take less work
11/29/2012
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Unique posters: 19