I want to get my child a kitten for her 7th birthday but honestly I know nothing about animals because we were a no animal household growing up…what do I need ti know about owning a cat?
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I am a cat owner and was a dog owner. I personally miss the dog… cats are types that want you when it’s convenient to them.
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They are amazing pets but you gotta understand they get thr zoomies late at night lol mine do at like 2am. Make sure you have a scratch post because they will need to scratch something. It’s a release for them. Make sure to get them spayed/neutered. It has it benefits when you do. Mine are so sweet and loving. They loved to fall me around just see what I’m up too.
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They are incredibly curious. Love getting into mischief. Not all cats are snuggly or like to cuddle- some will avoid contact with humans unless they are hungry.
Ours love to spread their litter outside the litter box. One of our cats hates to bury her poo, so it gets really smelly.
I have heard it can be better to have more than one cat- we got 2, and they amuse themselves at night, until they want to snuggle- then they sit on us and purr, loudly, for attention.
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Spaying or neutered is a must be sure they get their vaccinations, give them good quality cat food a few cat toys.they are your friend fir life. And don’t forget a litter box clean it daily. Cats require. Little care
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- Toilet training - most kittens are good but like all babies, will have oops. Just redirect to the tray. Don’t yell, don’t punish.
- Provide scratching poles or mats. This will not save your furniture but will lessen the damage.
- Be aware of plants in your house. Cats will eat them and a lot are highly poisonous for cats. Do your research.
- Don’t encourage rough hand play - use toys instead. If you use your hands, you are teaching your cat to scratch and bite you, which might be cute while they are little but an adult cat can do serious damage.
- Use a paper kitty litter. You can buy recycled paper pellets cheaply which mask odour and won’t hurt your cat if ingested, unlike crystal style litters which an rip up a cats internal organs.
- The person who feeds the cat is most likely to become the cat’s favourite person. Get your daughter to do the feeding.
- Buy cat grass - it’s great for their stomachs and they love it.
- Use glass bowls not plastic bowls - plastics can cause health issues long term.
- Finally, enjoy your time with the kitten. Cuddle, play and make memories!!
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They are crazy and will be bouncing around all over the place especially at night! Maybe take her to some rescues and see how she interacts with them and ask for advice from a worker? Understand and teach her that it’s an animal and it needs to be respected, learn how to read its boundaries for space or will scratch/bite if it feels threatened or is forced to be held/pet. They all have different personalities, some are chill and loving and some are independent and only will come up to you for pets on their own time. Research as much as you can so you feel confident and can meets all its needs. Animals are so fun but are a commitment and a big responsibility 
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Look up single kitten syndrome. Please don’t let them outside unless they are in a catio or on a leash. Otherwise have fun. I love kitties.
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Cat litter goes everywhere in carpet. They get into everything. Hair balls. They like clean water. Cat hair goes everywhere.
Female cats can be less social. Male cats are more social.
Make sure you get them a scratch board otherwise your furniture will get ruined .
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Let the kitty choose you and adopt don’t shop.
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You will love it. I adore my cats. Growing up I wanted one so bad but my mum never gave in and as an adult I got 3 
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Scratching post is a must.
They are the best but needs to be spayed and chipped all vaccines etc, they’re not cheap animals…
My cat goes inside and outside
Desexing is about $3-400
rescuing from rspca is cheaper as it’s all done for you.
cat litter costs me about $16 a fn
Food costs - about $10 a week for 2 or so. vets expensive if you keep them healthy rarely need one.
They need clawing towers
and toys - interactionx like fresh water daily
I recommend getting two actually, litter mates are great together. If there’s a place you think they could get into, they can. They will find places you didn’t even think of to get into lol so make sure all your heat registers are covered. I’ve never had an issue with a kitten not using a litter box, so it’s nice to not have to worry about that haha. They don’t understand they their claws are sharp so there will be scratches until they figure it out.
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We have 5 cats.
I would suggest adopting from your local shelter. When you do this, the kitten will come spayed/neutered, microchipped and fully vaccinated - ours also offers a voucher to cover the cost of their first vet visit.
I would also suggest getting two kittens - litter mates, if possible. You don’t want single kitten syndrome - your cat will be an asshole!
Other than that, litter pans, food/water bowls, some toys. Maybe a cat tree.
Ours have beds, toys, trees… they sleep in boxes and on dressers, play with trash (will literally steal toilet paper tubes or food wrappers) and steal hair ties.
You are not getting your child a kitten, you are getting one you will be responsible for. Do your homework, you need to check out the cost if care before you dive inn. Pets are expenses now a days
Make sure you have scratching posts. They also are high energy later at night. Cats you can free feed if you wish - meaning you can leave their food out and they’ll eat as they’re hungry. Overall, they’re pretty low maintenance as far as pets go. Keep the litter box clean, make sure they have fresh food and water, have all their shots and see the vet as needed? And you’re good to go. Most kittens should be litter trained and able to eat hard cat food before being separated from Momma kitty. You can also use a spray bottle with water to discourage them from bad habits like jumping on tables and counters.
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I’d get a book on it, or start doing research. It’s honestly way too much to type. First thing first is getting a 7 year old a cat is you’re gonna have to trim the cats nails, likely do the litter boxes, etc. Make sure your child is ready for it. Cats are very independent and give you affection on their terms, which a lot of kids don’t understand or like, so your child is probably going to get scratched or bit at some point. Cats, especially kittens need A LOT OF CARE AND STIMULATION. if you get a kitten kitten you’re gonna have to litter train them, expect accidents. They are a ton of work. Adopt, don’t shop. Tons of cats and kittens are in shelters in need of homes.
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I will also say I have a female kitten for atleast 2 years on her own and she was absolutely fine i think it truly about how much attention you give them. . Don’t get pressured into getting two.
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You have received a lot of good advice already. I will add that male cats tend to be more friendly and loving than females.
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Feliway is a godsend.
Also, if you adopt a kitten from a shelter, they typically come fixed, vaccinated, and microchipped. Our shelter also usually does a buy one get one half off deal, if you wanted to adopt littermates.
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I’d get a male, but get him snipped and chipped as soon you can. My male is so loving sits on my lap, cuddles. My two girl cats sit on the cat tree judging me
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Boy cats especially need some wet food in their diet to keep their little organs running properly. And sometimes having 2 is better than 1 just so they have someone to hang out with. Make sure the kitten gets its shots and stays up to date (ringworm can happen). Get something for them to climb on like cat tree.
Personally, I’ve always felt like boy cats are easier to have. They seem more loving and laid back when they’re older. I’ve basically only ever had male cats.
I would reccomend starting out with a kitten, I got mine at 6 weeks old and he’s 7 years now, I’m very picky about cats, they’ve gotta be friendly, my 7 year old cat loves attention, he’s always wanting to cuddle and sleep with me on the couch and in the bed, always purring, he likes to be held! My cat loves to drink water but hates bathes, I’d recommend starting to cut claws at a very young age! My cat loves when I trim his claws he purrs the whole time, I only trim them because he’s bad about scratching my couch, he is a gentle giant he doesn’t scratch people or bite people for any reason and he has been the best with my kids, I honestly trust him more than people! He still plays like a kitten and even gets the zoomies! I would honestly get a spray bottle to help train it, I can say my cats name and he will normally stop whatever he is doing! I do not recommend 2 kittens or getting an older cat from the shelter if it’s for a child!
Cats make great family pets. (We have two females 4,9).
Cats are independent. They need a clean litter box (we clean both of ours every two-three days. If not declawing the cat you need a place they can scratch so your furniture won’t be destroyed, they like toys, treats and napping in the sunshine. They can be left alone all day (unlike dogs) as long as they have access to fresh water/food. Do your research in regards to personality and shedding. Some cats do not like loud noises or kids. Also, you and your child have to understand that a cat is not a toy… They will bite/claw if you’re too pushy. Overall cats are super friendly and have super cute personalities. Talk to your local vet about the costs to fix the cat as well as any shots. Try not to let the cat outside. The chances of someone else taking your cat or them getting killed is too high to chance it. Enjoy your new kitty!!
If you get a cat then you probably want a pair, not just one. Know that cats aren’t really going to want to play with your daughter. They play with each other while they are kittens though. After they are out of the kitten stage then they will mostly want to be left alone unless they want something. Don’t ever let them think its ok to jump on your counters because then they will never stop. Make sure people in your home are NOT allergic to cats because the last thing you wanna do is dump them at the shelter after finding out you don’t wanna keep then because of allergies.
Get them spayed or neutered asap. Get vaccinations when needed. Go to a rescue, there are so many unhoused cats. Get a letterbox with liners. Change it weekly and scoop poop every couple of days. Kittens can be fed 3 times a day, adults 2. Get toys but not too many until you find out what kind kitty likes. You may get snubbed. Get the cat microchipped at the vet incase it ever gets out by mistake ( I keep my princess stay indoors). Cats need wet and dry food. Water should always be clean and available. Fountains are wildly popular these days. Look for Cat Cr@rk on Amazon. That catnip is everything. The Churu lickable treats are popular too.
Please do not get a pet for a child and think the kid is responsible for it. This is a present in name only, this is the parents job. Too many tell their kid it’s up to them and then dump the animal when you find out your the one who has to do most of the care because it’s a freaking child and they are not responsible enough for a life. If you wouldn’t be comfortable with your kid deciding when you can eat or go potty, don’t expect them to remember for a pet. Please consider letting your kid go to the shelter and pick out the animal, I know it’s awesome moment to have them open a box with a kitten or puppy especially because people want to post it online, but that also means the kid isn’t going to have a connection with that animal (maybe, with cats most likely). Also consider kittens bite and scratch so kids have to be prepared for that, generally they lose interest really quickly because of stuff like that. Clean boxes everyday(scoop litter is your friend) so cats are less likely to pee other places.
Kittens are crazy lol attitude and spunkiness is 100% garanteed once they get comfortable
Get them abunch of scratch posts/toys or your furniture will be used as such
I also reccomend ‘no scratching’ spray it can help deter them enormously. Also get more then one litter box have a cleaning/feeding schedule start em young
Get them neutered a.s.a.p it helps regulate the craziness and will prevent the start of spraying which is annoying. Have vinegar on hand for any ‘mistakes’ they make as it kills the urine smell and also enzyme spray when theyre young sometimes they overcompensate and make little messes 
Feed them good proper food and treats, not the stuff from grocery store. Brush them from a young age and clip their nails so they get used to it. Cats are very smart and quite easy to train so teach it commands. Ex get down so they learn not to jump up on counter tops etc. Use a good litter and get an enclosed litter box. Get toys and comfy bed. Other than that the only other advice I can give is let the cat pick you, you don’t pick the cat. This will ensure you will get one that will love you lol.
Just know foe starters you will be the one responsible for feeding it, changing litter box, ect, not your child.
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I’ve always just had 1 cat at a time. They do fine and will play with your daughter.
- having a pet costs money. Set aside a thousand for vaccines and spay and neuter right away. Then set aside 2000 in an emergency fund or get pet health insurance immediately.
- pets need a lot of care and attention. Gone are the days of taking off for the weekend without securing a pet sitter.
- read as much as you can from reliable sources about proper nutrition and exercise.
- kitties like to scratch things so be prepared to lose a piece of furniture or two even if you have scratch posts.
- you must be prepared to have this cat for 15 years…sometimes more. They are a long commitment. So go all in or don’t get one.
Food & water bowls. Cat box & kitty litter. All must be cleaned &/ or checked frequently. And love… lots of love… and maybe cat toys LOL
Cats need lots love, affection, and attention just as dogs do. Don’t let people trick you into thinking you just get a cat and ignore them.
They will repay you in their love and devotion. And they’re hilarious to watch.
A purring kitty is extremely therapeutic. You will come to love them for their purrs!
Get two kittens so they can keep each other company. Please remember having kitties is a lifetime commitment to them so think carefully before making your decision.
I’ve been a cats-only person my entire life. Cats are extremely loving and wonderful animals who will bring great joy to your home.
Also: declawing causes lifelong pain and suffering so never declaw a kitty.
And lastly, indoor cats live much longer lives protected from the likes of:
Cars
Scumbag cat haters
Other predators
Dogs
Disease
The elements
Good luck. I’m always happy to see a parent introduce kitties to their children! You won’t regret it.
They steal your side of the bed- and are rotten to the core! 
Some want to be left alone and not bothered some want all your attention… Chose wisely.
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I would get 2 , alter them and keep them indoors .
STERILIZE ASAP!! That is all. The rest is amazing.
They NEED to be desexed, they can scratch and bite, they’ll want alone time, they own you, you don’t own them… Maybe start with a Guinea pig of hamster.
Remove anything breakable. No more nicknacs on shelves or anything. Cats will jump on shelves, knock things down & watch it break. Use only cups with lids now. Cats have no issue with putting their paws in your drink. You know the pas that just scratched the litter box 
. Those nice curtains, blankets, cloth furniture etc may get shredded. Cats do not listen.