Forums » Smalltalk » Advice for asking for a kitten

So...lately, I have really wanted a kitten. I mean, this is nothing new, I've wanted a kitten for a year or so now, but the urge has gotten so great that I am seriously considering coming to my dad and asking if he would consider it.

I need advice on how to convince him to let me get a kitten.
The cons: We already have three cats, we would have to ask our landlord for permission, and money is always the issue.

Pros: I do the cat litter anyways, we have an extra box, we already get catfood and such, and since I'm nearly getting a full ride to college I could ask for it as my graduation gift.


Here's what I want to approach him with: I would keep the kitten in my room for the first while to get it litterbox trained before letting it out into the house. (Dad HATES cats making messes in the house). It would be my graduation present. I could keep the litterbox in my closet and it would give me motivation to keep my room spic n' span. I would have something special to look forward to coming home to when I go to college in the Fall. I already do the cat litter and we have an extra catlitter box that would be perfect for it. (Assuming it was serious) Heimdall even offered to chip in some to get the kitten spayed. I really really want a cat that is mine, a cat that just comes and chills with me and loves ME. (we have a cat that loves my sister, a cat that just generally loves everyone and is obnoxious with it, and an evil cat who is a troublemaker. None of them are cuddly).

Here's what I'm asking for; what more could I say that would sway him towards letting me get a kitten?

Are you sure that another cat would be a good idea? (I know the awesomeness of having your own cat, so I understand!) There is already three and four can be quite a bit... however if you are keen on getting another cat, I'd advise getting a third litter box (and are you sure you want to keep the litter box in your room? Even if it is temporary that could get icky.)

It'd be nice if you could get the go-ahead from your landlord, because if it is a no from your landlord than a kitty won't be happening at all. I don't know what sort of relationship you have with your landlord (if none at all ignore my next advice, perhaps talking to the landlord is left up to your parents assuming they handle all the rent stuff) but you could ask them if they'd allow another cat. If it is a yes then you could bring that to your dad.

Outside of what you have already suggested, I really can't think of anything else. Ultimately (from what I am hearing) it is your fathers home (and the landlords) and the decision would be his/theirs.

When you go to college, will you be staying home or moving into dorms?

It would be awful having your kitten, and then having to move to a dorm where pets are not allowed. You'd be leaving the kitten with your parents and then they're the ones raising it, pretty much taking the bond you have with the kitten away. Since you want to claim the kitten as your own, will you be able to handle any vet bills yourself? Will there be enough food for a fourth cat? What if the kitten doesn't take on you? Will you still be happy taking care of it?

By claiming you want your very own kitten, you do have all these responsibilities to live up to. These are all arguments that your Dad might come up with, and quite honestly if most of your answers are negative to these questions I'd advice getting your own kitten until you are more certain of your living arrangements permitting a cat in the next few years, as well as the money not just for spaying it, but also in case of emergencies.

You can use these also to convince your dad if you're able to take care of the kitten with your own vet bills etc. besides cleaning the litterboxes yourself and having it as a graduation gift.

Dylan; I have to go to my parents first because they're the ones that handle the rent and landlord things. And I could handle having a litterbox in my room, it would give me incentive to clean it often.

Sanne; I'll be living on-campus, so pets are a no-go (fish are exceptions xD). But I would still have my kitten until I go to college, and as I mentioned it would give me something to look forward to when I visit. I'm not going too far, only about two hours, so I would be able to come home on some weekends.

Also I don't have a job as of yet, but I've been looking/applying to get one anyways. There will be enough food for a fourth cat because we use dry food. And if the kitten doesn't take on me, I'd still take care of it.

I know it's a big responsibility and the fact that I'm going to college isn't ideal, but I still feel like I really would like one.

ALSO: I just googled and found a place near me that has a little tabby kitten for adoption. She's up to date with shots, she's spayed, and she's house-trained!

I tried to have a cat while I was away at college, I got him junior year of highschool after one of the strays I adopted passed away. If you are the one who normally takes care of the litterbox and are going away, it would probably be best not to add on to the chores of one of your family members while you are gone by getting a cat, even though you would have the satisfaction of owning one for a few months before college.

I eventually had to find a new home for my cat because my dad and sister couldn't stand cleaning his litterbox while I was away, even though I was coming home every two weeks, like you plan to. It was very nerve wracking, sad, and stressful because I could tell my father was resentful of having an extra pet he never wanted in the house and my cat was not at all liked by anyone in the house.

Lucky for me, the mother of one of my friends keeps quite a few cats and didn't mind adopting him for a few years while I get my degree and find a place that will allow pets, but it would have been terrible if I had to take him back to the shelter because my family wouldn't take care of him anymore.

I would really recommend waiting until you are living in a place that allows animals, whether that is an apartment you rent while in college or afterward. It will be a lot less stressful for everyone.

I hate to say this Cel, but don't get that cat.
Believe me, I know you want him, and I fully believe that that cat would be your sun and moon. But I don't think it will feel the same way about you.
My advice, as strange as this may sound, is to wait until you get in your dorms, and get a Oscar. I say Oscar specifically because I have two of them in one of my fish tanks, and they're rambunctious, crazy, colorful, active, and unlike most fish, they will interact with me!
I have taught them tricks! Yes! TRICKS! The wiggle with my hands, the can tell the difference between me and the Captain when being fed, and the will even eat out of my hand.
But any fish would work, wonders as well.
And at the risk of sounding like a total d-bag, if you really, REALLY want this kitten of your very own, and you want to adore it like no other and to be adored, and you think it will make a fantastic graduation present... Do you think it can wait until the next graduation?

Stab the next dog you see, then look at him and say, "I'll do that again, every day until I get a kitten." should work.

I see the point you guys are making, and I definitely understand! But it wouldn't be much more work for my sister (who will be taking over my chores when I leave). We have a litterbox that she would already need to clean, and food dishes she would already (and already does) need to fill. So it wouldn't be doing anything more than she already does.

Also Jay, there's a problem with that. I hate fish when they're out of the water. My last fish died because I couldn't clean the cage out because I hated taking the fish out of the tank. I don't touch fish, I don't take fish out of water. I don't stick my hand in water where I COULD touch fish. I just can't, it's a squeamish thing. So fish is ruled out.

And you can't cuddle fish

Well I can't argue that you can't cuddle a fish, but they make gravel vacuums that are very easy to use and don't require you to take the fish out of the tank to clean the tank.

But if your heart is that set upon one, then I'm going to have to agree with Jett's methodology, but I would suggest clowns rather than dogs. Nobody likes clowns, and no clown likes being stabbed.

I amend my previous statement to adhere to Jaybird's suggestion.