How do I convince my parents to let me have a baby ragdoll kitten?
Hi,
I love animals more than anything. We have a dog but my friends cat had kittens and she is selling them for free! they are so flufffy and cute and nice. I always take very good care of animals and my parents know that, but how do I convince them to get a cat if there IS a way.
to the first few smart *** people: A)I am as responsible B)and I never said “selling” C) and NO they did not “refuse” they said they’d think about it AND I am asking for answers NOT questions.
thank you.
Your remind them how well you have taken care of the dog, and how you’ll pay for all the food
How old are you? Are you as responsible as you say? Can your parents afford taking care of another animal? Do they like cats? Will you dog like the kitten? Are you gonna keep the litter box clean?
(That’s “she is giving them away” or “the kittens are free”, by the way. “Selling” means they’re NOT free.)
You don’t mention whether your parents have refused to take in a kitten, but I’m going to assume that’s the case. What are the reasons they give for saying no? Without that information, it’s difficult to say whether there is anything you can do to “convince them”, or whether you even should. For example, if someone in the family is allergic or the dog is not well-trained to deal with other animals, you’re out of luck. If on the other hand, your parents’ only concern is that you will not take care of the cat, there are specific issues that can be addressed so you can come to an understanding.
First of all, there are hard financial costs to taking in a kitten. Spaying and neutering, regular veterinary check-ups, food and other supplies are not cheap. Cats cannot be trained like dogs, so if kitty turns out to be the kind that goes after your parents’ walls, drapes or furniture, you will have to confine the cat to a specific area of the house or pay for a de-clawing operation. Do the math and come up with the first-year cost estimate for taking in this kitten. Get a quote from a local vet on spaying and neutering, declawing, and regular check-ups. Ask your friends about how much food kittens, then grown cats, consume, and make up an estimate on that. Do the same with kitty litter, litter box, toys and other supplies. Then calculate how much of this cost you can shoulder through allowances and part-time jobs. Present your parents with the hard data, and show them that you are willing to put your money where you mouth is.
Kittens turn into cats, and house cats live 12 to 14 years. Realistically speaking, are you going to take care of this animal for that entire time? I’m guessing that you’re in junior high at oldest. College dorms and starter apartments usually don’t allow cats, and whatever your heart says now, you can’t promise your parents that you’ll forego other options and stay in their house just to take care of this cat when you are 18 or 20 or even 24 years old. The likelihood is that your parents will be stuck with the cat at some point, and that fact gives them the absolute final say in whether this kitten comes to your family or not. Keep that in mind, and take the “no” gracefully if it comes to that.
Talk to them. Tell them to give you a chance and if you mess up, you’ll have to give it up.
tell them you ll do all the work