January 22nd, 2010 → 12:18 pm @ admin // 9 Comments
well i love cats a lot and also have a son whoz 2 yrs.. now i have frnz who r tellin me dat havin a cat iz expensive here in usa because of vaccinations , insurance etc and also have to dedicate whole time wid cat bein difficult as i have a toddler too .. soo plz lemme know if iz good idea and details regardin havin cat and expenses ..also kid frndly cat breeds names
Tags: After, Also, Attention, Consuming, Expensive, Have, Having, Time, Whos
Unicornr
2 years ago
Having a cat can be expensive, Zach, if things go wrong, so choose your insurance company wisely and make sure you read all the fine print, check on exactly what is included and what is not. You don’t want to find yourself paying for something that is not useful to you. I am sorry I cannot help you withchoosing a insurance company, but as you know, I’m not in the USA.
As for kid-friendly, there are a few things to consider. If your child knows to be respectful and careful with animals, you will have no problems. If not, there will be scratches, which in itself is a learning curve for any child, and in some cases, that’s how kids learn about treating animals correctly. Supervise all contact between the two until you are very sure.
If you get a cat now,it would be wiser to choose a slightly older cat, since toddlers can injure a kitten without wanting to, and that can be a catastrophy. However, a older cat would be far more independant than a kitten, and would not hesitate to let any child know when it is not happy being carried, or petted, etc, which in itself may not be a bad thing. The decision lies largely with how the child behaves, and discipline you have set down for animal treatment, and what you are likely to do if the child hurts the cat or vice versa. Think this through carefully, and speak to people at the SPCA and shelters, I know some of them will not allow people with young children to adopt certain animals in some cases.
Please read this:http://cats.about.com/od/newtocats/tp/be…
andhttp://cats.suite101.com/article.cfm/get…
This is a very good one, with a good outlay of just what you will need.http://www.nutroproducts.com/gettingread…
Also, call around to the vets in your area, and see who does what, for instance, if you do not support declawing, find a vet who does not do declawing, get an estimate from the chosen vet for vaccinations, spay/neuter costs, boosters, etc. – and it’s really good thinking to look up where the nearest emergency vet is and keep the number handy.
This is a serious commitment that can be for twenty years, so you need to consider all the different parts very carefully.
Rowan G
2 years ago
Yes, cats can be expensive. You should ask local vets how much vaccinations cost. Getting insurance will probably save you money on vets bills in the long run.
I think you would be best getting an adult cat from a shelter or rescue. That way you avoid a lot of the early costs you get with a kitten. You’ll also be able to choose one with a good temperament which gets on with children. Temperament is always a gamble with kittens. While breeds have typical temperaments, there are always exceptions. Kittens are delicate and easily hurt by toddlers too.
Make sure the cat is always able to retreat from your kid on top of a cupboard, or to a room through a baby gate etc. Don’t allow your son to tease the cat, pull it’s tail etc. He’s young, but even at 2 he should be being taught to respect the cat. Don’t blame the cat if it scratches when your son is teasing it.
Don’t get a longhaired cat if you are short of time, as they need grooming. One that is more laid back and less playful may also suit if you don’t have a lot of time to play with it.
na n
2 years ago
Ok this is a good question. Cats can be expensive but on the whole it does not cost a lot. Yes they need vaccinations and if they get sick they need vet care. Cats that are the most friendly is NOT pedigrees but just your regular domestic cat. I find the friendlist are long hair cats. I have had good luck with them being friendly and not aloof.
With a small child it could be companionship for your little one and they are very carefree for you. Just make sure the kitty box is changed regularly and he has water (fresh) everyday and fresh food. If indoor cat they are very healthy and usually don’t need much vet care.
Get a cat at the humane society or a rescue center because they deserve a second chance and you will feel great about it.
Alice
2 years ago
A cat is a bad pet to get with a two year old, because the child will not be able to understand how to treat the cat, and he might get scratched or bitten. Also, your son will not understand to keep out of the cat’s litter box and he might think it is play sand. You will have cat hair everywhere in your house, and if the cat gets sick, it will throw up on your bed or on the carpet, and you will have to clean it up. You will have to get the cat spayed or neutered by a vet when it is six months old, so it does come into heat and get pregnant or spray pee all over your house (if it is a boy cat). This can be expensive, like $130.
It costs about $50 a month to feed a cat and pay for cat litter and shots, in a year that is $600. If you don’t have that much money to spare right now, then you should wait until your son is older. A five year old can be good around a cat.
escritor
2 years ago
Cats are very independent and they are not like a kid who is constantly requiring of your attention.
Having a cat will keep you company and most of all you won’t have to worry about mice.
PS: Rescue one from the shelter. The cat will thank you forever.
Café Mocha Valencia
2 years ago
DO NOT get a cat or kitten until you’re child is at least four years old. Babies and young children are not intelligent enough to know when they’re hurting a cat and can easily injure one – and even KILL a young kitten.
Elleleil
2 years ago
Generally speaking, kid friendly and cat do not go together. I don’t like toddlers around cats. I’d wait a bit.
Mrs. Nick Jonas
2 years ago
No…just ask a neighbor to help you out when on vacation. My cats are very independent. It also depends on where you live.
Pal6
2 years ago
get rid of the cat! it is expensive