How do I convince my dad to get a kitten?

Question

Three months ago, if youd ask how many pets we had, this is how i'd answer: 3 dogs, 2cats, 1 bearded dragon, and fish. But 2 months ago, our oldest cat passed away, and then two weeks ago, the oldest dog passed away (and he wasn't that old). Our neighbors that live two doors down the street have some small kittens that they are giving away for free, but my dad slammed down the NO button as soon as he found out. My mom says she wouldn't mind if we got one, and that it was all up to my dad... Now I am a responsible person that takes good care of the pets we already have, but i miss out two that have moved on, and these kittens are getting taken to the market in a few days, so I don't have much time.... what can I do to change his mind??

Answer 1

With 2 dogs and 1 cat, I'd say your household is pretty full.  Getting a kitten is tough, but bringing one into a household already established with pets is going to be rough.  You have to consider the fact that your kitten will eventually have to interact with the other animals in the house.  I have no idea how large your dogs are, but even smaller dogs have a chance of injuring a kitten if they start playing too rough.  Likewise, a scared, claw-intact kitten may take an eye out or two if it feels threatened.

Your other cat will also surely have some issues.  I recently had to introduce my kitten to my parent's cat back home.  Hissing and growling abounded for two weeks.  (We lucked out.  Cats learning to get along can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, and even then they may only just tolerate each other.)  Even though they get along better now, the older cat still hisses and growls when the kitten is annoying him.

Even if you still want a kitten after thinking about the consequences, the best you can do is talk to your dad and lay out the positive aspects of getting a new kitten.  If he agrees, congratulations.  If not, those are the breaks.

Answer 2

Fact: Cardiovascular Disease is the Number One Killer of Men

Fact: Wives are likely to outlive their Husbands

Fact: Pets signifgantly reduce the likelyhood of a Heart Attack.

Of course, you already have 2 dogs and 1 cat so that argument is null.

Furthermore, I can infer that you want a "Kitten".

Additionally, I can assume that you may not be as responible as you claim.

From this I can state he probally believes

A) We have too many pets as it is

B) You want the Kitten, but you don't want the Cat (after it grows up)

C) Kittens are far more demanding than Cats and you may not be responsible enough to take care of it

D) Animals are expensive, even if you are the perfect care taker who feeds and cleans up after these pets... pets are a signifigant hit on the finances. (If you think the neigbors hate kittens so much that they are giving them away you are mistaken)

E) Training. Kittens can be terrorists, or they can be angels,

F) Did I mention costs? Or Registration? Or veternary Checkups (more so because its a newborn)?

Answer 3

my dad said no to but my sister actually snuck it in then once my dad played with it he autamaticly changed his mind make sure ure dad doesn't see the cat for like 1 day hen do it. hope this helps

Answer 4

Tell him you'll take total care of the kitten. Meaning you'll feed it, clean the litter box, and all that good stuff. And if you really want to impress him maybe you could pay for it. Such as buying food or paying the vet bill.

Answer 5

Write your dad a very nice letter, be very sweet, but mature, tell him how much you love him and then remind him of all the good things you stated about yourself in the above, especially that you are and have been a very responsible person, tell him you love animals, and that that is a good thing and also that you would like to negotiate with him on obtaining another pet, write up a contract, that if he will let you have this pet you will not only take good care of it, but take on one other extra job around the house to help out as a reward and to prove again how much you want the pet and how responsible you are. But, here is the thing, if he signs the contract and you do not keep your word, you will go against everything you are now trying to prove and you could lose some respect from your dad, and maybe his trust, so you may never again be in a bargaining position, if you make a promise, you have to keep it. Good Luck.  

Answer 6

If dad says no, then the answer is no.  Trying to convince him to change his mind is not going to happen.  You may be responsible for caring for the kitten, but they are responsible for the costs of food, litter, and vet care.  They also have the responsibility of the cat for the rest of it's life which could be 20+ years.  Perhaps he doesn't want to do that anymore - you will be leaving for college/marriage/military and then he will be responsible for it, not you.  Think ahead, not just in the present, and you will understand where he may be coming from.  Since it's your parents house, they don't have to rationalize their decision to you, if it's no - then accept it for now.  Maybe later, after they have had time to get over the loss of the pets they will change their minds - and there will still be kittens available at the shelter.  Respect his decision, don't pit your parents against each other (it'll just cause you to be in the middle of an argument) and keep taking care of the pets you have.  If you still have the urge to take care of more animals, volunteer at a local shelter.

Answer 7

be responsible around him like clear the table and stuff with out being told to  or if you want to have fun with it print out several pictures of kittens and put them in his shower and car and closet and draws and everything he looks at often

Answer 8

dress up like a kitten for halloween, and wrap a necklace chalkboard around your neck...and on the chalkboard, write "i want a kitten"....my sister did this, and it worked!