Will I regret this: Kitten for dd's b-day?

[maxnmaizy]

I gave Max a hamster for his 7 b-day last year. It is so cute and fun. Maizy loves to play with it and is very sweet with it. I get a little scared that she might break it though. I have been thinking about getting her a kitten for her birthday for quite a while now. Her b-day is Sept. 15 so I really need to decide.

Here are the facts: I have one old cat (I think she is about 17 yo, I've had her for 9 years and she was full grown when I got her, the vet at the time estimated her to be so 8 yo, so she is realy getting up there.) Sammy (the cat) is now on medication for an overactive thyroid and sometimes has potty issues, mostly peeing on the kids' stuff once in a while. I think I have curbed the peeing issue but would hate to have it come back with a new kitten in the house.

I rent my house. I would love to say that I am not going to move but if I have to it's always hard to find a place that takes cats.

I really need to get my budget in shape, but really cat food isn't that expensive and I can probably get all the vax, spayed and nuetered and even the cat for free bc my bf works at a vet and gets kittens there all the time.

I know that my girl would absolutely be over the moon for a new kitten. I guess I just need to think about this a bit more and get some feedback. What do you all think?

[ThirtySomething]

If you have no money, cat food is expensive as is veterinary care even if you only do it in an emergency.

I think you should get her a cute stuffed cat. It will ask for nothing.

[willowsmama]

I wouldn't do it until I had a working budget in place.

Animals are expensive. The last vet for all 3 of my pets was 300.00- 2 cats and 1 dog.

My cats alone add to my expenses- food, litter. Those things alone are close to 30.00 a month for 2 cats.

[lakshmi_mama]

I wouldn't do it. Besides the expense considerations, you have so much on your plate right now. Adding in a kitten to care for is not what you need. I would revisit it when she is turning 7 and is able to take more responsibility for its care.

[Marina]

Does your dd receive birthday/holiday money from any relatives on an ongoing basis that she could use to cover the cat's expenses herself vs buying "toys" or whatever she might normally purchase?

[LatteLover]

Ooooh, nope. I agree with everyone else.