Cat-a-palooza

By Doug Borrie, PhD

One cat, two cats, three cats, four….No, I’m not trying to be the next Dr. Seuss. I’m counting the number of times we’ve adopted the cutest cat in the world; the one that would never be adopted if we didn’t do the adopting. I’m counting the number of times my wife and I, like rubes at the carnival, have fallen for same old pitch, “knock over the milk bottles, and win a prize, it’ll only cost ya 50 cents.” And, just as the carnival barker convinces the rubes that they really do need another stuffed animal or alligator ashtray, our daughter convinces us that one more cat has been saved from its certain demise.

Since we already had a cat, and we have one on loan, let’s call it foster care, we’ve got a total of six now. Six cats, three litter boxes, and a vet who reminds us which of the six is due for a checkup on any given day. We buy cat food in bags that would feed a dog, and litter 40 pounds at a time.

And, I’m not complaining. With six cats, we’ve got a range of personalities, from full time napper to mischief maker. And three of the cats will be leaving with my daughter as she heads off to college (although I suspect some of the costs will remain home with us). But, the cats have changed our household in significant ways, as animals will, and should. In our house, there is no surface left un-jumped on, there is no litter that magically carries away all odor, and there are no fragile knick-knacks left to worry over, as our mischief maker wages war on all things glass and ceramic.

So parents, think carefully about the decision to bring a pet into the family, it is a hugely rewarding experience, but it is also a commitment, a long one. Cats and dogs live anywhere from 12-18 years. There are the routine costs of food, litter, check-ups, and the additional costs for illness and medications. There is the daily care of walking, feeding, and clean-up. Your pet will want and need attention, play time, and exercise. Adopting a pet has to be a decision made by parents, not children. Only parents can understand the financial and time requirements involved.

Children will do their part. They will bring all the joy and love and excitement young hearts can muster to the table. They will proudly show off the new pooch or kitty to friends and neighbors. They will nap with, share food with (not recommended) and get muddy and wet with the new family member. But they will not feed, brush, scoop poop, or dig out ticks on a regular basis. They will promise to, but it’s a bigger commitment than they understand. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, “children under 10 are unable to care for a cat or dog on their own.” The Humane Society of the United States recommends “including your children in pet care,” but not leaving care exclusively up to a child. If you, as parent, agree to adopt Fluffy, then you, as parent, adopt ultimate responsibility. If you’ve adopted Fluffy believing your child’s promises, and succumbing to the plaintive “please, please, puuullllleeeeezzzzz!!!!... don’t go to a carnival without adult supervision.