Giving Kittens As Gifts

Christmas at Pelaqita Persians

Christmas is fast approaching, and already I am getting phone calls and emails asking if we will have kittens available for Christmas. Most of the inquiries I get during the Holiday season is for "a kitten as a surprise for my [insert name here]. While surprising a loved one with a new kitten may seem like a wonderful gesture, it typically does not end well for the feline. Too many kittens given as a surprise "gift" for Christmas end up in shelters before Springtime.

Good Idea or Bad Idea?

Here are a few reasons why cats should not be given as gifts:

Christmas is Hectic

Most homes are noisy and activity-filled with holiday guests and family members. The holiday season puts stress on everyone including pets. A new kitten in the home requires the owner's time and attention in order to form the necessary lifetime emotional bond. In the first place, any time of the year can be stressful when a kitten first comes into a new home. The new home has new smells, different activity level and noises, a different place for their food and water dishes, bed and litter box, etc. It is always advisable to let a new kitten settle into a new home for a week or so without major distractions before introducing it to extended family and friends (i.e., holiday guests and friends).

A Pet is a Personal Choice and Relationship

While a kitten buyer may think their friend, child or spouse loves cats, owning a pet is an emotional bond between that owner and pet. When a pet is given as a gift there is no emotional connection between them. Most often when a person decides to add a pet to their life, they will spend time looking for one until their heart says they have "found the one" for them.

Life-Long Commitment

A cat is a commitment not a gift!

Pet ownership involves a life-long commitment of time and personal resources. While a surprise gift of a kitten might initially overjoy the recipient, they may be unprepared for the lifelong commitment. We have all seen young children thrilled with the new puppy or kitten they received for Christmas, but the novelty quickly wears off and before Christmas break is over the child is interested in something else.

A Persian cat has many grooming requirements to keep them healthy, including daily coat combing, trimming nails, cleaning ears and teeth, veterinary care to name a few.

Preparation

Most people who contemplate getting a pet spend time with advance preparation for that pet. Advance preparation may include pet-proofing the home, buying food and water dishes, litter box and litter, grooming supplies, bedding, food and more. When one receives a pet as a surprise gift there is no time for advance preparation. Thus, the pet and new owner will suffer for it.

Lifestyle Change

Living with a pet creates a change in lifestyle. A person that lives alone may prefer that. They may not want the responsibility of caring for an animal as a pet depends on its owner for food, water, healthcare, safety, and companionship. People often make the mistake of thinking a cat would be a great gift because of the impression that cats are low maintenance compared to dogs. A cat does not require obedience training, housebreaking, or daily walks. However, cats thrive in homes where there is a consistent routine and interaction with their owners.

A Better Idea

If you want to help someone find the purrfect match for them wait until after the holidays. Once the holidays are over, you can take your time helping them with the preparation and any necessary education of the care required for that particular breed or species of pet. Let the potential recipient of the kitten decide whether a kitten is what they want BEFORE getting them one.