How to Convince Parents to Adopt a Cat

If you want to have a cat, asking your parents’ permission will probably make you quite worried, not knowing if your parents will get angry or bluntly say “no”. However, if you take the time to find out a little, it is likely that parents will “agree”. Read information related to cats to know how to take care of them and ask parents for permission in a calm, gentle way. Don’t be discouraged if your parents don’t agree right away. Maybe your parents will need some time to consider. If you accept their opinion maturely, maybe in the future they will change their mind and you will have your pet cat.

Table of Contents

Find out some general information

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Write down the reasons why your parents say “No”. Think of the reasons why your parents don’t want a cat. This may be due to the costs and liabilities incurred. If you can come up with solutions to these problems, your parents are more likely to agree. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Your parents may be concerned about the cat scratching the furniture or soiling the house.
They may also worry about costs. New pets will need new toys, new cages, etc.
Maybe your parents are quite busy and worry that they won’t be able to take care of the cat. Taking care of a pet takes a lot of time and attention.
Mom or Dad may be allergic to cats. However, don’t let that discourage you, there are several species of cats that are hypoallergenic!

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Write down ways to solve the problem. Take the initiative to think of some solutions to the above problems. This way, if your parents raise their concerns, you can quickly address them as well. Write your solutions next to or below the problems to answer them. Example: ^{[2] X Research Source}

If your parents are worried that the cat will scratch the furniture, suggest using cat nail wrap. This tool is used to capture cats’ claws, preventing them from damaging furniture. You should not cut your cat’s nails.
If your parents are worried about the cost of care, you can suggest saving up pocket money or finding a part-time job to pay for the cat’s essentials.
If it’s a matter of caregiving time, you can promise your parents that you’ll take care of the cat yourself. Let them know that cats are quite independent animals and do not require as much care as dogs.
If either parent is allergic to cats, then you can suggest purchasing hypoallergenic cat breeds, such as the Balinese, Bengal, Burmese, Cornish Rex, Siamese, Siberian, and Sphynx. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Learn about basic cat care. The more you know, the more impressed your parents will be. Let’s learn about some of your cat’s basic needs such as food, necessary attention, and grooming needs. If your parents see you as capable of taking care of a cat, they will most likely agree to let you have one. ^{[4] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Tell your parents that you will prepare a clean nest for the cat, leaving its litter box in your room or in the garage.
Let your parents know that you will be feeding your cat healthy cat food, maybe even name a few brands you know.
The cost of a cat visit to the veterinarian can be quite expensive. Offer to help pay for your cat’s visits and let them know you’re ready to find work and make money.

Chat with parents

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Talk when your parents are comfortable. Choose a time when your parents are free or not disturbed by other things, when they have no plans to do anything. For example, you can talk to them on a Saturday afternoon while your parents are resting in the living room. You can wait until your birthday and express your wish to have a cat as a birthday present. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Be sure to choose the right time. For example, if you know your parents are having a hard time paying for their living expenses, you probably shouldn’t ask about getting a cat.
Instead, pick a time when big events are coming up, like your birthday or the day you’re about to graduate from high school.

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Straight to the point. When you’re ready to talk to your parents, you should get straight to the point. Instead of talking around, calmly and maturely express your desire to have a cat. If you keep going around, you can make your parents angry and impatient. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

For example, you could say, “My parents, I have something to tell you. I thought for a long time before I dared to say, please let me adopt a cat.”
The parent’s reaction may be to immediately say “No”. If that’s the case, you can try to convince: “I’ve done a lot of research, you may not change your mind, but listen to me.”

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Express gratitude when talking to your parents. Try to speak a little sweeter. Don’t let your parents think you’re demanding or harassing them, show your gratitude when you suggest this. Doing so will show your parents that you think hard about the impact your actions have on them and that you don’t want or take anything for granted.

For example, you could say, “I know you work hard, and I’m grateful to you for all of that. If I have a cat of my own, I guarantee that I will take care of it myself without bothering you.”
However, don’t flatter yourself too much or your parents will think you’re faking it.

Facing “No” Answers

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No arguing or gossiping. Your parents may immediately say “No” or hesitate. You may want to argue, but this is clearly not the most optimal solution. Arguing only makes things more stressful and parents even more resentful. If your parents are upset, they usually won’t listen to you and won’t consider your wishes. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Parents saying “No” is not the end of the world. Over the next few weeks, show your parents that you’re responsible, and maybe they’ll change their mind.

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Offer to do something in exchange for getting a cat. Maybe your parents want to see that getting a cat is something you’re trying to achieve. If they hesitate, offer to do something in return. That cat can be a reward for listening to your parents or achieving certain achievements.

For example, you could say, “If you study hard this term and get good grades in math, we’ll reward you for adopting a cat.”
Your parents are more likely to agree if you pick something you’re bad at, like if you already got an A in English then you should haggle in another subject.

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Recommend to pay some expenses. Funding is a big issue when it comes to getting a new pet. If you offer to pay those fees, maybe your parents will agree to let you have a cat. You can offer to save your pocket money or find a part-time job. ^{[10] X Research Source}

For example, say to your parents, “You can save all the money you spend on a part-time job, so you can buy new toys and cat litter boxes.”
If you’re going to apply for a job, show your parents your pre-filled job application to impress them. Whether you are accepted or not, your parents will certainly recognize your efforts.

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Temporarily accept the answer “No”. Even if you propose to your parents in a mature and calm way, they may still say “No.” If so, it’s best to accept the decision. If your parents see that you can accept this calmly, they may change their mind in the future. ^{[11] X Research Source}

End the conversation on a positive note. Say something like, “Yes, thank you for taking the time and listening to me.”
Accepting your parents’ rejection is a sign that you are an adult and will help you when making other offers in the future. If you insist or get angry, it’s easier for your parents to disagree.

Advice

Thorough research shows that you are a dedicated person and this is not just a whim.
Clipping a cat’s nails can cause pain, panic, and difficulty moving, so don’t do it.
Instead of using a cat nail wrap, you can also use a cat scratching post. This tool allows the cat to practice normal behavior in a healthy way instead of trying to discourage it and also helps to train the cat not to scratch.
If your parents think you are not responsible, show yourself as responsible. Work on your own without letting your parents remind you. Clean your room, get along with your siblings, be mature and do well in all your daily chores and more.
Learn how to get parents to stop worrying about the negative things about having cats, such as odors or filth, etc.
Talk to your parents about having a cat when they’re happy. Choose an appropriate time to chat, like when you’re doing well at school or around your birthday or Christmas.
Be especially at peace with your siblings if you often argue with them and persuade them to support you.
Gather the information you find out and give it to your parents to read, maybe they will agree.
If your parents think you are not old enough to take care of a cat, you can ask them to let you take care of your friend’s cat for a while to prove you can.
To show that you are responsible, you can volunteer to take care of kittens at animal shelters to show your parents that you are dedicated to this.
If you are afraid to talk to your parents face-to-face, you can write, email, or text. This also helps you to say exactly what you want to say.
If you already have other pets in the house, spend more time with them and show your parents that you’re ready for another pet.

Steps

Find out some general information

Chat with parents

Facing “No” Answers

Advice

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