Cat Owner Lies To An Enthusiastic 4 Y.O. Who Kept Showing Up At Their Door To Play With Their New Kitten, Feels Guilty When The Kid Stopped Eating In Protest

They told the kid that they gave the cat to a friend after she kept showing up at their door numerous times per day to play with the kitten.

Chelsi

• Published in Animal Stories
• December 6, 2023

A new cat owner waited for a long time before they adopted their feline companion. The early days of their cat ownership are sullied by the neighbor's kid who kept ringing their doorbell at every opportunity to play with the kitten.

OP got their kitten a month ago. Coincidentally, the 4-year-old from across the hall asked for a cat for her birthday, but her parents didn't grant her wish.

OP permitted the kid to play with their kitten a few times. To her young mind, that meant unrestricted playtime with the kitten whenever she wanted.

She was at OP's door, her tiny finger ready to ring the doorbell each time they left or entered their flat. She doesn't go to school yet, so she waited all day for OP to come home for her to play with the kitten.

OP couldn't take the kid's disruptions anymore. The kid rang their doorbell after OP had a hectic day, but they still allowed her to play with the kitten.

OP observed how the kid mishandled the cat while they played. Neither OP nor their kitten liked how the kid played with the small animal.

OP and their kitten relaxed when the kid's mom came over to take her home. The kid was at OP's door again when they unlocked it to receive their food delivery.

OP decided to lie to the kid. OP told the kid that they gave their cat to a friend.

The kid was saddened by the news and refused to eat, which made OP feel awful.

She even demanded that OP bring the kitten home. OP just wanted some peace after work. With the kid always demanding to play with the kitten, that was impossible. Was OP wrong to lie to the kid?

OP's kitten, Coco the Calico, decided to grace us with her presence.

OP clarified that their neighbors can see their child while she plays with the kitten.

Still, Redditors were concerned that OP's neighbors felt it was okay for their young child to go into another person's apartment unsupervised.

OP learned that the kid stopped eating after their mom, who used to own their apartment, was contacted by the kid's mom.

After OP's mom saw how frequently the child came over, she agreed it was a problem.

So, why hasn't OP spoken to the kid's parents if they have been neighbors for a while?

OP thought it wasn't worth causing a fuss over what they, initially, believed was a non-issue.

A Redditor said that OP shouldn't have lied to the child.

OP didn't think that the parents cared about them or their cat to correct their child. At that moment, OP felt it was best to lie.

It was the parents' responsibility to teach their child boundaries. OP's responsibility is to their kitten.

It might be time for OP to own up to the lie and speak to their neighbors.

OP finally talked to the parents and explained how their kid's behavior disrupted their routine. They allowed the kid to visit the cat once every few weekends, not daily. The parents understood, but only time will tell if they follow through on their end.

Animals are not playthings to entertain children while their parents are busy. As one comment rightly pointed out, if the kid plays roughly with the kitten, it's OP's responsibility to protect the kitten they adopted.

OP was happy to report that the parents and the child kept to their agreement. Coco the Calico is the new owner of OP's flat and has sole discretion on who gets to play with her and when.

Chelsi