11 Ways to Persuade Your Parents to Get a Cat (For Teens)

Learn how to address their concerns & show how responsible you are

Co-authored by Molly DeVoss and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: December 5, 2025 Fact Checked

Do you think you’re ready to care for a pet cat, but your parents are more hesitant? We know that a cute and cuddly companion like a cat makes a great pet, but your parents might be tougher to get on board. Luckily, there are a lot of ways you can show your parents that you can take care of a cat. We’ll cover a few different ways to bring up the topic and prove you’re a responsible teen so you can get a new feline friend!

Top 6 Arguments for Getting a Cat

They're loyal to their owners
They're easy to litter-box train
They can improve your stress
They can improve your allergies
They provide pest control
They're super cute

1

Casually mention how much you love cats.

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Show your interest by casually dropping it in conversation. When you’re chatting with your parents, test the waters by mentioning a pet cat. Talk about why cats would make a good pet or simply ask them what they’d think of a new pet in the house.^{[1]
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Research source} If you want to be a little more subtle, talk about a friend who has a cat and how you’re ready to take care of a cat, too. However, avoid bringing the topic up every single day since it might annoy your parents.^{[2]
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- For example, you could say something like, "Did you know cats are pretty easy to take care of? And they’re so quiet, so you wouldn’t even notice them around!" or, "My friend just got a new kitten, and it’s so cute! I wish I could have one too."

2

Show them cute cat photos & videos.

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Your parents might change their minds if they see how adorable cats are. Search on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram to see what new videos and photos people post of their cats. Then, send the posts to your parents or show them in person so they see how excited you are. As your parents see how cats interact and behave, they might warm up to the idea of you getting one, too.^{[3]
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- Ask your friends to send you pictures and videos of their cats. Then you could say something like, "Look at this picture Dan just sent me of his cat sleeping on his lap! That would be pretty cozy, wouldn’t it?"

3

Ask about their concerns.

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Find out why your parents are hesitant about getting a pet. If your parents aren’t sold on the idea of you having a cat, they might have some good reasons. Sit down with them and ask them directly so you know what they’re worried about. Let them explain all the reasons they’re hesitant and write them down so you can look for ways to resolve them. They may be concerned about how responsible you are, how you’ll afford a new pet, or who will care for your cat while you’re at school.^{[4]
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- For example, you can ask, "I know you don’t want a cat in the house. Could you please explain why?"
- Your family might also have an issue if they’re worried about the cat making a mess or if someone has a cat allergy.

4

Do your research.

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Become an expert so you can answer your parents' questions. Look into different breeds and how they behave to see what works best for your living situation and lifestyle. Keep in mind any concerns your parents have mentioned so you can look for cats that are a better fit for your family. On top of that, check what sorts of food, toys, and supplies you’ll need for a cat so you know exactly what you’re getting into.^{[5]
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- For example, you may want to find a breed that’s more relaxed and doesn’t require a lot of attention while you’re at school, such as Maine Coons or Ragdoll cats.^{[6]
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- Get your parents involved while you’re researching so they can warm up to the idea even more.
- Look into the pros and cons of getting an adult cat compared to a kitten. Kittens require a lot more supervision and attention than adult cats.^{[7]
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  HelpGuide
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
  
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- Ask for advice from your friends who have cats so you can learn from someone with hands-on experience.

5

Prepare a persuasive presentation.

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A slideshow is a great way to explain why you’re ready for a pet. Include any information you’ve learned and cover any issues your parents have with owning a cat. Practice giving your presentation a few times before sitting down and showing it to your parents. When you present, answer any questions they have to show them you’re prepared and that you’ve thought through everything.^{[8]
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- For example, you could have sections listing which breeds you’re interested in and how they behave, and the ways you’ve shown that you’re responsible enough for a pet.

6

Address solutions to their worries.

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Finding answers to your parents' concerns shows that you’re thoughtful. Sit your parents down and mention the issues they initially had. Come up with some counter-arguments for each issue based on your research, so your parents understand how dedicated you are to your goal. Even though your parents may still say no, don’t get discouraged. They’ll start to realize how important getting a cat is to you and appreciate the hard work you put in.^{[9]
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American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing and improving psychiatric care for children and adolescents.

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- For example, if you have a family member who's allergic to cats, you can say, "I know you were concerned about mom’s allergies, but here are a few hypoallergenic breeds I found."
- As another example, if they’re worried about the cat pooping and peeing all over the house, explain how easy they are to housetrain. "A cat’s natural behavior is to use the litter box, so there isn’t a lot of house training needed," says certified feline training and behavior specialist Molly DeVoss.^{[10]
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  Molly DeVoss
  Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist & Certified Cat Behavior Consultant
  
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7

Mention the benefits of having a cat.

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Your parents may not realize that owning a cat has health benefits. When you talk with your parents, bring up how any pet can actually make everyone healthier. Tell them that a pet cat could help decrease blood pressure, reduce stress, and make you feel less lonely.^{[11]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source} You can also mention that having a cat helps you get used to their allergens, so you’re less likely to have allergic reactions or asthma.^{[12]
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- Cats will also hunt small animals that could get into your home, like mice.^{[13]
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- Let them know a lot of cats are really loving and love to bond with people, so they make great companions.^{[14]
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8

Do chores without being asked.

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Cleaning up demonstrates your responsibility. Before your parents have a chance to ask you, start doing things around the house to clean up and help out. Rather than complaining about your chores, do them happily and ask if there’s more that you can do. Showing the initiative makes your parents realize that you’re ready and willing to put a lot of effort into owning a pet cat.^{[15]
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Animal Humane Society
Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners

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- If you already have another pet, take some extra time to look after them to show that you’re mature enough to take care of your own pet.

9

Make a budget.

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Taking care of some of the expenses takes the burden off your parents. Between the supplies, food, and vet trips, the cost of owning a cat can add up pretty quickly. Estimate how much you’ll have to spend each month on your cat so you can start saving. Rather than buying things you don’t need, set your money aside to show that you have enough to cover the costs of a cat. If you need to, apply for a part-time job so you can earn a little extra cash.^{[16]
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- Even if you can’t afford the full cost of a cat, your parents will see that you took the initiative and might be willing to help you take care of your new pet.

10

Pet-sit.

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Looking after another cat prepares you for one of your own. If you have friends or family who own cats, ask if you can come over and watch them for a little while. As you’re watching their cat, play with them and make sure you follow all their care instructions. Take some pictures or videos to show your parents so you can prove that you’re able to look after a cat on your own.^{[17]
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- Remember that different breeds of cats behave differently, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get along with one cat.

11

Visit cats at a shelter.

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Meeting some cats in person might sway your parents’ decision. Research some local animal shelters in your area and choose a cat to visit with your parents. Interact with the cats that are available and ask the employees for more information about them. Let your parents play and meet the cats, too, so they can get used to being around them. If your parents were hesitant before, spending time with some of the cats might be enough to get them on board.^{[18]
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- If you can’t get your parents to go to a shelter with you, show them some brochures or look on the shelter website to see if they’ve posted pictures of the available cats.
- Ask the animal shelter if they have any fostering programs. That way, you can bring a cat home and test-run taking care of them before committing to adopting or buying one.

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Tips

Ease your way into your argument. Don't do everything all at once and rush into it. Convincing people takes time.

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Don’t get discouraged if your parents say no. It may take a little bit of time to finally change their minds.

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Let your parents know that cats can be trained just like dogs! It's a myth that cats can't be trained to do things.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If your parents are concerned that your pet dog will hurt a cat, suggest that you keep the animals in separate rooms at first until they get used to each other.
Try to act mature. If you're acting immature, it might lower your chances of getting a cat and your parents might not have a lot of trust/responsibility in you.
Talk about micro chipping your cat. That will make your parents think that you'll be a responsible cat owner.

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