Growing up with a cat can be great fun, but it’s important to make sure that every member of your household understands the rules and responsibilities that come with cat companionship. Before adopting a cat, have a chat with your little ones to make sure they understand that your new feline is a friend and family member, not a toy, and that sometimes they need their space just like we do.

Choosing Your Million Dollar Dream Cat

If you’re considering adding a new kitten to your life and have young kids at home, it’s important to consider the amount of time you will have to care for the kitten as well as supervise. Kittens are babies who need your constant attention. Kittens are also fragile and may easily be injured by a well-intentioned child who wants to hug or pull at their ears and tail. You may want to consider an adult cat that isn’t skittish or fearful. Adult cats require less supervision and have already developed boundaries to some extent Some cats dislike having certain parts of their bodies touched, the volume of noise that comes along with having kids in the home, being picked up, etc. With an adult cat, you know what you’re getting. They sometimes even come with an owner history! If you are unsure that your child will be able to resist picking up your new cat, you should make sure that you choose a cat that enjoys being held.

• Talk to your child about cats. Consider reading age-appropriate books about cats and how to care for them. Talk about what is required to keep your cat healthy and happy.
• Visit friends who own cats. If your child hasn’t been in the company of cats, spend some time with feline-owning friends. This will help your child develop realistic expectations and show them how to handle and care for a cat.
• Explain the commitment of owning a cat. Make sure your child understands that pets aren’t something to play with for a while, and then forget once the novelty wears off – adopting a cat means promising to care for the animal for its lifetime.
• Give your child a sense of ownership. Create the beginning of a bond by involving your child in some decisions like. For example, let your child suggest a possible name or pick out food and water dishes.

The primary caretaker of your new cat will (and should!) be you or another responsible adult in the home. You’ll make sure that your cat’s basic needs are met. Let your child help in ways that are age appropriate. If you have a preschooler, maybe they can help dish up food. An older child may be able to handle tasks like daily brushing. Begin by setting up both your cat and your child for success. Demonstrate to your child how to politely interact with your cat by following this simple guide:

Being Polite & Respectful

Begin by setting up both your cat and your child for success. Demonstrate to your child how to politely interact with your cat by following this simple guide:

• Hold out one finger and allow your cat to sniff it. If she rubs up against it, great! If she backs away or hisses, she is not yet comfortable, and it is best to withdraw your hand.
• Gently pet her head, then chin. Next, stroke her neck, and finally along her back and tail. If she remains relaxed and interested, slowly test more boundaries. Always follow your cat’s lead. If they’ve had enough, let’s go do something fun somewhere else. When kitty’s ready, she will join in again.
• Important tip: never force your cat to do anything. There will likely be negative consequences. For example, if you insist on holding your cat when they don’t want to be held, the cat may scratch you. This could harm your relationship with your cat in the future.
• Always allow your cat to choose to engage in the interactions. Never force an introduction by holding your cat in place while your child interacts with them.

Other tips

• A cat is not a dog! When a cat wags her tail, she could be saying “Don’t approach me.”
• If she flattens her ears, she is likely unhappy. Careful – she may strike out at you (swat or bite).
• Cats typically do not like direct eye contact. They may see it as a threat. Teach your child to use a calm voice around your cat. Your cat may perceive loud noises may be perceived as an aggressive move on your child’s part. It may also make your cat fearful of your child.
• Chasing your cat or cornering them may feel like a game for kids, but for a cat it will be a frightening experience. your cat may feel threatened and may lash out by biting and/or scratching in order to protect themselves.
• Attempting to interact with a cat when they’re sleeping, eating, or using the litter may frighten your cat. Allow your cat to feel safe and uninterrupted during these times.
• Yelling, screaming or shouting is perceived as a threat to a cat and may sound like another cat picking a fight. These sounds often result in your cat becoming fearful of the person voicing those sounds.
• Provide your cat with a safe place. This could be a cat tree, or access to safe vertical (higher-up) space where your cat may relax and get away for some uninterrupted time.
• Your child and cat should always be supervised when interacting with one another.
• If you have a young baby at home, make sure to be careful not to let your new cat too close. While your new cat may be great with kids, babies are unpredictable and may accidentally frighten your cat. This could lead to a potentially dangerous situation for both. Encourage your cat’s baby curiosity by letting them near baby’s things and by giving them good experiences near, but not TOO near, the baby.