Introducing a cat to children Children & animals!
Extending the family — whether with a feline or a little human — is always a lovely time. But preparation is key to ensuring everyone gets along.
START RIGHT!
A few months ago, some family members came to stay, among them a two-year-old baby. To say I was worried about my senior cat Billy is an understatement. His only experience of children was when, as a young cat, a friend came to lunch bringing her three-year-old with her. Uncharacteristically, Billy decided to take up role of protector, constantly putting himself between me and the rambunctious toddler, yowling and hissing at the little one. Now, at 16 years old, I knew he wouldn’t have the same energy to protect himself, let alone me. I’ll let you know the outcome at the end of the article!
THINGS TO CONSIDER
As with all things cat, when it comes to whether or not the feline in your life is going to get along with a baby or small child, nothing is guaranteed. If you do have small children and are considering getting a cat or kitten, my usual mantra of take your time and do your research applies. Granted, it’s not easy when you’ve got small children pleading with you, but to optimise your chances of having a healthy, happy, and lasting relationship between cat and children you must stand firm.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: ● Your children may try to sway your decision by promising to do the cat-related chores. The reality is that you will likely end up being the cat-slave and do you have the time to devote to feeding, litter tray cleaning, regularly playing with your furry addition, and generally making sure his welfare needs are met? Kittens in particular require lots of commitment.
● Cats and especially boisterous children don’t make for a match made in heaven. Such an environment can be stressful for even the most placid of cats, so if this is the case for you, it may be a good idea to wait until the children are a bit older before acquiring a cat. Some rescue centres are reluctant to rehome cats with children, while others will use a stringent matching process to minimise the chances of a cat being returned to them. This is in the long-term interests of all concerned. If you want a pedigree cat, do your research and choose a breed that has people-oriented characteristics.
THE GROUND RULES
Once you have made the decision to get a cat, there may be a period of several weeks before being able to bring him home. This period provides a great opportunity for you and your children to learn about cats and their behaviour. If y
