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Cats are wonderful companions for children young and old. Not only are they a great influence, teaching empathy, compassion and responsibility, but also some cats will strike a particular bond with a child.
Deciding to welcome a new pet into your home is a big decision, which is why we’ve created this article to helping kids and cats get along. Whether you’re thinking about adopting a cat or you want to teach your child to care for animals, we’ve covered topics such as choosing the right cats for children, selecting the best cats for toddlers, or what to do if a cat is scared of a child.
Growing up with a pet is a hugely rewarding experience for many children. Quite often, children prefer to talk to their pets rather than other humans and kids and cats can quickly become best friends. If you’re considering adopting a cat, you need to think about choosing the right kind of cat for the child’s age, your lifestyle, and the cat’s own needs.
You should bear in mind that every cat is unique and has their own likes, dislikes and personality. For example, a timid cat might not be happy in a loud, busy environment. It could make them feel stressed, upset and appear aggressive if they feel threatened, or even start to hide more.
When choosing the best cats for kids, look for the following qualities:
If you’re not sure which cat would be best for you and your family, speak to your local Cats Protection branch or centre. We’ll be able to match you to your purrfect feline friend.
Find your nearest branch or centreIt’s definitely possible to adopt a cat with young children at home, although it will require extra consideration as balancing the needs of a new pet and small children can be a challenge. As well as selecting the right cat for your home and lifestyle, you should also consider the age of the cat you’re interested in adopting.
It can be tempting to pick a kitten, but kittens and children aren’t always the best mix. Kittens need training, lots of care, and are still learning how to use their claws which makes them more likely to play rough.
They’re also not the best cats for toddlers. Young children can be loud and unpredictable, and they don’t yet understand that fluffy little kittens are not soft toys. Instead, you might prefer to choose a slightly older, calmer cat who can better tolerate young children at home.
Watch our helpful video to see some important dos and don’ts when adopting a cat with young children. You can also read heart-warming success stories of kids and cats living together, from real owners, here.
First impressions count, so take your time when welcoming a new cat into your home. Here’s a few things you can do to make the transition go smoothly and help your kids and cats get along. Cats and kittens need predictability, consistency and choice.
It is normal for new cats to feel stressed by the change of being in a new home and it may take some time for them to settle. Refusing to interact, eating less, scratching and spraying are all signs of stress. Be patient with your new pet and if you’re struggling, get in touch with your vet or the Cats Protection team.
No matter how confident and energetic your cat may be, all cats need peaceful spaces to eat, sleep and get some much-needed rest. Your cat should have a safe space, ideally in a quiet part of your home, to go to when they need some time alone.
Your cat’s bed and food should be placed away from the busy communal areas of your home, such as the living room or the hallway. If you have very young children who don’t yet understand how important it is for your cat to rest, you could install a baby gate to create a ‘child-free’ space and prevent children wandering in.
It’s a good idea to keep your cat’s litterbox somewhere out of the way. This provides a safe space for your cat to use the bathroom, preventing accidents, as well as stopping children from messing with the contents of the tray, which could make them ill.
Cats love having access to high areas, as it allows them to observe family life but create much-needed space. Adding furniture such as tall cat trees, or even cat shelves, is not just a great place to rest, it also provides your cat a place to sleep far away from grabby hands. Cat shelves in particular can be used effectively to create little cat highways on the wall. This could help them to get from one room to another for example, without having to walk on the floor, and is especially useful in busy areas. Ensure that any high places are easy for your cat to get down from as cats are better at climbing up than they are at getting down!
It’s really important to teach your children how to safely and respectfully treat your cat from day one. Children need to understand that cats like to be left in peace when eating, drinking, toileting or sleeping, they are frightened by loud noises, and they don’t like to be grabbed or handled without warning.
To keep everyone safe and happy, you should always supervise interactions between kids and cats, and give your cat the option to run and hide.
When introducing your cat to your child for the first time, follow these six simple steps.
Bringing a new feline friend home isn’t just a chance to grow your family, it’s an opportunity to teach your child empathy, compassion, and responsibility.
Teach your child to care for cats by showing them love and respect, and get them involved in day-to-day responsibilities. Encourage your child to help with activities like gentle grooming, playing and feeding. These are all great bonding opportunities to help them get along.
If your child is old enough, you might also want to teach them the basics of how to handle a cat properly, so they don’t hurt the cat or themselves. Always pick a cat up by supporting their chest with one hand and their hind legs with the other, holding them securely to your chest. If they wriggle or struggle, gently place them on the floor and let them go.
Lastly, you should teach your child how to understand a cat’s body language. This will help them understand when your cat is friendly and ready to play, and when they’re scared or want to be left alone. Swishing tails, ruffled fur and hissing are all obvious warnings to stay away.
However, it’s important to teach them the more subtle behaviour signs when the cat is feeling uncomfortable, such as dilated pupils, ears turned out to the side or back, licking the nose, fast twitching the end of the tail, suddenly grooming a body part quickly or looking away. If the cat is given space at this point, then it means the cat is unlikely to escalate their behaviour to more obvious signs of stress.
There are a few ways to tell if your cat isn’t getting along with your children and even if your cat is scared of your child. If your cat is adjusting well to living with children, they should be eating, drinking, sleeping and going about their normal routines.
Pay attention to your cat’s body language. If they seem relaxed and comfortable, especially when near your children, they’re probably fine. But if you spot behavioural changes, a reluctance to come into the house or be near your children, hiding or issues such as spraying and aggression, it’s likely your cat is unhappy.
If you feel that your cat isn’t getting along with your children, there are ways to make them more comfortable and reduce stress. Speak to your vet first to rule out any possible medical reasons, and then a qualified behaviourist from the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (www.abtc.org.uk).