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Pet Medication Home -> Your Cat and Your Kids
"Ensure a Good Relationship
Between Your Cat and Your Kids"
Many parents know that the best way for children to
learn compassion and the importance of keeping commitments is by
helping to care for a pet. Children learn from watching the adults
in their lives. If a child can learn to treat an animal with respect
they can take that lesson into later life. A cat can be a marvellous,
loving companion for a child, but it is up to the adults in the
family to ensure the cat and the kids live together happily ever
after.
When you first bring a cat home, explain to your child
that they will need to be patient, quiet and gentle to help the
cat feel safe. Sit on the floor with your child and help him practice
patience as the cat gets up the courage to come close. Let your
child feed the cat a piece of food from his hand. If the cat is
reluctant to come close, have your child gently toss a piece of
food close to the cat. Once the cat realizes what your child is
offering, the ice will melt.
Very young children can easily overwhelm a cat or
kitten with their exuberance. Children under the age of five years
should always be supervised when playing with or handling a cat.
Children over 12 years can usually be trusted to be gentle, but
be sure to occasionally check up on kids under 12 years when they
spend concentrated time with the family cat.
You should remind children that they should not disturb
a sleeping cat, or a cat that is using its litter tray.
Kittens appear to be amazingly flexible, and children
often think nothing of draping a weeks-old cat over the crook of
the arm and carrying it around like a toy, or picking up a kitten
by the scruffof its neck. In this position, it is easy for the kitten
to be dropped and seriously injured. Also, being carried like this
leaves the cat feeling unsupported with it's hind legs swinging
in space.
The best way to carry a kitten or cat is to place
one hand or arm under its front legs, and support its hind legs
with the other hand or arm. This gives the cat a secure feeling.
Teach your children not to carry the cat from one place to another.
Explain that for the cat's safety, they should always sit when they
want to hold the cat, and should have their friends do the same.
Cats often have a mind of their own. Your child might
feel like snuggling quietly at a time when your cat wants to play
pounce. Impress on your children that if the cat ever struggles
to get away, they should respect her wishes and let her go. A cornered
cat will scratch and bite.
Encourage your children to exercise the cat by playing
with appropriate toys. It is always tempting to play "catch
my hand" with a kitten, because it is so amusing how fascinated
they are with fingers. You should ensure that your children know
the difference between playing and teasing your cat. If you teach
a kitten that it is acceptable to swat and bite fingers, you'll
wind up with an adult cat that regularly attacks you. Not exactly
the kind of cuddly cat parents want for their children.
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