Many parents worry about having a cat in the home with children. They worry not only for the safety of their child but also that of the cat's. However cats are wonderful companions for children and for many it is the first real friend that they make. Generally speaking the benefits far out weigh any problems and as long as parents oversee the interaction between the two all will be well.
One of the first big concerns occurs when bringing home a new baby where there is a resident cat. There are many old wives tails that get banded about amongst new mothers such as the cat smothering new babies in their sleep. This of course is untrue and probably just stems from the fact that a cat will be curious about the new arrival and will try to get into the babies bed for a closer look and smell. This is perfectly natural and will allow the cat to become familiar with the new member of the family. Of course it is common sense that an adult is always present when the cat and baby are together, it may even be advisable to go as far as making sure that doors to the babies room are always kept closed when the baby is alone.
It is also important to remember that the arrival of a new baby may also be a difficult time for the cat. Up to now they have been used to being the centre of attention and being regularly played with and petted. However once the new baby arrives they will find themselves relegated to second place and may feel left out and resentful towards the new favourite in the home. One way round this is to prepare the cat in advance and start to gradually bring in new baby things into the house. Allow the cat to smell them and get used to them being around, this will make the process far less stressful and less of a shock to the cat. Once the baby has arrived, make an effort to continue to play with the cat every day, this will avoid any jealousy and will make it easier for the cat to accept the new arrival.
The toddler stage is the most challenging time for the cat, child relationship. Toddlers are much more mobile and can often be boisterous in their play. This is the time when cats can get pulled about and may retaliate by scratching or biting. By teaching children from an early age to be gentle whilst playing with the cat, will reduce these confrontations and instil an element of trust between the two. Having said that most cats sense that young children are often unpredictable and a little rough in their play and so try to keep out of the way when toddlers are around.
As children get older and more mobile and inquisitive it is best to start to teach them to look after the cats needs like feeding them and brushing them. This will help the child to understand how to behave around the cat and how to interact with them. A good way of doing this is to brush and stroke the child's hair and arm and then do the same to the cat. Repeat this process over and over and then allow the child to copy your actions on you and then the cat.
As soon as a child shows signs tat they want to pick a cat up, make sure they are shown how to hold the cat properly by supporting it under the chest and back legs. A cat whose legs are left to dangle is a cat that does not feel secure and is more likely to become frightened and bite. A very unpleasant experience for both the cat and the child.
Some parents have health concerns about having a cat around, especially when there are young children in the house. One of the main concerns is from children coming into contact with cat faeces and being infected with parasites such as roundworm and being exposed to certain bacteria like Toxoplasma. However as long as sensible precautions are taken, like making sure that the litter trays are kept away from babies and toddlers and that areas in the garden where the cat may use as a toilet are not accessible, then there should be no need for concern. A part of being a responsible cat owner is to make sure that cats are properly vaccinated and kept flea free. This not only protects the cat but also anyone else who comes into contact with them.
Cats and children make perfect companions for each other and some say that they are a better mix than a dog would be, mainly because cats are much smaller and less likely to push children over. They also have a natural ability to get out of harms way when cornered by an over enthusiastic toddler, rather than retaliating, which dog might do.
By getting the balance right between child and cat safety, mutual companionship and respect, children and cats will live together happily for many years and which will develop into a bond that will last a lifetime.
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