Before adopting a cat or kitten, I think it is useful for a family to:
- Set out some house rules on how to interact with the new family addition and take responsibility for cat caregiving. The kids should write up the house rules where appropriate.
- Read up on cat behavior to get into the mind of cat companions which allows adopters to better care for their cat going forward.
In that vein here are some suggestions on kids-to-cats house rule suggestions in an infographic. These are my thoughts and they are not set in stone. What are yours? Please share.
But the bottom line is that kids really need to curb instinctive behave and do what they might find hard to do: be calm, quiet and predictable when interacting with the family cat in order to build up a great bond.
I think that you’ll find that that one of the top reasons why families surrender their cat to the shelter is because little Johnny was consistently scratched or bitten by the cat.
The reasons for this will never be the cat’s fault as cats react instinctive to what is before them in the human world.
RELATED: Cats are better toilet trained than school kids in the UK 2024
The above link takes you to a remarkable news story from the UK. Some (many?) parents refuse to toilet train their children and rely on school teachers to do it! As I said it is extraordinary and it does not bode well for parents teaching their children how to interact with the new family cat. You can see where some on these ‘cat problems’ and ‘bad cat behaviour’ come from. With respect to moms, it is not bad cat behaviour but bad human behaviour.
Humans take charge of the environment. Good and acceptable cat behaviour can be fostered by good and acceptable human behavior.
Some more on how should kids interact with cats (because there is limited space in an infographic
Interacting with cats can be a wonderful experience for children, teaching them about empathy, kindness, and respect for other living beings. Here are some key points to consider when teaching kids how to interact with cats:
- Supervision: Always supervise interactions between young children and cats to ensure safety for both.
- Gentle Touch: Teach children to use soft strokes and avoid pulling or tugging on the cat’s fur or tail.
- Respect Boundaries: Help children understand a cat’s body language and respect their space. For example, a flicking tail indicates annoyance, while slow blinking means the cat feels safe.
- Safe Spaces: Establish “safe spaces” for the cat where they can retreat and not be bothered.
- Proper Handling: Explain that cats are not toys and should not be carried around or dressed up against their will.
- Approach: Encourage children to let cats come to them rather than chasing after the cats.
- Avoid Sensitive Areas: Teach children to avoid touching the cat’s tummy, tail, ears, and paws, as these are sensitive areas.
By following these guidelines, you can foster a positive relationship between your child and your cat, ensuring a happy coexistence in your home.
