If you’re thinking of welcoming a cat into your home, you may be wondering how your new furry family member will get along with your kids.
While you love your kids and they’re utterly adorable, they aren’t always gentle. Or quiet. Or calm. And this, unfortunately, can make young children a scary prospect for many cats.
The good news is that it’s entirely possible for cats and small children to get along. The key is to take a gentle and patient approach with your cat, while also teaching your kids the right way to behave around your cute new kitty.
Cats are notorious for their strong will and independent spirit, so it won’t surprise you to learn that patience is an essential virtue when training your cat to get along with small children. One of the key areas you’ll need to focus on is letting your kitty adapt to interacting with kids at their own pace. Start slowly, let your cat engage at their own pace, and never force them to do anything they’re not comfortable with.
Teaching cats and kids to get along is also as much about training your kids as it is about training your cat. If you’re going to have any chance of success, you’ll need to educate your kids about how to play appropriately and safely with a cat.
The other thing you need to remember is the importance of supervision. No matter how well you manage the introduction of your kids to your cat, or how well-behaved your children are around the kitty, it’s essential to supervise all kid-cat interactions. That way you’ll be able to ensure that your cat is completely comfortable with the situation and that your kids are doing the right thing at all times.
Finally, it’s also worth mentioning that your cat’s age and breed will also play a part. For example, a curious and playful kitten might be much more open to new people and experiences than an older cat that’s set in their ways. Some breeds are also simply a whole lot more people-oriented than others and will respond more quickly to training.
Having a good supply of your cat’s favorite treats on hand will help you throughout the training process. You can use treats to reward your pet for good behavior or simply to help them adapt to a new situation.
It’s also a good idea to keep your training sessions short and fun. This will ensure that you avoid tiring out your cat and that the session ends on a positive note.