I have fond memories of growing up with my family cat ‘KG’ - a black and white moggy who used to sleep on my bed with my favourite teddies and dolls. When I was about six, I remember being thrilled when KG chose my bed to sleep on, over and above every other place in the house. It made me believe that I must be his best friend.
Cats can make great first pets for kids and in some ways they are much easier than dogs as they are nowhere near as demanding on attention and time… (for a start, they sleep for around 18 hours every day!).
Kids of course find cats irresistible - they are small, cute and very cuddly but cats can cause also nasty injuries by biting and scratching if they are not handled correctly. There are just a few golden rules to apply to ensure a happy relationship between feline and child
It’s really important that children learn that cats are not toys, but are living beings that feel pain just like us. For this reason, I recommend that kids under the age of six are not allowed to pick up puss as they really are too young to understand what is comfortable and safe for a cat. Young children just don’t have a grasp of when a cat is likely to lash out and bite.
Older kids should only be allowed to pick up puss under supervision. Sit them down on the floor (at cat level) to pat or play. Tell children that if the cat struggles at all, let it go instead of trying to force it to do something it doesn’t want to.
Playtime is perfect for teaching children to bond with their feline friends. It helps to give them a greater understanding of a cat’s instincts and body language. Avoid games that encourage puss to chase or pounce on little fingers. Cats love to play with boxes, paper bags and ping pong balls – (and the great thing about these toys is that they’re cheap too)!
Involve kids in everyday care of the family cat. Younger ones can help fill the water bowl and older kids can take care of brushing or changing the litter tray duties. Lessons in basic pet hygiene can be learnt here. Remind your children to always wash their hands after handling the cat. This is particularly important after helping out with the litter tray.
Encourage the whole family to come on trips to the vet. This teaches children about animal health and the responsibility of caring for kitty. It also allows kids to understand the role of the veterinarian in pet health (just like the doctor is for us!).
Trim your cat’s claws so they are less likely to do damage should a scratch occur. Your vet can help you out or show you how, but if you have a particularly ‘laid back’ cat, you can cut them yourself. With puss secured comfortably, pick up a foot and lift it towards you. By squeezing the toe between your thumb and forefinger, you can extend the nail and trim it, using small guillotine clippers. I also find human toe nail clippers easy to use. The most important thing is to avoid the pink blood vessel that runs inside the nail. If you cant see this, then seek advice from your vet before attempting a trim.
Make sure that puss has somewhere safe and private to retreat to at all times. She should have a bed, litter tray and food and water bowls in an area that is off limits to the kids. Use a baby gate if necessary to keep toddlers away from this ‘save haven’ Teach kid’s to respect your cats privacy and to only interact with puss when he/she she comes to them, not the other way around.
CATS AND BABIES
Many people are naturally concerned about how the arrival of a bub will affect the behaviour of their cat. The good news is that cats and babies can live very happily together provided you plan well in advance and respect the needs of your cat.
Make changes to routine in advance- if you are no longer going to allow your cat to enter certain rooms or sleep on your bed, start making those changes now.
Create a barrier to the babies room or cot – cats love sleeping somewhere warm and high and nothing is cosier than a babies cot. If you are worried about your cat jumping into the cot, you can install a screen door- this way you can still see and hear the baby but puss can not access the room. A tall baby gate may also do the job, although some cats may still jump over this.
Allow your cat to smell the news smells associated with the baby such as powder and wipes well in advance.
Make sure flea and worm control is up to date. A check up by your vet is a good idea while you have the time.
Trim claws in advance of baby arriving.
If possible obtain a recording of a baby crying and play this regularly at home so puss gets used to the new sounds prior to the arrival of the real thing.
Send home a blanket from the hospital that has babies smell on it so puss has time to get used to the new smell.
When you bring home baby, don’t force the introduction. Cats like to do things in their own time. Ideally have someone hold the baby while you give your cat lots of attention.
You want puss to think of baby as a positive addition, so when baby is around try to get someone to give your cat some attention and if he/she likes food, then give lots of favourite treats. That way the baby starts to become a good thing in the eyes of your cat.
Always allow puss to escape if he/she wants. Cats do not respond well to being pushed into circumstances they are uncomfortable with, so make sure he/she always has somewhere to run to and feel safe.
Stick to some kind of routine if possible- it is the change in routine and all the new smells that tend to upset cats, so try to stick to regular feeding times if possible. Try your hardest to find some time in the day to give your cat some individual attention- This is important to help your cat feel like he/she is still an important member of the family.