Are you worried about bringing a cat into your home with children? Hal Herzog, Ph.D., sited in an article for Psychology Today that a review of 22 studies concluded that growing up with pets is linked to higher self-esteem, cognitive development, and social skills. So, teaching your cat kid how to take care of pets may be just as enriching to their lives as playing on sports teams.
And that’s why we have them join teams after all to learn respect, responsibility, social awareness, and to have fun. If owning a cat can be equally rewarding wouldn’t you want to sign her up? Read on for some of my best ideas to teach your little cat kid all the joys of being a good caretaker.
Related: Is Essential Oil Safe for Cats: What Every Fur Mom Needs to Know
Table of Contents
Respect and Empathy
Many of us teach our children from an early age how to treat a leashed dog in public. We insist that our child ask the owner for permission first. And we tell them to let the animal sniff their hand before petting it.
These are behaviors of respect. The child is learning to respect the owner’s wishes and the animal’s personal space.
It’s no different for a cat kid. Learning how to take care of pets involves lots of respect for animals. Your child will begin to understand that all creatures have feelings if only at the most basic level i.e. hunger, fear, pain, and pleasure.
By the age of four, most children will have learned to read social cues from people to understand how that person feels and how they can interact with that person. Reading animal cues is more challenging and your child will rely on you to teach her.
In general, cats do not like to be held for long periods of time, so teach your little cat kid to mostly pet the cat vs. trying to hold it. Remind your child that a cat is not a stuffed animal and isn’t meant for long cuddles.
Cat Kid Introductions
Instead, you may approach cat kid introductions in one of two ways. The first method is to have your child lay on the floor while allowing the cat to approach her. This curbs most sudden movements that may scare your cat and allows the cat to be in control.
The second method is for you to approach your pet allowing him to sniff your hand. If he behaves positively and leans in begin scratching his head and pick him up safely. Place the cat in the lap of your seated child and have her continue to scratch his head.
Supervise this love session. Remind your child to only scratch your pet’s head, chin, or back. Cats usually do not feel safe having their bellies rubbed.
Let your child know that if the cat wishes to leave or jump down she should allow him to do so. Children will often have the gut reaction to want to grab a fleeing pet to get more cuddles. This can be dangerous for your pet and your child.
Safety for Your Pet and Child
Pet safety is a big part of learning how to take care of pets. An overzealous child can injure a cat, especially delicate kittens, and your child may receive injuries if a scared cat lashes out.
Creating ground rules for pet interactions will help prevent most injuries to both children and pets.
First, establish safe zones for your pet. You may choose a tall cat tree or wall-shelf perches that help your feline friend have an out-of-reach place to rest. Explain to your child that this is your pet’s “safe place” and that she may not bother or remove the pet from this area.
When your child is allowed to handle your cat she should do so supervised. She needs to understand the proper way to hold him. The best way to carry a cat is to support its bottom or hind legs with one hand and supporting its torso with the other.
Remind young children not to walk around while holding your cat. Also, discourage her from holding your pet like a baby doll. Most cats do not feel safe being placed on their back.
Modeling Play for Your Cat Kid
The best way children learn how to take care of pets is by watching you or older siblings. Your little cat kid wants to be just like you and your big cat kid. She is watching your every move.
Be sure to model how to take care of pets through your actions and verbally by giving her the play-by-play. I recommend using the “I do, We do, You do” method for teaching most activities.
For example, start with showing her how to gently pet the cat while verbally explaining your actions. “See how I gently pet the cat from her head to her tail going with the fur. Cats don’t like it when you pet up their back against the fur.”
Follow this by holding her hand and gently petting it down the cat’s back.
“Gentle. Great job. See how mommy lifts your hand off when we get to her tail and start at the head again?” Allow her to pet the cat with you there watching.
And finally, if you believe your child is ready to pet the cat on her own you may allow her to do so, but set the ground rules. “You may pet him when I am around,” or you may say, “You may only pet him if you are sitting on the ground.”
This same modeling goes for how to play various games and how to feed your pet. Keep in mind those little eyes are always watching, so if you raise your voice or swat at your misbehaving pet with a rolled-up paper they will see this and think it is okay behavior for them also.
Teaching Responsibility Through How to Take Care of Pets
Even small children can practice responsibility while caring for their pets. I recommend using a helpful chore chart to remind little people what expectations you have for them to do through the day. For younger children, it is best to use pictures versus words.
Toddlers can help set out cat food dishes you have prepared for them and pick up the dishes to be washed when your pet is done. Grade school children will be able to get the food and feed your feline on their own. And older children can get involved in grooming and cleaning up after your pet.
We usually don’t walk our cat as if we would walk a dog, but he still needs exercise to be a happy fulfilled pet. Children of all ages can be taught how to safely play with their cat with laser toys, cat wands, and treat puzzles. This kind of enrichment can genuinely bond your cat and children.
Positive interactions will encourage your child to better care for her pet.
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Conclusion
I hope this article helps to teach your cat kid how to take care of pets. It’s almost more of a reminder to ourselves regarding how our actions set the tone for our little cat kid. If you would like more information on kitten care, check out the blog.
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