Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
For many parents, the idea of kids and cats together is an absolute natural. For other parents though, it’s a scary thought that may get the family cat a one-way ticket to the local shelter.
Children and cats can be wonderful companions for each other. My kids have had the most loving, playful, endearing relationships with the cats in our lives. These relationships didn’t just happen by accident though. We prepared, educated, and set up an environment that was both kid-safe and cat-safe.
As with any companion animal in the family, it’s crucial to use common sense, set up safeguards, and create an environment that provides security for everyone. This isn’t just unique to cats – it applies to any companion animal you bring into the house where you also have children. The key is to prepare in advance and then continue to monitor and educate. To get you started, here are 10 things that every parent should know when it comes to cats and kids living together.
1. Don’t Get Rid of the Cat
Surprised? Don’t be, because many expectant parents panic about having a litter box in the house during pregnancy after being told by their doctors that if a pregnant woman touches cat feces it will harm the fetus. Sadly, parents are given inaccurate information and they end up getting rid of the cat in a total panic. Here’s the truth: there is a disease called toxoplasmosis, caused by the parasite toxoplasma gondii, that can result in birth abnormalities in the fetus. Just about all warm-blooded animals, including humans are susceptible to this common parasite but cats are the primary host carriers and shed the oocysts through their feces. The accurate information is that the oocysts don’t become infective right away after being shed so if the litter box is scooped twice a day, it will greatly reduce the risk. Pregnant women should have other family members do the litter box duties to be safe. If you’re pregnant and must do litter box duty, wear disposable gloves, a face mask, and wash your hands afterwards. The most important way to prevent infection is to practice good hygiene and common sense. Discuss this with your doctor and the veterinarian though. Additionally, the risk of toxoplasmosis is actually greater by the improper handling of raw meat or using the same cutting board for vegetables/fruit that you use for cutting meat. The best way to prevent toxoplasmosis is to educate all family members about washing hands and using proper care in the kitchen and when cleaning the litter box. Make sure all fruits and vegetables are washed before eating, don’t allow your cat to eat raw meat, and keep your cat indoors. Infection is probably more likely to occur with a cat who is allowed outdoors where he can ingest infected prey, dig in infected soil, or come in contact with the feces of an infected cat. Remember, speak to your own doctor and to your cat’s veterinarian for more information based on your specific risk factors.
2. Prepare Your Cat in Advance
If you’re expecting a baby and you already have a cat, there are many things you can do to help prepare kitty in advance for this major life change. Use your think like a cat perspective and imagine how confusing it would be for a cat to suddenly find major changes taking place to his environment (in the form of nursery and baby furniture) and then all of a sudden there’s another person in the home and this person squeals loudly and smells unfamiliar.
Prepare your cat by starting the nursery early so you can do it gradually. Get your cat comfortable with sound and motion-generating baby equipment by having them out long before the baby arrives. You can also take time to do interactive play sessions in the rooms where objects are that may cause concern for your cat – such as a baby swing or exersaucer.
The mother-to-be can start wearing baby powder and lotion to help the cat become familiar with the scent.
Get on a schedule of playtime with your cat that you’ll be able to maintain once the baby arrives. Don’t make the mistake of going overboard on being attentive to your cat now. Cats thrive on a consistent schedule, predictability, and familiar routine. Make sure the level of attention you show your cat now will be able to be maintained after the baby arrives.
If you know any neighbors or friends who have young babies, do some training sessions where a friend visits with her baby while you do some casual playtime with your cat as you help him get familiar with the sight, sound, and smell of babies. Do it in short increments so it will be much less overwhelming.
3. Create a Cat-Friendly Environment
This really comes down to two aspects: the ability to escape and the ability to have access to kid-free zones. This will be crucial when the baby becomes mobile. Your cat needs to be able to climb up to an elevated area (typically, a cat tree or perch) that is out of reach of baby’s fingers. If your cat has a safe and comfortable perch where he can watch the household activity without having to be in the center of it, he’ll feel much less stressed. Cats prefer to escape rather than engage in conflict so if you make sure your cat has multiple avenues to get to elevated, safe areas, it will greatly decrease the chance of an unwanted encounter.
As for kid-free zones, these will be where your cat sleeps, eats, and eliminates. When your cat is either napping, chowing down, or using the litter box, he shouldn’t have to worry about a toddler suddenly appearing around the corner. The litter box should be in a room that is off limits to the young child. You can easily do this by installing a baby gate. Choose a gate that has a small cat opening in the center. You can find them online or at your local pet supply store.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that installing a covered litter box will keep the cat safe. All a covered box will accomplish is to potentially make your cat feel trapped and confined.
4. Adult Supervision
With babies and young children, always supervise when the child is in a position where they can come in contact with the cat. The crib, for example, should be a cat-free zone. Actually, when it comes to infants, nothing should be in the crib – not a blanket, stuffed toy, or pillow. A cat may naturally find the crib a cozy place to nap, especially if kitty can curl up next to the sleeping infant. The nursery door should remain closed during nap time or use a crib tent.
As the baby gets older and is enticed by the cat’s tail as he walks by, there’s a chance someone may get hurt. Supervision is always needed when babies or small children are in the same room with the family pet. Even the most tolerant animal may react defensively if he feels under attack or experiences sudden, unexpected pain from having a tail yanked, fistful of hair grabbed, or an ear pulled.
5. Monitor Your Cat’s Health
I’m a mother of two children and so I completely understand that there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. I frequently feel as if I’m just playing catch-up. Parents’ plates are very full but it’s important that the cat’s health is monitored and maintained. It can be easy to miss that kitty didn’t get his flea protection for the month or that didn’t get nails trimmed. Even if you have to write notes on the calendar to remind yourself to brush, clip nails, or attend to other duties, continue to pay attention to your cat’s health needs and act quickly if something unexpected comes up.
Animals who are in pain are more likely to react defensively when touched and they also may display behavior changes. If your cat appears short-tempered around the child, cries out when touched, or displays aggression, if could be that there is an undetected health issue going on. It could be an undetected abscess, a bad tooth, a urinary problem, a sore paw, you name it. If your normally sweet-tempered and tolerant cat displays a change in behavior, it’s time for a trip to the veterinary clinic for an exam.
6. Maintain Your Cat’s Normal Routine
Cats don’t like change. They take comfort in predictability and routine, so to avoid adding extra stress, keep on the normal feeding and playtime schedule. This isn’t the time to have your cat become an afterthought when it comes to meals or time spent with you. If you’re unable to do a play session with the cat, maybe another family member can help out. Introduce puzzle feeders to your cat as a way to incorporate extra playtime when you’re busy feeding or caring for the baby. The cat is an important member of your family and deserves to continue to receive the care, love, and attention he has come to expect.
7. Teach Children How to Pet and Interact With the Cat
It’s natural for children to be attracted to and want to grab onto the furry cat. A toddler needs to be taught how to pet with an open hand. Take the time to teach your children how animals should be handled, how to read body language (for children age appropriate) so they know when a cat is giving distance-increasing signals, and when/where a cat should be left alone.
8. Teach Compassion and Empathy Toward Cats
To your children, the cat may look like the stuffed animal to play with, so it’s important to teach about compassion and understanding how animals have feelings, experience pain, fear, confusion, and of course, love. Dressing the cat up in doll clothes or costumes and stuffing him into a stroller may make for a funny picture but it can be very stressful and frightening for the cat and can lead to fear of being around your children. The sooner you teach your children about how to love and care for animals compassionately, the more likely they’ll develop a life-long love of these precious companions.
9. The Cat Isn’t a Child’s Responsibility
Many times children plead with their parents for a pet with the promise of being the ones who will take full responsibility. Don’t allow a cat to suffer because children fall short in their responsibility or are really too young to know what the animal needs. A cat shouldn’t be left with an empty water bowl because the child forgot to fill it. Children are also not able to monitor the cat’s health, changes in appetite, litter box habits, or behavior. Give your children age-appropriate duties but be sure to monitor so the cat never suffers from a child’s forgetfulness or neglect.
10. Model the Behavior You Want to See in Your Child
If you want your children to be tender with the cat, then be sure you are displaying the very behavior yourself. Don’t fall in the trap of getting frustrated and lashing out at a cat who scratches the furniture or jumps on the counter and then finding yourself upset when your children react the same way. Let your children see how much you love and care for the companion animals in the family and you’ll be paving the way for them to do the same.
Need More Information?
For more information on cat behavior and training, refer to the books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Pam’s books are available at bookstores and online. We’ve included links to Amazon here on our website.
If you have a question about your cat’s behavior or health, contact your veterinarian. This article is not intended as a medical diagnosis nor is it a replacement for your cat’s regular veterinary care. This article is for general information purposes only.
