Also
see Cats & babies
Ensure
a Good Relationship Between Your Cat and Your Kids
By Niall
Kennedy
 |
Many
parents know that the best way for children to learn compassion and
the importance of keeping commitments is by helping to care for a
pet. Children learn from watching the adults in their lives. If a
child can learn to treat an animal with respect they can take that
lesson into later life. A cat can be a marvellous, loving companion
for a child, but it is up to the adults in the family to ensure the
cat and the kids live together happily ever after. |
When you
first bring a cat home, explain to your child that they will need to
be patient, quiet and gentle to help the cat feel safe. Sit on the
floor with your child and help him practice patience as the cat gets
up the courage to come close. Let your child feed the cat a piece of
food from his hand. If the cat is reluctant to come close, have your
child gently toss a piece of food close to the cat. Once the cat
realizes what your child is offering, the ice will melt.
Very
young children can easily overwhelm a cat or kitten with their
exuberance. Children under the age of five years should always be
supervised when playing with or handling a cat. Children over 12
years can usually be trusted to be gentle, but be sure to
occasionally check up on kids under 12 years when they spend
concentrated time with the family cat.
You
should remind children that they should not disturb a sleeping cat,
or a cat that is using its litter tray.
Kittens
appear to be amazingly flexible, and children often think nothing of
draping a weeks-old cat over the crook of the arm and carrying it
around like a toy, or picking up a kitten by the scruffof its neck.
In this position, it is easy for the kitten to be dropped and
seriously injured. Also, being carried like this leaves the cat
feeling unsupported with it's hind legs swinging in space.
The best
way to carry a kitten or cat is to place one hand or arm under its
front legs, and support its hind legs with the other hand or arm.
This gives the cat a secure feeling. Teach your children not to
carry the cat from one place to another. Explain that for the cat's
safety, they should always sit when they want to hold the cat, and
should have their friends do the same.
Cats
often have a mind of their own. Your child might feel like snuggling
quietly at a time when your cat wants to play pounce. Impress on
your children that if the cat ever struggles to get away, they
should respect her wishes and let her go. A cornered cat will
scratch and bite.
Encourage
your children to exercise the cat by playing with appropriate toys.
It is always tempting to play "catch my hand" with a
kitten, because it is so amusing how fascinated they are with
fingers. You should ensure that your children know the difference
between playing and teasing your cat. If you teach a kitten that it
is acceptable to swat and bite fingers, you'll wind up with an adult
cat that regularly attacks you. Not exactly the kind of cuddly cat
parents want for their children.
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Article
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Niall_Kennedy
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