Photos of kittens and babies get likes and “aww” comments on social media, which is like a sure thing in an uncertain world. Offline, cats and children of all ages can become lifelong friends. However, like any friendship, it has its ups and downs, and boundaries are important.
“We want cats to feel safe and comfortable in their homes,” explains Dr. Mikel Delgado, Rover’s cat behavior expert. “We want them to learn to trust all family members and we definitely don’t want our children to be bitten or scratched if it can be avoided. Cat bites are particularly serious and can become infected.
In fact, cat-scratch disease, or Bartonella henselae, is most common in children under the age of 15, according to the CDC. It may require antibiotics or even hospitalization. This may sound scary, but experts stress that there are usually warning signs beforehand that your cat will become agitated. Understanding these signs and the conditions that cause them can help parents and children in the short and long term.
“When children get guidance from caring adults about how to interact with family pets, it can help children be successful with animals early in life,” says Chewy veterinarian Dr. Hannah Hart. “It also teaches your cat “
We asked cat pros to share some common scenarios that can quickly turn bad, cat body language tips to watch for, and other tips for keeping the peace between kittens and kids.
Your child pulls or sticks his or her fingers into the cat’s no-fly zone.
To be fair, you probably don’t like having your ears (or earrings) tugged on by little ones – although you may fare differently when it comes to facial touching (it’s fun to pretend to eat those deliciously adorable baby fingers, right?). Not with cats.
“The tail, ears, legs – especially paws, belly and mouth are sensitive, delicate areas in cats, and young children in particular may not understand this and may pull or stick their fingers in these areas, causing Causing some discomfort or fear “This may result in them lashing out with their claws or teeth. “
Abdominal sensitivity can be especially confusing for children who are used to dogs that like a good rub in the area. However, Dr. Gabre Denton, a veterinarian at TeachMe.To, said this is a “no-go zone” for cats.
Hart said that while cats, like humans, have different touch preferences, there are a few things that felines like about them. “Most cats prefer calm, gentle touch from their favorite human in very specific places: top of head, under the chin, strokes on their back, and in some cases, the base of the tail,” Hart said.
Your child keeps trying to pet a hiding cat.
Hide and seek is all fun and games for humans. However, the cat’s hiding has a purpose. “When a cat hides, it’s either out of fear or because the cat needs time alone to decompress and rest,” explains Hart. “Being disturbed in this safe area can make cats feel fearful and stressed, which may cause them to scratch or bite.”
Your child wants to hold a cat that doesn’t like to be held.
Some feline friends have clear boundaries when it comes to cuddling. “The experience of being suddenly grabbed and lifted into the air can make people [some cats] It felt like a predator had grabbed them,” Hart said. These feelings trigger an innate, primal instinct to protect oneself, “possibly at the risk of being scratched and bitten by a crazy kitten trying to escape,” she adds.
Your cat has a toy flying past their face at great speed.
This requires some nuance, Hart said, because many kittens love their wand toys. warn? “They may get scared when the toy moves too fast over their head or when the toy is too close to their face,” Hart said. “They feel like they’re being attacked, and they may scratch or bite them to protect themselves and possibly capture their human playmates in the process.”
Your baby or toddler becomes more mobile.
You might be surprised at how well your cat adjusts to a new baby in the house. While a child’s first skates, crawls, and steps may be long-awaited milestone moments for doting parents, for cats (initially) they can be an unexpected, unwelcome surprise. “Toddlers don’t move in a coordinated manner like adults and can get caught,” Delgado warns. “This can cause the cat to feel fearful and uncomfortable.”
Your cat doesn’t like being chased.
“Tag, it’s you!” is a common playground motto. However, games of tag (and more generally, chase) are not suitable for cats. “Generally speaking, cats don’t like to be chased as a form of play,” Hart said. “They view this in a fearful way, reminiscent of a predator chasing its prey. If the cat doesn’t want to play and leaves the room to go to their favorite resting spot, it’s best to prevent children from following them.
Your cat becomes overly excited when petted or played with.
Children and cats, especially young cats, naturally enjoy rough and tumble play. However, it can get blurry. “Even if a child and cat play well together, the cat may become overstimulated or overly excited when being petted and played with,” Hart said. “This is often called ‘play aggression’ or ‘petting-induced aggression,’ and it can result in the cat scratching or biting the hands, arms, feet and legs of its human companion.”
Your cat is bored.
Sometimes, Delgado says, a lack of stimulation can also cause cats to become irritated during play: “This usually happens when cats are young and don’t get enough exercise and mental stimulation. In this case, anything that moves Things are targets for aggression. Scheduling some playtime or removing puzzle toys can help your cat stay active.
Your cat is sick or in pain.
Maybe your cat is a rare breed that actually enjoys belly rubs, or suddenly starts hiding (and gets upset when kids try to find it). Sudden changes in behavior may indicate the need for a trip to the veterinarian. “When cats are injured or sick, they can be more sensitive to excessive petting, loud noises, or invasion of their personal space,” explains Hart. “This can make an otherwise tolerant cat more likely to scratch or bite when faced with these stressful situations.”
Hart stresses that if you know your cat is sick or in pain, it’s important to give the kitten more space and instruct children to slow down when approaching their fur siblings.
Your child makes a mess in Katie’s food or cat litter.
Here’s a common parent quip: You give your kids all these toys and let them try to steal your water bottle. While you may find this a bit annoying, the funniest part is that if kittens decide that their toy box includes a litter box and food dish, your cat may disagree. “Cats will guard their food and space; disturbance can trigger aggression,” Denton said.
How to manage cats and kids
You love your cat and human children dearly and naturally want to keep both physically and mentally safe. In addition to understanding situations that may trigger conflict, experts say there are some warning signs and methods that can help relieve stress.
Study Tips.
Cats often use words and body language to indicate that they are not aware of a situation long before they are bitten or scratched. Denton says common signs that a cat is unhappy or stressed include:
- Hiss
- roar
- flat ears
- slap
- hide
Additionally, severely stressed cats may start peeing outside the litter box.
Be a role model.
A young child is learning the ways of their first sage teacher: you.
“One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to model gentle, respectful behavior around your cat to your children, especially as they grow older, but even from the time they can walk, talk and interact with It starts when your cat interacts,” Hart emphasizes.
She recommends you:
- Monitor your child closely as you demonstrate appropriate positions for petting your cat.
- Use the correct pressure and duration for stroking, including making sure you stroke in the direction of the anger rather than against it.
- Show children how to use wands and other interactive toys correctly so your cat can play without the toys hitting their faces.
- Demonstrate how to provide space for your cat to eat, sleep, or use the litter box.
Take your time.
Remember, this is a process. “It’s best to have the kids sit in one place, talk softly, and let the cat come over when the cat is ready to interact,” Hart says. “You can start with brief sessions and then extend the time your child interacts with the cat, as long as everyone seems calm and enjoying the experience.”
NOTE: Hart says it’s important to monitor all lessons while children are young.
Give cats space.
Some cats need space for more than just the necessities of eating, sleeping, and going to the bathroom, especially if children are moving around. “Cats living with children who have limited mobility need safe spaces that only they can access,” Delgado said. “Vertical spaces such as cat trees/apartments/cat racks are great for all cats, but for families with cats and children, they are non-negotiable.”
Sometimes, a room with a baby gate or cat door is ideal for giving cats a completely separate space from their children. By the way, even if your child becomes the resident cat whisperer, your cat may benefit from a safe space.
“Sometimes it can be overwhelming to have not only your children but their friends coming to visit,” Delgado said.
