What is a good age to get a young child a kitten for the 1st time (my daughter is 3)?

Question

We already have an adult cat which she takes care of and plays with a lot. The only thing she doesn't do is clean the litter. We used to have 2 cats...1 is missing.

Answer 1

too young

wait til she is a little older and you can teach her to actually take care of a pet.

get her a stuffed animal and kinda treat it like it's real. teach her to be gentle and not squeeze it and pet it and love on it.

Answer 2

I think 4 years old is a good age. My daughter is four and she feeds our cat every day. I guess it depends on the child but first I would make sure that she has no allergies to cats. The last thing you want to do to your child is give them a pet that you have to take away from them. When you are ready try going to an animal shelter or a pet shop and let your daughter hold a cat or touch it and see if she has a reaction.

I hope she enjoys her cat!

Answer 3

Instead of getting a kitten, you should consider an adult cat. Young animals and young children are a bad combination. I know, they're really cute together, but it's hard for them to interact safely.

At a minimum, you should wait until your daughter is 5, then adopt an adult cat from your local animal shelter.

Answer 4

I was born with a cat in my home and I did fine. I've had 3 cats my whole life. I think theres no age to young for a cat. Just find one that dose well with kids.

Answer 5

i remember i had a puppy at 4 years old so get her a kitten any time now if you like. its good for kids to have animals around .. your daughter would learn how to feed her little kitten,, care for it.. brush it and everything else.. i dont see anything wrong with a 3 year old getting a kitten right now. let your daughter enjoy the love an animal can give.. bren

Answer 6

I got a kitten when my daughter was 2 and they get on great. I think it taught my daughter to respect animals early and also taught the cat to tolerate children.

I wouldn't recommend it if your child is boisterous or likely to harm the cat. Other than this l would say go for it.

Answer 7

now is a good age as long as you help her take care of it. pets are a great way to teach responsibility and if you begin to teach your daughter now she'll be ahead of a lot of other kids her age. if you decide upon rescuing a kitten then let this be bonding time between you and your daughter. example you and her feed it together and make some lasting memories. if she has established a trust with you now then it will be easier through her teenage years. then later when she is a mother herself she'll be able to nurture the way you have taught not to mention she'll come to you for your help with her grandkids.

Answer 8

Kittens like to play and they have razor sharp claws. An adult cat thats been around small kids would be better

Answer 9

Never give a young child a too small animal as a pet. A young child must be taught how to handle the animal

Answer 10

At the age of responsability,(7-10) teach her something about cats.

Answer 11

It depends on the child and how much time you have to instruct her on proper conduct. If you get a kitten for her, keep them seperated when you cant watch her. Kittens are frisky and must not be allowed to use the child for play attacks. Allowing the child to hug and squeeze the kitten can get her bitten.

That being said, I think it is important for children to be exposed to pets early. It teaches them how to be kind.