My baby girl just got a kitten from our neighbors. The kitten is very gentle but it runs from the baby a lot when she gets on it's nerves. I never had a cat growing up only dogs I am just wondering are cats good pets for a baby. I let her have it because of how much she enjoys the cats at the neighbors and likes to touch them. I hope I have not made a big mistake
2006-09-11 04:56:11 · 22 answers · asked by ZigZag 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats are fine as pets for children. However, you should not let your child and the kitten interact without supervision. Babies/toddlers have a tendency to grab and squeeze, which would hurt the kitten, and the kitten may bite or scratch in return. If you supervise them together and keep both safe, they will "grow up" together, and be great friends!
2006-09-11 05:03:29 · answer #1 · answered by sassybree1979 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should have waited until the baby is at least a year or 2 old. But since you already have the kitten teach the baby how to treat the kitten. Show her that you should pet the kitten and be good to it and not do things that will hurt it. Teach the baby not to pull the kittens tail etc. If you do these things the kitten and the child can grow up together. It just depends on how YOU handle the situation. Good Luck
2006-09-11 12:03:36 · answer #2 · answered by suzie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as you've seen that the cat is gentle with the baby, it's great. Don't listen to anyone who says that a cat with smother a baby or whatever... cats don't kill babies, it's an old wives tale. Cats will actually grow to be very protective of a child and they can be great companions. You might watch the cats claws, and even get her declawed if you're worried, but I think the kitty will be very good for your baby!
Sue H had some very good advice about how you handle the situation- supervise for a while and teach the child how to treat its new friend. You'll all be better off!
2006-09-11 12:04:59 · answer #3 · answered by Missouri LitWit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The kitten is YOUR pet not the babies pet. You need to make sure to take care of the kitten and get the kitten to the vet very soon. Kittens need shots and it will need to be fixed in the next couple months. I grew up with a kitten, when I was only a few months old the family got a cat. We grew up together, I loved that cat very much, so kittens and babies can be ok together, but you need to watch them both.
2006-09-11 12:34:47 · answer #4 · answered by Lady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, please find a home for the poor kitten. Your daughter no matter how good intentioned will probably end up killing the kitten. Kittens are no match for a baby, toddler, or preschooler. Kids play too rough. If you are willing to stay there with her the entire time she is with the kitten, then fine, but I would recommend a larger cat, not a fragile baby. My sister "accidentally" strangled a kitten once trying to fit its head in a box. An acquaintance's child flushed a kitten down the toilet. A six year old boy down the street tried to drown 3 kittens in a ditch. Kittens and children just don't mix. Wait till she is older, or get a full grown cat that can defend itself against her.
The same holds true for puppies. Kids are just too rough. Don't believe me? Watch how she hugs her teddys and dolls. It's bone crushing.
2006-09-11 12:09:16 · answer #5 · answered by Lola 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My neices grew up with two cats. There is a high probability the cat will hiss at the baby at some point, possibly even swipe at her. This is because the baby doesn't realise the cat is not a toy until the baby is older. You should, of course, supervise a very young child when a cat is around. The child doesn't know that the cat can hurt him.
I don't think you have made a big mistake....just know probably their will be, at some time, scratches. Don't punish the cat for this...it's just defending itself. It wouldnt' defend itself unless it felt threatened. Don't punish your kid either...just say matter of factly, you need to learn when kitty wants to be left alone.
2006-09-11 12:05:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can't imagine ANY pet is good for a 10 month old. I also would question how much attention you'll be able to give the kitten given that you have a new baby in the house. The kitten needs time given to it to learn proper behavior the same as a puppy would or anything else. I would discuss it with your pediatrician also to see if they have any health concerns for your daughter coming in contact with a kitten (not sure if that's a problem or not).
2006-09-11 12:04:37 · answer #7 · answered by FortheFuture 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like many others have said, my greatest fear is for the kitten. The baby must be taught to respect animals, and the kitten is defenseless.
Wait until she's a little older to take a kitten. Your neighbors were probably happy to see the kitten leave... Please find the kitten a good home where it will be cherished and treated well.
2006-09-11 13:23:59 · answer #8 · answered by Ragdoll Kitty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Large mistake only if your daughter gets her tiny hands of the kitten. Babies don't understand that squeezing kitty might get them severely scratched/bit. And it's pretty tough on the kitty even if it's good natured about being mauled. Puppies and kitties are best left until a little later in the babies life....Maybe around 4 o 5 and they will understand better.
2006-09-11 12:03:20 · answer #9 · answered by SNOOP 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any animal can be unpredictable. If the baby grabs at the cat, she could get scratched or bitten. Babies don't understand the difference between a gentle touch and a grab. Animals don't understand the difference between babies and people who are intentionally hurting them.
Get the cat declawed and spayed and don't let her in the baby's room.
2006-09-11 12:04:28 · answer #10 · answered by Cara M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋