Pets and Children...?

Question

I have two cats. They are very nice cats at the moment as they are still very young--oldest is three years. I worry that as they age they may tire of my two boys. Is there anyway I can get them to "grow up" together? Are there any suggestions on animals and children?

My cats are young but not kittens. Like I said we've had one for three years and another for two. They were both ranch cats but behave well inside our home. They have never scratched us or our kids. They are very good--I mean one of our cats you could lay right on him and he doesn’t even care. I know as cats get older they become grouchy. I just want to ensure I'm doing the right thing with my kids now to ensure they will not be mean to the cats later on down the road.

My cats are young but not kittens. Like I said we've had one for three years and another for two. They were both ranch cats but behave well inside our home. They have never scratched us or our kids. They are very good--I mean one of our cats you could lay right on him and he doesn’t even care. I know as cats get older they become grouchy. I just want to ensure I'm doing the right thing with my kids now to ensure they will not be mean to the cats later on down the road.

My kids are five years old and 10 months old. I have my oldest feed them everyday and help with tiding up where they eat at to teach him how to take care of animals. With my youngest I've just been teaching him how to nicely pet them. They seem to be doing well. My mom had a cat when I was younger. She loved my sister and I at first but then turned on us when we were about four. I don't want that happening!

Answer 1

If they grow up with the kids in the same household, they will learn your children's behavior patterns and figure out what they will tolerate and what they won't. As long as you are a good advocate for them and teach your children how to properly handle them, there is no reason why they would be mean or intolerant (any more than old cats can be in general). You have the advantage of having them when both they and your boys are young (I'm assuming the boys age since you didn't mention) so they are in a playful age range when your children are most likely going to be interested in "playing" with them. As I mentioned though, just make sure they are taught the proper way of handling and treating the cats and if you ever feel that the cats are in "danger", minimize the contact your sons have without supervision until you are comfortable.

Answer 2

I believe that as long as you teach your children to respect the cats, they should be fine. I had 3 cats, that were my "babies". They were around children constantly, because I babysat kids. The cats just learn to tolerate the kids, so long as the kids respect the cats, and treat them kindly. I mean, they would run up to the cats, pet them, and as the kids got older, they would pick them up. But the kids were taught at young ages, not to pull the cats hair or tails, and if the cats got up and moved, it meant that they didn't want to be pet at that time. One of our cats even became very protective of one of the little boys we babysat. Whenever he would cry, that cat would come running, and lay beside him and purr, calming the little boy. Out of the 17 years I had my cats, they never scratched one of the kids we watched.

Answer 3

The odd cat will get angry at the kids especially if they are hurt by kids. My cat never appreciated my son laying on her and would grab above each ear and bite him on the head. My son would cry and as soon as I would comfort him he would be off to lay on her again ( boys take longer to learn sometimes lol). He was 12 months old at the time. Now (7) they are the best of friends. My kids take turns feeding her and she loves them for it. She is 10 now and sleeps on my daughters bed sometimes. Kids need pets. Sounds like you are doing the right thing. Your childhood incident is rare. Cats normally love kids who treat them well

Answer 4

We have a cat, and a 14 month old son, they bonded really well together since my son was born. My son loves playing with her, petting her, holding her tail and walking with her, giving her toys to play with. I find that when my son stays a day with Grandma, our cat really does miss him. They both enjoy one another greatly. He misses our cat as well, I find when we come home and he sees her, he smiles and goes after her. So I personally think they will always have a great bond together. I don't see her ever tiring of him, she looks forward to seeing him and having that time to play. I've seen her kiss my son 's forhead as well. It's very cute :) So I say don't worry, if they already have a good bond, they should be just fine together. Cats enjoy company, so any play time with your children, they will enjoy.

Answer 5

I have two cats and two small kids... my cats are getting older and they love my kids. I expect my kids to treat them kindly and they do. I have never had a problem with my cats doing anything to the kids... in fact I worry they are too tolerant.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I have had cats all my life. Cats generally become very passive when they grow older. I have never had a cat that attacked me or my children. Your cats will grow very attached to your children and they will be long time friends.

Answer 7

I usually am very rough, but not mean to my cats the way you treat a dog. When they scratch or bite or hiss I slap the hell out of them. Believe it or not, THEY WILL LEARN that humans do not play and form a heirarchy as you are the boss. My cats love me, because I feed them and play with them, but act like dogs sometimes because they know I will knock them for a loop if they get out of line. They never bite, scratch, and seldom hiss, and this usually takes a few months for them to learn completely.

But, even though they kind of obey and respect like dogs, they will not trust strangers like dogs, depending on their personality.

Answer 8

Assuming your cats are lions or tigers I wouldn't recommend................

Answer 9

Dogs are better