Can my family handle a cat/kitten?

HI, I am new here. All of my life I have grown up with dogs only. Recently, I have grown a love for cats and feel my family could really benefit from a cat companion. We have two little toddler boys (2.5 and 4 years old) and a Boxer that is 5 years old. I am wondering, can our family handle a cat/kitten with my kids being so yound and how will our dog deal with the new member of the family. Any suggestions, ideas on breeds, or what to do. Should I just wait til my boys are a little bit older? I really would love a cat in our family soon.

I see no issue with cats/kids that young. I personally would steer you towards a young/adult cat in a shelter. But that is because I deal with the tons of homeless animals regularly in my volunteer work. We can often find the purr-fect match to the family.

Welcome to TheCatSite

Have you ever visited the Helen Woodward Center in your area?
If I were going to adopt, that is were I would go first.
http://www.animalcenter.org/

They have a wonderful adoption area where you can visit the cats with your children.
You can also discuss your family situation with them over the phone before you go.
If you find a kitty you and your family fall in love with...
they might invite you to bring your dog for a visit to see how he reacts to the kitty.
Of couse, any kitty that you adopt though them, would have to be indoor only,
but that is the best thing anyway.

If I can help you with any site questions, just send a Private Message to my username.
I will get back to you asap.

If you're looking for a purebred, Ocicats are known to get along very well with children and other animals. Mine don't mind getting pinched, tails pulled, carried around etc. by my nephews (1 & 4 years)

How are your kids with the dog? IMO I'd adopt a larger neutered male shorthair cat that is an adult (1-2 yrs old). Unless your children have been around baby animals (puppies, kittens), its not a wise thing to bring in a small kitten with the age of your children.

Just be sure to supervise and teach them the right way to hold the cat, to be gentle, no pulling tails, ears, etc.

My son grew up with kittens - he was taught from the time he could crawl to be nice to baby kittens and not to pull ears or tails.

You will have to teach the kids to be gentle especially since most kids are used to playing a little rough with dogs. More importantly, how do you feel your dog going to adjust?

Welcome to TSC!

I'm quite sure that all members of your family, both four and two legged, will adapt to a new cat or kitten just fine. It sounds like you have a very loving family , and that is generally all it takes to make anything work out .

Rob & Sport

Hola y bienvenido a TCS, ...Catulina

y Milky

te saludan!!!........

(Translate: Hi and Welcome to TCS, Catulina and Milky say hello to you!!!... )

See you on the forums!