Children and my cats

rdusenber22 · Jun 25, 2005

I have a question regarding my cats and children.

I have two cats. They are both "fixed" and are indoor cats. They are a little over a year old, and are pretty well behaved.

My SIL is coming in a week and a 1/2 and she is bringing our neices with her. They are 4 and 8. My cats have never been around children, and I am a little worried about how they might respond. They are generally nice to adults, except on one ocassion when they didn't like someone. That person was a cat owner, and they didn't like her for whatever reason. I had to get her out of our house because she was stressing the cats out, and they were hissing and growling at her.

My female cat is a little shy, and was not a friendly cat when we got her. Not agressive or anything like that, but sort of a loner. She has come around a lot, and has become a very sweet cat, after a lot of time and patience.

Has any one had a bad experience with their cats and children? Is there anything special I shoud do when they arrive or while they are here?

I am sure my cats will be a little overwhelmed at first, because there will be four people in our house that they have never met before. I suppose I am just a little nervous!

Thanks!

esrgirl · Jun 25, 2005

I don't have any advice, other than maybe to set up a nice, quiet room for the cats to go into, which is off-limits to the girls. This has helped my cats when my cousins would come over to my moms. The kits might get a bit overwhelmed, so if you can provide a quiet room, with a bed maybe that has covers touching each side of the floor for the kits to hide under, or a closet, etc. that might help if they get a bit freaked out by having new people around.

esrgirl · Jun 25, 2005

Wow, I just had a bad grammar moment! Don't mind my typing

elizwithcat · Jun 25, 2005

I would be more worried about how the children would behave. Children always want to play with the cat, hug the cat, catch the cat, and cats don't like that-mine definetly don't. So, watch those children to make sure they leave the cats alone.

hissy · Jun 25, 2005

I would speak to your SIL and tell her about the "one hand rule" The children can only pet the cat with one hand, they can only touch the cat with one hand. Make it into a game (if your cats are willing) but with one hand, the kids can't do much damage and they have to be careful because two hands are not allowed.

If your cats are normal they will simply hide when strange people invade their home. Look for them to go off their feed, and if that happens try and get them to eat, that is imperative.

krazy kat2 · Jun 26, 2005

A friend brought over her 3 year old son last week. He has a kitty that stays outside, and has not had much experience with indoor cats. Fred loves everybody, and flopped right down to be petted, but Scooter has had no experience with kids. He was tickled pink with the little boy, and they played nicely. I was floored! I figured Scooter would hide like the girls. I just let them decide how much contact they would have.

nano · Jun 26, 2005

One tip: Remind the kids not to give the cats a prolonged direct stare. They should do the exaggerated blinking thing so they don't inadvertently appear aggressive.

And I like hissy's one hand rule.

Good luck!

j171978 · Jun 26, 2005

Our two cats we got from the humane society and we had no clue how they would act around children. Princess hides when anyone comes over but Harvey doesn't. When we had my nephew over who is 4 1/2 Harvey just layed there and let him pet him and kiss him and enjoyed himself. My husband's nephew is 2 1/2 and Harvey did the same thing. Just layed there.

I'd make sure the cats have someplace to go and hide and I would keep an eye on them maybe give the girls some 'rules' toward dealing with the cats.

Good luck

elizwithcat · Jun 26, 2005

Originally Posted by krazy kat2

A friend brought over her 3 year old son last week. He has a kitty that stays outside, and has not had much experience with indoor cats. Fred loves everybody, and flopped right down to be petted, but Scooter has had no experience with kids. He was tickled pink with the little boy, and they played nicely. I was floored! I figured Scooter would hide like the girls. I just let them decide how much contact they would have.

My cats just hate kids. When the kids come over, poor cats just run away and hide.

playbunnyjinx · Jun 26, 2005

Originally Posted by RDusenber22

I have a question regarding my cats and children.

I have two cats. They are both "fixed" and are indoor cats. They are a little over a year old, and are pretty well behaved.

My SIL is coming in a week and a 1/2 and she is bringing our neices with her. They are 4 and 8. My cats have never been around children, and I am a little worried about how they might respond. They are generally nice to adults, except on one ocassion when they didn't like someone. That person was a cat owner, and they didn't like her for whatever reason. I had to get her out of our house because she was stressing the cats out, and they were hissing and growling at her.

My female cat is a little shy, and was not a friendly cat when we got her. Not agressive or anything like that, but sort of a loner. She has come around a lot, and has become a very sweet cat, after a lot of time and patience.

Has any one had a bad experience with their cats and children? Is there anything special I shoud do when they arrive or while they are here?

I am sure my cats will be a little overwhelmed at first, because there will be four people in our house that they have never met before. I suppose I am just a little nervous!

Thanks!

Kids are a pain in the a*** when it comes to animals and no matter where you put the poor little furrballs the kids will find them. Trust me my daughter is 4, i can tell her till i'm blue in the face not to chase the cats but she only learns when she gets hissed at or scratched. Have a word with your SIL you never know they could be kids that listen????

much more than that you may have to lock off a room for them with food and litter.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

rdusenber22 · Jun 26, 2005

I am really hoping that is goes well. I am not too worried about the male cat, but the female cat I am not so sure. She is very moody!

My neices are two of the most well bahaved children I have ever seen. I will have to set some ground rules, and see what happens. Our house is pretty big, and we keep their food and litter boxes upstairs in the big bathroom. The majority of the time we will all be downstairs, and be using the downstairs bathroom, so they really won't be around their stuff. When we had someone sleep onver one time on our couch the cats stayed up in the bathrroom, so I suppose if they feel neccessary they can hang out up there.

I have explained to my SIL that I am worried about the children being around our cats, and she understands. I just hope it goes smoothly.

Thank you for all of the advice!

Children and my cats

rdusenber22

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esrgirl

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esrgirl

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elizwithcat

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hissy

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nano

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