SOME TIPS TO HELP KIDS & CATS PLAY NICE
• Keep your cat’s litter box in a well enclosed area that’s strictly off-limits to children.
• If your cat is allowed to dine in peace and emerge full and happy, it will be
better prepared to face young family members.
• Don’t allow your child to grab the cat’s tail, ears, whiskers, or fur. For the
cat, it is at best irritating and at worst, frightening and painful.
• A claw swiped across the face can be extremely dangerous for a young
child. Always supervise young children interacting with cats.
• The bright feathers, bells, buttons, balls and strings which frequently adorn cat toys can be irresistible to a young child, but they can also be a deadly, choking hazard. Also, keep your cat’s medicine locked away or well out of reach.
• Many flea collars and sprays contain pesticides that can be harmful to
children. Discuss appropriate flea/tick control options with your veterinarian.
• Kittens are delicate. Children too young to understand how to be gentle might seriously injure a small kitten. Consider waiting until the child is older before you allow him or her to play with the kitten unsupervised.
• Even if your cat is a little jealous, it is not malevolent. If the cat doesn’t like the baby, it will avoid the baby. Many cats begin sleeping with children when the children are quite young and enjoy serving as a source of comfort to the child.
• Make an effort to greet your cat warmly and introduce it to the new baby with care. Don’t forget that your cat is a member of your family, and should be treated accordingly.
• Teach your children to handle all pets gently and to leave wild animals alone. Help your children learn all about animals, and they will become fascinated with the creatures who share our homes and planet.
