Cats can be a wonderful addition to households with children. I
have seen cats become the most loved and cherished friend of many
children. If you have children and are trying to decide whether or
not to add a cat to your family, or if you already have a cat and
are bringing a new child into the a family, then this article may
be of help. There are several important considerations concerning
choosing the right cat at the right time. The article will also
explore why cats are sometimes better pets than dogs for small
children as well as health concerns for children and cats living
in the same household.
As a child, I grew up with cats in the household and as a
veterinarian and a father of two small boys that share our home
with two cats, I encounter the joys and problems of children and
cats on a daily basis.
Choosing the right cat for the right child
at the right time
Bringing
a cat into a home with children requires some very serious thought
on the part of the parent. I regularly encounter an unhappy owner,
or more commonly an unhappy cat that was brought into a family for
all of the wrong reasons. Responsible parenting and responsible
pet ownership are very similar in that they require 100%
commitment from the parent and pet owner. A new kitten is going to
initially require time every day for grooming, play,
socialization, and training. Children will probably provide plenty
of play and socialization but the grooming, litter box cleaning,
and training are going to be the responsibility of the parent.
Make sure that the entire family is committed to bringing a new
pet in the home, otherwise it is not fair to the animal or the
family. If parents have any reservations about acquiring a new cat
I often discourage them until they have more time or the children
are older and can take a more active role in the care of the pet.
Homes with children are often louder and more stressful than
homes without them. Choosing a cat or kitten that is more 'laid
back' is often a good place to start. When I think of the perfect
family cat a large, neutered, male, orange, domestic shortair
comes to mind. I have often visited a farm and found a similar cat
lying contentedly purring in a doll carriage dressed in doll
clothes while a smiling five-year-old girl pushes him around the
barnyard.
Cats love gentle attention and respond to affection. Small
children and as in my case, little boys, are often more interested
in chasing the cat than petting him, so if you have active or
aggressive children a cat may be too much of a temptation to them
and is not going to be a good choice for a pet.
Cats are more mobile than dogs and are able to jump up on a
perch and get out of the way of small children. Cats also pose
less of a threat of biting or injuring a child, and therefore may
make a more suitable choice than a dog for small children.
However, remember that some cats will never adapt well to being in
a family with children and some children will never appreciate or
be able to properly care for a cat. Deciding to bring a cat into a
family with children is a very important decision and should not
be taken lightly.
Bringing a new cat into a family with
children
Once
you have made the decision to bring a cat into your home and have
picked out the perfect companion for your children, you should
spend some time getting your home ready. Go through and cat-proof
your home taking special care to eliminate hazards to a small
kitten. Designate an easily accessible yet small childproof area
for the cats litter box and food. Have a family meeting and make
up a list of rules and duties concerning the new cat and hang it
on the refrigerator. Because of the responsibility and potential
health risk involved with litter boxes, I always recommend that
the parent take on the job of cleaning the litter box.
New kittens and cats are going to need several weeks of quiet
time when they are first brought into a new home. Limit play to
several short sessions a day and make sure the kitten is not
bothered when sleeping. A cat door leading into a quiet room with
food, water, litter box, and a sleeping area is a great idea for
homes with small children.
Decide where the cat is, or more likely is not, allowed to
sleep. While there are many advocates of allowing cats to sleep in
the bed with their owners, I caution owners of small children
against this practice. While the health risks are small,
external parasites including
fleas and ticks, as well as the ringworm fungus, can be
transmitted from cats to people. If children have
allergies, then cats should be discouraged from sleeping with
them or in their bedrooms.
Bringing a new baby into a home that
already has a cat
I often receive phone calls from anxious parents concerned over
the risk of bringing a new baby home to a house that has a
resident cat. I often reassure them that if a few simple
adjustments are made both the cat and the baby will do
wonderfully. The most common concern is whether there is a risk of
a cat sleeping with and smothering a baby. While I assure them
that I have never heard of this happening, I caution them that it
is well known that there is a strong correlation between sleeping
position and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Pediatricians
have strict recommendations for the type of bed and blankets used,
as well as never placing stuffed animals or other toys in the bed
with babies or small children. Because of the risk of suffocation,
it is never acceptable to allow a cat in the bed of a child under
three years of age. In our own home, our cats are not allowed into
the children's bedrooms and there is a door that can be closed to
keep them out at night.
Some cats have difficulty adjusting to a new baby initially.
The new parents are often busy, tired, and focused on the new
baby. The cat that was once the center of all the attention has
now taken a back seat to the new baby. By anticipating this and
the potential problems that could arise, a pet owner should try to
lessen the shock by slowly introducing new baby furniture,
blankets, etc., over a period of time. After the arrival of the
baby, make sure you set aside time every day to groom and play
with the cat. The adjustment period may take a month or longer,
but almost all cats adjust after a short while. Adding a new cat
to the family at this time as a companion for your cat is not
always a good idea. A new kitten will just add to the stress of
the existing cat as well as taking more of the owner's time away
from the cat to care for the kitten.
Health Concerns
Most of the health concerns involving children and cats concern
toddlers and small children and revolve around the children coming
into contact with cat feces.
Roundworms, the protozoan
Toxoplasma, and certain bacteria can all be
transmitted to children that ingest cat feces. For this reason I
recommend that children are not allowed to play around or clean
the litter box. Outside sandboxes and dirt piles are also a place
where children can come in contact with cat feces. Invest in a
sandbox that can be covered. In our house, we have eliminated the
sand and use pea gravel instead. It is much cleaner and cats are
not attracted to it like sand.
Keeping your cat properly vaccinated against
rabies is a must, as well as frequent de-wormings and parasite
control like the once-a-month topicals. I apply the monthly
topicals to my cats at night after the children have gone to bed
and discourage handling of the cats for 24 hours. The flea growth
regulators like
Program or Bio Spot for Cats have been shown to be very safe
for both cats and the children that handle them. The ringworm
fungus is a fungus carried by some cats that can infect children.
While the fungus is irritating, it is not a serious health concern
for healthy children and can be easily treated with a prescription
anti-fungal cream. If you suspect that either your cat or child
may have ringworm, you should seek out veterinary and human
medical advice and care.
Cat bites or scratches are another common medical concern.
Because of the risk of infection, particularly from the bacteria
Bartonella henselae that can cause the serious infection
known as 'cat scratch fever,' cat scratches and bites should
always be treated seriously. Thoroughly clean and disinfect all
scratches and bites, and seek immediate medical attention if there
is any sign of infection, pain, or fever.
Preventing scratches or bites is crucial. Teach your children
to handle and treat cats correctly. Use intervention to prevent
bites and scratches. Young children and cats should never be left
unsupervised, and be particularly cautious with stray or
unfamiliar cats. If you have a cat that is intolerant or
aggressive with children, seek out professional veterinary advice
and training. Separation or placement in a home without children
may be necessary in some cases.
Simple solutions for common problems
The following is a list of some common cat-child problems that
arise and a list of possible solutions.
The child wants to play in the litter
box.
Children can develop wonderful relationships with their cat. To
help ensure that, follow some good common sense precautions and
choose the right cat at the right time for your child. Both the
child and the cat require a huge investment of your time and
energy. You will find that if you can devote the time to both,
your rewards will be far greater than anything money could ever
buy.
