As a therapy cat, I work a lot with children of all ages. I also often see them at cat shows. I’m very tolerant so I’m probably the best kitten a child could be with. And honestly, I love little people!
But that doesn’t mean that every child I meet is well-behaved. Sometimes they’re not — they’re grabby, or they want to play with my ears, tail or feet. It’s not their fault. They’re just learning — or they haven’t been taught the proper way to handle a cat. So I have some pointers that I hope will help.
A Child Is Never Too Young To Learn How To Touch A Cat
The keyword is “gentle.” In fact, when it comes to animals, gentle is the first word a child should learn. The best way to teach gentleness in relation to a cat or other pet, is to show the child what gentleness means. Gently stroke the child’s arm and let them know how good it feels. Then they do the same to your arm. Honestly, it’s a sweet bonding moment for a parent and child even before a pet is added to the mix. This is a nice and descriptive way to show that this is the way a cat likes to be handled.
You can teach even very young children the concept of gentleness, and once they get it, interacting with cats will be more pleasant for everyone. I run into kids a lot, and I promise, not all of them are wild and grabby! Even at that age, many of them already know how to be gentle.
Always Supervise Interactions between Cats and Children
Even gentle toddlers and young children do not fully understand the implications of handling a living, breathing creature, so an adult must be present for any interaction. Never leave your little one alone with a cat or any other animal.
Even though the parents are there when I visit the kids, my person always holds me when I’m with the kids. That way, it’s easy for him to put his hands under the fingers that can grab or pull my ear or tail. Parents can do this too. This is an easy way to correct rough behavior without making the child feel bad or wrong. It is very important that interactions with a cat should be learning moments that are as helpful and positive as possible.
When Children Are Too Excited or Naughty
Sometimes small children get too excited when they see a kitten, and start screaming or being rough. Give the child a chance to calm down before approaching the cat, who is likely stressed by this behavior. Remind them that the cat needs the child to be gentle. If the child cannot settle, it is best to keep them and the cat separate for now. Remind the child that the kitten needs gentle pets and a fun time, and they will only be with the kitten if they can do that. Practice how to stroke gently when the child is calmer and then try again with the cat.
Even if your cat is like mine, and tolerant of rougher handling, it’s important for children to learn to be respectful of a cat’s needs. Not every cat they may encounter will be as cute!
Studying Cat Signals
Once a child is past the toddler stage, you can begin teaching them the signals that cats give, positive and negative, to human touch. Purring, lending into petting, rubbing the child’s hand or body — these are all indications that the cat wants contact. Ears back, a tail that wags back and forth or is tucked under their body, are all indications that the cat wants to be left alone. These signs are easy to spot, and every child should learn them.
There are some areas that most cats are uncomfortable with. This includes ears, feet, tail and belly. Let your child know that touching these areas is not pleasant for his kitty friend, and redirect them to cheeks, chin, and body strokes.
Picked up the Cat
Children almost always want to pick up a cat in front of their half, leaving the bottom half of the cat hanging or dragging on the floor. Of course, this is completely uncomfortable for the cat, and the exact wrong way to hold them! So don’t allow a child to pick up a cat until they are old enough to do it properly, gently hug the cat’s front end with one hand, and hug the cat’s bottom end with the other.
Contact with the Cat
Involve your child in caring for your cat, to the extent of their age and ability. Let them help you at feeding times, and show them how to play with the cat. Cats love to be on a schedule, and having regular grooming times is beneficial for children as well.
These are just the basics of teaching kids to hold a cat, but I hope they help! Parents who have taught their children to be friendly with kittens certainly make my job easier, and it will make your cat’s, and child’s, life happier.
Here are more posts about the cat-human relationship:
