Choosing a Pet

Introducing a New Pet with Children and Babies

Children Under 6 or 7
   The Humane Society of the United States advises you not to adopt a kitten under 4 months old if your children are under 6 or 7.

• Overly affectionate toddler's can do bodily harm to the kitten with well-meaning hugs.
• More mature kitten better able to withstand a young child's noise and quick movements.
• If child pulls the cat's tail, any age cat will defend itself and may swat and hiss at the child.

All Children

Handling Pets
Teach children immediately the proper way to pick up and hold the cat. Show them how to treat the animal gently so the animal will not be hurt or scared away from the child. Explain to the child that an older cat may not always want to play. When a cat is not prepared to play and interact, don't try to hold the cat and force him. If you give the cat some space, he will easily return to the child to play when it's ready.

Play Between Cats and Children
Use balls, paper or other small, safe toys. Play with the cat through the use of safe objects such as pulling a string. This way, the cat will pounce on the string and not on the child's hand.

Putting Children in Charge of Pets
Never put a child of ten or under in charge of the welfare of an animal. Younger children are not capable of such a large responsibility -- and the pet will be the one to suffer. Help them learn this process by showing them how when they are older.

Cats & Babies
A cat may get jealous of a new baby joining the family. To help your cat adjust...

• Before the baby comes, introduce the kitten or cat to the smell of baby powder, baby oil, and diapers.
• Make recordings of a baby crying and play it for the cat to get him used to the new sounds.
• Make sure you associate the smells and sounds with something of pleasure for the cat.
• Borrow a friends baby for an hour and hold the baby while the spouse holds the cat-- then switch. The cat will associate holding the baby with holding in the family.
• After the baby arrives, try to spend quality time with the cat-- even for short time periods.
• The cat will be very curious about the new addition to the family. Let the cat see the baby in your presence and don't leave the two of them alone.

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