Mary Allen
There is ample evidence that living with pets is a stimulating and invaluable experience for children’s personality development. Children learn to take responsibility and care for another living being and to practice consideration and respect. In return, the young people experience the affection of their pet and receive emotional feedback during play and cuddles. The animal becomes the confidante who asks no questions, demands no performance, and can be trusted with secrets and needs. Because of their empathy and balance, cats are particularly suitable as pets for children.
Why are Cats Good Pets for Children?
In spite of all their idiosyncrasy, cats are basically friendly and very adaptable animals that “tune in” to dealing with their people. If their character and needs are respected, they show themselves to be affectionate and affectionate. They like children as long as they are not pressed too much and would appreciate a young person who would give them time, play with them and pet them. The mere presence of a cat can rouse shy children and calm little frantic ones. On the other hand, cats are animals that set clear boundaries and demand respectful treatment. If that is not the case, the velvet paw does not play along. A cat is, therefore, an excellent teacher for training social skills such as consideration and empathy as well as careful dealings with other living beings.
Important: Before you buy the animal, do an allergy test to find out whether the child is sensitive to cats. If an intolerance turns out afterward, this would inevitably lead to heartbreaking scenes. A tetanus vaccination for the child is also advisable.
When Can a Child Take Responsibility for a Cat?
Ultimately, you always have full responsibility for a cat. But the most important care steps – feeding, playing, brushing, cleaning the litter box – can already be taken on by an older primary school child. And even the little ones can be involved in caring for the cat: a kindergarten child can help to clean the feeding bowls, for example. Step by step you can expand the tasks and transfer responsibility. Adults should continue to take on complicated tasks such as administering medication or caring for their claws. Always keep an eye on the fact that the care of the cat is ensured without any problems.
What Should You Pay Attention to When Meeting Cats and Children?
If you want to take a new cat into the household and the children are still small, a certain character and physical robustness is an advantage for both sides. Small children do not yet have the sensitivity or motor skills to approach a cat appropriately or to understand body signals. Sometimes people run towards the animal with a loud whoop or pat their fur a little harder when petting it. A cat that doesn’t mind such affectionate rudeness and, when in doubt, tends to evade rather than extend its claws, is an ideal companion for the little ones. You can teach slightly older and more intelligent children how to interpret the cat’s facial expressions, whether the animal is not in the mood to play and caress, and when it is better to leave the cat alone. Nevertheless, you should never leave child and cat alone together unsupervised.