Introduction

My kids have never been much of a fan of cats. They’ve always preferred dogs, and they love to play with them and take them outside. But I’ve always wanted to get a cat—mainly because I think it would be cute but also because I want my kids to learn how to care for something other than another living creature. So, when my daughter was about four years old, I decided it was time for us all to take the plunge into feline ownership. So that she could get used to the idea (and so she wouldn’t scream bloody murder), we started talking about getting a cat together before we even went out shopping for one:

Have an open conversation about the cat.

You might feel like your child is too young to really engage in a conversation about the cat, but it’s important for them to know that they have an opinion on the subject. Here are a few questions you can ask:

• “What do you think cats are like?”
• “What do you think cats do?”
• “How would *you* help take care of this cat we’re getting? What would be your favorite thing to do with her/him?”

Take your child with you to adopt the cat.

• Take your child with you to adopt the cat. You might be thinking that this will be a disaster and that your kids will freak out, but trust me—it’s worth it. By taking them along, they’ll have a say in which cat(s) they like most and can form an opinion about whether or not they want that particular cat as part of their family. And if you’re lucky, they’ll already have made some good friends before coming home!
• Explain the process of adopting a pet. If at all possible, explain what happens when people bring pets into shelters and rescues so that everyone knows what’s going on from start to finish: “People bring their pets here because they don’t have enough time for them anymore.” Or whatever reason is appropriate for why people leave their pets behind (i.e., moving).
• Explain that we’re looking for someone who has room in their heart—and house!—for another furry friend…but only one (or maybe two). This will help clear up any confusion later if there are multiple cats involved!

Cat-proof your home.

The first step in making sure that your cat and kids can coexist peacefully is to make sure they are all safe. Cats are natural explorers and will explore any new environment they’re placed in, so it’s important to make sure you have:

• A litter box for the cat (you’ll want one per cat)
• Food and water dishes for the cat(s)
• No poisonous plants or chemicals around (you may need an encyclopedia of toxic plants)
• No electrical cords or wires exposed

Train your child to use positive language when talking to the cat.

• Be sure to use positive language when talking about the cat.
• Don’t say “no.” Instead, say “yes” or “good boy.”
• Avoid saying things like “stop,” which can be confusing for a child. Instead, try saying something like: “It’s time to go in now.” If you want your child to stop petting the cat, it’s best if you physically remove them from the situation.
• Use words like “cute kitty” or “nice kitty” when addressing the cat directly.

Supervise your child and the cat at first, then let them get used to each other.

As you transition your child and the cat into a new household, it’s crucial that you supervise them at first. A good rule of thumb is to let the cat get used to your child and vice versa before giving them unsupervised time together.

When introducing children and cats, it’s important to remember that cats can sense if someone is a good person or not. They will be able to tell if your child is safe or not—so be patient! If a cat doesn’t want to be around your child at first, take note of this behavior so that you don’t force them together too quickly; maybe just give them some time apart from each other without supervision (maybe even consider letting them sleep on different floors).

You can prepare both yourself and your child for adopting a new cat.

You can prepare both yourself and your child for adopting a new cat.

Prepare Your Child:

• Make sure they know that the cat is coming and it’s not a surprise. Let them know what to expect, including that the cat may be shy at first or nippy when they’re playing with it. If you’re not sure how much supervision will be needed in the beginning, share that too so they can be prepared to help out if needed.
• Talk about why you want to get another pet at home, whether it’s for company or just because everyone seems bored sometimes! This opens up opportunities for questions about why cats like hiding under blankets or chasing lasers around on the floor (and answers like “because cats love sleeping next to warm places”).

You’ll also want to explain what their responsibilities would entail if one comes into your lives—feeding time, litter box duty etc.—before bringing home any new arrivals so there won’t be any surprises later on down the road when expectations aren’t met by either side of this equation (“cats don’t usually eat peas”).

Conclusion

We hope you found these tips helpful. We know it can be a stressful time, but if you take it slow and remember that your child is learning too, then everything will be just fine! And don’t forget to keep an eye on your child when they are playing with their new pet—it may take some time for them to get comfortable with having a cat in the house.