Although getting a cat for yourself can be easy to handle, getting one for your kids can be quite hard. There are things that you should know about and greatly consider for your kids’ and cat’s sake. You’ll need to consider about the safety of your kids and of your cat’s as well.
The right time for your kid
If you’re getting a new cat for your kids, the first thing that you should consider is their age. If you still don’t have a cat and is planning to get one for your children, make sure that they are in the appropriate age to own a cat. The perfect age for a child to have a cat or dog is in the age of 10-13. By this time, they can take a bit of responsibility for their pets. They may be able to feed their pets, clean their plates and cages, and take them for walks outside.
Although cats are more independent compared to dogs, they still need to be taken care of. If you give your kid a pet cat at a younger age, they may not be responsible enough to take care of the cat or can play roughly with the cat which can result to injuries from scratching and biting.
Bringing a baby home
If you already own a cat before having a baby, then it would be fine to keep your cat. However, there are things that you will need to take into consideration in order to make it easier for your cat to adjust to the new family member.
When you bring a new baby home, you may neglect giving your cat any attention, which can make them feel bad and resentful to the newcomer. You should also find some time to play with your cat and pet him or her as much as you did before. This can prevent making your cat jealous to your new baby.
Cats would normally be curious when there’s something new in the house. They may try to come into the baby’s bed to smell them. This can be helpful in allowing your cat to adjust to the baby’s scent and accepting it as a part of the house. However, you need to be there when your cat is with your baby to make sure that your baby is safe. If you’re not around, you should make sure that you keep the door of your baby’s room closed.
When you kid becomes a toddler, they will become more curious and energetic. This is the time when they try to pull the cat’s tail or hurt the cat while playing. In response, your cat may accidentally scratch or bite your toddler. In order to prevent this, you’ll need to teach your kid how to play gently with your cat early on.
Advantages of having a cat with your kids
There are certain advantages when you have a cat at home with your kids. Most kids who have cats as pets are exposed earlier to allergens like fur and some germs. Though it may sound like something bad, this actually a good thing for your kids. By being exposed to some germs and allergens, your kid’s immune system may be strengthened. This can make them more resistant to illness or recover faster when exposed to them in the future. Aside from improving their physical health, a cat can also be good for your child’s emotional well being. Stroking or petting a cat can make them feel relaxed and happy.
However, you should make sure that your pet cat don’t have fleas and are free from other parasites. Not only will they cause discomfort to your pet cat, but these parasites can also threaten the well being of your child.
