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Here are some good guidelines for having cats and small children cohabitate nicely.

1) Kittens vs. Adult Cats

Adult cats do better with children under the age of 10 than kittens or older cats. The reason being that kittens and older cats (8 yrs or older) need more peace and quiet for resting than adult cats (1-7 years of age). Children tend to overstimulate kittens and older cats that can result in the cat becoming mean or anxious and developing behavioral problems or unsociability. Cats from shelters tend to be very appreciative of the new home and tolerate younger children better. Take your children with you at the shelter and watch how the cat responds to the children. If it is shy, cowers, hisses or runs--move on to another cat. I would suggest one that walks up to your child, purrs, or rubs on the child's legs, etc. Stay away from any aggressive cat with children.

2) Never Hurt the Cat

Children at different ages don't understand that their behaviors can cause physical pain to the animal. It is up to you to supervise and teach your child to respect the animal and to never hurt it. Should your child attempt to hurt the cat, then the child should be disciplined by time out, revoking allowance, restricting time with the cat, whatever works to teach the lesson. You need to teach them what are appropriate ways to handle the cat. Don't even allow your child to say angry things to the cat as this can escalate.

3) Never Let the Cat Hurt the Child

If your cat bites or scratches the child, then punish the cat by yelling at it. Never leave animals and children together unsupervised. As long as your child learns to respect that the cat needs quiet time and to be left alone sometimes, this should not be a problem. Make sure that your child understands that when a cat is in its hiding places it is to be left alone.

4) Play time

Cats enjoy and need a certain amount of attention every day. Playing with cat toys will keep both cat and child amused for hours. Just make sure you are supervising should the child be young enough that playing with the toys could result in broken pieces or strings being swallowed by either party. Never leave string or yarn (or rubber bands) out for your cat as they can easily be swallowed and entangled within the intestines resulting in emergency surgery. Never allow "rough housing" with the cat or allow the cat to bite even playfully.

5) Encourage Responsibility for the Cat

Ask your child (when old enough, probably around age 9-10) to begin being responsible for feeding the cat and making sure it has fresh water every day. Maybe enlist this help with some allowance, etc. Encourage your child to go with you to the veterinarian for the cat's vaccinations so the child sees that animals need care and get shots just like he/she does.

Cats and children can have loving relationships just as kids do with dogs. Cats don't require as much time as dogs do and they make remarkable pets.

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