Things you can do to to help your cats and kids grow up happy and safe together

• Your child must learn to never touch an animal unless an adult is there to give permission

• Children should approach cats slowly especially if the cat doesn't know them. Sudden movement can cause the cat to become defensive.

• Children should not to teach a kitten or young cat to chase their fingers.  When the cat is older, this game can become painful, as the cat learns bites or claws the child's hand.

• Teach children to not stare into a pet's eyes. Some animals see this as a threat and it could make the animal defensive and nervous.

• Pets should have their own toys. Your pet could chew on your child's toy and possibly swallow it.

• Teach your child to let the cat leave when it wants, and that they shouldn't force the cat to play if it doesn't want to.

• Don’t neglect your cat! Your cat is a member of the family. Treat it as such. Just because a cat is not asking for attention, doesn’t mean it doesn’t want some.

• Your cat may be jealous, but it isn’t spiteful. If it does not like a child or baby, more than likely it will just choose ignore it.

• Teach your children respect for animals. Let them know how to properly handle your cat, and that they should not handle wild animals.

• If you have a kitten, remember that it is a baby. It should be handled delicately. If the kitten feels safe and secure with you and your child, it has a greater chance of growing up to be a well adjusted, trusting cat. Younger children do not understand how to gently and properly handle such small animals. Wait until the kitten is older before allowing your child to have unsupervised playtime.

• Keep your children away from the litter box!
  The litter box should be placed in a location that is accessible to the cat, but not to children.

• Trim your cat’s nails. If a child angers a cat, or frightens it, the cat could act in defense and scratch the child. Accidents can happen and keeping trimmed nails can ease the results.

• Let your cat eat in peace. If a cat has eaten without being disturbed, it will tend to be happier when finished and able to handle the rigorous activities of your child.

• Do not let your child treat the cat as though it was a toy. Cat’s do not like to pulled, poked, proded and stretched. It can be frightening as well as painful for the cat. A cat's natural defense instincts could cause it to act aggressively towards the child.

• Keep cat toys and medications away from the reach of children. Your cat’s toys should be brought out only when it is playtime for the cat. Properly store them away when not in use. Use a cat toy bin, or locked cabinet.

• When using flea collars and sprays, be sure that they are non toxic. Many include pesticides harmful to children.
  However, there are many pest control methods that are not harmful to children. Speak with your Vet for more information.