Children and Cats
If you have children, especially younger than age five, a cat may not be the best pet choice for you. Find out why you may want to reconsider getting a cat until your kids are older.
Cats are snugglers and love to sleep in human beds, including with babies. Since small children may not be strong enough to push the cat off if it gets in their face, the child could be suffocated.
Kittens are equipped with sharp teeth and claws. They can do a lot of damage to a young child’s skin. Or, your child could even be scratched in the eye.
Children can also easily hurt the cat. Since young kids are often unintentionally rough, the feline may get anxious and subsequently, unfriendly. The children may also not be able to read the cat’s signs of fear or unwillingness to play.
Cats can also find loud noises and quick actions to be stressful. Since these two conditions are common in households with young children, a cat may not be happy in this situation.
If you do decide to get a cat, be sure to teach your children how to handle the cat and how to read the animal’s body language.