Your cat and your child can develop a close and wonderful relationship. Take the time to demonstrate to your child the correct way to interact as soon as he or she becomes aware of the cat. Provide your cat with areas of safety and refuge. With a proper introduction and training, the blossoming relationship can start your child on a lifetime of showing tenderness toward animals. From the cat’s point of view the key to initiating and establishing a good relationship begins with trust.
Follow Feline Etiquette
There’s a universal way that cats who are familiar with each other use as an opening greeting. They’ll slowly approach each other and engage in an initial scent investigation through nose-to-nose sniffing. It’s after this that they’ll determine whether to interact more or back away. If your cat is approaching, have your child extend his index finger out front. If your child is the one doing the approaching, show him how to walk up to the cat slowly. If he runs, the cat may interpret that as being chased and run for cover. If your child is the one doing the approaching it’s important to show him how close to get to the cat before sticking out his index finger. He shouldn’t hover over the cat but just present his index finger close enough so the cat doesn’t have to get up to sniff it but not so close that it’s an intrusion on kitty’s personal space. As an adult and as someone who knows your cat’s body language, it’s also important for you to make sure the cat’s body language reflects an openness for this potential interaction. If your cat’s ear are flattened back, he’s growling or is displaying any sign of defensiveness, then this isn’t the time for any attempt at physical contact.
Your child shouldn’t stick the finger in the cat’s face or try to entice the cat into play. Show your child how to merely extend his finger as if it’s another cat’s nose. This will give the cat an opportunity to do some initial sniffing. If she wants to interact with your child, she’ll rub against his finger or move closer. If she doesn’t want more interaction, she’ll stay still or move away. Explain to your child that cats use scent as a way to gather information and communicate. Cats use scent as a form of recognition. The opportunity to sniff your child’s finger is close to how two feline friends would approach each other.
If kitty chooses not to sniff the finger or merely sniffs it and backs away (or if the cat was already stationary, she may turn her head away), then that’s a sign she doesn’t want to interact. If your child understands that and moves away then it begins to build trust because she’ll feel as if she has choices. When you give your cat a choice it helps prevent her from defensive reactions due to feeling trapped in a corner. That’s the foundation of trust-building.
Pet With an Open Hand
The incorrect petting technique can squash a budding relationship. Show your child how to gently pet with an open hand and to stroke in the direction that the fur grows. Some cats have sensitive areas or definite preferences when it comes to certain body locations. Instruct your child on the areas to stay away from. If you have more than one cat, each one may have very different likes and dislikes so teach your child that what one cat enjoys may not be what the other likes. In general, many young children pet by patting the cat and most cats don’t enjoy that kind of touch. The overall preferred method is to use smooth strokes. The typical place that cats enjoy being petted is on the back of the head. Some cats like long strokes down the back but for other cats that is either too stimulating or too sensitive. Know what your cat likes so you can instruct your child correctly.
With some cats there’s a window of opportunity when it comes to how long they enjoy being petted. If you know that about your cat you can offer your child some guidelines. If your child is old enough to be aware of body language show him what to watch for that could indicate kitty is reaching her tolerance level. If your child is very young then give guidelines such as telling him he can pet a specific number of times. To further build trust, instruct your child that no matter how much the cat may enjoy the interaction, if she moves away it means she’s finished. If your cat feels she has the choice to stop the interaction when she has had enough it will go a long way in strengthening that all-important bond of trust.
Create Special Games
Cats love to play. Children love to play. Children love to play with pets. Help your child pick out a cat toy – preferably a design that resembles a fishing pole – and show him how to conduct a play session with kitty. Teach your child not to poke the cat or point the toy in her face, as well as not frustrating kitty by keeping the toy out of reach. Place open paper bags on their sides and have your child try to get the toy in each bag. Both he and the cat will have fun.
Read About Pets
There are several books written for children about pets or tell stories about cats or dogs. Use story time as an opportunity to help your children develop more compassion and understanding about how animals feel and what they need. One of the things I frequently did during story time was to ask my children how they thought the cat or dog felt when something good or bad happened.
Model the Behavior You Want in Your Child
Your child is learning from watching how you care for and interact with the family pets. On a daily basis, demonstrate that kitty needs proper healthcare, good nutrition, love, fun and kindness. If your child sees you reprimanding the cat in an inappropriate way, there’s a chance he will do the same. Even how you talk about the family cat can influence how your child views the relationship. Referring to the cat as “stupid” if he does something undesirable will send the wrong message to your child. You hold the key when it comes to whether your child and your cat develop a good or bad relationship
Need More Information?
For more specific information on cat behavior, cat training and cat behavior problems, refer to any of the books by Pam Johnson-Bennett, including Think Like a Cat.
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Pam Johnson-Bennett is the star of Psycho Kitty airing on Discovery UK. She is author of seven best-selling books on cat behavior including Think Like a Cat: how to raise a well-adjusted cat – not a sour puss. Think Like a Cat has become known as the cat bible. Pam is considered a pioneer in the field of cat behavior consulting. In addition to her television series and public speaking engagements, Pam owns Cat Behavior Associates, a private veterinarian-referred behavior company in Nashville, TN. Cat Behavior Associates offers private cat behavior appointments on a limited basis. Pam Johnson-Bennett is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant.
