Make sure that the entire family is committed to bringing a new pet in the home, otherwise it isn t fair to the animal or the family. If parents have any reservations about acquiring a new cat I often discourage them until they have more time or the children are older and can take a more active role in the care of the pet. Homes with children are often louder and more stressful than homes without them. Choosing a cat or kitten that is more laid back is often a good place to start. I have often visited a farm and found a similar cat lying contentedly purring in a doll carriage dressed in doll clothes while a smiling five-year old girl pushes him around the barnyard.
Cats love gentle attention and respond to affection.
Small children and as in my case, little boys, are often more interested in chasing the cat than petting it, so if you have active or aggressive children a cat may be too much of a temptation to them and isn t going to be a good choice for a pet. Cats are more mobile than dogs and are able to jump up on a perch and get out of the way of small children. Cats also pose less of a threat of biting or injuring a child and therefore may make a more suitable choice than a dog for small children. However, remember that some cats will never adapt well to being in a family with children and some children will never appreciate or be able to properly care for a cat. Deciding to bring a cat into a family with children is a very important decision and shouldn t be taken lightly.