Cat Owner's Manual › Chapter 2: Bringing Your Cat Home › Cats Interacting With Children ›

Kittens and Children

Kitten Interfacing with Children

  • Before exposing children to the kitten, be sure they understand that the unit is fragile and must be handled carefully. Teach them the proper method for holding a cat. (See How to Hold a Cat.)
  • Have the child sit while you hand him or her the feline. Kittens squirm and can easily be dropped by children.
  • Responsible children can be encouraged to water and feed the kitten, to increase bonding. However, feline health and maintenance are ultimately the responsibilities of an adult.
  • Child-to-kitten contact should take place only under adult supervision. Very young children (aged 1 to 6) should, for their own safety as well as that of the feline, have minimal contact.

expert tipEXPERT TIP: Very young kittens aren't the best choice for households with very young children. A feline 4 months of age or older is sturdier, more agile, and better able to cope with the demands of young humans.


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Chapter 2: Bringing Your Cat Home

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I have 20 month old twins and am considering a female calico kitten (around 8 wks old) for them. Is this reasonable?

purred by Brianne on Jul 14, 2008 AT 2:18 pm PDT
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Quirk BooksThe Cat Owner's Manual is a basic guide to cat care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides cat owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!