Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

8 Cat Nursery Rhymes (With Videos): Fun Poems for Kids & Their Pets

Siamese cat with kids

A great way to get your kids to bond with their pet cats is to let them sing nursery rhymes and poems to them. There are several child-friendly poems and nursery rhymes that can engage their interest at various ages. We have compiled a list of the most popular videos of cat nursery rhymes and poems for kids.

Most of them are short and have words that are easy to pronounce. Some of them also have entertaining animations and words on the screen to be followed along.

This list will discuss eight different cat nursery rhymes for kids and what they are about.

divider 3 paws

The 8 Cat Nursery Rhymes

1. Three Little Kittens

The “Three Little Kittens” is a poem generally attributed to Eliza Lee Cabot Follen. The main poem is part of the Mother Goose collection and involves three little kittens and their mother cat.

The nursery rhyme in the above video is likely based on the “The Three Little Kittens” poem and entails three kittens that lose their mittens and begin to cry. They tell their mother that they have lost their mittens, and she tells them they can no longer have any pie. The kittens eventually find their mittens and are allowed to have pie while wearing mittens.

While eating, the three little kittens end up soiling their mittens and sigh. The nursery rhyme ends with the kittens washing their mittens and hanging them outside to dry. They tell their mother that they have washed the mittens and enjoy pie with their mother without wearing any mittens.


2. The Fat Cat

This fun cartoon and poem feature a little girl who has a very fat pet cat. The cat was so fat that he couldn’t sit on his mat, nor could he wear his hat as it wouldn’t fit. When he tried the hat on, the hat split on his head. This short poem is great for toddlers as it is easy to learn and includes an educational spelling clip at the end. Toddlers and young kids can learn words that end with “at” in the poem, such as cat, fat, and mat.


3. Here’s a Little Cat

The “Here’s a Little Cat” is a short nursery rhyme and animation that kids can sing along to. The lyrics are easy to remember and catchy, so they can sing it to their cat. In the nursery rhyme, a little girl signs about her fat cat that is sitting on a mat. The cat can be seen playing with a hat and the little girl sings about giving the cat a pat on the head as she will be pleased by it.


4. The Shadow Kitten

This video features the short poem “The Shadow Kittens” by Oliver Herford. The poem is read alongside a picture book clip of a kitten who discovers their shadow for the first time.

The poem begins with a little kitten who sees their shadow and describes how it is not as fluffy or round as them. When the kitten tries to meow to the shadow, the shadow never responds. When the kitten jumps into the air, the shadow never leaves the ground. The kitten notices how the shadow seems to grow and shrink but doesn’t understand it. Once when the sun came up in the garden, the kitten noticed how the shadow became very tall.


5. A Cat

This video clip of a short cat poem for kids by Micheal Rosen is extracted from Jelly Boots, Smelly Boots. Rosen describes a cat that was told to be thinner but does not care and wants their dinner. The cat thinks they are fed too little food and is grateful when they are given a massive plateful instead. The poem ends with the cat saying that they “want to get fat and that’s that.”’


6. Our Kittens

This video has a read-aloud poem called “Our Kittens” by Evaleen Stein. It includes a black cartoon cat and words on-screen that can be followed along. The beginning of the poem describes three black kittens with soft fur, velvet paws, and blue eyes. The next set of kittens is described as having tiger stripes. The poem ends off with how the cats play and run fast, and that is a pity that they must turn into cats.


7. The Fat Cat Sits On The Mat

If you are looking for a longer cat-related rhyme to read to your kids, then “The Fat Cat Sits On The Mat” by Nurit Karlin is a great choice. Kids can also read this along to their cats. The rhyming story is easy to follow along with pictures from the original book.

The story starts with a rat that hates a fat cat and wants the cat to get off a mat. The rat ends up getting a bat and a hat to help get the cat off the mat, but it doesn’t work. They end up getting a dish with a fish to lure the cat off the mat, but the cat quickly realizes it’s a trick. Wilma’s broom ends up flying through the window and knocking everyone onto the cat. When the cat eventually gets up, he eats the fish on the dish and lays back in the vat.


8. I Love Little Pussy Cat

“I Love Little Pussy Cat”, alternatively called “I Love Little Kitty” is an old but popular poem dating back to the 18th century. The lyrics have been altered slightly over the years and additional lyrics have been added to make it easier to understand. The nursery rhyme in the video is based on the poem and is a fun song that kids can sing to their cats. Not only does it have a catchy tune that kids can sing along to, but also has an important message behind it. It helps kids understand how to interact with a cat without hurting them.

divider 2 cats

Conclusion

We hope that this list has helped you choose a fun cat-related poem or nursery rhyme for your kids. Although most of these poems and nursery rhymes are meant to be light-hearted, they can be educational. Some of them feature spelling clips at the end of the video, while others teach kids about handling cats properly.

Overall, they can be useful in getting your kids interested in interacting with cats and learning more about them from a young age.


Featured Image Credit: Bear Fotos, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Oreo, Once a Stray, Gets His Own Book to Help Other Cats

Originally published on Nov 10, 2014 and republished in remembrance of Oreo the cat. The Oreo Cat may have had a rough start...

10 Cat Poems Every Pet Parent Should Read: Fun Feline Poetry

When you’re in the mood to celebrate your cat’s greatness with something moving, comedic, or lyrical, you may turn to poetry. There are...

orange cat in glasses with book

“Cats”: Behind the Scenes at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Musical

Despite being a tried and true cat lover, until last week, I had never seen Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous Cats musical. So when...

25 Top Cat Movies for Kids: The Purrfect Picks in 2025

Cats are fascinating and interesting animals, so it’s no surprise that there are numerous movies that feature them. Many films with cats are...

Cool hipster cat with vintage sunglasses holds popcorn

More related

rag doll cat sitting in cat tree

11 Cute Cat Commercials You’ll Love to Watch (With Videos)

In today’s fast-paced world, where our attention is constantly on various screens and devices, it’s refreshing to stumble upon something that instantly captivates...

Siamese cat with kids

National Kids and Pets Day 2025: When & What Is It?

There are dozens of interesting holidays throughout the year that are dedicated to bringing attention to animals in one way or the other....

cat lying on the sofa wearing a witch's hat for halloween

5 DIY Kids Cat Costumes for Halloween They’ll Love 

Donning a creative and quirky Halloween costume is an eagerly anticipated event for kids each year, but it can be stressful for parents...

cute cat on owner's arms

Do Cats Like When You Sing to Them? Fun Facts

Even the shyest among us can feel confident belting out our favorite tunes in the comfort of home, and it’s even better when...

Keep reading

Transitioning Your Cat to Raw Food: 5 Crucial Tips

There are arguments for and against a raw food diet for cats. Some say that it can be dangerous due to the prospect of contaminated meat and a lack of nutrients. Others say that it can be beneficial because it’s...

cat reaching dish with raw meat

Can Cats Eat Tilapia? Vet Approved Nutrition Advice

People often associate cats with foodstuffs like milk and fish. Interestingly, both myths have somehow become part of the collective knowledge about felines. It turns out that most cats are lactose-intolerant after weaning. That’s not surprising, given the fact that...

Can Cats Eat Tilapia

How to Tell if Your Cat Is Depressed: 9 Vet-Reviewed Signs to Look For

Although cats have a reputation for being aloof, they can actually feel a range of emotions. When a cat experiences significant changes in their life, they can develop signs consistent with depression. Although they can’t tell us how they are...

a sad or sick american shorthair cat with ears dropped on the sides

Signs an Older Cat is in Pain: 8 Vet-Reviewed Indications

As the years have rolled on, you’ve probably seen your cat’s behavior change. They start off as kittens with tons of energy, running and catching anything that moves, to a peaceful, mature cat that likes to nap in any patch...

Old tabby cat sitting on the sofa

Why Do Cats Meow & Yowl? 10 Vet-Approved Reasons Behind the Behavior

Your cat’s meow can have many different motives, and there is usually no reason for concern. Cats will meow when they’re hungry, full, happy, sad, and everything in between, and this sound is used to convey their emotions and intentions...

cat sitting on wooden floor

How to Naturally Sedate Your Cat: 6 Vet-Reviewed Alternatives

Maybe your cat is scared of going to the vet, or he’s super afraid of thunderstorms, or perhaps you’re about to be traveling and your cat doesn’t do well with car rides. Maybe your cat hates the Fourth of July...

cat enjoying cat nip

Do Cats Fight to the Death? Facts & Prevention Tips (Vet-Verified)

You might have heard your neighborhood cats yowling into the night and wonder whether these fights ever result in the death of a cat. Maybe your indoor cats have suddenly started fighting, and you’re concerned that they may injure each...

cats armwrestling fight battle_Nils Jacobi_shutterstock

Do Cats Cry When They’re Sad? Vet Approved Facts & Care Tips

Ask any cat owner if they believe that their cat is capable of feeling emotions, and you’ll likely be met with a resounding yes. Anyone who’s spent time around cats can quickly realize that our feline friends are indeed capable...

crying-cat_Shutterstock_arvitalyaart