Three years ago, Debbie Jones and her husband finally gave in to Hailey's pleas. "We knew it could work," Jones says, "because we set some ground rules for having the kitten and explained to both our girls the proper way to interact with her."
Jones was on the right track. Adam Denish, DVM, owner of a private practice in Philadelphia, says kittens and other pets "make wonderful companions for children and can teach them values we all need to develop: humanity, compassion, understanding and responsibility.”
Nine Tips for Introducing a Kitten Into Your Home
If your children are younger than 6 years old and you want to add a kitten to your family, here are some pointers to keep in mind:
- Take charge. “Young children can't be exclusively in charge of a pet,” says Gail F. Melson, Ph.D. and professor of child development at Purdue University in Lafayette, Ind. Young children should not be expected to feed a cat or monitor its intake; only an adult can do this.
- Introduce carefully. Be sure to introduce your kitten gradually to your other pets.
- Involve your child. A young child can help with shopping, naming, feeding and changing the litter box as long as a parent supervises. Visits to the veterinarian are also an excellent way for children to learn about kitten care. In fact, Dr. Denish says, “Your children should be present at veterinary examinations to learn about their friend.”
- Share information. If you're thinking about adding a cat to your family, find out about feline health and behaviour before adopting. Share the information you learn with your whole family.
- Provide proper nutrition. It's especially important to feed your kitten a high-quality food such as Iams® Kitten™ formulas, since the most growth occurs during the first 12 months of life. These premium foods are specially formulated to supply energy for growing cells, support high activity levels and meet the demands of small mouths and teeth and a smaller stomach capacity.
- Be realistic. A new kitten won't be low maintenance. As they explore their new home, kittens may use a plant for a toilet or knock things over in their enthusiasm. If such bedlam is too much for you, think twice about adopting.
- Set ground rules. Hailey and her sister were taught not to pull Cricket's tail or bother her while she ate. They also learned how to pet the kitten properly. Children also should learn not to corner a kitten.
- Find the right toys. Some safe choices include soft toys, such as balls — the bouncier the better. Avoid toys that have sharp edges, strings or parts that your cat might swallow.
- Monitor carefully. Debbie Jones wouldn't allow her daughters to be alone with Cricket when the pet was a young kitten. Experts agree that you shouldn't leave a child and a kitten alone together until you're sure they'll play well with each other.
