Children and cats make a wonderful combination.
A new kitten or cat is always a reason for excitement in the home, especially when children are involved. Encourage your child to look after the kitten right from the start and you will have set him or her on a wonderful experience to becoming a responsible adult.
Here are some tips for helping your child look after his or her kitten:
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Encourage your child to feed and water the kitten at the same time each day, preferably before the child has eaten. The rule of ‘kitten eats before you do’ being enforced will soon make sure this isn’t forgotten.
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The same goes for toilet training. Once the kitten has finished eating, take it to the litter tray and once the kitten has finished, it can be time to wash hands ready for your meal.
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Don’t step in and look after the cat just because your child doesn’t want to do it today. This won’t be easy but your child needs to learn that something living is depending upon him for its very existence.
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Make sure your child understands that you need to know when the cat’s food supply is getting low. This will teach youngsters to look ahead and plan in advance.
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Try to encourage your child to groom his kitten regularly. Doing this encourages a different sort of responsibility – it might even extend to keeping a bedroom tidy in later life!
Some of the things your child can learn from looking after his own cat can also include:
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Learning and understanding boundaries. A cat will soon let you know if you have overstepped what it thinks appropriate.
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Realization that pets are for life, not just this week. This can also lead to developing friendships that last as your child will look to find other caring people to play with.
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Accountability in that if something is not done or forgotten, it is his pet that is hurt, not him.
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An understanding of the needs of others and what to do when something is not right.
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The self confidence and self esteem that comes with the knowledge that they are responsible for the welfare of another being.
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Understanding the signals and body language that are being given.
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That love goes two ways. The more he loves and cares for his cat the more the cat will respond in kind.
Why not buy your children *How to Make Your Cat Adore You. This wonderful ebook will teach your children about the other side of owning a kitten, the emotional and two way love side.
Studies have shown that when children are given this responsibility when they are still young, though old enough to actually undertake the care needed, they grow into reliable and trustworthy, caring adults. Studies have also shown that when children are under stress due to an unhappy home or school life, illness or a disability, the stress levels are lowered when a cat is involved. The level of trust shown when a cat curls up on a lap and goes to sleep really does wonders in making a child feel good about himself. *Complete Cat Training is another excellent book that will help your child learn the correct and easiest way to train his new kitten.
Kids, cats and responsibility, they really do go together.
