Choosing Your First Loving Cat Pet Parental/Guardian Advice For Your Child

“Pick Your Adventure Buddy”

Additional Resources

"If the child receives an allowance consider having some of the allowance goes to feeding and care of the pet cat – teaching financial responsibility"

Choosing Your First Loving Cat Pet

Parental/Guardian Advice

For Your Child

Are You the Parent/Guardian

and Your Child

Ready for Your Pet Cat’s

Potential 10-20 Year Daily Long-Life

Parental/Guardian Advice to Child wanting a Pet Cat

Children get excited holding a kitty. As a parent/guardian you must emphasis to your child before purchasing a cat:

When the child’s pet cat comes into the house care and responsibility begin immediately. This new member of the family is not a novelty that wears-off and can be ignored.
Your pet cat must be fed at the same times every day.
Your pet cat’s water bowl must be cleaned and filled everyday with fresh water.
Children must fully understand, and not underestimate, the daily cleaning of the litter box.
Depending on your breed of chosen cat, grooming required will vary in time required.

Children will learn responsibility/understanding that a pet cat is a non-negotiable daily care routine even when the child is busy, tired or just not in the mood.

Parent/Guardian Must Teach their child that Pet Cats have Boundaries and Feeling

Cats are a living animal, not a play toy, and a member of the family requiring personal space and respect.
Cats must be handled carefully and gently – or your pet cat may painfully scratch a handler in self-defence.
Children must be taught to watch/observe for signs of discomfort and/or stress.

These actions will build empathy in children and avoid potential defensive bites and scratching for an upset pet cat.

Parent/Guardian must Emphasis that Daily Play/Attention is Necessary for a Happy/Healthy Pet Cat

Children must understand that playing with a pet cat takes time every day.
Ignoring a pet cat can lead to boredom
Ignoring a pet cat may lead to destructive behaviour such as scratching furniture, ripping curtains, chewing of shoes.