Let’s get the obvious out of the way first; children cannot be the sole caretaker of any pet, which includes even a couple of goldfish in the bowl. Nonetheless, allowing them to take care of pets under adult supervision is a good way to teach children the basics of handling responsibilities, but not all pets are suitable for young children to handle. Some of them are just too delicate to survive the interests of a young child, while others require too much effort for a child to provide. The cat, on the other hand, can be one of the best pets for children and here are four reasons why.
Cats Can Make Your Children Stronger
This might go against everything that you have been told so far, but the truth is that children who grow up with cats are less likely to develop allergies later on in life, and they may even have a stronger immune system. Now, it is true that there are diseases that can be transmitted from a cat to a child, but that’s true for every pet out there, and even human beings! So, as long as your cat is getting all the essential shots from a vet, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.
Cats Are Tolerant Towards Children
This one may vary a bit because just like us, cats have personalities and not everyone is as tolerant. Nonetheless, it has been found that most species of cats from the mighty Maine Coon to the adorable Persian can be extremely tolerant towards children. Although, it is the duty of the parents to teach children about respecting animals and knowing when the cat needs to be left alone.
They Are Relatively Easy To Take Care Of
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that cats do not require any upkeep because they most certainly do! Even then, cats are pretty self-sufficient, which makes them easier for children to handle. They can develop flea and tick infestations at times, but it is quite easy to use Bravecto for cats for safely getting rid of the parasites and preventing them from returning. Cats don’t need to be walked and they can survive on their own for a few days, as long as there are sufficient food and water available.
Cats Love To Play
We know that dogs love to play, but so do cats and a lot of people forget about that. While one is certainly not better than the other, if you live in an apartment, your children will probably have an easier time playing inside with the cat than the dog because of the size difference between the two pets. However, neither dogs or cats should be allowed to play unsupervised with toddlers who do not have the development to differentiate between a live animal and a stuffed toy yet.
It is important to understand that a tiny, delicate kitten is not the same as an adult cat and if you have a young kitten at home, it will need a few weeks before being ready to mix freely with children. Adopting an adult cat might actually be a better idea when trying to find the first pet for your child.
