Toddler scaring new cat

[jennielouises]

We had an elderly cat for most of my son’s life. My son is 19 months old. My cat sadly passed away in May. We have just adopted a 4 month old kitten called Oreo and my son is so over excited. He scratches so loudly when he sees the cat and chases after him. I should add it’s only been two days since we got Oreo
The cat doesn’t seem too bothered, except running away. But just now I went out the room briefly and my son saw the cat. I came back to find Oreo had wet himself so was clearly upset. Otherwise he seems settled with me and my son.
I’ve been trying to teach my son to be gentle with Oreo and play with Oreo’s toys. But he doesn’t quite get it and ends up nearly hitting him with the dangle toys.
Any ideas? I really like this cute kitten and want him to be happy.

 

[Caspers Human]

IMO, if you want to teach your son anything about cats, the thing you'll want to impress upon him is that, when the cat runs away and hides, to leave him be. Don't chase.

Sometimes, chasing and hiding are part of play but that's relatively easy for an older child or an adult to understand. However, a smaller kid doesn't doesn't understand what play-chasing is. Therefore, it's better to just say, "Don't chase the kitty!"

Aside from letting the cat run away for its own peace of mind (and yours) it's more likely that, if the cat goes aggro, it'll lash out and bite or claw. Kids need to learn that kitty's love is made of tiny, little knives and needles!

When I was a kid, playing with pets, it didn't take me long to lean to leave them alone when they don't want to play. All it takes is some scratched-up fingers or a bloody hand and a kid will learn.

My father would often say, "See! I told you so!"

 

[game misconduct]

dont allow any unsupervised interaction sooner or later things will end badly for the both of them my baby sisters cat hated my other sisters kids because they did what your kid is doing now to that kitten it ended up attacking my neiece and nephew anytime it seen or came in contact with them. yeah i know kids dont know any better its your responsibility to teach your kid t to play gentle or just leave the cat alone before the cat decides it needs to defend itself and injures your kid

 

[Tik cat's mum]

The first suggestion I have is do not leave your toddler and the kitten unattended, I know how hard this can be as a mum of 4 myself but it only takes a second for accidents to happen. Toddler getting scratched or kitten getting stood on. It will take time and patience to teach your little one how to play nicely with wand toy's. And to leave the kitten alone if it runs and hides.What I did with my little one's was tell them to keep the wand toys on the floor and got them to walk round sofa coffee table and such so the cat's would chase the toy on the floor. Kittens loved chasing things that are going round corners and it puts space between cat and little one. As for screeching with excitement hopefully that will stop soon of course your toddler is excited there's a kitten you could gently remind your toddler now remember let's stay quiet so we don't scare the kitten. Hope this helps good luck.

 

[Caspers Human]

dont allow any unsupervised interaction...

...its your responsibility to teach your kid t to play gentle or just leave the cat alone before the cat decides it needs to defend itself and injures your kid

Ditto! And, ditto!

Unfortunately, we might have to let our kids get scratched up a little before they learn.

When I was little, my father often taught from the School of Hard Knocks. He would warn us kids not to do something like chasing a dog or cat when it doesn't want to play but, then, just stand back and watch as we did it anyway.

When we got slashed or bitten, he'd say, "See! I told you so!" Then, he'd take us to the sink and wash up with soap and hot water, all the time, saying, "This is what happens when you don't leave them alone when they don't want to play!"

It doesn't make me happy to see kids get hurt but, sometimes, they have to learn the hard way.

Fortunately, most kids are resilient.

 

[jennielouises]

Thanks. So we haven’t for the most part. I literally went into the kitchen to get my son’s drink!
So I’m telling him not to chase the cat. But, the cat keeps coming back for more! He’s also not learnt to run away and hide! I’m think making make more hiding spots for him?

 

[Caspers Human]

But, the cat keeps coming back for more!

If the cat comes back for more, that's a LITTLE bit less worrisome but you still have to keep your guard up. The cat will eventually tire, even if he seems to be having fun.

What happens when a little kid gets riled up and plays too much? They get tired and start getting ornery!

The same thing happens with cats. They'll play, play, play until they get tired and stressed out. That's when things start going south and it can happen fairly quickly!

So, when the cat keeps coming back for more, there's a LITTLE less to worry about but you'll still have to keep your guard up and be ready to say, "Okay! Playtime is over! It's time for kitty to take a nap...and you too!"

It's just the same as when two toddlers are playing together. You, as the parent, have to be ready to say, "Game over!" when the time comes.

 

[Tik cat's mum]

Thanks. So we haven’t for the most part. I literally went into the kitchen to get my son’s drink!
So I’m telling him not to chase the cat. But, the cat keeps coming back for more! He’s also not learnt to run away and hide! I’m think making make more hiding spots for him?

Maybe a cat tree would help as I said I get how difficult it can be with little one's. Kitten might decide he likes to be up out of the way. That kitten sounds like he wants to play with your toddler but hasn't realised the size difference.

 

[Caspers Human]

I’m think making make more hiding spots for him?

Smart move!

New House Rule: When kitty goes into his hidey hole, kids have to leave kitty alone until he comes out, by himself!

 

[Kflowers]

Cat tree is a good idea. However, with a toddler at hand be sure, be certain, be positive you've got the tree anchored to the floor and the wall. The base of modern cat trees is barely big enough to keep them from turning over with a cat's weight much less that of a climbing toddler. But you can increase the size of the base and put serious weights on to it. You can add guy wires to the studs in your walls. You can brace it with furniture all around it so when it goes over it lands on the sofa not smack down on the floor and toddler. It also gives the toddler a better landing pad. This can be done.

Or you could get the cat tree, secure it with a larger base just in case and put it behind a picket fence in the corner of the room. Make sure the kitten can slip between the pickets to get to the cat tree and the toddler can't climb the fence. That last bit maybe a problem.

 

[Kris107]

I lean towards just saying "don't chase animals". Maybe your pets will learn to like it but wild animals? Other people's pets? I'd say generally, animals don't like it. We're bigger than them - it's threatening.

 

[Alldara]

I lean towards just saying "don't chase animals". Maybe your pets will learn to like it but wild animals? Other people's pets? I'd say generally, animals don't like it. We're bigger than them - it's threatening.

This.


You can play practice behaviour you want him to do with the cat on a stuffed animal.

Also tell bedtime stories about how to interact. Make something up about a little kitten who gives his adult cats cat-kisses goodnight. (Slow blinks) and do the actions together.

As for the cat toys, I find it best to have children keep the toy on thr ground for cats before age 5. Like how they might be able to roll a ball inside but not toss it.