Are cats good for children? Are children good for cats?
Ginger Grrrl weighs in.
Ginger here.
I guess it’s no surprise that children are attracted to me like bees are to honey.
But, it turns out, as a cat, that I’m not that special in this respect. Most kids LOVE us cats.
I did some research, dear human, and can you believe that most children prefer to be with animals over family members or friends[1]? And most say they prefer to talk to their pets rather than adults or other child humans [1].
Let’s face it. Not only are we cats soft and adorable, we’re also great listeners. What’s more, not all children receive healthy and caring attention from their human caretakers. Unfortunately, for some children, a cat is the only family member that makes them feel safe, listened to, and loved. Gentle human, you know that childhood isn’t all fun and games.
Once again, we cats are here to save the day.
Consider kids who are ill and have to go to the hospital. Having an animal present during a medical exam helps young children feel less anxious and stressed [2]. For kids at the hospital, the more physical contact children have with an animal, the less sad and stressed they are [3]. Among kids dealing with cancer, having an animal present during treatment lessens how much pain, confusion, irritation, anxiety, and stress they feel [4]. (For more on animal-assisted therapy, see What is Animal Assisted Therapy?)
Across the globe, kids who have pet companions have higher self-esteem, more friends, better social skills, and play more than kids without animals [5].
A magic pill does exist. And it’s called… CATS.
Now, A Plea on Behalf of Cats Everywhere
Gentle Human,
Now that you know how great cats are for kids, I have a request. Before you present your child with a cat, you must teach her how to be kind to animals. Do not give an animal to a child unless you know your child will respect our feelings.
I have to be straight with you, human. Many of your children, especially those under six years, scare the bejesus out of me. These children have zero self-control. Please, do NOT leave me alone with one of these monsters!
Human children over six years old are a bit more civil. Still, even some older children need to be taught how to treat us cats. Luckily, most kids this age can listen and learn rules about when and how to come near us without harming us. At the very least, make sure your children ask our permission before they touch us with their grubby paws. And if a cat becomes a part of your family, put her favorite bed in a safe space in a quiet part of your home [6], well out of little Chucky’s reach.
Now, oh naïve human, one last warning. Animal abuse by children is common [7]. Up to 44% of children will abuse animals at some point during their childhood [7]. In younger children, most times an animal is harmed simply because the child is left alone with the animal. Young kids don’t understand that animals can feel pain. However, a small group of older kids are cruel toward animals and indifferent to or enjoy seeing animals in pain [8]. Children who tend to be cruel to animals are likely to abuse humans as well [9]. Animal abuse is your child’s way of waving a ‘red flag’ and saying, pick up the phone now and get me professional help!
Happily, most children do NOT abuse animals. The typical child, from a young age, immediately recognizes cats’ innate magnificence. In my opinion, when a child’s first urge is to nurture and love us, you know you have a quality human on your hands.
In Summary...
In summary, most kids love cats. Children who have pet companions have higher self-esteem, more friends, and better social skills than kids without animals [5]. Most kids, especially those who are sick or don’t get enough healthy attention from adults, could use a cat around to support them.
Children deserve to experience our greatness, whether it’s through a visit to a cat cafe or shelter, or by adopting their own cat companion. Be sure to monitor young children at all times. Show children how to be kind to cats, and we will have years of happiness together.
Some cats are better around kids than others. For help choosing the right kind
of cat for your child’s age, your lifestyle, and your home environment, check out: https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cats-and-your-family
Do you think cats are good for children? Please share a comment below.
REFERENCES
- Johnston, Joni (2021). Children Who Are Cruel to Animals: When to Worry. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-human-equation/201104/children-who-are-cruel-animals-when-worry.
Hansen, K. M., Messinger, C. J., Baun, M. M., & Megel, M. (1999). Companion animals alleviate distress in children. Anthrozoös, 12(3), 142-148. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/089279399787000264
Wu, A. S., Niedra, R., Pendergast, L., & McCrindle, B. W. (2002). Acceptability and impact of pet visitation on a pediatric cardiology inpatient unit. Journal of pediatric nursing, 17(5), 354-362. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12395303/
Silva, N. B., & Osório, F. L. (2018). Impact of an animal-assisted therapy programme on physiological and psychosocial variables of paediatric oncology patients. PloS one, 13(4). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29617398/
Purewal, R., Christley, R., Kordas, K., Joinson, C., Meints, K., Gee, N., & Westgarth, C. (2017). Companion animals and child/adolescent development: a systematic review of the evidence. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(3), 234. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28264460/
Cats Protection. Cats and children, Downloaded on February 24, 2024 from https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/cats-and-your-family/cats-and-children.
Lee-Kelland, R., & Finlay, F. (2018). Children who abuse animals: when should you be concerned about child abuse? A review of the literature. Archives of disease in childhood, 103(8), 801–805. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2018-314751.
Wauthier, L., Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA), & Williams, J. M. (2022). A Qualitative Study of Children’s Accounts of Cruelty to Animals: Uncovering the Roles of Trauma, Exposure to Violence, and Attachment. Journal of interpersonal violence, 37(9-10), NP6405–NP6438. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520928640.
Degue, S., & Dilillo, D. (2009). Is animal cruelty a “red flag” for family violence? Investigating co-occurring violence toward children, partners, and pets. Journal of interpersonal violence, 24(6), 1036–1056. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260508319362
During the past year my daughter and her little son have visited me on numerous occasions. It’s a joy to see the attention both my cat, Hanni, by name, and Deveraux, my grandson, give one another.
There has only been one occasion when separation was necessary, owing to the combined interest in some food we were making for lunch…. ! Both seemed determined to try the dishes, ( might have been because some contained a few fragrant spices and garlic )
Hanni was given suitable arrangements in an adjoining room, with closed window between. However, the pair of them only appeared to care about being next to one another again…. Peeping through the window towards one another.
Perhaps it’s advantageous to introduce young children to cats as early in life as possible. Slowly but surely, of course.
So far, there’s not been any sign of any aggravation or cruel treatment from either. Cats are a blessing, just take care when introducing them to little ones.
Wonderful post, Mewla. I raised my two kids alongside three cats. I don’t know what we would have done without our feline campanions. I absolutely believe that my kids learned a great deal of compassion by caring for our cats. My daughter and I spent years volunteering together at our local SPCA in the feline department, where we all benefitted.
It’s so wonderful that you had cats in your home for your children and also shared the joys (and discipline) of volunteering with your daughter. Thanks for commenting!
Thanks for this interesting article. I wonder how many adults prefer animals over people? I taught my kids to be kind to animals, but as toddlers, they were like wrecking balls.
LOL. So great for you to teach your children kindness to animals. Thanks for sharing : )
Great article. My cat helped me through hard times when I was growing up. If I have kids, they will have cats!
Sounds like a great plan, DR! Thank you.