Is It A Good Idea To Get A Kitten With A Toddler?

Having a toddler and getting a pet is a great idea. Pets can teach toddlers important lessons, like how to take care of others while respecting personal space. Toddlers can also form a lifelong bond with pets, especially if you get a young pet like a kitten.

If you’re interested in getting a kitten to grow with your toddler, the good news is that this is an excellent idea. Read on to find out the best way to get a kitten with a toddler, including the type of cat to get and how to prepare your home.

Getting a Kitten with a Toddler: What to Know

The basics of getting a kitten with a toddler are pretty straightforward. Obviously, you want to find a cat that works well with kids. Pay attention to a kitten’s personality to determine whether it would be a good fit in your home.

Also, consider whether your home is ready to add a kitten. Kittens need peace and quiet, or else they can become distant. Toddlers can be loud and could startle the kitten. Make sure your home has space for the kitten to relax when it needs some rest.

Related: New Kitten 101: Guide to Getting a New Kitten

Picking What Type of Kitten to Get

While personality is paramount when picking a kitten for your toddler, a cat’s breed influences how good they are with kids. Here are some of the best types of kittens for toddlers:

• Ragdoll. Ragdolls are laid-back and relaxed, perfect for a hectic home with a toddler. These kittens grow up to be tolerant and loving, almost like dogs — perfect for a toddler to grow up with!
• American Shorthair. These types of cats are pretty easy-going and friendly. While they might not be cuddly with your toddler, they make great partners for playtime.
• Maine Coon. Main Coons are incredibly social and outgoing, making them great picks if you want a friendly kitten in your home. Keep in mind that Maine Coons grow to be very large for cats, though this isn’t something to be concerned about.

Should You Get a Kitten or Adult Cat?

While your heart may be set on getting a kitten, there are advantages to choosing to adopt an adult cat if you have a toddler. For starters, you can probably find an adult cat that previously lived in a home with young children. Also, adult cats have an established personality, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

If you’re curious about adult cats, consider checking out a local animal shelter with your toddler to meet some cats!

Steps to Take When Bringing a Kitten Into Your Home

Before, during, and after bringing a kitten home, you’ll need to make sure your toddler and kitten are interacting in a healthy way. Aside from getting everything a kitten needs (consult our new kitten checklist for the full list), here are steps you need to take to make your home more comfortable for your kitten, your toddler, and you. 

Start slow

Your toddler and kitten’s first meeting should be brief and reserved. They’re both getting to know each other, so you don’t want the first interaction to be negative. Over time, you should start to let your toddler and kitten interact more often.

Keep in mind that you should always supervise playtime between a toddler and kitten to make sure everything goes alright.

Teach your toddler how to interact with the kitten

If you don’t have any animals at home, your toddler will probably be very excited to meet the kitten. However, you need to teach them how to interact with the kitten. Teach your toddler that tugging on the kitten’s ears and tail are bad, and that the kitten will scratch them if they do something wrong. Having your toddler learn how fragile a kitten is can be a great lesson to teach as your toddler can learn restraint and empathy.

Failing to teach your toddler how to interact with a kitten could lead to a hostile environment between your toddler and kitten. The kitten may become distant or, even worse, destructive, and your toddler could develop a fear of household pets. Don’t skip this step when bringing a kitten home.

Create boundaries

Your toddler should learn that, like people, kittens have boundaries. Teach them that kittens need space and sometimes they just need a quiet place to take a nap. This can make your home more comfortable for your kitten while teaching your toddler important life lessons.

Focus on hygiene

Hygiene is important for your toddler and your kitten. Make sure your toddler washes their hands before and after playtime to prevent spreading any germs to or from your kitten. If your toddler gets scratched or bitten by the kitten, make sure to wash the area clean and point out the importance of preventing infections.

Be patient

This step applies to you and your toddler. Kittens warm up over time, and eventually you and your toddler will bond with your kitten. However, relationships take time to build. Remember that your kitten is now a lifelong partner for your toddler, so they have plenty of time to grow together.

Final Thoughts: Should You Get a Kitten with a Toddler?

If you have a toddler, getting a kitten can be a great idea. Make sure to pick a kitten whose personality is a good fit at home. Taking steps to make sure things go well can help your toddler and kitten bond even faster. When in doubt, remain patient and remember that everything is a teachable moment.

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