How to Handle Kittens for Kids

When you adopt a kitten, all of the members of your family, including your children, need to learn to handle the kitten properly so as not to accidentally harm it. A small kitten can be easily hurt with rough play or teasing from a child, so you need to supervise the interactions between the two. With proper teaching, your child will learn compassion, responsibility and how to relate to animals through his interaction with your new family pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat tree
  • Cat bed
  • Cat toys on string
  • Cat treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up a bed and cat tree for your kitten to sleep on and climb. Tell your child that this space is for the kitten only to escape to and rest, and that he should leave these areas alone. If you see your child following the kitten to these spots and trying to pick up the kitten, stop him from this behavior. You can also set up a room, with food and water, for your kitten where you can shut the door if your child continues to bother the kitten in its designated areas.

    • 2

      Introduce your child to the kitten by telling your child to sit calmly and quietly, allowing the kitten to come over on its own. When the kitten approaches the child, show the child that the kitten wants to smell him to learn his scent. Keep the initial meetings with your child short, from 10 to 15 minutes, allowing your child to observe the kitten and speak to it calmly and softly.

    • 3

      Show the child how to properly pet the kitten, touching only its back and the top of its head. Do not allow your child to touch or pull on the kitten's tail and ears, or attempt to pick up the kitten. If you see your child attempting to chase the kitten or handle the kitten roughly, tell him "no" and immediately place the kitten in another room. Praise your child for proper handling and give both the kitten and your child a treat to reward this positive interaction.

    • 4

      Allow your child to use a cat toy on a string to play with the kitten by dangling the toy in front of it and allowing the kitten to catch and play with it. This prevents your child from handling a toy directly and possibly being bitten or scratched by a rambunctious kitten during play. At the end of the play session, take the toy away to prevent the kitten from trying to eat the string.

    • 5

      Give the child some cat treats to feed to the kitten, allowing the two of them to bond. Teach the child to give one treat at a time, and not to bother the kitten while it eats the treats. If the child feeds the treats calmly, praise him.