How to get my 5 year old to get along with kitty ?

Question

Just yesterday we adopted a cat that my five year old daughter has been wanting so much.When we got home the cat was a bit anxious

and while they were playing scratched my daughter.Now she's scared of the cat and will not go near him.Any suggestions on how to get her

to relax and not be so scared.

Answer 1

Let them work it out.  First, the cat needs to relax in its new home.  Then it will warm to everyone and your daughter will see that the cat was just scared.  Have your daughter feed it too - that will get the cat to see that she's not scary.

Answer 2

The cat is afraid of a FAST MOVING... CHILD...

so let the cat become aclamated.

The child might have squeezed the kitten or startled it.

I would only recommend a child that age be supervised while playing with a kitten.

You can hold the kitten and allow your child to pet it gently.

DO NOT ALLOW any children to harrass or play rough with a kitten or it will grow up and be a mean cat.  You have to be gentle with it.

Other than that you will have to wait.

Answer 3

If I were you I would hold the cats paws and have your daughter pet him like that. Show here that it wont always hurt you. Or have her pet the cat while its sleeping, most cats wont freak out if you gently pet it while its sleeping, I know my cat is mean during the day, but at night when its tired, she is cuddly and sweet.  

Answer 4

well get your daughter and  cat together if your daughter starts to get away say if she pets the cat you will give her one of her favorite things in the whole world so BRIBE HER

Answer 5

I would have let the kitten adjust to it's surroundings first, and explained to my child, that the kitten is scared and you must leave him alone for a while until mommy says it's ok.  The kitten was scared and anxious and did what any animal would do.

What to do now however - I would explain that the kitty was very frightened, and wouldn't she be scared too if she went to a new place without her mommy or daddy?  And instead of crying like she would, the kitty scratched her, but didn't do it to be mean.  

Let her decide when she is ready to go near the kitten, don't force them to interact.  You will have a anxious nervous kitten if you do...explain not to run after the kitten, and when the kitten is hiding or sleeping not to bother it.   Good Luck with your new addition

Answer 6

Maybe the cat was just nervous of being in a new  environment and was a little scared or felt a little playful. You need to get the cat used to the new life and environment and the people around him. We have a white female cat about 2yrs old. She was a little shocked and scared when we brought her home but that could be different for your cat. if the cat was just excited then let it get used to its surroundings and then wait and see how the cat does playing with your daughter. In the mean time try and tell your daughter that the cat got a little excited and just was unsure of the situation it was in, as are most kittens. Try to make the cat feel at home by getting him a few cat toys filled with cat nip. Goal is to try to make the cat feel safe and at home.

Good luck.