Cats and children may not seem like the perfect pair, but you can teach your kids good playtime behaviors and help them bond with their furry sibling. Although all cats need alone time every day, (and some need a lot more than others), cats enjoy playtime as well. In order to make playtime enjoyable for your kitty and your little ones, start out on a good paw from day one by creating joint playtime and individual playtime, for your children and your cat. By giving each of them time with you and time with each other, you can create a peaceful environment for everyone.

Practice What You Preach

Playing with your cat is key to keeping her healthy. However, if you have young ones wandering the house, you may find playing with your cat becomes a little more difficult. The first thing to remember is to model positive playtime with your cat in front of your children. Kids mimic behaviors, good and bad, so be sure to model nice soft touches and slower movements. Help your children mimic these positive behaviors, and give positive reinforcement to both your cat and your kids during their calm interactions.

In a purrfect world, playtime always goes smoothly, but that's not always the case. Cats can get irritated quickly and retaliate if provoked. One way to tell if a cat is irritated, before she hisses or swats, is to watch for body language cues. A cat usually has her ears in a forward position when content or alert, but if the ears flatten or move back, she is beginning to become agitated or scared. If any of her fur (especially on her tail) becomes bushed out, or if she tucks her tail under her, it may be time to move away and let her be alone for a little while. If you see your cat's body language changing, it is best for everyone to move to another area, preferably where the cat can't be seen anymore. You may want to distract your kids with another activity. Give your cat some alone time and then try playtime again later, with you modeling nice play before allowing your children to touch the cat.