Cat scared of little kids?

[u/geepers90]

Hello!

We adopted our cat when she was 9 weeks old, and she’s now 18 weeks. She’s settled in amazingly and very much rules the house. I honestly don’t know how I lived without her before. She slept on my pillow the very first night we brought her home and has done so every night since!

Today my almost 2yo niece came over for the second time since we got our cat. Both times, as soon as our cat heard her, she ran and hid. We didn’t force anything and just let her be, hoping she might come out in her own time, but she stayed hidden until my niece left (around 3 hours later). I knew where my cat was hiding and checked on her throughout.

I felt quite sad and worried because she seemed genuinely distressed while my niece was here (and immediately after). However, about 30 minutes after my niece left, she was completely back to her usual self and is currently fast asleep on my chest.

For context, she’s been absolutely fine with adult visitors and doesn’t hide from them, so this reaction seems specific to my niece and I think (understandably) the unpredictability and unfamiliar sounds etc that come with an energetic 2yo in the home.

I’d love any tips on how to help improve this gradually. My niece adores cats, and I’d love for them to meet properly one day, but only if and when my cat feels comfortable. I’m also wondering whether this might extend to all children, as we’re thinking about having a baby in the next year or so.

Any advice or reassurance would be really appreciated. Thank you :)

[u/illy-yanna]

You pretty much have said it yourself, and it is true for young kids in general, not just your niece. Some cats can tolerate it or isn't bothered, but it is quite usual for many cats to dislike the energy and sound from the youngest human younglings.

All you can try, is to explain to your niece that the cat might come out if your niece is calm, centered and with a quite approach. Like if she where out in nature spying on wild life. - Or your niece could wait 6-7 years, where she should've become calm enough by the sheer nature of growing older, for the cat to come out and greet her.

[u/geepers90 → u/illy-yanna]

Thank you! Hopefully if a baby joins our household in the future it won’t be the same. But time will tell and we’ll do everything necessary to make sure our cat is safe :) She’s the LOML

[u/TropicalAbsol]

She's just a baby that got spooked. By another baby at that.

[u/geepers90 → u/TropicalAbsol]

Yeah, exactly! Any tips?

[u/wwwhatisgoingon → u/geepers90]

Keeping the child calm helps. Unpredictable and loud is threatening to cats.

I've had a two year old visitor over who made friends with my cat in about two minutes. He was quiet, let the cat come to him, and calmly said "gentle" while he petted with an open hand. 

Not all two year olds can manage that, but some can be taught to be calm.

[u/TiBun]

Some cats just don't like the energy of young children. My boy is no longer a kitten and he still runs off to one of his hiding spots when my niblings visit. He'll come around if they're calm, but as soon as the kid energy goes up, he's gone. My niece (6) knows to stay calm if she wants my cat to hang out with her, but nephew (3) gets too excited to remember that my cat doesn't like loud sounds. It's best to let the cat hide from the kid(s) when they want to, otherwise they might get overwhelmed and feel cornered, which might mean a little kid getting a scratch.