Molly shared some very important information about the interactions between cats and children, and she is also doing a free seminar on Cats and Kids on Saturday, April 1 on Zoom. She will be talking about how to integrate cats with kids as well as what to do if you’re pregnant and have a cat, so make sure to check out her webinar.

“Cats should always be supervised around young children. When a child is about six years of age, they should understand compassion, and have been taught how to properly interact with a cat and read the cat’s body language,” the feline behavior specialist explained.

Molly argues that the onus is on the parents to teach children proper kindness behavior and show them what discomfort looks like in a cat. “Always watch the interaction closely and separate them if either is acting inappropriately,” she said.

We also asked Molly what’s the best way to introduce a baby to a cat, and it turns out that the cat should be introduced to the baby long before it is born. “A baby is a strange alien to a cat; with new smells, sounds and sights.”

Molly recommends using products you’ll use on the baby before it is born. “This way, the cat gets used to the scent of the new one and it’s not quite as jarring when the baby comes home.”

Molly’s advice is for a mom to even try carrying around a baby doll. This way “the cat gets used to the size and interaction between parent and new child.”

Moreover, “there are desensitization music tracks with faint baby sounds in them that help the cat to become familiar with the sounds.”

It’s also important to note that very young children inadvertently scare and harm pets by reaching and grabbing for them, Molly explained.

“Young children don’t yet comprehend cause and effect, empathy and compassion. Every child is different in the age they develop responsibility; gauge that individually and protect both your child and pet,” the cat behavior specialist concluded.