DD has developed a fear of our 1 year old cat

[Willco]

Has anyone any suggestions of how to deal with this? DD is nearly 8 and we have had Maddy our playful kitten for over a year. DD has always been a little wary of being scratched but has suddenly developed a much greater phobia and doesn't like to be in the same room as the cat. How do I manage this - neither DD nor I wish to find a new home for the cat, but I cant spend my life keeping the 2 separate.

Have you asked dd why she doesn't want to be in the same room?

How playful is you cat? I know it's slightly different scenario, but my mum's dog is a bit loopy, but he does loads of tricks for biscuits and loves to play with various toys, and so is a great way of introducing nervous children, cos it makes them laugh.

If the cat is keen, maybe ask dd to make a toy for it (pompoms on a string are great fun for kids to make, and my old cat loved playing with them), or buy a 'special' toy for it, that is her toy for the cat - then try and encourage her to get the cat to play with it.

hth