To get a kitten with a 5 and 2 year old?

[Citycat1]

We are thinking of getting a kitten for our family. Children are 2 and 5, and love cats. They're ever so good with the neighbours cats. I've been very tempted to get a kitten but.....is this a stupid idea? Do we wait till my 2 year old is older? Anyone with any experience to share?

As someone with 2 cats who’s had them for nearly 40 years (not the same ones obvs 😂). I’d say wait. Kittens are quite fragile, and very scratchy, possibly not the best mix with toddlers. I had cats when ds was that age but they’d been around all of his life so not a ‘novelty” as such.

if you desperately want cats, look to rehoming a younger cat or better still 2.

Children's sense of empathy is much more developed at 3 rather than 2, so if you can wait until then, I would.

2 kittens are best as they entertain each other.
I would wait my dd was 10 and this seemed a nice age to get ours.

Why not get an adult cat who’s used to / can be trusted with children? Much less likely for your DC to get scratched / bitten! Yes they are marginally less cute than kittens but so much easier as well!

Thanks everyone. You are speaking my inner thoughts really. Cats protection have my details as I've been applying for cats but all need an adult home so far. Think I need to be a responsible person and wait, I know deep down that kittens and toddlers don't mix!

Wait a year and definitely get 2 kittens.

@Haus1234 - I had a childhood cat who I'd known since I was a baby and I distinctly recall it scratching me (had reached it's limit!) and my mum slapping me for teasing the cat - I was about 5 or so!

Yes my childhood cat who was probably 10 when I was born definitely scratched me too for annoying him😂but kittens are just constant!

We got 2 when ds was 3.6. He carried one each on his shoulders and they just sat there. Still have 1 dcat. Ds loves him still. Feeling is very mutual. Not sure an under 3 would be so careful...
Even as an adult the temptation to squeeze them sooo lovingly is hard to resist ime!!

Perhaps I should have said, less chance of scratching / biting every day

Our rescue cat is honestly the best cat in the world.
We are a bit jealous of whoever had her as a kitten (and then abandoned her!) as she would have been gorgeous.
But I am so glad we didn't get a kitten as she is perfect.

I would wait until at least age 3 to get a kitten, but it depends on child's personality. Mine were outdoor farm cats though so might be different with indoor kittens.