Is 2 too young for a first cat?

[OneBiscuitAtATime]

My husband after many years has come round to the idea of a cat as a pet, and our local cats protections have a few youngish cats that they class as suitable for rehoming with children. My kids are 5 and 2. Would this be considered too young do you think? They’ve both been around my childminders cat and dog since a year old so are quite used to animals and know that they need to respect their space.

Possibly, contact them & see what they say.

I would probably wait until yougest was 3 or 4.

Our local rescues won't adopt to families with children under 5.

I do think 2 is too young as the cats are often quite scared and need time to settle when they move in- a 2 year old won't understand that or be able to response to the signs the cat needs to be left alone.

Our kids were 4 & 1.5 when we got our cat (who was almost 1 at the time). My youngest human child was pretty good at being told to leave the cat alone when we first got him. He was interested, but good at not crowding DCat. DCat settled in really easily and loves people. My son is now 2 and still fairly good with the cat, but being a toddler he can be loud and unpredictable and a bit much for DCat. DCat is a VERY outdoor cat though, he usually goes out when the kids get up, and comes home at their bedtime! So it’s worked out well for us, but if DCat were more of a home body it would be tricky I think.

We adopted through cats protection, no issue with kids ages.

Hmm, thank you. We may reach out to the rescue, but worth waiting till the wee one is older if that is best for everyone.

I don't think it's a definite yes or no as it depends on the cat and the child. As your children are used to the childminder's cat that would go in your favour.
I agree it doesn't hurt to have that conversation with CP. I volunteer at one of their adoption centres and they look at it on a cat by cat basis as such.

My two were 3 and 5 when we adopted our first cat Leo, a 2 year old male. We adopted through RSPCA and they found us a great match. I wouldn't have got a young cat/kitten at that age though. Leo was very friendly and great with the kids. I think its about finding the right cat and being confident your kids will be respectful.

I had a 2 year old toddler and an 11 month old baby, and had just been widowed, when a stray cat turned up on my doorstep.

I took her in, and there were no problems. She was grateful for a home, and v affectionate, and the DC soon got used to her and gave her space as needed.
It might help that I and DD1 are both autistic, so don’t tend to “pester” pets.

Depends on the cat, but I'd wait until your youngest is a bit older to be in the safe side.

I had two already when DD was born. Though they were used to her presence they both gave her a wide berth when she was two - she was just too unpredictable for them to relax around her so they stayed out of her way.

The more chilled and friendly cat (or more needy and demanding cat depending on your perspective) was fine around her by age five; that cat has got her well trained! DD now seven and the warier cat still doesn't like her to get too close.

We got 2 kittens about 6 weeks ago and our kids are 5 and 2. The toddler has been fine. We are teaching him to be gentle and make sure the cats have a safe space to escape to if they need some peace. He has been surprisingly relaxed around them, and the kittens don't seem too phased by the kids at all.
We have to be vigilant but it has been fine so far. Once they are neutered and start going outdoors in a month or so (cats not kids!) I imagine it will get easier.

I would say it's ok if you can accept the occasional scratch may happen and you can give the cat a safe place where DC can't pester them. My cats generally took off when toddler DS approached them so he tended not to bother. Now almost 5, he likes to help feed them and play with them but still gets a bit too enthusiastic with the cuddles and needs supervision. They avoid him when he's excited but one sleeps on his bed all night.

Most rescues won't give cats to young families unfortunately.

I bought a kitten in the end when my children were 6, 3 and a baby as couldn't get a rescue.

And the cat and children have never hurt each other.

I think it depends on the temperament of the toddler and the cat. My grandson is loud, boisterous and a bit lacking in sensitivity. My two cats have not been happy.

The female tolerates him, almost as if shes training him how to treat animals. He's only been scratched once. The boy cat just runs away. He's scared of GS and is having none of him

Yes it's too young. We had our cats before DD came along and I'd say it was only really from age 3 onwards that they could be trusted around each other without being as closely watched

Not necessarily too young but you def need an adult cat who's friendly and confident. Kittens and young children are not a good mix as kittens are much more fragile - literally.