Can anyone explain this cat behaviour?

[RedPandaFluff]

Hello - this is so strange, I can't figure it out, so wondered if anyone on here would know! We have a toddler DD and two cats. They tend to stay out of her way - they're a bit wary of her, and will move away when she barrels over to them, and mostly avoid her where they can.

The weird thing is, if DD is having a tantrum, or crying/screaming about something, one of them runs over to her, meows, tries to get close to her and acts really strangely. I'd expect him to run away from the awful noise but it's the opposite. He gets right up next to her, looking at her and meowing, almost agitated.

Does anyone know why he does this?

Because she seeds her as her kitten and is coming to check she's ok.

He’s concerned that she’s obviously upset. Cats are hugely empathetic. It’s great that he does this.

I think he's trying to ask her what the matter is

He wants the noise to stop.

For the same reasons cats do anything:

1. Because they can
2. Because they want to
3. For shits and giggles.

I'd love to think that he's worried about her, or feels some sort of empathy. DH's theory is that the thinks DD is suffering and all the meowing is the cat urging us to FINISH IT . . . !"

It sounds like a protective thing to me. Whenever I get upset where it’s obvious , my male cat trots over and sits on top of me and starts head butting me and padding his paws on me (or as my partner calls - making biscuits) . It’s very sweet and he’s consistent with it!

my female cat, on the other hand, gives me a dirty look for inconveniencing her quiet time!

I like your dhs theory.

My cat did this with my dd, dd had a lot of meltdowns when younger and our cat would get very agitated and try to lie on her.

She's a therapy cat!

My cats come and sit with me if I am crying.

Cats are healers

petkeen.com/do-cat-purrs-have-healing-powers/
Some cats embrace this role, others don't.

My niece (2) fell down the stairs at my house a year ago.

One of my two cats (who had been wary of her up until then) rushed over, sat on her lap and purred at her until she stopped crying.

So I'd say your cat is definitely trying to make dd better.

This is amazing/lovely - would they still care even though, on the face of it, they don't like DD and avoid her for the most part?

Small human in distress

She's part of their family so they probably do love her in their own way. Avoiding her is just about self preservation and cats largely being self serving arseholes.

I have two cats. One loves me beyond normality .. always there . Always cuddly. The other couldn't give a toss.. actively avoids.. unless... I am poorly . (I have an autoimmune disease) and then she is there... in my bed. Even before I know I am about to be ill...

They have an innate knowledge.. can't explain it..

Just as an example . My step dad loves my cuddly cat. Comes to visit every week. No set time. No set day. He rarely leaves the house EXCEPT when SD is due... then he sits on the gate post 15 minutes before he arrives. .. WTAF ?? How does that work ???

This is so sweet! I love it

Cats are complicated.
I think your cat is responding to the distress trying to fix it. They're smart enough to avoid damage but empathetic enough to care.
Two of my cats when still kittens took great offence at DH rough housing with DD and basically mobbed him, while shouting and giving him a good telling off. They only stopped when he stopped and then took defensive positions between DH and DD. Good kitties.