Help please. Adopted a cat with a toddler

[ExcitingTimes2021]

Hi.
Basically I had a beautiful cat who sadly passed away while I was heavily pregnant. I wanted another but as I was due to give birth we decided to wait as I was about to drop!
fast forward 15 months and I have a very active, excitable toddler who loves small animals. She is very good with the cats who visit our garden so decided to adopt a new cat.
m the rescue where aware that we have a toddler at home so recommended a friendly laid back cat. She is around 1 year old apparently and was found straying having kittens early on in the year. We have taken her home and I’m already regretting my decision to adopt her. I’m worried sick my toddler won’t leave the cat alone and the cat will get annoyed and hurt toddler. I’m worried cat will escape while I’m wrestling toddler out the door before she had chance to learn her new home. Cat is jumping all over the kitchen already, my last cat didn’t ever jump of the kitchen tops, so I’m worried she will make toddler poorly, Im worried the poor cat will get poorly and I’ll lose her like I lost my little Pudding Pot a few years ago.

Has anyone got any advise for me? Will toddler get bored of that cat in a few days and leave her alone? My last cat basically hid under the bed for a few weeks before venturing out and becoming
Comfortable. This cat is already strutting around like she rules the roost and it’s making me nervous. Is everything going to be ok? Thanks!!

We just adopted two cats of a similar age, both laid back, friendly cats who are jumping all over the kitchen if unsupervised! These cats are not lacking in confidence. I don't have a toddler but I'm following your thread as think i may need to hear the same advice!! Good luck and hope everything settles down for you :)

Also following for advice!

Cats are generally very good at keeping out of trouble.
I have given up trying to keep my cats off work tops so have no tips other than clean before use!
Your toddler will eventually get used to the cat but the novelty of a moving fluffy toy won't wear off easily.
Will the cat be going outside at some point? That will take some of the stress away.
Most cats seem quite tolerant of children. I found a friend's toddler marching around with my old cat tucked under her arm. He was complaining a bit but didn't hurt her in any way.
As long as the cat can escape and you keep repeating to be gentle, i'm sure you're fine.

I wonder if your cat is going on the kitchen worktop to be out of reach of the toddler. Sounds like she is a confident sociable cat but even so, she may not want to be grabbed.

Maybe a high cat tree or some cat shelves up the wall would be a good idea. Gives the cat another place to be high up whilst still being near you all. Doesn’t have to be forever, just until the toddler is a bit older.

Loud clapping whenever you see them on the worktop seems to help. Although I’m sure ours still goes on when we’re not looking.

Are you going to let her outside after the settling in period? If so things will get a lot easier then I think.

My ds is 2 and we have a 3 yr old cat.

Here are some things that work for us:

• High places for the cat to escape to. He is also fed out of toddler reach.
• Kitchen door stays shut and neither ds nor cat is allowed in unaccompanied. I realise this might not be possible.
• Toddler is taught to be careful of/ gentle with the cat and that the cat can hurt. Lots of repetition. I'm quite strict.

The cat and toddler aren't friends yet, but they share the house without issue and both are happy. The cat seems to know he mustn't hurt the toddler (but we always watch and are careful).

My immediate thoughts are that this is OK. I think a confident cat is a good thing - I'd be more concerned if the cat was nervous. I also wouldn't worry too much about the kitchen sides, just wipe before use. Honestly your child will be fine - she's probably running around putting all sorts of horrors in her mouth anyway!

Good luck!

I do think you're worrying over nothing.

Your cat sounds like she's happy and very confident which is a great match for a small child.

We have three cats and they jump all over the surfaces (our house is open plan so no option to shut them out) - I just wipe down the surfaces before cooking.

Hi OP - how did it go?

I am bringing home a cat on Sunday, to live with my 15 month old toddler, our beloved older cat having died when the baby was very small - our circumstances are similar! So keen to hear any hints and tips tou may have :)

I had 2 cats before DC. One very big laid back boy. And 1 slightly nervous feisty girl. DS2 got a swipe from girl cat once, for annoying her. He was about 18 months old. He cried. Didn't do it again.

We got our first rescue cat on Thursday, she has lived with a 4 yo before and we have a 22mo and almost 4 year old. The kids were both making a beeline for her whenever they saw her to see the cute cat so she spent the first few days upstairs never venturing down apart from during the night. Saturday night the kids finally got to go near her without her running away and I definitely think that has satisfied the youngest a little bit as even when In the same room as her he played with a toy instead of being focused on her. I think it will just take a bit of time and they'll get used to each other

What you have to understand is at a year old the cat is like a rambunctious teenager.She's been through the very adult thing and had babies. What she hasn't had is her carefree teens.
The proud strutting about is she's trying to get herself into the Alpha cat position which is your spot.
Now is the time for 'tough love'treatment. It's a mainly a verbal thing but it may just be time to get hold of a puppy pen that has a roof. It must be big enough for a litter box and a bed.
usually you'll find that just a drop in your voice and saying Oh---- drawing out the h using a very disgusted tone or 'excuse me' in a low displeasured voice will do it.Don't shout or raise your voice it means nothing to the cat. If she's jumping up where you don't want her go to a discount shop and buy a spray bottle and fill it with water and put a dash of white vinegar in it and mix. Keep it handy but not into your toddler.Everytime the cat goes to jump just say 'down' aim for the cat's side or bum(never the face or the head)
Just be mindful of anything electrical. As you have used white vinegar it won't stain anything if you miss! As it will usually make the cat wash to get rid of the water they will get the vinegar which of course they don't like.
After you have given kitty breakfast then pop her in the pen so that you can have your toddler playing without kitty trying to muscle in on the play time. I have no doubt kitty will keep trying to get you to let her out but stay strong and just tell her to quiet down.She'll probably go to sleep once she realises you are not going to let her out.
If your toddler goes up to the pen and is trying to poke fingers or anything just tell them No that's for kitties not little boys/girls and distract them with a toy.
.
After lunch I'd think little one goes down for a nap ? When you do that you can let kitty out for some play time.
?If you can't do it yourself pop kitty to a vet and ask the vet nurse if he/she can just cut the tops of kitty's claws off.Usually they will show you how to do it yourself.Then keep an eye on kitty's claws and keep them blunt it's just repetition of the steps and slowly kitty and toddler will know what's expected of them.
The major place that is dirty on a cat is its feet and it's teeth.
There's another tip for you buy a packet of unscented baby wipes and just use a couple on the cat's coat and then another one for their feet.Will help not putting toddler at risk.
Just let there be say 15 mins of interaction between cat and child.Just don't let them play rough house before popping kitty back in the pen.
Good luck.Try not to stress about what could happen.Deal with it if it does.😁👍