New Cat!

[Dreamalittledream]

So, we've had this cat (extremely friendly, declawed) hanging around our house for a month now (we live on a very small, dead end street). First week, we didn't feed, pet or acknowledge it (didn't want to encourage it to stay), we called our local SPCA, put ads & flyers up, informed our local school (it kept going to find our child in the school yard across the road). So, 4 weeks and no one has claimed this beautiful, friendly, declawed and spade cat. We made the decision that if it was still sleeping outside our door when we returned from being away on the weekend we would bring it inside and keep it. So, 2 flea baths later and awaiting a Vet visit this week, she is inside, but quarantined away from our children. We've never had cats before (totally dog people); is there anything I need to consider re: Daycare children (other than, obviously making sure she has a clean bill of health before I even think of exposing her to the children).

[Dreamalittledream]

I should add that she is extremely kind, friendly and tolerant of the children, as they've been exposed to her outdoors during playtime.

[playfelt]

Other than making sure she has access to a litter box but the kids don't which is obvious. Teaching the children that while the cat is friendly she has her own personality and just like them sometimes she wants to play with them and sometimes she wants to be by herself and they need to respect that. The older she gets the more likely she will stick to herself.

[mimi]

I have two cats and the children have zero access to them. I just won't risk it. My cats are also friendly and cuddly but they are still cats and can be unpreditable. I know this cat is declawed but they can and will also bite. This may never ever happen, but I just wouldn't have piece of mind no matter how much I supervised. Children are fast moving and this may startle the cat into reacting agressively. One of my dcg had a "very friendly" little dog (who belonged to a family member) bite off the tip of her nose when she was 2 requiring on going plastic surgery (she is now 7) and another dcg was bitted on her arm and leg by her own cat and both of these incidents happened in seconds.

[Dreamalittledream]

I have two cats and the children have zero access to them. I just won't risk it. My cats are also friendly and cuddly but they are still cats and can be unpreditable. I know this cat is declawed but they can and will also bite. This may never ever happen, but I just wouldn't have piece of mind no matter how much I supervised. Children are fast moving and this may startle the cat into reacting agressively.

. Very wise advise! Thanks.

[crafty]

Maybe allergies ??? I've had a cat for 5 years before I had my first born and her daycare also had 2 cats ... My daugther was constantly sick during her first 2 years ... ear infections, colds and coughs ... She even was put on the pump at one point. The doctor did not say SHE WAS allergic and she was still too young to be tested but ... when I finaly said enough is enough and got the cat out ... her health improved drasticaly. She is no longer in daycare obvioulsy. So, my advice to you is let the familiy know you now have a cat and with flu and cold season ...make sure the symptoms are not mistakenly diagnosed.

And as far as preventive measure, all my animals no matter how nice they are, I keep them away from the children during daycare hours ... We never know right.

[Momof4]

I have a cat and she stays out of the way all day long and comes back after the last child leaves. However, during interviews she always comes to meet people because she is very nosy. I always ask people during my prescreening if they have any cat allergies and it even states on my website that I have a friendly cat. She's more afraid of the children than they are afraid of her, that's for sure. But in your situation I think telling all the families in your care is sufficient. They can't dictate to you whether or not you can have a pet. As long as there aren't any allergies you shouldn't have any problems.