Compatibility of Cats With Children in the Family

Although studies involving pet dogs and cats, and human adults and children, have been reported, the specific interactions between cats and children have not. This study sought information from parents about the cat's role in families that have at least one child 3–12 years of age and at least one cat. Demographic data on cat source, breed, gender/neuter status, was sought as well as information on adults and children in the families and on affectionate, aggressive, fearful, and playful responses of the cats to children. A convenience sample was recruited via listservs for pet owners and parents. Using a pilot tested web survey, descriptive statistics were based on 865 respondents. Multi-variate statistical analyses were conducted on data from 665 respondents with complete responses for all items, including respondents' locations and whether cats were adopted as kittens. Multi-variate analyses included consideration of demographic data, geographic region of respondents, behavioral characteristics of the cats, and responses of the children to the cats. From descriptive statistics, cats' affection was more typical with adults than young children. Neuter status or gender was unrelated to cats' aggression or affection. Being the family's only cat was associated with heightened aggression and reduced affection. Younger cats were more likely to be affectionate. Multivariate analysis revealed three primary factors accounting for children's compatibility with the specified cat: positive interactions of the cat, aggression/fearfulness of cat, and the cat's playfulness and children's reaction to the cats. Positive child-cat relationships were more typical with two or more adults and multiple cats in the home. Old cats were the least satisfactory. A breeder or shelter was a better source than as a feral, from a newspaper ad, or another source. European respondents rated their cats' interactions with children more favorably than in U.S./Canada. This difference may reflect the European adoptions more frequently being of kittens, often purebred, assuring more early handling within the family. A noteworthy finding was that all family participants, humans, and pets alike, affect the cat-child relationship, and these results reveal that many variables can play a role in achieving a desirable relationship for a cat and child

Body sizes and ages of dogs and their categories of work.

<p>Body sizes and ages of dogs and their categories of work.</p

The responses of animal control facilities and the numbers of facilities and registered dogs in each dataset.

<p>The responses of animal control facilities and the numbers of facilities and registered dogs in each dataset.</p

The number of pure breeds registered and the most commonly used breed for each category of work.

<p>The number of pure breeds registered and the most commonly used breed for each category of work.</p

Numbers of service dogs performing specific tasks for psychiatric support [%].

<p>Numbers of service dogs performing specific tasks for psychiatric support [%].</p

The datasets and the items of data used for each research question.

<p>The datasets and the items of data used for each research question.</p

Numbers of service dogs performing specific tasks for medical support [%].

<p>Numbers of service dogs performing specific tasks for medical support [%].</p

Numbers of service dogs performing specific tasks for mobility support [%].

<p>Numbers of service dogs performing specific tasks for mobility support [%].</p

A) Most commonly registered large and medium dogs. Numbers of assistance dogs from the 4 most commonly registered breeds: categories of large and medium dogs from 1999 to 2012. B) Most commonly registered small dogs. Numbers of assistance dogs from the 4 most commonly registered breeds: category of small dogs from 1999 to 2012.

<p>A) Most commonly registered large and medium dogs. Numbers of assistance dogs from the 4 most commonly registered breeds: categories of large and medium dogs from 1999 to 2012. B) Most commonly registered small dogs. Numbers of assistance dogs from the 4 most commonly registered breeds: category of small dogs from 1999 to 2012.</p

Numbers of assistance dogs registered: small, medium and large dogs from 1999–2012.

<p>Numbers of assistance dogs registered: small, medium and large dogs from 1999–2012.</p