40 Times Cats Figured Their New Job Was Babysitting, And Nailed It Interview
The psychological benefits of owning a cat have long been documented. From reduced anxiety and stress to lower risk of heart disease and improved general well-being, there are countless ways our furballs enrich our lives.
If you have one, you know it. There’s nothing quite like a fluffy hug or a warm sit on your lap when you feel down. And cats shared in this list of pictures compiled by Bored Panda are clearly aware of their magical powers.
Call them feline babysitters or guards with whiskers, but one thing is clear, they are here for us, little and big ones, when we need them.
While it's cute to look at the pictures of cats “babysitting” tiny humans, Molly DeVoss, a certified feline training and behavior specialist on a mission to reduce the number of cats euthanized in shelters, warns that such interactions must be supervised. Scroll down below for the full interview with her.
This post may include affiliate links.
My Son Has Loved My Cat Since The Day He Was Born. She Tolerates That Love In A Way I Never Thought Possible
Molly shared some very important information about the interactions between cats and children, and she is also doing a free seminar on Cats and Kids on Saturday, April 1 on Zoom. She will be talking about how to integrate cats with kids as well as what to do if you’re pregnant and have a cat, so make sure to check out her webinar.
My 1.5-Year-Old Son And 14-Year-Old Cat Had A Moment This Morning
Best Friends
“Cats should always be supervised around young children. When a child is about six years of age, they should understand compassion, and have been taught how to properly interact with a cat and read the cat’s body language,” the feline behavior specialist explained.
Molly argues that the onus is on the parents to teach children proper kindness behavior and show them what discomfort looks like in a cat. “Always watch the interaction closely and separate them if either is acting inappropriately,” she said.
They Found Her
Our Cat Had Kittens Days After We Had Our Baby. The Kitten Climbs Into The Lounger With A Baby Whenever He Has The Chance. These Two Were Destined To Be Best Buds
My Twin Cats Meeting Their New Baby Brother
We also asked Molly what’s the best way to introduce a baby to a cat, and it turns out that the cat should be introduced to the baby long before it is born. “A baby is a strange alien to a cat; with new smells, sounds and sights.”
Molly recommends using products you’ll use on the baby before it is born. “This way, the cat gets used to the scent of the new one and it’s not quite as jarring when the baby comes home.”
My Wife Just Sent Me This Picture Of Our Daughter And Cat. I'm Crying At Work
My Wife Is 30 Weeks Pregnant, And This Is How Her Cat Cuddles With Her
Molly’s advice is for a mom to even try carrying around a baby doll. This way “the cat gets used to the size and interaction between parent and new child.”
Moreover, “there are desensitization music tracks with faint baby sounds in them that help the cat to become familiar with the sounds.”
We Forgot To Tell Our Cat That We Had A Baby
It’s also important to note that very young children inadvertently scare and harm pets by reaching and grabbing for them, Molly explained.
“Young children don’t yet comprehend cause and effect, empathy and compassion. Every child is different in the age they develop responsibility; gauge that individually and protect both your child and pet,” the cat behavior specialist concluded.
Tonight Is Their Cartoon Evening
My husband is a very early riser. Our cat Tabby is the resident “night shift patrol” in our house, so she’s always his little Buddy when he has his coffee and turns on the TV. Tabby will sometimes sit and watch a few minutes of TV. TCM had a silent Harold Lloyd movie on a couple days ago. My husband told me Tabby watched the entire movie, start to finish, which she never does. So I guess she’s now a feline Harold Lloyd fan.
Been Keeping The Cat Away From The Baby So Far But Decided To Let Him Get Close And See What He Would Do
My Wife Is Three Weeks Away From Her Due Date And Our Cats Love Snuggling Her Belly
Baby, His Cat And A Squirrel
My Sister Recently Had Her First Baby. I Took This Picture When She Introduced Him To Her Cat
I Think They're Gonna Be Friends
Apparently, A Cat Is Also Suitable As A 'Babysitter'
Cat Who Hates And Attacks/Runs From Everybody But Owner Now Madly In Love With Two-Week-Old "Sister". Keeps A Watchful Eye Out When Anybody Holds The Baby
Comes running every time she cries with a head bump to console her too.
Real talk though: Cat "hating" and running from everyone is an indicator to that the cat is not well. Google Jackson Galaxy for help in to this kind of situation.
Nanny Sleeps When The Baby Sleeps
7 Years Ago. I Will Always Treasure This Memory And Picture. Zane Is Now 12 And Lola Is No Longer With Us. She Was The Sweetest Kitty And Zane Was Always Her Boy. I Miss Her
Where Do You Find Babysitters Like This One? I'm Interested
Why Does My Cat, Whom I’ve Had For 10 Years, Lick My Baby? He Doesn’t Lick My Older 2 Kids (4 And 6), But I Can’t Get Him To Stop Licking My Baby
Rin-Chan, Who Has Been Watching Over My Son's Growth Since He Was Born, Thank You
Keeping Tabs On The Little One
Daisy Is The Best Big Sister. Daisy Purrs On Her Head Until She Falls Asleep
Watching The Scenery Together
Before Going To School
About 30 years ago, I had a cat named Murphy. That was before I started keeping my cats strictly indoors. Murphy loved the neighborhood kids so much—-and the feeling was mutual—-during the school year, she would accompany them to the bus stop in the morning, and be there waiting for them in the afternoon. RIP Murph, you are so very missed.
I Rescued Nuka And She’s Helped Nanny My Babies For 9 Years
This Friendship
Our Cat Is So Fascinated With Her New Baby Sister
14-Year-Old Photos Of My Four-Legged Babysitter Watching Me
Professional Babysitter
This Little Girl Knows How To Nap. 7 Kitty Guards
Note: this post originally had 101 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
Unlike the absolute git who got ‘rid’ of her cat and dog a few weeks before her due date. Staffordshire Bull Terriers were once known as nanny dogs because they were (and still are) so good with young children.
My staffy was so great and gentle and protective of my daughter from baby age to toddler age. When we would leave the house, my dog would pull all the couch cushions onto the floor to make a fort, then she'd go and collect a bunch of my daughters toys to put into the fort, then she'd sleep in there until we got home. It was always the cutest thing. I miss that dog.
The "nanny dog" thing has been debunked many times
The "nanny dog" thing was invented in the 70s by a breeder trying to get the breed in the AKC. There are no recorded writings of them being described that way before then.
Many, many owners will disagree.
So are pittys. The toddler staying with us put his foot in the dog's stomach--she yelped and swung her head, but never touched him otherwise. And he hurt her!
So many of the sleep photos made me nervous, I had to keep telling myself everyone was fine and just enjoy the cuteness.
But why? Cats suffocating babies is an old wives tale that has never actually been recorded to happen anywhere.
It's more about the blankets and unsafe baby loungers than the cats. Mist of these pics looked like people don't know basic baby safety
A lot of these pics looked quite old. Like people post pics from the 80s and 90s. That might explain some of it
A baby is well able to move enough to wake and scare off a sleeping cat on its face. Also, a face is not a comfortable sleeping space. Most (or all) stories of cats smothering babies are SIDS not lack of breath
What a delightful post
Unlike the absolute git who got ‘rid’ of her cat and dog a few weeks before her due date. Staffordshire Bull Terriers were once known as nanny dogs because they were (and still are) so good with young children.
My staffy was so great and gentle and protective of my daughter from baby age to toddler age. When we would leave the house, my dog would pull all the couch cushions onto the floor to make a fort, then she'd go and collect a bunch of my daughters toys to put into the fort, then she'd sleep in there until we got home. It was always the cutest thing. I miss that dog.
The "nanny dog" thing has been debunked many times
The "nanny dog" thing was invented in the 70s by a breeder trying to get the breed in the AKC. There are no recorded writings of them being described that way before then.
Many, many owners will disagree.
So are pittys. The toddler staying with us put his foot in the dog's stomach--she yelped and swung her head, but never touched him otherwise. And he hurt her!
So many of the sleep photos made me nervous, I had to keep telling myself everyone was fine and just enjoy the cuteness.
But why? Cats suffocating babies is an old wives tale that has never actually been recorded to happen anywhere.
It's more about the blankets and unsafe baby loungers than the cats. Mist of these pics looked like people don't know basic baby safety
A lot of these pics looked quite old. Like people post pics from the 80s and 90s. That might explain some of it
A baby is well able to move enough to wake and scare off a sleeping cat on its face. Also, a face is not a comfortable sleeping space. Most (or all) stories of cats smothering babies are SIDS not lack of breath
What a delightful post