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.
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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
They have telepathically linked, op should expect son to begin meowing
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 Baby Is My Cat's Most Favorite Human
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.”
This Cat And The Child
My Son Has Learned A Lot From His Babysitter
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
Have You Ever Seen Anything Sweeter?
5-Year-Old Boy, 16-Year-Old Bro
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
This Is Not What I Bought This Crib For
14-Year-Old Photos Of My Four-Legged Babysitter Watching Me
I Have The Cutest Babysitter
Professional Babysitter
This Little Girl Knows How To Nap. 7 Kitty Guards
Cat Snugging My Wife’s Pregnant Belly. He Was Rubbing His Face On Her Belly All Evening. (Went To The Doctor Today, The Baby Could Arrive Any Day Now)
Those last few days are so uncomfortable and exhausting, a purring cat will help her to relax.
My Niece And Her Babysitter, Angus
Babysitter Ding: "Although My Younger Brother Pinched Me Secretly, I Still Act Like A Baby With Him. Am I A Good-Tempered Meow?"
My Baby And My Cat Are Becoming Friends
Babysitter's Morning Kisses
Our Baby Sitters Utilizing The Surround And Protect Strategy
Babysitter Cat
Mr. Weasley, Sitter Of Children
My Cats Discovering They’re No Longer The Babies
When Tora Works Hard For His Treats
My New Babysitter. We Pay Her In Catnip
The Babysitter That Sometimes Sits On The Baby
Steve B’s Babysitting Service Is Not Just For Kittens, I Also Love Human Babies Very Very Much
Your Shift Now
If you have more than one cat, and either have a baby, or are in bed sick/recuperating from surgery, you will always have at least one keeping you company. They’ll take shifts, as well as relieve the other(s) to cuddle their other human(s) for a few minutes, eat, and visit the litter box. Then they’ll have some full on zoomies to stretch their legs before coming back to bed with you.
Apparently, I'm Some Sort Of A Bed For Cats And Babies
Sleep Well Baby, Nanny's Here
Meet My Big Sister And Unpaid Babysitter. Her Name Is Eevee
Introducing Our New Family Member - His Infant Name Is Jerry. We Are So Surprised That Tom Yau Immediately Becomes The Most Caring Babysitter
I Might’ve Found The Only Cat Willing To Cuddle A Human Child Who’s Perfect For My Cuddly Baby
Professional Babysitter Over Here
My daughter loved her jumparoo, we had a puppy who essentially did the same. 😁🥰
Our Aunt Banban Is Taking Care Of The Little Baby Very Seriously
Of Course, My Full-Time Job Is A Professional Napper And Treat Eater, But I Offer Babysitting Services On The Side
This No-Nonsense Nanny Disapproves Of Any Interruptions To Baby’s Strict Sleep Schedule
Just Miss Mustard Babysitting Our Infant
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.
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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.
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I had 2 cats when my son was born. One was absolutely fine with him, the other ran away in protest. He came back (the cat) a week later, all dirty and a bit skinny. The baby life is better than street life...
I have a daughter(8), cats didn't want anything to do with her when she was born. Sniffed her, then said, "Nope. I'm out." My son(6), our tabby, LOVES him. Sleeps next to him, guards him, plays with him. Other two cats will rub up against him, but nothing like the tabby. He adores the kitties. My daughter prefers the dog. I think the pets know who is going to be there friend.
When our kids are sick, (they’re teens now), our cat pits on her nurse’s hat and will not leave their sides! It’s TOO cute! 💕
Our cat would sleep next to my son when he was a baby. She would come get me when he'd start crying and then shadow me until he was taken care of. She didn't leave his side very often. He was about 10 when we had to put her to sleep. She was 18 and had had several strokes. Broke my heart doubly.
I'm fairly worried by the number of photos of cats in the cot with young babies. This may look cute, but is very dangerous!
Depends on the cat. Mine have never laid down close enough to my face, or my husband’s, to block our breathing, so they wouldn’t lay too close to a baby’s face. But if your cats does that, then keep them away from the crib until the baby’s older and has the reflex to turn their head if their nose and mouth are blocked. Oh and btw, it’s an old wives’ tale that cats suck the breath out of babies, ffs.
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We are hoping to have a baby in the next year, and it seriously worries me how my cat will react. She's an only child (aside from a hedgehog who she doesn't interact with) and is definitely spoiled on attention and loves. I really hope she acts like this with a baby and not otherwise!
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.
Load More Replies... 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.
Load More Replies... I had 2 cats when my son was born. One was absolutely fine with him, the other ran away in protest. He came back (the cat) a week later, all dirty and a bit skinny. The baby life is better than street life...
I have a daughter(8), cats didn't want anything to do with her when she was born. Sniffed her, then said, "Nope. I'm out." My son(6), our tabby, LOVES him. Sleeps next to him, guards him, plays with him. Other two cats will rub up against him, but nothing like the tabby. He adores the kitties. My daughter prefers the dog. I think the pets know who is going to be there friend.
When our kids are sick, (they’re teens now), our cat pits on her nurse’s hat and will not leave their sides! It’s TOO cute! 💕
Our cat would sleep next to my son when he was a baby. She would come get me when he'd start crying and then shadow me until he was taken care of. She didn't leave his side very often. He was about 10 when we had to put her to sleep. She was 18 and had had several strokes. Broke my heart doubly.
I'm fairly worried by the number of photos of cats in the cot with young babies. This may look cute, but is very dangerous!
Depends on the cat. Mine have never laid down close enough to my face, or my husband’s, to block our breathing, so they wouldn’t lay too close to a baby’s face. But if your cats does that, then keep them away from the crib until the baby’s older and has the reflex to turn their head if their nose and mouth are blocked. Oh and btw, it’s an old wives’ tale that cats suck the breath out of babies, ffs.
Load More Replies... We are hoping to have a baby in the next year, and it seriously worries me how my cat will react. She's an only child (aside from a hedgehog who she doesn't interact with) and is definitely spoiled on attention and loves. I really hope she acts like this with a baby and not otherwise!
