How To Prepare Your Family To Meet The Cat

How To Prepare Your Family To Meet The Cat

How do I prepare my family to meet the cat?

Okay, you're ready to have your family meet the cat of your dreams, and the first introduction is really, really important. If you have younger kids, you have got to have a little sit-down, a little family pow-wow and say, "Hey kids, we're bringing this cool cat into our house. If we all run up to greet this cat, the cat's going to be very fearful and wonder 'Oh my gosh, what am I getting myself into?'" I always tell people you sort of sit still and let the cat come to you. Cats are not like little dogs that are going to leap in your lap and give you little kisses. Cats have a little dignity going, you know. They want to be able to meet you on their own terms. It sounds silly, but teach your kids to extend their index finger and let the kitties come up and rub their cheek against it. It's sort of a cat hello. They can amaze their friends on that and this gives the cat a little bit of calmness and thinking, "Hmmm, they're pretty young, but these are pretty darn cat-savvy little kids. I like this place." So calmness is very important, let the cat come to you.