Cats And Kids

[guardian]

I have always wanted to keep cats, but people around always only point out to the negative sides. Also, we have few kids in the house and some as old as a few months too. So, under such circumstances, what is your suggestions regarding cats? People complain about the cat's fur that it affects children.

Is this true?

[sbk]

In what way? I grew up around cats as did my sisters, and all 4 of my nephews and nieces and none of us have had any negative effects.

[Pink Mist]

My cousin (an asthmatic) had big problems with cats when she was young, maybe the drugs sued nowdays could circumvent this, food for thought.

[sbk]

Well, obviously if the child is asthmatic but otherwise, in a non-asthmatic non-allergic child what could be the problem?

[guardian]

Now that a few of you mentioned asthma, yes. That's what they all mention. Even for normal children, they say that the fur causes breathing problem. Is this true?

[Tywais]

Now that a few of you mentioned asthma, yes. That's what they all mention. Even for normal children, they say that the fur causes breathing problem. Is this true?

It's not the fur (hair) but the dander that contains cat allergen. I am not asthmatic myself but do have an allergic reaction when around long hair cats. Itchy eyes, itchy skin, runny nose, coughing. I do like cats but have to be careful and not handle them to much. Might be a good idea to borrow a cat for a while from a friend and see if any symptoms show up.

http://www.allergybegone.com/aboutpetdander.html

[sometime]

I have always wanted to keep cats, but people around always only point out to the negative sides. Also, we have few kids in the house and some as old as a few months too. So, under such circumstances, what is your suggestions regarding cats? People complain about the cat's fur that it affects children.

Is this true?

Cats are carriers of the toxoplasma parasite

Some may have developed an extraordinary power to manipulate behaviour.

One third of Britons carry the toxoplasma parasite in their brain.

Its natural home is the cat and it's spread in cats' faeces. It can be picked up by any mammal, from rats to cattle. The main way we get it is by eating undercooked meat (which is why 80% of the French are estimated to have it, with their love of rare meat).

Once we have it we have it for life, there's no way we can get rid of it.

Research shows it somehow manipulates rats' behaviour - it makes rats attracted to cats - their natural predator, so they're more likely to be eaten by a cat and the parasite can complete its life cycle.

For years scientists thought it had no effect on our behaviour, but now the parasite's changing their minds. Recent research suggests that people with toxyplasma have slower reaction times than those without and are also more than twice as likely to be involved in a traffic accident than those who aren't carrying the parasite.

[sbk]

Now that a few of you mentioned asthma, yes. That's what they all mention. Even for normal children, they say that the fur causes breathing problem. Is this true?

Who is "they"?

I think alot of people assume it causes problems but I and my family have had cats my entire life (and my mother is asthmatic and allergic to cats) and none of us have had breathing problems. Even my mother, who has two beautiful long haired Maine Coon cats, has had minimal problems by keeping her cats clean and indoors.

As for the manipulative thing caused by toxoplasmosis, you don't think that could just be cats natural hypnotic effects?

[guardian]

"they" the one always pointing out negatively. Friends, relatives...etc. People themselves who have never handled a cat their entire life.

While on the topic of cats, what are your opinion regarding leopard cat other than they are nocturnal and illegal to trade?

[sbk]

"they" the one always pointing out negatively. Friends, relatives...etc. People themselves who have never handled a cat their entire life.

While on the topic of cats, what are your opinion regarding leopard cat other than they are nocturnal and illegal to trade?

Well, being a cat lover myself (and dog lover too) I have very few negative things to say about cats.

As for the leopard cat, well, probably not a good idea to have not only an endangered species but a wild animal for a pet

[guardian]

thanks all for the replies. i never really thought of keeping a leopard cat (maew dao?) For someone who's never kept a cat all my life, it would be a mission impossible task.

What breed do you think would be appropriate for a beginner? Someone is willing to give me a kitten which is a mix of Persia and Siamese.

[kayo]

I always find cats and kids mix best with a little coconut cream, a sprinkle of sugar, and shaken over ice.

Kayo, the guatemalan bartender.

2Baht

[bina]

its not the dander it s the enzyme in the saliva; my best friend, a family doctor is also severly asthmatic as is her son (tested very badly to cats) so she showers her two cats every three days to reduce amount of enzyme....since they were kittens they got bathed so no fuss or muss about it... have a great pic but wont put in on line

they both take loratadine (lorastine) every day for general allergy control, w/o it they would be miserable

i cant be around cats in a closed house for the same reasons but dont take meds... i just dont have cats...therefore i am miserable in my friend's house.

some people are only allergic to strange cats but not their own... something about the immune system etc...

toxoplas.. is a problem for pregnant women who have not been exposed before pregnancy, and for children who play in sand boxes that are also used by the local cats as a litter box....

there are now a breed of hairless cat, like the chinese crested dog and mexican hairless... if u are millionaire...

cat enzyme allergies are more common and severe then dog dander allergies.... if u dont have a cat now, why not wait a while to see;; if your kids are allergic types, then maybe a cat doesnt fit the bill; if they are ok, then a well handled cat (one that is played with alot etc) can be nice...

remember, cats, like dogs, are predator/carnivores and their reactions when angry or irritated etc are those of predators etc... i.e. they use their teeth and claws... so the cats and the children must be taught proper behaviors with eachother...

some breeds are more easy going then others

i prefer dogs and goats since they are group oriented animals, not solitary predator types.

[Nignoy]

"they" the one always pointing out negatively. Friends, relatives...etc. People themselves who have never handled a cat their entire life.

While on the topic of cats, what are your opinion regarding leopard cat other than they are nocturnal and illegal to trade?

It does not matter what type of cat, as kittens they are cute , but once fully grown they take over the house, you become a cat servant, our resident Moggy was pulled out of a river 10 years ago along with his brother, we christened them Mischief and Bastard, sadly mischief is no longer with us , he tried to bodycheck a Mack Truck a couple of years ago and ended up as road kill.Bastard is still with us,terrorising dogs and postman alike,summer he brings us presents , Red bellied black snakes galore, collar bells warn the birds and gliders that he is around,remember cats are superior beings put on earth to keep us in line. As far as wild species go , I have worked with all cats great and small, I had an Ocelot as a housecat for over 10 years ,he was a handful but was a great pet for my grandson, hand raising tigers and lions at home has its problems they tend to demolish the furniture, the best wild feline without doubt to domesticate is a Lynx or bobcat as the septics call them, I had a free roaming pet siberian lynx in southern germany for many years, he picked me as a companion , no training needed, he was just a great mate,maybe he was a Scouse in a previous life, But if you want to try areal weird house pet , try raising a Brown Bear, I took on a rejected cub, big mistake!,9 months of hel_l ,a trashed house and a wife on valium sandwiches.Having a chimp, amountain gorilla and an orang at home together were a breeze compared to the bearcub.Sorry to get off topic but once start on animals the flood gates open! In closing remember Dogs think they are Human Cats Know they are God!! Nignoy

Well, being a cat lover myself (and dog lover too) I have very few negative things to say about cats.

As for the leopard cat, well, probably not a good idea to have not only an endangered species but a wild animal for a pet

[chownah]

Billions of children have grown up in close contact with cats. A few have had problems....most have not.