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40 Times Cats Figured Their New Job Was Babysitting, And Nailed It
Animals,Parenting,CatsMAR 22, 2023

40 Times Cats Figured Their New Job Was Babysitting, And Nailed It

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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.

#1 My Son Has Loved My Cat Since The Day He Was Born. She Tolerates That Love In A Way I Never Thought Possible

My Son Has Loved My Cat Since The Day He Was Born. She Tolerates That Love In A Way I Never Thought Possible
358points

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.

#2 My 1.5-Year-Old Son And 14-Year-Old Cat Had A Moment This Morning

My 1.5-Year-Old Son And 14-Year-Old Cat Had A Moment This Morning
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345points

#3 Best Friends

Best Friends
339points

“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.

#4 They Found Her

They Found Her
329points

#5 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

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
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321points

#6 My Twin Cats Meeting Their New Baby Brother

My Twin Cats Meeting Their New Baby Brother
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320points

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.”

#7 My Wife Just Sent Me This Picture Of Our Daughter And Cat. I'm Crying At Work

My Wife Just Sent Me This Picture Of Our Daughter And Cat. I'm Crying At Work
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317points

#8 My Baby Is My Cat's Most Favorite Human

My Baby Is My Cat's Most Favorite Human
316points

#9 My Wife Is 30 Weeks Pregnant, And This Is How Her Cat Cuddles With Her

My Wife Is 30 Weeks Pregnant, And This Is How Her Cat Cuddles With Her
300points

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.”

#10 This Cat And The Child

This Cat And The Child
297points

#11 My Son Has Learned A Lot From His Babysitter

My Son Has Learned A Lot From His Babysitter
293points

#12 We Forgot To Tell Our Cat That We Had A Baby

We Forgot To Tell Our Cat That We Had A Baby
292points

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.

#13 Tonight Is Their Cartoon Evening

Tonight Is Their Cartoon Evening
289points

#14 Been Keeping The Cat Away From The Baby So Far But Decided To Let Him Get Close And See What He Would Do

Been Keeping The Cat Away From The Baby So Far But Decided To Let Him Get Close And See What He Would Do
287points

#15 My Wife Is Three Weeks Away From Her Due Date And Our Cats Love Snuggling Her Belly

My Wife Is Three Weeks Away From Her Due Date And Our Cats Love Snuggling Her Belly
270points

#16 Baby, His Cat And A Squirrel

Baby, His Cat And A Squirrel
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265points

#17 My Sister Recently Had Her First Baby. I Took This Picture When She Introduced Him To Her Cat

My Sister Recently Had Her First Baby. I Took This Picture When She Introduced Him To Her Cat
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249points

#18 I Think They're Gonna Be Friends

I Think They're Gonna Be Friends
242points

#19 Apparently, A Cat Is Also Suitable As A 'Babysitter'

Apparently, A Cat Is Also Suitable As A 'Babysitter'
236points

#20 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

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.
229points
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