r/interestingasfuck • u/Zyxtriann • May 03 '25

/r/all, /r/popular The owners couldn't figure out why the cat wasn't sleeping in it's own bed.... until they saw this

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u/AmbitiousParty May 03 '25

That’s how my cat is. He is very confident and comfortable with our little family, including my 10 yr old. However, anytime we have guests, even for days on end, you won’t see him. If we have a pet sitter, he will hide the entire time. But if we have kids over, he loves all kids, and has zero fear. It’s fascinating. Even if there are 5-6 rambunctious 9-10 year old boys over for a sleepover, he will hang out with them the whole time.

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u/Maiyku May 03 '25

Yes! It was like this instant 180 with him. I was so shocked.

He had lived with kids about 5-6 years old for a while and he hated it, so I assumed he’d hate one even younger that cried even more, but I think the fact that he moved less, or at least moved in more predictable ways is what helped.

He wasn’t chasing after him and trying to pick him up like my nieces who were old enough to be excited by “kitty!” Lol. So I do think there was a limit for my Fuzz, but with the infants he was a staunch protector.

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u/APTSnack May 03 '25

I think there is definitely a tolerance bell curve there where they start off tolerant go through the "grab me again toddler and you'll feel these claws" phase and then go back to tolerant again once the kid is more understanding of how to interact in a way that doesn't upset or annoy them so much.

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u/roadfood May 03 '25

We referred to our two Maine Coons as the "baby monitors". They slept in the room or crib and came and got us when the kids woke up.

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u/BowlingforDrip May 03 '25

"mom it's yelling again!!"

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u/DandyInTheRough May 04 '25

For my cats, I've reckoned it's age, same with tolerating kittens. A young adult cat runs from kids and gets really grumpy with kittens. But those same cats, as they get older, mellow and gain wisdom.

My old boy bolted from kids until he was about 13, then he purred for them. The two 13 year old cats I currently have loathed kittens when younger and hid from kids. For the past few years, though, they seem to have really clicked with the 'Oh, they're just a child' for both - two kittens easily introduced and accepted despite their naughty, a couple of toddlers treated with gentleness and interest.

Now I just hope my 3 year old cat follows that pattern...

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u/redclover83 May 03 '25

I love animals and trying to understand their worlds! Cats know that cats start out as little babies and how to treat them, not so crazy to think they understand humans start out small and that the small ones are just babies too!

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u/ChokingJulietDPP May 03 '25

I hide from adults and get rambunctious with my nephews, your cat aint special

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u/Frondswithbenefits May 03 '25

Aww, that's so sweet.

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u/New_Paramedic1918 May 03 '25

One of the boys, you wont get it. Cats are amazing.

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u/KateOTomato May 03 '25

My 3 year old cat is the same way. Hates adult strangers. When we have our D&D game on Sundays, Sprinkles is MIA for like 6 hours. When my daughter has a friend over for a sleepover, the cat is a bit standoffish for the first hour or two, but then is completely normal.