Hello!

So, a few days ago I got a little 2 week old kitten to take care of as its mum abandoned it…
Well, my daughter gets jealous of her brothers if they come for a cuddle from mum, she actually will push them away – she is slowly getting better though and learning to share.
But now I have this kitten. Obviously being so young, it needs a bit of attention… Well she is getting all clingy again, sleeping in our bed in the middle of the night ect…
Anyways, I let her play with the kitten and try and help with it, during bottle time ect…
But how the heck can I handle her jealousy?
Thank goodness she LOVES this kitten and hasn’t hurt it in a bad manner, but I’m worried she may resent it eventually and hurt the little thing.
Any ideas would be great =) Thanks!!


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  • Keep doing what you’re doing, seems to be the best plan of attack to get your daughter used to sharing you


  • I discovered that a cat I simetimes mind doesn’t needle me provided I don’t pat him. I am quite happy to hold him and let him rub his face against the side of my head as long as he doesn’t stick his claws in. His claws go through thick clothing too. He only does it when he is being patted which he loves.


  • Some good ideas here to help her adjust to sharing your attention. I’m sure it will just take a bit of time for her to accept the kitten and adjust to a new routine.


  • yes get her to help care for it and show her how to handle it. if she names it, she might like it more!


  • Giving her ownership is a fantastic way to handle it, it’s her baby and you are leading by example. Sounds like she is a smart cookie and knows how to handle it!! Who doesn’t love a kitten. Best of luck.


  • Thanks for your help ladies!! So far so good =D When I get the kitten’s bottle all ready she carries the kitten to me no matter who the kitten is with and she likes carrying them to bed as well =) She enjoys giving the kitten cuddles as well (well when the kitty doesn’t have her claws out lol). And she is quite protective of the kitten with her brothers as well =)


  • Give her lots of little responsibilities to care for the kitten and she should love it and not resent it.


  • It is generally a stage that kids do work through – they may end up being best buddies.


  • Tough situation. Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Getting her to help with the kitten is great


  • Oh yes, we definitely aren’t using negative words like “no” and “you can’t…”, its taking my partner a bit to get use to having to say everything like, “be gentle”, “be nice” ect… She really is good with the kitten. But yea, she is just wanting more and more attention, and waking up during the night to sleep in our bed ect… I know it will only be for a few weeks until the kitten is old enough and won’t need so much attention, but don’t want to just perservere and then have her act out more towards the kitten…
    She is great though, she gets the kitten as soon as mummy gets the bottle for it, and she likes carrying it to bed ect… So she is getting involved, just don’t want her jealousy to go negative…


  • As with most problems concerning kids, perseverence is the key. Keep doing what you’re doing, including her in its care etc. It won’t be long and the kitten won’t need do much attention. Problem solved?!


  • Be gentle, use positive words and lead by example – instead of words like “don’t hurt/push…” says things like “gentle hands, lets pat/hold the kitten together like this…”. As the kitten gets bigger things should improve too.


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