New cat doesnt like toddler
We got this guy 2-3 weeks ago because my friends brother moved out, leaving his cat with his mom that is too old to take care of cats. Their mom was just gonna give him to a shelter, but I felt bad and said we could take him because he’s older and would have a low chance of getting adopted out.
He is a bit overweight but loves his alone time. And that is fine with me and my boyfriend, but my 2 year old really wants to pet him every time he is out while he just wants to sit there.
Yes I have been teaching my daughter “alone”. Yes I have taught my daughter how to pet him properly. Yes I have been trying to teach her to give him space, but she doesn’t even give me space when I need it. No I am not letting her hit or pull the cat. She is very nice to him, ALL she wants to do is pet him and he just doesn’t want it.
I monitor them when they interact, I let her linger and let him get comfortable, and if he seems fine with it I let her pet him. But it will only be for like 2 seconds and he will walk away not wanting my toddlers touch. My toddler isn’t mean to him, she doesn’t throw things at him and has never pulled anything on him, but he just doesn’t want to be around her. He hides when she’s up and comes out when she’s asleep.
I feel like I am depriving my daughter of a companion because I’m just making her look at a cat that she wants to pet and I feel like I’m depriving him of a house that he can go anywhere in at any time. I really like this cat but he just doesn’t like my kid. He gets along with us fine, is eating fine, and using the bathroom normally. He just doesn’t want attention 90% of the time and my daughter just wants to love on him!
I am stressed because I do not want him to go to a shelter because I feel like he wouldnt like it. But I want my daughter to have a pet that likes her and actually can tolerate being around her. What do I do?