How Cats Can Be Used To Calm Anxious Children

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Since we’ve introduced our precious Jack-Jack to our family, I’ve seen many positive things happen — from the children stepping up to take responsibility, to my stress level dwindling with a few calming pets at the end of a long day.

But the most positive thing we’ve experience is his calming effect on my daughter who has anxiety and Sensory Processing Disorder.

For her, transitioning to anything new is a struggle. A new routine, a new sound, a new taste, a new smell — any new sense — can send her into a spiral of emotions as she struggles to regulate herself. Birthday parties, after school, and unstructured days are the areas she struggles with the most.

Summer was a major challenge for her and I, and my stress level was at an all-time high. I was constantly on edge not knowing what would trigger her next.

I knew she needed to have a coping mechanism other than me; something to be there as she cried, react with a loving heart, and provide a calming technique when the world became — in her words — “too much.”

Enter Jack-Jack, the super cat!

Now, when she is anxious about something, or having a tough day, we reach for our 6-month-old cat, Jack-Jack, to help calm her. Despite having zero training as a therapy animal, he is fantastic for distracting her with playful kitty shenanigans when her mind starts to spiral, or providing a loyal companionship when she needs it the most.

Here are some of the ways we use him to help us out with her.

How Cats Can Be Used To Calm Anxious Children

1. Sensory integration

Cats are obviously soft, right? Feeling various textures can provide comfort to kids with a variety of issues. My daughter is obsessed with soft things, so it makes sense that she finds calm to her chaos while petting him.

Mornings especially can be a struggle at times, so I bring Jack-Jack into her room when waking her up. It always brings a smile right to her face, and he gives her plenty of love to start her down the right path toward having a good day.

2. Empathy

I encourage my daughter to use Jack to discuss how she’s feeling and remind her that we want to treat our cat as kindly as want to treat our friends. She understands that if she wants love from him, she needs to be kind to him. {She’s generally one tough cookie, so I have loved seeing her fall in love with caring for him!}

3. Socialization

Since social communication can be a struggle for anxious children, using a pet as a social tool can be beneficial. Speaking to a cat can be way easier than speaking with adults or other children. I love peeking in and witnessing my gal telling Jack about her day!

4. Responsibility

For a child with an anxious heart, caring for something other themselves can provide a sense of pride. My gal loves feeding Jack just before she heads off to school, and she is quickly becoming his preferred human because of this simple interaction. He definitely seeks her out in the morning to give him his breakfast!

Feeding cats can be messy with kids, so I’m loving the Meow Mix Simple Servings from Meijer because it’s a hassle-free, portioned perfectly, and he loves the taste of real chicken and turkey.

I’m a believer pets can reach the human heart on a level we can’t comprehend, but I wasn’t fully prepared for their special relationship. Now, when my gal is upset, she calls for him. He’s the first thing she looks for each morning, and the last thing she wants to see before going to bed.

I’m so grateful for their love of each other!

Meow Mix Simple Servings Offer From mPerks

Your cat can try Simple Servings from Meijer, too. There currently is an mPerks offer for 30 perfect off one. Visit HERE to clip the coupon in your account.

The product is located in the pet area at Meijer, and flavors include Tuna & Salmon, Seafood Variety, Whitefish, Chicken & Turkey and Tuna & Whitefish.

How have pets changed your life for the better?