# Is a house cat this large potentially dangerous to young kids? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 23, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563 "2012-09-23T02:39:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/21 "2012-09-23T18:07:05Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > And if you stop and think about it, how is that any different than having a large dog, like a lab? Dogs are considerably more tractable than cats, and even a large one will learn to obey the commands of at least one person in the house. Cats don’t obey commands because they regard them as mere suggestions. Don’t get me wrong, I love cats. Our [Molly](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6878229477_bb75180f42_z.jpg) is the sweetest feline on this Earth, but she has a peculiarity in that she likes to nip my lower legs or arms when she wants something, sometimes to the point of drawing blood. As an adult I understand and deal with it, but I wouldn’t want to subject a tiny child to it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/22 "2012-09-23T18:31:23Z")
> [@MoodIndigo1](#): > > I think this article at Big Cats Rescue is worth a read if you’re thinking of buying a hybrid cat: [http://bigcatrescue.org/2011/hybrid-facts](http://bigcatrescue.org/2011/hybrid-facts) A ignorant idiot. I now own one Bengal, and just recently my F2 “Throwback” Bengal passed away at the age of 16. Nothing wild other than their appearance. Now sure a Savannah cat is pretty big, but I have a 25# Maine Coon, and no-one thinks they are dangerous. (other than small rodents, tiny dogs, etc). But yes I agree with asterion, one does not let a 25# Maine Coon cat attack your hand with full rabbit kicks, etc. Other than being powerful, he is incredibly loving and affectionate. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/23 "2012-09-23T18:40:50Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > The abandoned Maine Coon we adopted was very low-key, friendly to the point of being almost dog-like and gentle (maybe being neutered had something to do with it). The only time I ever felt his teeth was at the end of a grooming session and I was trying (as carefully as I could) to remove fur clots, when he gently closed his teeth on my hand as a subtle hint (“Thanks, that’s quite enough for now”). 😃 > > I wouldn’t mind having a Savannah (if Mrs. J. was not allergic), but it’d make sense to not allow very young children access until you’re sure the animal isn’t going to react badly. The trouble is, the animal’s reaction can change radically with no warning and do considerable damage very quickly. Just last night something startled my cat who was sleeping peacefully on my lap and he launched himself using my legs for traction. Large wounds on both thighs were the result. He’s not an aggressive cat but I would never leave a small child alone with him. Double or triple that with an at who was bigger, stronger or “wilder.” ---
**Author:** ![kbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbear)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/24 "2012-09-23T20:52:36Z")
What a gorgeous cat! We have a bengal with exactly the same markings but she’s absolutely puny compared to MAGIC. ---
**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/25 "2012-09-23T22:26:43Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > **coffeecat** , I’m really interested in hearing experiences from owners of these different breeds. Huey’s a used kitty I got through craigslist, so I don’t know how many generations removed he is from the wild. He was a breeder reject because he doesn’t have the wild markings–a stray melanistic gene or two must have snuck in–but he says he has a dream that he will be judged not by the color of his fur, but by his skill at napping. He is large, very gentle, and thinks water is the most interesting thing in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/26 "2012-09-24T00:20:37Z")
> [@MoodIndigo1](#): > > I think this article at Big Cats Rescue is worth a read if you’re thinking of buying a hybrid cat: [http://bigcatrescue.org/2011/hybrid-facts](http://bigcatrescue.org/2011/hybrid-facts) I have to say, everything I’ve heard about Savannahs says they’re pretty good pets. Not the f1 and f2 generations, obviously, unless you know how to handle exotics, but as the cat:serval ration gets higher, they’re supposed to be great. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/27 "2012-09-24T01:52:11Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > A ignorant idiot. I now own one Bengal, and just recently my F2 “Throwback” Bengal passed away at the age of 16. Nothing wild other than their appearance. > > Now sure a Savannah cat is pretty big, but I have a 25# Maine Coon, and no-one thinks they are dangerous. (other than small rodents, tiny dogs, etc). But yes I agree with asterion, one does not let a 25# Maine Coon cat attack your hand with full rabbit kicks, etc. Other than being powerful, he is incredibly loving and affectionate. I think your ignorant idiot remark is over the top. A few years ago, I was very interested in adopting a savannah kitten. The research I did at the time changed my mind. Bengals have been around longer and are more predictable, more stable. They are beautiful animals, but I wouldn’t have one around with a young child. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/28 "2012-09-24T02:09:58Z")
Both of the Minnesota breeders have small children. There’s even pics of them cuddled up next to their infant. [http://www.midwestmysticals.com/](http://www.midwestmysticals.com/) > **[Gallery - Home](https://sites.google.com/a/lakeshoresavannahs.com/main/gallery)** > > Contact Page ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/29 "2012-09-24T02:41:09Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > Our [Molly](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6878229477_bb75180f42_z.jpg) What, no response? How many cat pictures like _this_ do you see every day? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/30 "2012-09-24T03:10:36Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Both of the Minnesota breeders have small children. There’s even pics of them cuddled up next to their infant. > > [http://www.midwestmysticals.com/](http://www.midwestmysticals.com/) > [https://sites.google.com/a/lakeshoresavannahs.com/main/gallery](https://sites.google.com/a/lakeshoresavannahs.com/main/gallery) Well, sure - everyone knows that cats try to steal a baby’s breath. 🙂 **Spectre** , that’a a lovely big fat kitty. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/31 "2012-09-24T03:38:30Z")
The related videos are just too cute! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/q-H2Lil8zu8/hqdefault.jpg "MAGIC Waking Up Andreas") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-H2Lil8zu8) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/z5LXNU5UCUY/hqdefault.jpg "Leon Draper Savannah Cat Brushing Her Teeth The Most Famous Cat In The World") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5LXNU5UCUY) ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/32 "2012-09-24T10:19:59Z")
Why, oh why?? ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/33 "2012-09-24T10:54:50Z")
Mmm…as a cat person I’m conflicted about all of this. Naively I think I could handle and be comfortable with a hybrid, as would my teenage children who love cats. My 15 yr daughter has been certain, since age 11 that her life’s calling is to work with tigers and protect them. I have no doubt she will do something like this even if she changes to orang-utans or other endangered animal. She’s steadily working through high school headed for zoology. But I think the big cat rescue guy (in the link) talks a lot of sense. Wild cats are feral by nature and crossing them with domestic breeds is not going to suppress the carnivore until way way down the breeding line. Right at this moment I am nursing a scar from trying to entice a lost domestic ginger I found today. He’ll come back, I’m sure he is somebody’s pet, he was happy to be near me, but when I tried to pick him up - he became a basket of needles. Cats are wonderful but very close to the wild. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/34 "2012-09-24T11:16:22Z")
[http://cheezburger.com/41980417](http://cheezburger.com/41980417) (video) [tangent] would it have been dangerous to pet that? there seem to be no hostility in its body language. [/tangent] > [@Ken001](#): > > … Right at this moment I am nursing a scar from trying to entice a lost domestic ginger I found today. He’ll come back, I’m sure he is somebody’s pet, he was happy to be near me, but when I tried to pick him up - he became a basket of needles. Cats are wonderful but very close to the wild. it didn’t actually attack you did it? most likely it was just reacting negatively to being manhandled by a stranger and its claws came out instinctively during its attempt to free itself. ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/35 "2012-09-24T11:24:30Z")
Yes absolutely correct. All I’m doing is pointing out that even the standard domestic cat has sharp edges if it feels threatened. In fairness that adds nothing to the discussion. 😃 I’ve lived with cat scratches for many years as affectionate reminders that my feline friends are not completely tame. ---
**Author:** ![activgurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@activgurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/activgurl)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/36 "2012-09-24T15:16:59Z")
Reminds me of the numerous “Animal Cops” episodes where the staff seizes cats, claiming “they’re not socialized”. My own cats don’t want to be picked up & cuddled, although you can kneel & scratch heads all you want. Heck, I don’t want anybody trying to cuddle ME! But that isn’t necessarily “overly viscious”. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/37 "2012-09-24T15:48:37Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > [http://cheezburger.com/41980417](http://cheezburger.com/41980417) (video) > > [tangent] would it have been dangerous to pet that? there seem to be no hostility in its body language. [/tangent]\ All they needed to do was stretch out their leg and nudge it - that makes my cat jump off the bed all the time. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/38 "2012-09-24T16:40:53Z")
> [@Ken001](#): > > However there are breeds like the pit-bull which are dangerous if they feel threatened or need to defend their territory or “family”. Personally I’d trust a labrador but you make a very good point. Sigh. We’ve been over this before on the SDMB. Pit bulls are dogs, not monsters. They’re known among dog experts for being human-friendly and not very territorial. > [@Ken001](#): > > Cats are much closer to the wild than dogs Uh, the reason cats are the way they are is not so much how “close to the wild” they are (whatever that means) but that they do not have a pack social structure like dogs do. Dogs look up to humans and are accustomed to accepting human leadership, and they have strong social bonds, famously exhibiting altruism to humans, other dogs, and even other animals. > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Not to open the whole pitbull debate again, but labradors have their own reputation for attacks. I think the general rule for pets in families with small kids is good supervision - dogs and cats are all capable of doing damage to a small child. Word. A Jack Russell Terrier killed an infant in Tennessee. It’s unwise to leave infants or small children unsupervised PERIOD, let alone with an animal. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/39 "2012-09-24T21:44:13Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Uh, the reason cats are the way they are is not so much how “close to the wild” they are (whatever that means) but that they do not have a pack social structure like dogs do. Dogs look up to humans and are accustomed to accepting human leadership, and they have strong social bonds, famously exhibiting altruism to humans, other dogs, and even other animals. Dogs _have_ been domesticated way longer than cats. So technically kitties are “closer to the wild”. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563/40 "2012-09-24T21:50:09Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > A Jack Russell Terrier killed an infant in Tennessee. It’s unwise to leave infants or small children unsupervised PERIOD, let alone with an animal. It’s unsafe to leave _adults_ near a Jack Russell Terrier. One of those fuckers chased a group of us up a cliff that we had been climbing that afternoon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-house-cat-this-large-potentially-dangerous-to-young-kids/635563.md?page=3)