How to bring up safety concerns about beloved pets?

[Anonymous]

I am a relatively new (6 months so far) live-in for a 14-month old girl. MB and DB (but especially MB) are very typical high-strung, safety concious/paranoid FTM, with one blind spot: her cats.

MB has two cats that she loves and had for years before having kids and they are very spoiled. They steal food, scratch furniture, yowl when they don't have enough attention, etc. they have also showed signs of aggression towards me (scratching, hissing, one bite) when worked up (e.g., I just came home and house is loud and family is walking around and yelling).

I am really concerned that one of the cats will injure DC and that I will be blamed. DB ignores cats, but MB encourages them to play with DC (calls them her "big sisters") and I have seen some growling and warning swipes already. So far I just close the door and keep cats away from DC, but as she gets bigger and wants to play in other rooms, I won't be able to keep them separate, and it feels inevitable that she'll get hurt. How do I bring this up?

[Anonymous]

Ugh, that sounds awful. I would mention your concern to mom by saying the cat has hissed at the kids, and ask if she thinks they will bite. But realistically I bet you she won't do anything about it til someone gets scratched or bitten because she sounds more concerned about the cats than the kids.

[Anonymous]

As long as the cats have an escape route to get away from the kid, she'll be fine. Generally, though obviously not always, cats will retreat if they can get away from a situation they don't want to be in. Usually they scratch and bite when nervous or cornered.

[Anonymous]

And this is a good time to start teaching the child how to treat cats - only touch them when they want, be gentle, no grabbing tail, etc.

But I would definitely tell the parents that the cats have hissed and growled, and that you are concerned they could bite/scratch her. It's also be wise to email/text this to them so you have a record of informing them.

[Anonymous]

OP I suggest printing off some information on how dangerous cat bites are for children and adults. Cat bites have a 70-80% chance of becoming infected. If a cat bites you, especially on your hand, you need to go to urgent care, pediatrician or ER and get antibiotics immediately. I had cats all my life and never heard of this until my DS was bit and the ped sent us to the ER. I thought our ped was overacting but the doctors and nurses at the ER confirmed that yes, cat bites are far more dangerous than dog bites and need antibiotics. Bites on the hands can particular prone to infection and have more complications due to the proximity to the joints.

You can tell your employer that you want to make sure that no accidents happen for the sake of the kids and the cats.

[Anonymous]

Pet owners are often blind to the possible harm they can do to young children. (They're also don't seem to notice that their house, hair and clothes smell like the damn pet)
This is a no win situation IMO. The baby will get hurt and it will somehow be your fault. Bad situation

[Anonymous]

Kids grow up around cats and dogs all the time. Teach the child how to safely approach the cats. Tell your MB you are afraid of them and consider whether this job is right for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids grow up around cats and dogs all the time. Teach the child how to safely approach the cats. Tell your MB you are afraid of them and consider whether this job is right for you.

Wow, swing that nanny door for the sake of the pet? Pet takes priority over the child. I didn't know this could be for real.

[Anonymous]

OP- if you are truly concerned for the safety of the children, tell MB and make it clear that you do not feel comfortable having the cats free in the house. Request that they be kept in a separate part of the house while you are in charge. If the parents want to take the risk of one of their children being injured, they can do it on their own time.

I worked with a family who had two small (10 lb) dogs. One of them nipped ONE TIME and for the next year, those dogs were not out free in the house while the kids were awake. I will not chance a child's safety for the sake of socializing someone else's pets, and neither should you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids grow up around cats and dogs all the time. Teach the child how to safely approach the cats. Tell your MB you are afraid of them and consider whether this job is right for you.

It's not OP's job to teach the kids how to interact with her bosses pets. MB/DB should have started this a long time ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Kids grow up around cats and dogs all the time. Teach the child how to safely approach the cats. Tell your MB you are afraid of them and consider whether this job is right for you.

Wow, swing that nanny door for the sake of the pet? Pet takes priority over the child. I didn't know this could be for real.

Apparently, you can't read. No one said the nanny should be fired because of a pet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Kids grow up around cats and dogs all the time. Teach the child how to safely approach the cats. Tell your MB you are afraid of them and consider whether this job is right for you.

Wow, swing that nanny door for the sake of the pet? Pet takes priority over the child. I didn't know this could be for real.

Apparently, you can't read. No one said the nanny should be fired because of a pet.

You may want to reread 10:51.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Kids grow up around cats and dogs all the time. Teach the child how to safely approach the cats. Tell your MB you are afraid of them and consider whether this job is right for you.

Wow, swing that nanny door for the sake of the pet? Pet takes priority over the child. I didn't know this could be for real.


Apparently, you can't read. No one said the nanny should be fired because of a pet.

You may want to reread 10:51.

You may want to read 10:51. It's pretty clear she is telling the nanny to consider whether the job is for her. Doesn't say anywhere that nanny should be fired.

Reading is Fundamental.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Wow, swing that nanny door for the sake of the pet? Pet takes priority over the child. I didn't know this could be for real.

No, but the pet is a family member and therefore takes priority over the nanny. A family with pets should only employ animal lovers, because their kids need to learn how to interact with animals. (Leave escape route, dont touch animal that doesnt want to be touched, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It's not OP's job to teach the kids how to interact with her bosses pets. MB/DB should have started this a long time ago.

Actually, it is the nanny's job to teach the child any life skills that the child is working on.