hi there,
Looking for any advice about newborns and cats. We have two house cats, 1 older female who is a bit of a stresshead where change is concerned and a slightly younger male who is a cool dude kind of cat. Both were rescued: we got the older one when she was about 2, and she had had a hard life and takes a very long time to trust people other than us, especially men. It took about 4 years for her to go near my parents and a male friend of ours! She was jealous of the younger cat when he came, but didn't harm him. She's very good natured and affectionate with us though, a proper 'lap' cat. The younger one we got as a kitten, but had to take him early as his mother was stressed. He is devoted to us, particularly to my husband, and has always slept in our room, either on a chair by the bed when he was tiny ( we had to have him in sight, on an electric blanket for the first few weeks) or actually on the bed.
I'm a bit worried on two fronts: firstly, how do I introduce them to baby in such a way that they won't be upset/jealous/threatened? Secondly, what habits should I be trying to get them into now (I'm only 11+2/3 just now)? Non cat keeping friends have thrown up their hands proclaiming ' the moggies must go' and giving me the usual nonsense about them liking to sleep on babies faces. While I know this is a bit of an old wives tale, is there anything I can buy to put over the cot/crib to stop moggy cuddles being attempted? Cat number two does quite often come and crawl into our bed once we are asleep, as he likes the warmth. We have tried to discourage it, but it might be a bit late to break the habit with him now.
Cat 1 is a bit scared of kids and tends to hide from them, and cat 2 isn't that fond of them: although he is devoted to my wee nephew (who is 4 and has grown up with cats), I tend to advise my younger pupils ( I teach piano) to give him a wide birth, just in case.
All advice very welcome: my husband has always had cats, but I've only kept them since we met!
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Introducing cats to baby: any advice?
4 replies
leanabh2013 · 09/11/2012 14:04
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