Cat nets

[2catsand1rabbit]

Hi, didn't know where the post this but I have 2 cats, one who loves snuggling up to people (prob warm babies too).

Has anyone used a cat net? They don't look tough enough as if they'd keep my cats off the baby.

Also, does anyone have any tips on keeping the cats away? Should I put the baby to sleep in the moses basket in a bedroom with the door shut and buy a baby monitor?

[mslucy]

I bought a cat net thinking that my very scary cat Rocky would eat the baby.

How wrong I was. When ds arrived 3 years ago, Rocky almost had a nervous breakdown.

He was terrified of the baby, especially when he cried and spent most of his time outside or living with the mad cat lady over the road.

Rocky tolerates ds now but it took a while - not sure he'll that pleased to know there's another one on the way.

Sorry to ramble, but in my experience, cats are very scared of babies and I'd be surprised if you'll need the cat net.

[elkiedee]

We got a cat net to reassure my parents but we never really needed to use it, as cats were fairly cautious about the baby. Now he's crawling, walking, chasing and curious, they usually keep their distance.

I think the purpose is that when they try to snuggle up the net will catch their claws and they'll be put off, find it difficult to casually curl up in the space with the net.

[fluffyanimal]

I used cat nets, one for the moses basket /pram and one for the cot bed when we had the very hot summer two years ago and had to leave ds's bedroom door and windows open for ventilation. Our cat was scared of him when he was awake, but was quite interested in sleeping in the moses basket and cot bed when he was asleep. Cats won't sit on top of a cat net, or try to climb over one. They don't like them.

[SydneyB]

Waste. Of. Money.

In my experience, cats are very wary of babies. If you're worried, can't you just shut the cat out of wherever the baby is? If you really want one, I can let you have a totally unused in bag one for the cost of the postage! I think all those tales of cats sleeping on babys heads are a bit far-fetched.

[Washersaurus]

My cat always stays away from the babies, but did used to like snuggling in the moses basket and cot - even ON the cot net! Luckily we have a door at the bottom of the stairs so we had to keep it closed and ban the cats from upstairs totally.

[babypringle]

we has the same experience as mslucy - our two previously snuggly cats were terrified of DS when he arrived 2 yrs ago and the cat net was never removed from its packaging. We did always try to shut doors etc if DS was sleeping to keep the cats away, and also made the cats a cosy spot in the utility room that was a baby free zone once DS started crawling. We also discouraged the cats from sleeping in DS's stuff even when he wasn't using it, so even now we keep the buggy folded up and DS's bedroom door shut so they don't get any ideas ...

you'll be fine ...

[tinkispregnantwithpickle]

our cat was scared of dd when a baby didny go anywhere near her

[friendlyedjit]

went to mothercare asking for a cat net- the assistant told me they only sold childrens products and didn't cater for pets!!!!!
or should that be "catter for pets"

we found out cats went a bit potty when dd1 arrived, now dd4 haven't even batted an eyelid!

[Fennel]

We got one with dd1 as we didn't want to banish our beloved cats from our bedroom. So dd1 started off under a net so the cats had the freedom of the bedroom. Til we got a grip and just started shutting the bedroom door on the cats (and using a baby monitor).

baby monitor and shut door was easier than cat net.

our cats were never scared of our babies. One was terrified of children before we had them but got used to them as soon as it had to live with them.

[MeAndMyMonkey]

Total waste of money, my sister kindly bought me one when I was pregnant, but as soon as the baby was born, the cats pretty much took one look and skulked away downstairs.
Nearly 2 years later one of them has just started to venture into her room... they kind of tolerate her now but are far more scared of her than vice versa.
I have still got a cat net in its John Lewis packaging, however, if anyone wants it for free(sorry sis!), but I honestly think they are pointless... no evidence of a cat attacking/smothering a baby EVER as far as I know!

[eth37]

We are TTC and also desperate to get a cat! DH says we shouldn't get a cat as it might snuggle on the baby (if we eventually succeed!) so am pleased to read stories of cats being a bit wary of babies. I remember my parents had a cat when I was a baby and my mum says it kept well out of the way...

[prettybird]

Bought one but never used it. Cats (normally very snuggly, people cats) gave ds a wide berth. We did however keep them shut out of our room (which ds was sharing) at night and from ds' room when we moved him at 6 months.

Might have been a wee bit more concerned about one of our current cats as he had a real habit of sleeping on your face when he was a kitten. Doesn't do it so often now, but can still sleep a bit too close to my face to be comfortable with him around a sleeping baby.

[prettybird]

Said cat is however, brilliant with ds who is now (just about) 8.

[2catsand1rabbit]

Ok, think I'll save my money. A shut door and baby monitor seems effective!

[FruitynNutty]

MY friend said to me today when I announced my pregnancy "What are you going to do with the cat?" I just looked at her with my mouth wide open and said "What do you think I'm going to do? get rid of our beloved pet? Are you mad?"
Some people are so neurotic, I don't mean you 2cats I mean my friend!. There was probably one story of a cat sitting on a baby's head and it's been blown out of proportion. Of course the cat will be wary of the baby. If worried, close the door or use a cat net if it will put your mind a rest

[thomasina1]

I think we are going for the shut door approach but thought we would start trying this a good few weeks before the birth... the idea being that then the cat won't associate this with the arrival of the baby. Who knows if it will work though!

[whomovedmychocolate]

Cat nets are pants. Not only do they not work, you spend a dogs age trying to get the blood things off because the baby is crying. If the cat jumped on the net, it sags so not only does the baby get a cat on the head but a bloody great netty thing too.

The cat will be terrified of your little one believe me.

[harpomarx]

useful to keep cat out of pram when baby not in it, ime. That's about it.

[penona]

I am with harpo, the biggest problem with our cats and babies is keeping the cats out of the cot/pram/highchair when the babies aren't in them. They don't seem terribly interested in the babies in bed.
We did use a cat net but it was a total nightmare, and the cat sat on it until it sunk onto the bed anyway. Shut door is the best method!

Oh and our two cats have always been very intrigued by the DTs and love to play with them. When they cry in the night one of the cats will sit outside the door until I go in!! (And if they cry in the day will also go and sit near them and rub their heads etc. V cute)

[SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore]

my cat wasnt afraid of dd1 untill she learned to crawl but equally had no interest in jumping into her cot with her. it did like to try and 'clean' her while i was feeding her or cuddling her. one of my cats would rest on the end of her pram where she could see him, but never ever actually in the pram or on the baby.

after dd1 learned to crawl and grab they stayed well away. and with dd2 they have learned that baby's like to pull tails. they do like sitting under the high chair though.

i never used my cat net. ever. despite mils protests after dd2. there was just no need to

[Ate]

It isn't a myth!!

Both of my cats have curled up on top of two of my three children when babies. The first was several years ago, the second incident happened a few months ago, when DD3 was 8 weeks old. In the process he also gave her a tic (despite regular tic/flea treatments).

The cat responsible second time round now lives elsewhere, he's a slow learner (drinks from the loo despite years of remonstration!) and I couldn't take the risk.

On both occasions I had left the room for seconds before returning (thankfully) and in that time they had made themselves comfortable on top of sleeping babies.

It obviously isn't the case that all cats behave in this way! Some will though and there is a potential risk. In the case of my (now rehomed) cat, a net would have been little or no deterrent. He could open the hefty patio doors with one paw when so inclined! Cordoning wouldn't have been an option as the other one (cat) can open any door with a handle (rather than a knob), which all of mine have.

[star6]

I am 32 weeks and I want a cat but dh says no way because cats smother babies in their sleep. He showed me a few articles of instances of this happening and that scared me enough. I'm sure they are very wary and scared of babies, but I'm not willing to take any chances if it is a possibility.
Also you shouldn't be really near cat litter in pregnancy (breathing in the fumes from it if you live in a small space or wherever litter is stored and definitely shouldn't handle it - this advice I've heard from many).

[pollyblue]

I have 5 cats and got a cat net when dd was born. Bought her home from the hospital and didn't see the cats for dust! And mine all are very lazy lap-cats, given half the chance. One puss would curl up in the (empty) cat seat if he could, but they all instinctively kept away from dd. We've got a door at the bottom of our stairs so can stop the cats going up to the bedrooms, but when dd was in her moses basket downstairs none of them came near her.

star6 is right about not handling at litter in pregnancy (that's what our DHs are for! ). But over all, research shows that children who grow up in households with pets tend to have stronger resistance to allergies etc. So there are pros and cons.