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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want the cats OUT OF THE FLAT during the birth?

40 replies

Badgerina · 22/04/2012 21:58

I'm planning a home birth in September. We have 2 rather crazy house cats, and a small flat. They're lovely and everything but they tend to do naughty things like chew stuff, climb everywhere, sit where they're not supposed to, open the fridge, steal the cheese... PLUS they're extremely cuddlesome and attention-seeking. In fact, one of them is practically a sex-pest.

I really feel that I want them OUT! so that they're not chewing through the birth pool hose, rifling through the midwives' bag, sleeping on the baby's blanket, wearing the baby's vests, trying to suckle from me* and generally getting up to antics whilst I'm giving birth. A colleague at DH's work has said she can have them for a few days.

Am I being a heartless cat owner?

*not really.

OP posts:
BonkeyMollocks · 22/04/2012 21:59

Yanbu!

You want to relax not be worried your cat is going to hump the midwife.

Annunziata · 22/04/2012 22:00

Good god no you're not being unreasonable! Do you want them with a newborn either though?

YoullLaughAboutItOneDay · 22/04/2012 22:01

NO! Yadddnbu!

McHappyPants2012 · 22/04/2012 22:01

Yanbu

BertieBotts · 22/04/2012 22:01

We got a rescue kitten when DS was 3 months old, and he DID try to suckle from me. So I wouldn't discount that one!

slowestwildebeast · 22/04/2012 22:03

Raises an eyebrow at the thought of vest wearing house cats humping healthcare professionals. Yanbu. Tell the cats to sling their hooks for the day.

Allboxedin · 22/04/2012 22:04

No YANBU They might get scared anyway which would be even more inhumane.

WhiteTrash · 22/04/2012 22:05

Omg this just bought back a memory!! I got a kitten a few years back, one day it was summer and I lived ontop of a hill. My flat was always sweltering in the afternoons and evenings, when I got in the flat was empty so I took my top off to cool down. I had no bra on, I knelt downto change the tv channel (lost the remote) and the kitten came over to say hello. Then no word of a lie, latched on to my boob. Made me jump out my skin.

It was so bizzare I didnt really believe it happened until a few days later my DP said to me "You'll never guess what the kitten did to me earlier..."

Crazy cat.

Anyway, YANBU. But half the stuff you mentioned is going to be there before (the birthing pool) and way after (baby blankets etc) the baby is born. Will you always be kicking them out?

GrahamTribe · 22/04/2012 22:08

Not at all. You have someone who's been kind enough to offer to look after them, it seems like a perfectly good arrangement. It's not as if you're going to lock them out in the cold or dump them.

AlistairSim · 22/04/2012 22:10

Don't be too hasty, OP.

They might come in handy for clearing up the placenta.

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 22/04/2012 22:10

No - do what you'd do with any naughty challenging toddler, pack them off to AuntyWorkMate's for a few days Grin

PurplePidjin · 22/04/2012 22:13

YANBU but I suggest you sort their behaviour out pdq!

Yes, you can train cats, they're very intelligent. You just need to motivate them Wink

Original poster
Badgerina · 22/04/2012 22:20

Hahaha! I confess that when we first got Romeo as a wee kitten, he did get into bed with us and attempt to suckle from me... That was FREAKY.

I'll also admit, I've made them out to be waaaaaay worse than they are. They're only young (one is 3, the other is 4), and they are behaving with increasing maturity and decorum as the months go by (honest). I just really irrationally hated them during my first trimester and didn't want to cuddle them or anything. I imagine I might get like that towards the end of pregnancy too, what with the hormones and all.

PurplePidjin They are quite trainable, I agree. Our sometimes use the loo instead of their tray. Seriously. The chewing has proved a real challenge though. How many pairs of headphones!!!!??????

I was thinking I might get one of those Feliway thingies - any good?

Also, I SWEAR they know I'm preggo. Spooky.

OP posts:
Original poster
Badgerina · 22/04/2012 22:21

AlistairSim No way! That meat is MINE!

OP posts:
CuttedUpPear · 22/04/2012 22:26

When I had DS at home our very affectionate cat was so chuffed to find the gas fire on all night during my labour that she just parked herself there. We had to shuffle her out of the way at the crucial moment, otherwise DS would have landed on her head but she was no trouble.

PurplePidjin · 22/04/2012 22:29

They sound bored, actually. My 5yo has a couple of scratching areas and a bazillion toys and still goes a bit nuts occasionally - until I open the kitchen window, whereupon she smells Outdoors and hides behind the sofa Hmm

Feliway and catnip mice would be a good start, also fishing rod with different ends to get them running around. Is there any way you can let them out for an hour or two? Recall training is easy - let them out half an hour before feeding time, then call names and rattle the food box!

everlong · 22/04/2012 22:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Badgerina · 22/04/2012 22:43

PurplePidjin they have toys. Lots. I think the chewing (only one of them does it), is something he does to tell us he's hungry because he only does it before his evening meal, until we feed him.

Letting them out for a bit would work for one of them, but not the other, who is a bit like yours: walks up to the open door, looks outside, walks back inside and under the bed.

everlong yes she'd treat them like princes Grin

OP posts:
DinahMoHum · 22/04/2012 22:46

cant you just put them outside when you go into labour? Start letting them out in advance

SarahStratton · 22/04/2012 22:49

Oh they will know you're pregnant, my old cat always knew before I did, he used to bring me mice in bed. :(

It was the only time he ever brought catches to me, and he was never wrong.

eurochick · 22/04/2012 22:50

Can't you just shut them in a room (with a litter tray and regular supplies of food and water) or put them out?

TBH getting rid of them once you go into labour might just end up being an extra faff at a time when you just don't need it.

fridakahlo · 22/04/2012 22:55

My cat brought my mum mice when she was pregnant, including one which was pregnant, so we had mouse fetuses all over the floor.
Also most cats do seem to know what those things attached to our chest are for.

edam · 22/04/2012 23:00

Cats are flipping territorial - even moving furniture around can piss them off, so moving house would really stress them out. They'll probably keep well out of the way during the birth, too noisy and scary. And same goes for baby too - especially the unpredictability of his/her movements and noises.

I'm quite impressed they can open the fridge though, that is extremely clever.

SarahStratton · 22/04/2012 23:02

Ick frida :(

TheDetective · 22/04/2012 23:07

I have a nipple sucker too Grin. The first time she did it, I was filming her, no idea what was about to happen. All you hear is me drop the phone, and go OHMYGODTHATWASMYNIPPLE!!

She regularly tried to do it after that. Her favourite time to try was when I was in my towel after my shower. God she loved me then. Rubbed up to me, nuzzled right in to me, then BAM, she'd claw the towel off and go for it!

She did it once to DP... except it was a mole on the side of his abdomen haaaaaaaaaa!!!

She has never grown out of it. Cow. And no, she wasn't weaned early - she lives with mummy cat!