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Parenting

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Original poster

Need help - baby/cat problem

6 replies

CathyandHeathcliff · 19/12/2018 21:03

Earlier today my 9 week old baby was just crying and screaming, wouldn’t take the boob or anything. I laid him on the sofa so I could try and feed him in a different position , my cat jumped off her spot on the armchair and jumped on his head like she was biting him. I threw her off and checked him over, so mark that I can see and no blood/scratch mark, he didn’t scream out either (although he was already screaming)
What the hell do I do? I’ve put the cat outside, I was shaking. She’s the loveliest cat you could meet, I don’t know why she did it! Thankfully I managed to intervene in time, but I dread to think if I hadn’t!
Any advice? 😢

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

wombatsears · 19/12/2018 22:59

Make sure cat isn’t left alone with baby whilst still so young.

Try posting in the Litter Tray as people there will be more knowledgable

Hollywhiskey · 22/12/2018 16:59

My cat did that while my baby was tiny and colicky. I googled it and apart from lots of advice to have the cat destroyed (I didn't) it seems that we mammals (especially females) react to the cries of the young of other mammals too.
It was horribly upsetting at the time but she's never shown and sign of it since.
I just kept them separate as far as possible and made sure the cats had safe spaces to escape to.

Divgirl2 · 22/12/2018 21:19

I had a similar thing happen when DS was about the same age but my (female) cat jumped up and started batting him on the head when he was screaming blue bloody murder on the changing table (her claws were in so no harm done). I think she was just trying to turn him off.
I kept a very close eye after that and never left the cats alone with the baby (I didn't anyway, I was next to him when this happened).
Now they're the best of friends and both cats are endlessly patient with him.
I'd just keep a close eye on them and if it happens again then maybe look at your options. As a one-off with a normally lovely cat I wouldn't worry too much.

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Petitprince · 22/12/2018 21:23

She may be trying to mother him. Could the biting have been licking?

Jackshouse · 22/12/2018 21:25

I would suspect the at was distress and who won’t be by a crying baby. I found is easiest sometimes to take the cat with me rather than the baby if I had to leave the room. Try getting a plug in flexiway.

Santaisonthesherry · 22/12/2018 21:30

Cats pick their kittens up by their neck with their teeth. Maybe your baby crying was bringing out those instincts?

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