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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Cats and babies.

13 replies

Mistyautumn · 02/08/2014 07:57

Currently have cat trying to sleep on my belly while getting kicked from inside. She is not impressed.

Just wondered if anyone had any tips for bringing baby home to cat. For background our cat is 2 years old and rescued from cats protection after a fairly tough start in life. She is used to being the only dependent in our house.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Jaffakake · 02/08/2014 08:10

Our cat is a rescue cat but can be quite aloof. He basically stayed out of the way but made a beeline for my knee once baby was in bed. We always used to keep the bedroom door shut when baby was (still is) asleep, although the cat is unlikely to curl up with ds. Our cat was 5 when we got him & we've always been under the impression he's been around cats before. Just give the cat an escape route & enable then to eat their tea in peace!

hubbahubster · 02/08/2014 08:11

My cat was seven when DC1 arrived and six when our dog arrived. We didn't do anything special either time and she was just fine. A bit more grumpy than usual for a whole but cats adapt very quickly.

hubbahubster · 02/08/2014 08:12

*while, not whole!

Cerealaddict · 02/08/2014 08:13

I've read a bit about this as my other "children" happen to be cats, currently 35 weeks. Your supposed to have babies stuff out so they get used to that and I've just started putting baby lotion, oil, powder on my arms so they can get used to smells.

eatscakefornoreasonwhatsoever · 02/08/2014 08:16

What Jaffa says. Fwiw one of our cats now tolerates the 2 year old week enough to sleep on his bed. The other one just avoids him. Be prepared for the feline cold shoulder though. Ours were most unimpressed at the crying.

eatscakefornoreasonwhatsoever · 02/08/2014 08:18

*2 year old well enough

ZenGardener · 02/08/2014 08:24

My cat loves the baby but we had to abandon the moses basket as he thought it was his bed. Also if the baby was in her bouncy chair he would try and get it in with her. I also had to keep the bedroom door shut as he was always trying to sneak in and sleep on her. Sometimes when they are together he gives her little bald head a good lick. It makes her giggle.

I remember when DD1 started toddling that we had to watch the cat food and kitty litter as there was no door between the living room and kitchen. Our cat is pretty easy going anyway though.

JennyBlueWren · 02/08/2014 10:13

My gran-in-law said I should get the cats to listen to bump's heartbeat and then they'll understand it has moved to the baby?! Apparently her mother cat would sit by the baby (outside of course) and fetch her if baby cried.

I'm not sure which cat I'm more worried about. The grumpy, attention demanding one who can get a bit scratchy or the nervous one who hides whenever children (and most adults) visit -wonder if we'll see much of her for awhile. A bit worried as they both sleep on the bed and Tabitha sometimes sleeps on my pillow so might like the idea of a bedside crib.

Mistyautumn · 02/08/2014 10:20

It is strange my cat was really affectionate during first 12 weeks. It was one of the first signs I might be pg as she did this with a previous pregnancy that miscarried.

She then didn't really cuddle up for about 4 months but in the last few days she has got really cuddly again. She sat on my bump while the little squidge inside was having a good old shift about this morning quite happily.

I think it may be too much to hope that she is bonding with baby but hopefully they will settle down together. We moved a month ago as well so there had been an awful lot of change for her. X

OP posts:
PresidentSpreadable · 02/08/2014 10:21

I think our pampered little boy cat is going to be quite disgruntled, we spoil him dreadfully. He's quite a nervy cat, so I'm expecting him to give the baby a fairly wide berth to start with. He's also going to be quite pissed off at being kept out of our bed/bedroom. Oh well.

Rufus200 · 02/08/2014 11:53

As a vet the tips we give for people bringing a baby home with any pet are:

Get a youtube video of a baby crying and play on low volume every day, gradually increasing volume. Play in nursery and also in main room that pet lives in. This will acclimatise them to the sudden strange noises baby makes.

Have nursery pre setup and allow pet in room but don't allow it to sleep in room. You need the pet to realise that the room isn't that interesting and that it doesn't want to be in there.

Never leave nursery door open with a pet in the house! If you are going to use a baby gate for a dog start using it before baby arrives. Remember cats can sneak into a room and hide. My mum got a hell of a shock when day when she went into the nursery and found one of the cats in my bassinet with me, the door was closed!

For a cat get a Feliway diffuser, for a dog get a DAP diffuser. These release pheromones that make the animal feel safe and secure. You may need several round the house. Can buy online or pet shops or vet.

Give the pet a safe space somewhere else in the house that they can go to, it won't just be the noise of the baby but also all the visitors that can upset them! If you need to lock them in a room/crate then get them used to is before baby arrives.

Any changes to their routine should be instigated before baby arrives. If walks or feeding times will change then change them at least one month before.

The washing machine is going to be on a lot, make sure your pet is fine with the noise. If your cat doesn't like it make sure their litter tray isn't near the washing machine! they might be fine with using it if the machine is only on every few days, they won't if it is on every day and you will get accidents in the house.

Never ever leave a baby/small child with a cat or a dog. They can get jealous and they can be vindictive! Animals are far more intelligent then they are given credit for! It is their house too and they were there first!

Be very careful of animals knocking over bassinets. One of my friend's small dog would take a run and a jump at it as soon as it was allowed in the room! Let the pet first see the bassinet with baby smell without baby in it, so you can see how it will react.

Don't suddenly dangle the baby in front of them or invite them to come and sniff it. Take a cloth wipe it over the baby and then take the cloth to the pet in another room where they feel safe, allow them to get used to the baby smell that way. The first time they are in the room with baby and you, pay baby no attention and full attention to pet. The baby should just be there but isn't the main focus, so only do when napping and somewhere pet can't reach!

Make sure someone in the house puts aside some time for the pet, even if it just 15 mins a day that is just their time, where they get cuddles and attention.

Hope this helps and doesn't alarm anyone too much.

Mistyautumn · 02/08/2014 12:09

Rufus - thanks that is really helpful. Xx

OP posts:
JennyBlueWren · 02/08/2014 12:46

That's really helpful advice, thank you.

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