Preparing pets for arrival of baby - any tips?

[Jem9153]

Hi!

I’m not due til August but our cat is extremely loving and clingy, she usually roams the house at night and sometimes comes in to our room and makes herself comfortable lying literally on mine or my fiancées head (or as close as she can get!)

Obviously this is unsafe with a baby so we want to get her used to sleeping either in the kitchen or just keeping her out the bedroom now rather than later, but she cries and claws at the door frames and pulls up the carpet, does anyone have any tips? She never does this any other time, and she has got her two little beds, toys, a full bowl of food, litter tray available etc.

Has anyone had to do the same? I don’t know if I’m being too soft but I feel terrible when she cries!

Any help appreciated, I’m a first time mum so literally not got a clue! I don’t want her to end up jealous or confused when the baby arrives if she isn’t used to it 😣

I'm in the same situation. Our cat will often sleep on our bed or try and get under the covers. We sometimes shut our bedroom door to get a better sleep but she'll try to get in by scratching the door. I also feel bed shutting her out. I don't know whether to completely shut her out now so she gets used to it or just wait until I see how she reacts to a baby in our room (while I'm awake obviously).

My cat used to sleep on my bed. I've had to get used to shutting him downstairs at night as dont want risk him being in the bedroom. He does meow a lot but luckily there is a door at the bottom of the stairs so it's not directly outside the bedroom door. I have felt very guilty at times but it's better he gets used to it now.

Could you get one of those feliway plug-ins? Meant to help pets feel calmer. Or spray some catnip on his bed before you go bed to encourage him into his bed? Could you shut him downstairs so hes not directly outside your bedroom door? I'm not sure how you would get him to stop scratching, but my cat used to scratch the doors when he was younger but hasnt done that for ages now.

Not any tips as such but I got a cat net to put over the moses basket so the cats can't go it in while the baby is in there.

My cat is very similar. Very needy. We put her in the living room with food timers so she knows food is around. We actually put a child gate where our door would be as she kept us awake with scratching. Eventually she settled. She knows when the lights go out it’s time for bed. Now baby is here she still cuddles us in bed in the morning and is very careful with the baby, although we never leave her alone with her. Cats thrive on routine and that takes time- you’ll get there! They will accept the new living arrangements.

We had 3 when baby born, now 2 sadly as lost my oldie shortly after baby was born.

Feliway plug ins are great, I used these and we just shut the bedroom door at night. Tbh they hated the screaming and were happy to stay out.

They adore baby now, let her touch them and like to snuggle up on sofa. It’s been fine, honestly, they have adjusted really well.

I had two cats when I had my baby ( 18 yrs ago ) . Cats generally but not always slept with me pre baby and had the free roam of house and small garden .
For me I just left them to it when I had DD with no changes or restrictions . We all survived and there were no problems . As a newborn she slept in her moses basket and the cats stuck to their usual routine . I do recall them moving away if she cried/screamed . Only time they jumped into her bed was at grandmas and they both curled up by her feet .
Do what you feel comfortable with .

Is your cat and indoor or outdoor?

Our cat is also very clingy and needy for the most part. He was an indoor cat and would often scratch our carpet at our bedroom door at night because he's never been allowed to sleep with us at bedtime (mostly because he thought it was playtime and would attack our feet 😩) he was also naughty sometimes during the day so we decided to let him out.

The difference is amazing! He doesn't go out for long but it's like we have a different cat! He's still loving and wants cuddles when he's not asleep but he doesn't scratch at night or cry for attention anymore. May be worth a try if outside is an option?
But definitely try and get kitty into a routine before bub is here to make it easier. Treats at bedtime maybe in his / her cat bed? Cuddles before bed (if that's what cat likes haha) then putting them in their cat bed. The feliway plug ins are meant to be good too.

I got pregnant straight after getting two cats so they were never allowed to sleep with us. When the baby came there wasn't any jealousy because their routine didn't change.

I think it's very important to get the cat used to sleeping in the other room as soon as possible rather than after the birth so it doesn't resent the baby. She may miaow for a few weeks or months but should give up after a while. If you start now she'll give up the miaowing by the time baby is born.

I made sure to give the cats lots of cuddles and attention after the birth and everything went absolutely fine. The male was totally disinterested and kept a wide berth for two months, the female was very curious and liked to sit next to the baby (without touching her).

We did keep an eye on them for a few months because the female loved sleeping in the baby's cot and car seat whenever they were available but otherwise no problems.

I think as long as you show the cat you still love her all will be well :)

I'm in the same position. Due in less than 6 weeks with my first and have 2 very loving, clingy cats. They are 10 years old and I've had them since they were 8 weeks. They've always slept on my bed with me, sometimes on top of me but most of the time at mine and DHs feet. We are in the process of redecorating the room so intend on keeping them out once it's finished.

On the very rare occasion I've closed them out before (for tapping my nose to wake me during the night) they meow and scratch the door constantly! I feel really bad about changing their lifetime routine and comforts but I wouldn't settle knowing that they could possibly jump into baby's next to me and lie on him whilst I'm sleeping.

I think I'm just going to have to persevere with closing the door and keeping them out in the hope that they get used to it quickly and don't think I'm rejecting them in favour of the new addition!

Put the crocodile on a very short leash.

I have two cats who often sleep on the bed. I had a baby 7 months ago, didn't do anything different, the cats stayed away from the baby. I never worried about it.

Invest in a stair gate to ensure the elephant stays downstairs at night.