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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Am I mad to get a kitten when pregnant?

41 replies

Jane7 · 22/04/2008 20:02

Next door's cat has kittens and we've been offered one and I'm dead keen, but should I be cautious. Has anyone else looked after a kitten during pregnancy?
I'm nearly 17 weeks and we'll be getting the kitten when I'm 21 weeks.
I'll get my DH to deal with the litter...

Thanks in advance for advice.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MinkyBorage · 22/04/2008 20:04

maybe you should get tested to see if you have immunity to toxxoplsmosis before making a decision. If you have imunity, no problem. They used to do it routinely here, but have stopped now.

MinkyBorage · 22/04/2008 20:04

*toxoplasmosis

MrsTittleMouse · 22/04/2008 20:05

I love cats, but I wouldn't do it. You might well have "accidents" from the kitten at first, and DH might not be around to deal with them. But more importantly, I think that having a kitten is a big responsibility and you need time to devote to the new kitten. With the best will in the world, you will be very distracted by the pregnancy and the new baby (and rightly so!).

IceCube · 22/04/2008 20:40

I already have a young cat and there is no way I would get rid of it just because I am pregnant so if you want one get one

If you've had cats in the past then the chances are you will be immune, and in any case you should be careful. I have a stack of cheap (Wilkos 35p) rubber gloves and whenever there is a dead bird / pile of cat puke to clear I just don them and throw them away with the mess.

It's probably good practice for whats to come.

pedilia · 22/04/2008 20:46

We got one of our cats when I was pg with dc3 and our dog when he was 5 weeks old, I have never had any problems

Original poster

Jane7 · 23/04/2008 10:05

Thanks for all these responses. I'm going to speak to my midwife about testing for toxoplasmosis. Having grown up with cats, I'm hoping that I'll be immune. If not, I'll just have to be very careful

OP posts:

belgo · 23/04/2008 10:08

I grew up with cats but am not immune to toxoplasmosis. If you are immune, there is no problem.

gingerninja · 23/04/2008 10:18

I have two cats and found them an extra responsibility I could have done without in the early months, they were like annoying lodgers who left mess everywhere. However, DD is now 19 months and absolutely loves them so it's a tricky one. Kittens are more likely to want to investigate the baby and all it's stuff and need lots of attention than an older cat ime and when the baby is born he/she will be your priority which may make the kitten feel pushed out, especially if you start restricting access to certain areas of the house.

(Kittens seem to go barking mad in the middle of the night too which might disturb precious sleep)

chunkychips · 23/04/2008 10:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LookingForwardToSummer · 23/04/2008 10:32

once you have your baby you'll be far less interested in cats! seems like a bad idea to me!

Tommy · 23/04/2008 10:35

we got 2 kittens while I was pregnant. Make sure they are toilet trained before you get them and tell DH to clean out the tray.

It then becomes his responsibility and you don't ever have to sorry about it

Although if you do have an accident, as long as you wear gloves t clear anything up, you should be fine

pooka · 23/04/2008 10:37

Yes. We got 2 kittens just before I found out I was pregnant with ds (2nd child).
I found it really hard to give them good attention, particularly as they were rather feral fro some time. Now they are much friendlier, but I rather wish we'd waited until now (ds is 2.5, dd is 5).

bethoo · 23/04/2008 10:44

by the time your baby is born your kitten will be old enough to go out and have his/her toilet outside so no changing litter trays.
i had two cats when ds born and not as much hard work as having ot walk my dog.
ifind that withe cats as long as you feed them they pretty much do what they want.

booge · 23/04/2008 10:47

I went right off my lovely cat when I was pregnant, I know he is lovely but I'm only just able to tolerate him now 18 months after DD was born. I know other women who this has happened to as well, hormones I guess. I would hold off.

PetitFilou1 · 23/04/2008 11:22

No don't do it. You will have enough on your plate without dealing with cat sick/half dead mice/cat poo/worms ...from time to time. Lovely as kittens are. Plenty of time to get one later!

fairibell · 23/04/2008 11:48

I dont think so!! we have 3 cats and have fostered - infact one had kittens when i was last pregnant so had 4 cats and 6 kittens at one point!

If going to get one though I would HIGLY recommend getting 2 as they will play with each other and look after each other - also when baby arrives they are less likely to be trying to get your attention 24/7 as will have each other - less likely to keep you wake at night wanting to come in and be close to you (as they will have each other!)

Also SO SO cute to watch them play together - also if you can get some that a a tiny bit older that have been with mum until at least 10 - ideally 12 weeks as this is when they secure their learning on toilet training etc!! when we have fostered younger kittens they have had LOTS of accients (on beds/sofas/carpets etc) where as after 10 heardly any accidents and after 12 I think we have only ever had one accident! - it is all down to how long they are with their mum really!!

Good luck
xx

gingerninja · 23/04/2008 12:04

I agree they are cute but the extra hassle of hoovering hair which gets everywhere, mopping muddy foot prints, them miowing all night wanting in the bedroom is a lot on top of having a new baby. I also didn't like mine much after having DD and they were my babies before. I still don't have the same feelings for them as I did before.

LizSpain · 23/04/2008 14:21

I also wanted a puppy or kitten when pregnant, my philosophy was why not deal with all the poop at the same time but now I'm pregnant I'm not 100% convinced on whether its a good idea to get any animal because you don't know what they're carrying before they've been injected.

I do agree with fairibell though if your gonna get a kitten get two!! They really do keep each other occupied & take the weight off you especially when baby arrives. I had two kittens from 6 weeks old we had them early as their mum got hit by a train & in regards to toilet training we were told to pick them up after their first meal & put them straight in their litter tray (ours were house cats). This worked a treat & we never had any accidents where as my friend didn't bother & her two always left her little treats even when they started going outside!!! Good luck!

DrNortherner · 23/04/2008 14:24

I gave my 2 cats away after ds was born cause I could not put up with the constant mess. Mind you, we had spoilt them pre ds then he came along and we somewhat neglected teh cats. They made us pay by spraying all over the house and bringing home live magpies on a regular basis.

When ds was 3 we got another cat and she fits right in.

Best to get one once baby is here then it won't have to readjust IYKWIM!

neeka · 23/04/2008 14:30

I had a kitten when pregnant with my ds and he grew up with the cat and she now loves being around him. I got two more kittens when preg with ds1 who then both got preg themselves and one of them gave birth the same day i did!! All my children have grown up with cats and think it gives children appreciation for animals and makes the cats more tolerant too. Also research suggests that having a cat when preg can produce more placid babies - all 3 of my children have been pleasant babies!

EsmeWeatherwax · 23/04/2008 14:33

I would definitely wait until your baby is here. Kittens are a lot of work and need lots of attention if they're to grow up to be friendly, well adjusted cats, and you may not feel like contributing the time to do so. I loved my cat until dd arived a year ago, but he was very demanding of attention, and i found I just couldn't cope with that and the dead wildlife he brought in all the time. I've had cats for years as well, but finally rehomed him with a friend a few weeks ago. If you still think you want a cat after baby is here, then go for it, but I'd definitely hold off until then.

HairyToe · 23/04/2008 15:00

Haven't read all this thread but we had a cat long before Dc1 came along and once the new baby arrived the cat got completely ignored. Now with 2 children to look after I still feel guilty that I don't have much time (or enthusiasm) for fussing/playing with the cat. Also when DD1 was younger he did scartch her twice - once on her face . There were extenuating circumstances but he's still 'on a warning' if you know what I mean.

On the plus side isn't it supposed to be good for kids to grow up with a pet? Still I'd hate to have to get rid of him as I am fond of him, as are the girls, but I often think it would be easier without him around (I haven't even got on to the whole worrying about him climbing into the cot with tiny baby or crawling baby eating his cat food...)

gingerninja · 23/04/2008 15:14

If only Neeka, I had two cats and a very difficult baby!

chunkypudding · 23/04/2008 18:13

yes you are.

you'll forget you have it when you have a newborn, you seriously won't want anything else to look after!

Jazzicatz · 23/04/2008 18:25

I had six weeks to go with ds1 when we got a springer spaniel puppy. It was hard work - and the responsibilty of going from nothing to baby and puppy was stressful at times. But 5 years on we got through it and now the dog and ds are very close. The worst part was the long walks which you will not have to do with a kitten. I would go for it!

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