Mary Allen
If you are expecting a baby, the joy is great. But as a cat lover, you also ask yourself the question: How will my furry friend react to the small, human newcomer? We have the most important tips to ensure that everything works.
Don’t let this unsettle you: You don’t have to get rid of your house cat if you are expecting a child.
Start with the preparations at the beginning of the pregnancy and gently get your pet used to the upcoming situation. If possible, your cat should not associate the new rules and changes that are occurring with the baby.
These 10 tips can help you ensure a relaxed life together with your new two-legged friend and your dear four-legged friend.
Get tested for toxoplasmosis
Often one has already been infected unconsciously in the course of one’s life because the infection is symptom-free for almost everyone affected if the immune system is healthy.
This usually creates immunity in the body, so you should have your doctor test your blood for antibodies to toxoplasmosis. If you have them, there is little to worry about, as secondary infection poses very little risk either.
If no antibodies are detected, you can still counteract the risk of infection in your furry friend. Toxoplasma is transmitted through cat feces but takes two days to develop in the litter box, so cleaning it every day eliminates the greatest potential risk.
If your velvet paw is only an indoor cat, the risk is further minimized as they usually do not eat raw meat, which could give them toxoplasmosis infection. For more information, please consult your family doctor.
Pay attention to hygiene
It is important that you incorporate hygiene measures into your everyday life for your own sake and for the health of your unborn child. That doesn’t mean you should stop petting or avoiding your beloved pet.
Ideally, leave the cleaning of litter boxes and bowls to another family member. If you live alone with your cat, you should alternatively do this with gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Don’t let your kitty lick your face (anymore) and cuddling in your bed is no longer recommended.
Be careful when dealing with loose, unfamiliar cats and when gardening, because you can also come into contact with cat feces there, so wearing gloves is necessary. You should definitely get used to washing your hands regularly during pregnancy.
Have your cat neutered
If you have an unneutered cat, get it spayed before your baby arrives. Your cat may tend to defend its place in the family against the newcomer, as territorial behavior is stronger in an unneutered cat, so spaying can help you avoid the ground fighting urges.
In addition, unneutered cats are more afraid of unfamiliar things than neutered ones, so your neutered cat can get involved better with your two-legged friend.
Important: It is essential that you seek advice from your veterinarian. He may also have a solution other than surgery.
Allow your kitty to participate in makeovers
The living space of you and your cat may also change due to the forthcoming addition to the family. During the renovation, let your furry companion participate as much as possible in the new furnishing so that he can experience the changes directly. This helps the cat to at least get to know and accept the spatial innovations.
Ideally, you start making changes early and a few months before the baby is born, so that you quickly lose the allure of the new for your house tiger. This is particularly important if you decide to declare the children’s area a (temporary) taboo zone for your four-legged friend.
Extra tip: Keep in mind that even small changes in their living conditions affect house cats more in their habits and lifestyle than outdoor cats. If you only keep your four-legged friend in your apartment or house, you should therefore be particularly careful and cautious.
Cat-proof the nursery
Make the cradle or crib “cat-proof” so your baby doesn’t get an involuntary, furry company. For example, you can attach a mosquito net over the bed and weigh it down with lead tape at the bottom as an additional safety precaution.
Put the cot and changing table out early so you have time to teach your feline friend not to go in or up there.
If you have decided that your cat is (initially) no longer allowed in the bedroom or children’s room, teach it to do so long before your baby moves in.
The room that you have planned as a children’s room is often freely accessible. Once your cat sneaks in, steer her out with a resolute “no” every time. You may have to be patient with this, as cats are usually a bit reluctant to accept prohibitions.
Extra tip: So that your house tiger is not frustrated by the ban on children’s rooms, prevent this by spraying the door and the door frame with Feliway (cat pheromones).
Get your cat used to the new smells and sounds
Your four-legged friend’s nose is extremely sensitive and is an important part of his communication. Any disturbance of the familiar smells in the cat’s environment can have a major impact on your velvet paw and make him restless or even panic.
To familiarize your cat with the variety of baby smells as early as possible and to get her used to them, use baby powder or baby oil from time to time during pregnancy. It is also helpful if you also use pheromone preparations for new purchases such as high chairs. By gradually incorporating baby accessories into your household, you reduce the likelihood that your velvet paw will react negatively to your baby.
Like your sense of smell, your cat’s hearing is very sensitive and easily stimulated. It is therefore recommended that you play baby cries or other typical sounds softly from a cassette so that these sounds become commonplace for your kitty. If your cat shows you that the current volume level is acceptable, slowly increase the level.
Extra tip: by giving your cat tasty food when a new item arrives for the baby, such as the buggy, or by playing with it immediately afterward, you will ensure that your dear four-paw associates these things with positive experiences.
Reduce the bond you have with your four-legged friend
Having a baby also changes the relationship between you and your cat. If you have had a very close relationship with your cat up to now, it may be difficult to give your four-legged friend the same amount of time and attention as before your baby was born.
So that your cat is not alienated when HER lap is no longer reserved for her, you should ensure that your velvet paw can get used to the new situation in good time and unconsciously.
It is therefore advisable to spend less time with your four-legged friend right at the beginning of your pregnancy so that you do not react jealously to your newborn. That’s incredibly difficult, of course. To do this, talk to your kitten a lot, but pet your purring companion more casually in passing.
Even if your velvet paw is looking for human contact, put it down from your lap more often to show it that you cannot always be there for it directly in the future. Maybe play a little round with her later.
Make a firm schedule
The first time with your little bundle of joy will be turbulent and usually a bit chaotic due to a completely new daily routine – your cat will notice that too. Therefore, try to think about a new schedule in advance and establish routines that you can maintain with your baby in the future.
For the new daily plan, integrate fixed times for playing and grooming your kitten and always implement these changes step by step. This minimizes the effects on your four-legged friend.
Begin this implementation as early as possible so that your kitty has enough time to accept the rearrangement. If your kitty cooperates as desired, increase the duration of withdrawal over time. If your cat is nervous and stressed at first, don’t pay too much attention to it so that it doesn’t get even more upset and can withdraw instead.
Extra tip: As your pregnancy progresses, you may find it more difficult to actively play with your cat and romp around with it in the usual way. Therefore, make toys such as catfishing rods palatable to your favorite animal in good time, as this allows you to have fun with your cat without having to exercise too much.
Also a small obstacle course z. B. from boxes of different sizes or an activity board can provide variety.
Offer your cat a baby-safe retreat
Cat supplies such as food and water bowls, litter boxes, and other four-legged accessories should be in locations that are acceptable to everyone in your household. And above all: It should be the right place for your cat.
If you feel that the current positions may prove unsuitable after your newborn arrives, make this reorganization incrementally as well. This is especially important if you own an older cat.
Elevated places, or ideally an area that you can cordon off with a baby gate, are good places to eat or rest. This also gives your kitty the opportunity to avoid your baby’s attempts to make contact. Set up several hides and shelters at different heights and especially where you hang out with your bundle of joy frequently.
Extra tip: put your animal friend’s cat blanket or favorite treats in the newly created retreat boxes so that he will be happy to retreat there.
Always stay positive
Integrate the aforementioned points into your life as relaxed and inconspicuously as possible and try to create as little excitement as possible. Be firmly convinced that your four-legged friend and your offspring will get along and look forward to peaceful coexistence.
Remain calm as much as possible, because this gives your kitty the certainty that she still belongs and that all the changes are not a threat to her. At some point, your velvet paw will be your child’s best friend and your child will be a great playmate for your kitty.
With the attitude of a cat, your child grows up with valuable qualities such as a love of animals and a sense of responsibility and these important values will accompany them throughout their lives.
We wish you, your cat, and the child all the best.