Mary Allen
Cats are creatures of habit – having a baby as a new family member is a big change for them. You should therefore carefully get your pet used to the small child and always ensure sufficient safety.
Every cat is different: some cats are not interested in babies at all. They’re too loud for them and a bit scary overall, so better stay away from them. Others are curious and want to get closer to the small children, take a close look at them and sniff them. Cat owners should always stay with their pets and closely monitor their reactions.
First Encounters Between Cat & Baby
When cat and baby get to know each other, the human should stay calm and radiate security. Such serenity is usually transferred to the animal, while hectic can ensure that the house cat becomes insecure and anxious.
If the velvet paw is well-behaved, it should be praised with gentle words and strokes. If you would rather withdraw again, you can of course do so: never force your pet to be close, but let them decide for themselves when and for how long they want to get to know the baby.
Tips for a Peaceful Coexistence
Some cats are prone to jealousy of new family members – try to avoid it by paying close attention to your pet as well. If visitors come by to get to know your baby, they should also pet your sensitive cat on the head to show him that he is important too.
Never leave cat and baby unattended together and make sure your pet always has an escape route when with baby. Cat toys and cat bowls should be placed out of the reach of a crawling child – on the one hand for hygienic reasons, on the other hand, to avoid jealousy.