Okay well I recently moved downstairs and my 3 cats who used to have a whole room to play around in are now in a pretty big storage closet type of room...and I recently had a baby 2 weeks ago...this is why they are in there...I let them out once in a while, but only when the baby's out or under my supervision...and my mom used to be able to walk in and the cats were fine, especially with my oldest cat who's 6 years old, but she's recently become really aggressive towards anyone but me...if I go in, they come rushing and surrond me wanting my attention, but as soon as my mom trys to, they attack and hiss at her...my oldest and the youngest have always hisses at each other, but it seems worse now...I know they miss me and prolly are frusterated with less room to themselves..now...so what can I do to stop this?
I try to spend as much time as possible with them, seeing as I'm always home...what can I do to stop all this or help out so that my mother can be able to get stuff and not worry??
2006-09-09 12:44:17 · 13 answers · asked by aztec_princess_87 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Ugh...ppl need to learn to READ THE WHOLE THING!!!
I said, I let them out when I'm there, and the baby is in my arms, or next to me and I don't let them get near me, I let them have their space!!
And I figured I could give them those calming pills or put them in a cage while my mom had to get stuff from there...they're just calm when I go in so I have to go get the stuff...I don't think I need to get rid of them, I love them too much...but non pet owners wouldn't understand...
2006-09-09 12:55:45 · update #1
I want to be able to keep my cats, I do let them out during the day and they don't pay attention to the baby, I think they just miss me and their own space...they come and sniff the baby, and walk away minding their own business, my mom makes it worse because when she trys to go in there, she whips things at them telling them to move or go hide...
2006-09-09 12:58:33 · update #2
I'm not exactly sure what's going on w/ them. But I'll share a few ideas in a second.
First, I have to say - cats DO NOT sit on babies faces & "steal their breath"! That is an old wives tale. I'm an OB nurse & also a mom w/ numerous cats. I've never once seen or heard of that really happening first hand (only stories from so & so whose great aunt new a lady whose neighbor said...yada, yada). I just wanted to clarify that so people won't go destroy their cat once they have a baby. Of course, it is a good idea to keep pets out of a baby's crib/bassinet for lots of reasons. But cats don't "steal breath".
About the aggression, I think it's just a reaction to a change in environment (both moving downstairs & being confined to one room at times) and an addition to a family member (baby). It may take a while for them to really adjust.
The new sounds and smells of the new baby may make them nervous. My cats HATED it when my firstborn cried. By the time we had more kids, they were used to it & did fine.
Make sure to keep their litter box very clean if it is in the one room they are confined to. Cats have a very keep sense of smell and if it's a stinky room, they may be acting out.
Give them lots of toys to play with when they are in the room. Lost of cat toys are inexpensive so start with those.
Catnip may have a "fun" and/or a "calming" effect on them. That's something else to try that is inexpensive. Rub some on their head & back or sprinkle some on the food. They may love it and really chill out!
Your mom - has she recently got a new dog or cat? If so, maybe the cats smell another pet on her and that's why they act out. Also, if she walks in, they hiss, then she yells or throws something at them, that is conditioning them to fear and/or hate her. See if she would be willing (maybe even with you there in the room too) to spend a few minutes petting the cats, talking softly, and feeding them cat treats. Then, they'll start to develop happy feelings towards everybody and hopefully won't be too grumpy.
Other than that, I can't think of anything else. If nothing else work, call the vet or ask some behavioral experts on a cat message board. I'm sure you could get pills from your vet but I bet it'll be expensive & experience has taught me that "pilling" a cat can be very difficult thing for both pet & human (I've got a scratch on my hand from giving a pet an antibiotic last night).
I really think things will get better. Everyone just needs time to adjust.
Good luck to you, your baby, & the cats!
2006-09-09 14:05:47 · answer #1 · answered by Girl named Sue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I had my younger daughter, I made sure to pet my cat, while I was holding my daughter - so they would get used to each other. My cat would smell my daughter's head and then settle in, sometimes on my lap, right next to my daughter. It's probably harder for you with three cats, but I would probably try to not confine them as much. This doesn't mean leave them alone with the baby, but certainly, when you are holding the baby, there shouldn't be any harm with them being out as much as you are.
As far as aggression and your mom, I know this goes against conventional wisdom, but my cat actually seemed to be protective of my daughter - she didn't seem to like people approaching the baby - or maybe she just wanted to be petted first.
But I really think, once you get back to a more normal routine with your cats and they have more freedom, the aggression with your mom will subside. As far as the other advice to "not reward" their behavior - their behavior is a most likely a reflection of unmet needs.
If all else fails, before considering giving them up, talk to your vet for advice.
2006-09-09 13:02:00 · answer #2 · answered by Izzie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well i have a cat and i has sorta the same problem... what i did was i put raven down in the basement, with her food water and toys... and when the baby was awake i would let her come up (i would never leave them alone) and the cat got to know my baby. For them its something new and cats are jealous by natural, but my husband in front of the baby would pick up the cat and play with her as usual so that she didn't feel left out. Cats are like babies in a sense, they are curious and they just wanna see. Let them become friends and you'll see, your cats will be like they used to be before. this is an adjustment period for everyone.
2006-09-09 13:58:47 · answer #3 · answered by Tina 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like the cats are getting a bit feral being on there own too much. At the same time you really need to keep them away from the baby as he/she may have allergies to them. I do know that animals too can get jealous and I do not think locking them up has been the answer. It may be time that you found new homes for them where they have more freedom. Maybe you can keep one of the cats if he is not the aggressive one and see how he does with the new baby but do not let the cat jump on him/her. Good luck with this and congrats on the new baby.
2006-09-09 12:50:26 · answer #4 · answered by The_know_it_all 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First the cats are aggresive for two reasons one you shrunk there space and you keep them confined! cats hate not being independent. Secondly most animals and other kids feel like they lose u a lil when you have a baby. You made that worse by instead of introducing them and letting them see the baby you are keeping them seperate. now i understand that babies and cats don't always mix well but if you are watching the baby then you shouldnt have an issue. cats usually only bother a baby if it is left unattended like on the couch,bed, or while the baby is eating. if you can 't keep your cats out without being worried about the baby then u need to give them away for your benefit and their's.
2006-09-09 12:48:40 · answer #5 · answered by TR 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I can sympathize with you I have 2 cats and a new 2 month old baby. Be patient let them adjust to the new situation. As for your mom try to convince her that she is adding to the problem because every time she goes in there she is startling the cats, she needs to be calm when she goes in there.
2006-09-09 21:23:45 · answer #6 · answered by NW71206 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I had my baby one of my cats got that way, we gave her a little more attention and a treat only she gets (little peices of cut up chicken breast). it took TIME but she came off of her trip. but you still need to watch them because, even when they come around and stop being upset they can quickly change and go right back, also its hard but try and get them on a time frame of diffrent things like always in the morning when you eat, or after dinner, or when ever but the same time everyday!!My cats responded quickly and had a faster turn around then what we tried before. Good luck
2006-09-09 16:48:14 · answer #7 · answered by heathers_work_from_home 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Couldn't you let them out during the day when you are with the baby, and know they will not bother him/her? Then you could put them in the little room at night when you are asleep. My cats never paid any mind to my babies!
2006-09-09 12:47:05 · answer #8 · answered by Heather B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunatly, the cats are jealous and you may have to get rid of them if thier behavior dos not improve. DO not reward the cats with attention when they act aggressive. Give them a stern no and a fick in the nose. When they are being good, reward them with a treat and a pet.
2006-09-09 12:46:56 · answer #9 · answered by robyn 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is aggresive towards other animal because you love them the most.
2016-03-27 04:28:24 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋