My nephew will be here soon but my sister doesn't seem to trust my cats, she's wary of letting the baby stay in my house. I know the cats might smell the milk and go near, but of course he will be under constant supervision.
Anyone experienced problems with there cats when having a baby around?
2006-10-19 20:41:24 · 36 answers · asked by Kirsty 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thanks for all the information, it really helps as i want to see my nephew as much as possible!
Your a bunch of good people!
2006-10-19 22:14:50 · update #1
There is an old wife's tale about the cat stealing the baby's breath. Of course it is the milk. What exactly could a cat do to cause harm to a newborn? Cats don't normally attack and prefer to stay away from anything that makes noise as annoying as a baby. I've never had a problem with any of my cats and kids, nor now with our cat and granddaughter. If your sister is untrusting of cats, it may be better if they stayed in a hotel as it will be uncomfortable for everyone. Personally, I don't trust anyone who doesn't like cats or that any of my cats have disliked.
2006-10-19 20:46:43 · answer #1 · answered by Chloe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 cats and a baby and I can't help thinking that a lot of this "cats around babies is a bad idea" stuff is a touch of hysteria. I don't doubt that there have been instances of cats sitting on babies but this is certainly not the norm - think about it logically, how uncomfortable is it going to be to go to sleep on top of a squirming child! As for the smelling of the milk theory - if this is what you believe then just don't leave the cats around the baby straight after a feed. Although I also think this is an incorrect idea as I certainly didn't have my cats snuffling around me when I was leaking milk all over the place!
I think the best idea with regards to your sister though is to respect her wishes until she is feeling a little less precious (in the nicest possible way). We all treat our first like they're made of glass, it's only natural, and it won't be long before her baby is pulling your cat's tails and freaking them out so they won't be anytwhere near anyway!
2006-10-19 20:57:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm a gram now & in all my years, I have NEVER had anyone I've known, spoken with, worked with, done biz with, etc have ANY problems with a baby & a cat in the same home/area!! Contrary to all the rumors we've all heard (& I'm not old, per se, but I've heard MANY over the years!) through life, the opposite seems to be the norm!! I've heard story after story of cats protecting the baby, watching over them, etc...Rikki Tikki Tavi (sp?) in truth stranges as it may seem!
I am/have ALWAYS been a dog person..don't praticularily care for cats...so...if I knew a BAD experience I would've shared it!!
Good luck with the new "little guy"...had one...always say boys are your biggest frustration and your greatest love as a mom!
OH MY GOSH! I just read some of the responses you're getting!! People today are too freaked out about everything & WHO the blame can be laid on for this! It's a CAT...NOT a killer!! I was 16 when my son was born, single, & had more serious dangers to worry about than a cat! Why have an animal..any animal..you have to be AFRAID will harm you or yours?! Be more afraid of the next person smiling, shaking your hand, & checking out THE BABY!!!
2006-10-19 20:56:54 · answer #3 · answered by Sherry B 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When I was a baby the cat we had slept in the crib with me. If I woke up and started to cry the cat would go into the living room or where ever my parents were and meow at them until they came to see about me. When I had a child of my own, my cat at the time also slept with my son many times...without any problems whatsoever. I am 44 now and have owned cats my entire life and never had a problem with having a baby around a cat.
2006-10-20 00:04:53 · answer #4 · answered by lilahope2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat Joshua loved to lie on the sofa between my twins when they were babies. He hated kids after being mauled by my friends little boy! I thought he would hate the twins but he didn't. Of course I would never leave him with the twins if I was not in the room. Its common sense really. Cats are curious creatures and may want to have a sniff at the baby. The only time Josh will take a swipe at the twins is if they get a bit rough with him. I think he was completely justified swiping one of them after she tried to stab him in the face with a biro! They are 3 now and have learnt he is an old cat who needs love! As long as you watch the cats around the baby you will be fine. If the baby is staying overnight make sure the cats are shut out of the room he's in and the door is firmly closed. When your nephew starts crawling keep an eye on him as he will find its fun to chase after the cats. Cats feel threatened when they do this and if they get backed into a corner they will attack him. You see its not really the cats who are the problem its the kids! LOL
2006-10-19 22:33:52 · answer #5 · answered by Lovewilltearusapart 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When my son was a baby our cat was a built in baby monitor, as soon as my son slightly cried that cat would come jump on us until we got up and followed her.
You have to know your cat I think is the answer here, if she's jealous there may be more of a concern to be careful with it near the baby, next to that who cares. Babies near any animals is a good thing, teach them to be gentle and loving to the animals.
I have 2 nephews who are now 1 and 2 and love coming to my place, I have 6 cats and 1 dog for them to play with.
2006-10-19 21:38:35 · answer #6 · answered by Barb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am of the school - the cats wont hurt the baby.
I have two children and always had dogs and cats. The cats were interested in the strange "thing" making weird noises but after a while they couldnt care less.
The dog actually lay next to the cot and watch over the baby.
There are many old wives tales in regard to babies and cats. You just have to watch how your cats react and you can always shut the cats out of the room where the baby is or get netting to cover the crib/cot.
They are more likey to show interest in the baby if they arent allowed to see/smell him in the first place.
2006-10-19 22:21:05 · answer #7 · answered by Feline Female 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have had my cat for about three years (she is a rescue case) and I just had my first human child nine months ago. My cat was my baby before I had my son so we have a little bit of old sibling jealousy going on. She was fine with my son as an infant, she really hardly noticed him. She jumped in his bassinet once while he was in it and we took her out immediately, she was kind-of standing on him. The milk smelling thing is actually an old wives tale. Please tell your sister not to worry. My son loves my cat and spends half the day crawling after her. He has hit her and pulled her tail (we stopped him immediately, so please don't think I let my child abuse my cat), and she has scratched him twice, he did not even cry and still tried to grab her. They will be fine, when to cats have had enough they will probably walk away, mine does. She just jumps on a bookcase and gives my son that look that cats are so well known for. Dogs can be dangerous to have babies around, but not cats. Good luck to your family at this wonderful time of life!!!
2006-10-19 21:40:06 · answer #8 · answered by anyatavlasa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true that cats can be jealous of a baby, as babies usually get the most attention. And cats are drawn to the smell of milk. But, as one girl said, the real danger is that the baby may ingest cat hairs & choke. Also, babies are subject to allergies. So, as a cat lover, mother & grandmother, I have always just avoided problems when possible, by keeping the cats away from the infants untill the kids were old enough to be able to cough up any hair swallowed, & even then I tried to supervise any comingling of the two species. It kept peace in the house. I did once have a cat that tried to 'mother' my son. Unfortunately, she laid on him to keep him warm, just as she did her kittens, and he almost smothered!
2006-10-19 20:56:45 · answer #9 · answered by therealme 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
had 2 cats when my sister was born and 1 sat on her face - smell of milk and cats can get jealous and the other scratched her, only 1 experience, personally i wouldnt have cats anywhere near a baby myself, dogs generally are ok but even then wouldnt leave them too near the baby.
We had to get rid of the cats in that instance for the reasons above but they could have been nasty cats, i can understand your sisters reluctance, just make sure the cats stay out when the baby is there the cat will survive it might not be very happy though!
good luck!!
2006-10-19 20:45:42 · answer #10 · answered by caroline17nov 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋