Pregnancy and the Mooch Kitty?

Question

I am 37 weeks pregnant and about 2 months ago my husband and i took in a kitty, we named Mooch, mainly b/c of me. We both take turns feeding her. I am mainly the one that loves on her and my husband is the one who rough plays with her the most, although my husband does love on her too. My husband disiplines her the most. We both feed and water her and we both give her treats although the hubby probably gives her more treats more often than I do. Here the past couple of days the Mooch kitty has taken a disinterest in me and she has attack me twice today, one time scratching my leg, but I think this is by accident. Do you think she knows something we don't, like maybe the baby is coming soon? Has anyone experienced something like this with thier animal while pregnant?

"displining is telling her no currently, but i think we may invest in a spray bottle to mist her.

I am not trying to get rid of the cat, or worried about geting something from her. Nor am I worried about how she'll act around the baby. How about reading the details and answering the questions....

I am not trying to get rid of the cat, or worried about geting something from her. Nor am I worried about how she'll act around the baby. How about reading the details and answering the questions....

Answer 1

My friend had her cat freak out before she went into labor so it's possible that the cat knows and you don't just yet. Also, if you haven't trained the cat to not jump in the crib yet (I'm only commenting because someone told you to get rid of it), put tin foil in the crib and/or bassinet. Cats for some reason don't like the feel of the foil on the feet and stay away from it... It's what worked for keeping my cats out of the baby's bed and mine is due for 5 weeks yet... Good luck!

Answer 2

Accidents with their claws happen, and not long ago I read on a pet website that sometimes when they scratch legs they aren't meaning to do anything but play.

I think your husband's "rough playing" with her could be getting her in a pattern of being a little on nutty-acting side. With a cat there shouldn't be any "disciplining" other than simply telling the cat, "No" if it gets on your couch or some place you want to train it not to get on.

I've had cats most of my life (and a dog here or there as well). I think, unless you've done something to scare the cat, the incident was her playing. I think your husband should leave her alone. Skip the "disciplining" (other than just saying "No" if she gets on something) and skip the "rough playing". You know that famous poem, "Children Learn What They Live"? Animals learn what they live too.

Patting her and talking kindly to her or in a nice, friendly, way will make her feel secure and peaceful. Giving her the occasional people-tuna treat will make her feel kind of calm and also let her know you folks give her a special treat. Encouraging a "friendly, kind, and warm" atmosphere will be better in the long run.

Answer 3

Toxoplasmosis is the most common disease that can be transmitted to pregnant women although undercooked meat is much more common way to get it. This is a parasite that can have ill effect on the baby, particularly later in the pregnancy. The best way to avoid catching this from a cat is to wash your hands after playing with it and to either let your husband clean the litter box or wear gloves while you're doing it--be sure to wash your hands afterward. This disease is also really rare in indoor cats because it's transmitted though the feces from infected cats.
The old legend that a cat "can suck a baby's breath" is just an old wives tale. It can't happen. However, my cat likes to lie on my chest sometimes while I'm in bed. I don't think that this would be a good thing for the baby although the cat would have to be pretty darn heavy to cause the baby to have problems breathing. I'd just be sure the cat couldn't get in the baby's room while you're not in with it.
Also, be careful of leaving the baby alone with the cat as the baby could grab the cat roughly and the cat could scratch the baby in return. This is just a common sense safety precaution that you would practice with anything that could potentially harm your child.
Also, I've noticed that some of my cats will grab my heel, leg, or clothing when they want me to stop and pet them. Also, animals just get cranky sometimes just like people do. When one of my kitties is cranky I just leave it alone until it get's over it's "mood". You could check her to make sure that she doesn't have any undectected sores or injuries too.
When I was pregnant I didn't notice that the cats acted particularly unusual. They may notice a change in your demeanor That may be making her nervous caused by the baby dropping into it's position waiting to be born. Perhaps it's so subtle that you probably don't notice it yourself. Animals are particulary sensitive to changes in the things that surround them--particularly cats. However, I don't believe that cats, or any other animal, are psychic so, no, she doesn't "know" anything that you don't know.

Answer 4

Actually you need to get rid of the cat. It is very unhealthy for pregnant women to be around cats. You should do some research on the ill health effects. Also after the baby is born it is possible that the cat may crawl in the crib and unknowingly suffocate the baby.

Answer 5

you do not need to get rid of your cat. the only thing you really need to worry about is the contents in the litter box. your hubby should be the one, for the time being or forever, to clean it out. if hes using his hands and feet as toys its a bad sign. i got my cat when i was about 12 and played with her with my hands. after a few years it got to the point where the playing got to be too much. with cats its hard to train them. in order to do so you have to make the experience bad so they remember not to do that again. and its usually hard to fix it if they look at body parts as play toys. i'd suggest getting those little balls with bells in them or the wand that can suction to solid surfaces that has an elastic string with feathers and a bell at the end. if your cat is just starting that behavior you may still be able to fix it.

now that i'm pregnant i worry how my cat might react to the baby when it comes. with the squirming and such. good luck with the cat problem.

Answer 6

If I were on your position - one ingredient i might want to really nip contained in the bud, is the hard Play... Do you extremely favor your cat to study that scratching, biting & playing hard is okay, highly because that is going to maximum likely be round a newborn toddler quickly??? The cat is perhaps sensing the adjustments in you with your being pregnant.